Ponniah Manikavasagam BBC Tamil service, Vavuniya

	A group of religious leaders who recently visited the two districts

He made this observation after returning from a conducted tour to these areas for the first time since the LTTE was defeated in May last year.

“We were able to see public properties and vehicles damaged during the final battle between the LTTE and the army are strewn all over the places. Almost all the buildings are damaged and they are without roofs,” he said.

A team of five priests including the Bishop were allowed to visit Kilinochchi and Mullaithivu district last week.

Abandoned vehicles

Rt Rev Thomas Sounderanayagam said on the instruction of the commander in charge of Mullaithivu, army officials took them round the places.

“In Thanniyootru and Mulliyawalai area, we were able to see large number of abandoned motor vehicles was parked in rows,” he said.

Military officials have collected these vehicles and stacked in one place.

He said the military officials told him that these vehicles are under the custody of the Government Agent of the area, and the vehicles will be handed over to the owners once they produce proper documents.

Bishop Sounderanayagam said number of priests and nuns are engaged in religious and humanitarian activities in areas where already the internally displaced people (IDP) are resettled.