Let Us In – ICRC Tells Government

By Raisa Wickrematunge

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has put forward a fresh appeal to the Sri Lankan government urging full access to the internally displaced camps in the country’s north.

ICRC Spokesperson Sarasi Wijeratne said the organisation has had no access to these IDP camps since July this year.  “Discussions are however underway with government authorities to obtain access to these camps,” she said.

The ICRC on July 9 announced that it would “scale down” its operations, withdrawing expatriate staff, and shutting down operations in the Eastern Province. This was in response to a request from the government, following the victory over the LTTE.

In the same press release the ICRC stressed their willingness to “address the humanitarian needs,” of the IDPs, as well as newly resettled people.

“We are trying to ascertain the future role that the ICRC] will play in the country’s future activities,” Wijeratne said.