The Sri Lankan minister for resettlement, D. M. Swaminathan, has been criticised for failing to meet directly with displaced residents of Valikamam North, during a visit to the High Security Zone on Monday.
The minister visited the area with a research team including former members of parliament, to discern the needs of resettlers and to tour areas marked for release from the High Security Zone.
Angered by the team's failure to meet with them in order to hear their concerns and needs directly, displaced residents of Valikamam North accused the minister of conducting the visit purely for electioneering purposes.
Earlier this month, Valikamam North's residents, most of whom have been living in welfare camps or staying with friends and family, marked 25 years of displacement after the creation of the High Security Zone.