29 November, 2009 - Published 14:56 GMT

Former refugees call for facilities

War affected Sinhalese resettled in Vavuniya have called on the authorities to provide them with adequate facilities or allow them back into camps.

The government has initiated a program to resettle internally displaced people (IDPs) in 48 villages.

Journalist Dinasena Rathugamage who visited Kudakachchakodiya village where some former IDPs are resettled says that many lack even basic facilities.

Mudalihamige Chandrasekara, 80, says his family was only given 16 corrugated iron sheets to build a temporary house in the village.

LTTE attack

"It is not enough to build a house. We hope the government will help us to rebuild our houses," he said.

"Otherwise let them go back to where we have been."

A group of former residents of Kudakachchakodiya were resettled in the village after 17 years.

They were promised any facilities, they say, but nothing much materialised.

Nirmala Ranjani says even those offered are given in an strange manner.

"The Grama Seva niladhari came, drew lots and distributed three sewing machines. We were promised chicken, goats and cows but the he did the same when distributing," she said.

A mother described what happened in the village in 1992.

"Five people were killed in the LTTE attack in 1992. We only survived because I took the children and hide in the woods," The emotional mother said.

Even the basic facilities such as water and toilets are not provided and there is danger as the village is surrounded by the woods, they say.

The former IDPs called on the authorities to provide them with facilities and financial assistance to rebuild their lives.