The government has decided to release persons over 60 years of age from the internally displaced camps in Vavuniya so that they could live independently or with their relatives, Vavuniya Government Agent Ms. P. S.M. Charles said. 

There are 15 welfare camps in Vavuniya currently occupied by over 31,504 displaced persons from the Wanni. 

Ms. Charles said these aged persons fond it difficult to live in a temporary hut without the aid of anyone, and therefore they would be allowed to live with their relatives outside the camps. 

She said the elderly people could choose to do so only if they were willing. 

However, the aged persons without any relatives would be accommodated in separate elderly homes to be looked after by the government. 

“We have already released 60 aged persons. We have identified another 73 persons at one camp to be released,” she said. 

Asked about the persons who had found their family members missing, she said that four such children were re-united with their families after their parents were traced. 

The parents of a few other children were yet to be identified, and the government was planning to launch an online programme to gather such information about the IDPs. 

Meanwhile, the Government Agent said that they had started the community cooking programme for the IDPs in Vavuniya. Accordingly, 100 families would team up in one group, and cook for all starting from today. 

The government provides essential items, kitchen utensils and firewood.