In another protest two weeks earlier, students demanded the Army to vacate a culture centre in Kudyiruppu. Local people also staged a demonstration near Vavuniya government secretariat on 25 October, urging the implementation of the ceasefire agreement of 22 February, which requires vacation of buildings occupied by the military within 160 days, to facilitate resettlement.
As thousands of displaced people return to resettle, local officers are struggling without funds. Mullaitivu Government Agent (GA) Imelda Sugumar has requested Colombo to provide Rs 14 million ($145,000) for basic needs, self-employment and shelter. Huge funds are also needed for reconstruction of government offices, schools and hospitals.
Following a petition from displaced people, the Prime Minister’s office has written to the GA, requesting details of Tamils who wish to resettle in Manal Aru (Veli Oya), a division of Mullaitivu District. Tamils in several villages of Manal Aru area were driven out by the Army in 1984 and 1990.
In Jaffna, recent surveys show that 11,130 houses in southern Thenmaratchy area have been destroyed and another 7,000 damaged. Estimates made before the destruction of Thenmaratchy by the Army in September 2000 said that 120,000 buildings, including 80,000 houses had been damaged in the whole of the peninsula. Local NGOs say shelter demands are increasing, but no proper housing programme is in place.
The Jaffna people also protested the military occupation of public and private buildings. At a conference on 29 October, Army officers said resettlement was not possible in most parts of Nagarkovil and fishing will not be allowed near the area. On 30 October, demonstrators marched from Mallakam to Thellippalai demanding resettlement and handed a petition to the SLMM. Refugees are expected to vacate houses as owners return from the Vanni, while their homes are occupied by the military.
Landmines continue to affect resettlement in Jaffna. Between January and September, two people were killed by landmines and 50 were wounded. Sivalingam Sivakaran, 24, suffered serious injuries in early October, while collecting firewood in Thunnalai.
The office of the Tamil group EPDP on Neduntivu Island was attacked on 6 October. Office equipment was burned. The EPDP, which currently supports the opposition People’s Alliance (PA), says that the LTTE were behind the attack and prevented police intervention.