[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 77 (Thursday, May 20, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E899]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    RESETTLEMENT OF INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS (IDPS) IN SRI LANKA

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. MAURICE D. HINCHEY--

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 20, 2010

  Mr. HINCHEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to mark the first 
anniversary of the end of the civil war in Sri Lanka. President 
Rajapaksa promised to promote reconciliation on the island and resettle 
Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).
  One year after the end of the war, there are still over 90,000 people 
who remain in detention and transit centers, including many women and 
children. Not only have they not been able to return to their homes, 
but they still don't have access to basic necessities. Food and medical 
care are scarce, and international aid organizations are still not 
allowed into many northern areas occupied by Tamils.
  The Sri Lankan government should immediately begin resettling IDPs in 
their original homes. They must be allowed to return to their families, 
livelihoods, schools, and places of worship. Addressing humanitarian 
needs and protecting the basic human rights of all Sri Lankans should 
be the top priority of the Rajapaksa government.

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