'civilian admin' in camps
The Sri Lankan government has handed over the administration of the refugee camps in the north to civilian authorities, a senior minister said.
Human Rights minister Mahinda Samarasinghe told BBC Sandeshaya that the camps where civilians fleeing the battlefield housed were under the control of security forces until recently. "The administration of these camps has already been transferred to the Ministry of Resettlement and the Government Agent of the district" he said. Minister Samarasinghe added that however, the security forces are still responsible for providing security for the camps. The United Nations and human rights campaign groups have impressed upon the government to allow free movement of these civilians, who have fled fighting in Vanni. UNHCR statement The minister says the government will not be able to immediately allow them to leave the camps as they have information that some LTTE members have also sought refuge in the camps. "We need to analyse why these cadres have left; whether they are preparing for suicide attacks or have any other motive," he told BBC Sinhala service. The government is working on, he said, in establishing few camps in religious places for the elderly people who do not have relatives. Elderly people released In a statement issued today, UNHCR welcomed some recent initiatives by the government to start the release of persons with special needs including 371 elderly people from the camps. The UN also say the government had facilitated the reunification of separated families inside the IDP sites. "The agency also notes that the GoSL has drawn up a plan to facilitate visits by relatives of the IDPs to the sites, once the registration process is complete" says the UNHCR statement maintain the civilian character Minister Samarasinghe said that those elderly people who do have relatives will soon be able to live with them after a screening process. He stressed that it is the policy of the government to allow the free movement for every IDP in the camps. However, the UNHCR recommends the government to maintain the civilian character of the IDP sites. "UNHCR calls on the GoSL to task the civil administration and the Sri Lanka Police to provide services and maintain law and order inside the sites while the Sri Lanka Army maintains security at the periphery." says the UNHCR.