This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/south_asia/8387537.stm

The article has changed 12 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 5 Version 6
S Lanka displaced 'free to move' S Lanka displaced 'leaving camps'
(40 minutes later)
Sri Lankan authorities say they have opened up huge camps holding people detained since the army's victory over Tamil Tiger rebels earlier this year. Thousands of displaced Sri Lankans have begun leaving military-run camps opened up by the government, officials say.
The general in charge of Menik Farm, the biggest camp, told the BBC people were free to leave - after giving their details so they could be monitored. The general in charge of Menik Farm, the biggest camp, told the BBC people were free to go - after giving their details so they could be monitored.
The closed, military-run camps house more than 130,000 people. The camps in the north house about 130,000 people driven from their homes during the offensive against the Tamil Tiger rebels earlier this year.
Sri Lanka has drawn strong international criticism for holding people there against their will. Sri Lanka has drawn criticism for holding people against their will.
They were set up for people fleeing the war zone during the government's final offensive against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). The decades-long conflict was declared over in May. There have been severe restrictions on access to the camps - set up for people fleeing the war zone during the government's final assault against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).
There have been severe restrictions on access to the camps, and international media organisations - including the BBC - have not been allowed to visit them in recent weeks. The decades-long conflict was declared over on 19 May.
Tracked down Transport out of the camps is a problem but people seem to be very happy to leave Sri Lankan official in Vavuniya
The government announced 10 days ago that the camps would be opened up. International media organisations - including the BBC - have not been allowed to visit the camps in recent weeks.
The Sri Lankan army defeated the Tamil Tigers in May The government has been screening people there for possible links with the rebels.
Maj Gen Kamal Gunaratne, who runs the Menik Farm camp, told the BBC that he expected a huge rush of people wanting to leave, but things were going smoothly and the mood was good. On Tuesday a senior official in the town of Vavuniya near Menik Farm said about 6,000 people had already left the camps.
Gen Gunaratne said people leaving on Tuesday had to return and that anyone trying to leave permanently would be "tracked down". "Transport out of the camps is a problem but people seem to be very happy to leave," he told AFP news agency.
Many people doing aid work in these camps have felt ambivalent about giving assistance, says the BBC Charles Haviland in Colombo. Some see them as "open prisons". 'Tracked down'
The government says that is all changing. It says there will not be limits on how long they can stay away. People leaving the camps on Tuesday told the BBC that they had to return within 15 days.
Maj Gen Kamal Gunaratne, who runs Menik Farm, said anyone trying to leave permanently would be "tracked down".
Many people doing aid work in these camps have felt ambivalent about giving assistance, says the BBC Charles Haviland in Colombo, with some seeing them as "open prisons".
Our correspondent says that with northern Sri Lanka devastated and mined, some of the displaced will want to stay on in the camps for now.Our correspondent says that with northern Sri Lanka devastated and mined, some of the displaced will want to stay on in the camps for now.
However those who want to escape will not find it easy to do so, owing to heavy security presence in the region, our correspondent adds.However those who want to escape will not find it easy to do so, owing to heavy security presence in the region, our correspondent adds.
The government says all the camps will be shut down by the end of January 2010.The government says all the camps will be shut down by the end of January 2010.
The Sri Lankan army defeated the Tamil Tigers in May
In the past month, it has stepped up the formal process of returning people to the villages and the numbers living in the camps have halved.In the past month, it has stepped up the formal process of returning people to the villages and the numbers living in the camps have halved.
The United Nations has welcomed the closure announcement, but has said it is waiting to find out how the registration process for departing detainees will work.
UN humanitarian chief John Holmes, who visited northern Sri Lanka last month, said returnees face "major problems in terms of shelter", and it would be years before normality returned to the region.UN humanitarian chief John Holmes, who visited northern Sri Lanka last month, said returnees face "major problems in terms of shelter", and it would be years before normality returned to the region.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa called early elections for January - two years early - in an effort to take advantage of his popularity after the crushing the Tamil Tigers.President Mahinda Rajapaksa called early elections for January - two years early - in an effort to take advantage of his popularity after the crushing the Tamil Tigers.
He is being challenged by Gen Sarath Fonseka, a former army chief who is at odds with the government over who should take credit for the military victory.He is being challenged by Gen Sarath Fonseka, a former army chief who is at odds with the government over who should take credit for the military victory.
Have you recently left a military camp or do you have relatives in any of the camps? Send us your stories using the form below.Have you recently left a military camp or do you have relatives in any of the camps? Send us your stories using the form below.
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & ConditionsThe BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions