Mr. Rao has visited IDP camps in IDP camps in Vavuniya, Kilinochchi and Jaffna

Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao who is on an official visit to Sri Lanka reiterated the commitment after visiting IDP camps in Vavuniya, Kilinochchi and Jaffna, the Indian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Ms. Rao also stated that India will build 50,000 houses for the IDPs with local participation.

India donated 250 million US Dollars for the construction of 50,000 houses for the war refugees when President Mahinda Rajapaksa recently visited India, the government information department said.

Ms. Rao has visited Mahilankulam near Omanthai, a site where the Horizon (ex-servicemen)Group of India is conducting demining operations in a heavily mined area.

Chinese delegation

"The Government of India is funding three Horizon demining teams, in addition to four teams from Sarvatra, another Indian demining group working in Sri Lanka," the statement said.

	India was urged to be involved in the political process to ensure a permanent settlement

In Kilinochchi, the foreign Secretary has met recently resettled families.

In Jaffna, local leaders have "underscored the need for India to be involved in the political process to ensure a permanent settlement," the statement said.

Ms. Rao is to visit Mullaitivu and Trincomalee on Wednesday before returning to Colombo for further meetings with Sri Lankan dignitaries including President Rajapaksa.

She was accompanied during the visit by the High Commissioner of India Ashok K. Kantha, Governor of the Northern Province, Maj Gen (Rtd) G.A.Chandrasiri and senior officials of the Governments of India and Sri Lanka.

Meanwhile, a Chinese delegation led by Yunnan Province Governor Qin Guangrong is in Sri Lanka to participate in a trade fair to be held on Wednesday.

The delegation is “expected to sign four bilateral agreements with Sri Lanka covering Power and Energy, Higher Education, Agriculture and Telecommunication sectors,” the government information department said.

The department also announced that China is to fund 3.5 billion USD for a 332km road rehabilitation and development project along the A9 in the northern province.