Sri Lankan government officials have reiterated that the government is commitment to resettle in six months all Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) now staying in relief centers in the north, the presidential office said on Thursday in a statement.

The commitment was conveyed by a high-level Sri Lankan delegation comprising Senior Advisor to Sri Lankan president BasilRajapaksa, Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa, and the Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga which met Indian Foreign Minister S. M. Krishna on Wednesday, the statement said.

The statement quoted Krishna as saying that India would assist in the resettlement and rehabilitation process of the IDPs. New Delhi will also assist Sri Lanka's de-mining activity to ensure the safe and speedy return of the IDPs.

Krishna said the delegation had agreed to India's suggestion to allow the ship "Captain Ali" to off-load the relief material meant for displaced persons in northern Sri Lanka. The ship, coming from Europe with relief material, was formerly turned back by the Sri Lankan navy.

The Sri Lankan delegation reaffirmed its commitment to devolve considerable power to its provinces in the meeting, according to the statement.

About 300,000 Tamil civilians displaced by the final battles between the government troops and Tamil Tiger rebels are now being hosted in scores of camps in the northern Vavuniya and Jaffna districts. 　

Source: Xinhua