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Sri Lanka makes resettlement vow Sri Lanka makes resettlement vow
(about 5 hours later)
Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa has said he expects 265,000 Tamil people displaced by the recent war to be resettled by the end of January.Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa has said he expects 265,000 Tamil people displaced by the recent war to be resettled by the end of January.
He said that arrangements are being made for the refugees to get day passes from government camps where they reside so that they can go to work.He said that arrangements are being made for the refugees to get day passes from government camps where they reside so that they can go to work.
Sri Lankans and foreigners continue to express concern about the welfare of the refugees.Sri Lankans and foreigners continue to express concern about the welfare of the refugees.
The president has now laid down a firm timetable for them to return home.The president has now laid down a firm timetable for them to return home.
New arrangementsNew arrangements
Speaking to a senior United Nations envoy, President Rajapaksa said he expected the resettlement to be complete by the January deadline.Speaking to a senior United Nations envoy, President Rajapaksa said he expected the resettlement to be complete by the January deadline.
The president has been criticised at home and his abroad over the plight of the refugees UN's Lynn Pascoe: "The real issue is the long term viability of... democracy"
A statement on the government website said he was also sticking to the government's target that most of them - he gave a figure of at least 70% - should be out by late November.A statement on the government website said he was also sticking to the government's target that most of them - he gave a figure of at least 70% - should be out by late November.
That means there is a lot of work to be done.That means there is a lot of work to be done.
According to United Nations figures, nearly 265,000 people remain in camps, most of them at one huge site, and fewer than 15,000 have so far left.According to United Nations figures, nearly 265,000 people remain in camps, most of them at one huge site, and fewer than 15,000 have so far left.
For the first time, the president said new arrangements are being made to issue day passes for those displaced people who want to go and work outside.For the first time, the president said new arrangements are being made to issue day passes for those displaced people who want to go and work outside.
But he and his senior adviser also said that they did not expect there to be many takers, because few people outside the camps have responded to a government invitation that they provide accommodation for their friends and relatives.But he and his senior adviser also said that they did not expect there to be many takers, because few people outside the camps have responded to a government invitation that they provide accommodation for their friends and relatives.
United Nations sources have meanwhile confirmed to the BBC that some refugees permitted to leave the biggest camp a week ago have in fact been placed in transit camps nearer to their homes in eastern Sri Lanka.United Nations sources have meanwhile confirmed to the BBC that some refugees permitted to leave the biggest camp a week ago have in fact been placed in transit camps nearer to their homes in eastern Sri Lanka.
It is not clear how long they are to remain there but officials say the people are undergoing further security vetting and instructions on their release are awaited from the capital.It is not clear how long they are to remain there but officials say the people are undergoing further security vetting and instructions on their release are awaited from the capital.