INGOs to receive marching orders in Sri Lanka

COLOMBO – The long standing conflict between the government of Sri Lanka and INGOs turn from worst to disaster as the government decides to kick out three INGOs from the Island nation, according to informed government officials.The three INGOs have been identified as two Norwegian-based INGOs – the Norwegian People’s Aid and the FORUT and third is Netherlands based ZOA. All the three according to other INGOs officials did an exemplary services to the people in the rebel held Wanni Region.

But a government official told TNS that their investigations show that these organizations had a poor record in their work and it has been recommended that they be asked to shut down their operations and leave the country.

All the three INGOs are now based in Vavuniya after all the INGOs were asked to vacate from the Wanni conflict zones in September by the government. They were under constant attack recently by the government including the defense secretary, blaming them to help the rebels.

F. Hashim, the Deputy Director of the Consortium of Humanitarian Agencies (CHA), said he was not aware of any such move but a decision to terminate the services of an INGO could be taken after certain procedures were followed, he further said.

The on going tussle between the government and the INGOs continuously hurts the smooth and transparent operation of the INGOs and the affected people are on the receiving end said a frustrated INGO official in the Capital Colombo.