Sri Lanka: One Island Two Nations

Tuesday, April 19, 2016

CONFLICT AFFECT DISPLACEMENT IN SRI LANKA: MAJOR OBSTACLES TO DURABLE SOLUTIONS

(Vikalka photo: Sinhalese IDPs in Panama)

Read the full report on line here or as a PDF here:NATIONAL POLICY ON DURABLE SOLUTIONS FOR CONFLICT -AFFECTED DISPLACEMENT April 7 3rd Draft

19/04/2016

[Ministry of Prison reform, Rehabilitation, Resettlement and Hindu religious Affairs – Report on national policy on durable solutions for conflict affected displacement ( 3^rd Draft) 7^th April 2016]

It is imperative that the Government sets out a time frame for expediting resettlement and ensure that the bulk of the displaced find a durable solution with a settlement option of their choice within this period. The following are some of the major obstacles which need to be addressed and resolved as a matter of urgency, if this objective is to be achieved.

Release and Return of Land Occupied by the Military and Police to their Original Owners/Former Occupants.

The Ministry of Defence in coordination with the Ministry of Law and Order must ensure that an accurate mapping is made of all land that is or was owned, claimed or used by civilians and is currently occupied by any of the three security forces –army, navy or air force – or by the police. All such lands, particularly private land, should be released and returned to civilian use and ownership urgently, unless the State determines that it is required for public purpose. This purpose, be it national security or development, should be carefully scrutinised, including to ascertain that no alterative land can be found for the stated purpose. This also means, interalia, releasing land that is being used by the military for purposes not related to security including but not limited to agricultural production, tourist enterprises, or recreation. It must be ensured that land that is released is made safe from unexplored ordnance or other sources of danger, and returned in a state that can be used by former residents and owners for their residential or economic pursuits.