Sri Lanka private sector, UNHCR pave the way for returning refugees

L to R: Samantha Ranatunga, Chairman, HVA Foods PLC; Jan Müggenburg, Chief Executive Officer, Müggenburg Group; Graham Stork, Chief Executive Officer, HVA Foods PLC; Sarva Ameresekere, Group Chairman, George Steuart & Co. Ltd.

June 12, 2009 (LBO) – A United Nations agency is getting private sector support to help re-settle a part of the 660,000 refugees in the country who are starting to return to their former homes, officials said.

Brandix Lanka, a top Sri Lankan apparel group, is working with the UNHCR to provide water and sanitation facilities to several communities that are being re-settled.

Anusha Alles, who heads the charity unit of Brandix, says in an upcoming project in Kudumbimalai in the Batticaloa district in Eastern Sri Lanka, the firm will help finance a drinking water project.

Brandix has already helped boost the water supply at Karambe hospital in Puttalam district in Sri Lanka's Northwest.

Asanka Perera, a doctor attached to the Karambe hospital, said sometimes there was not enough water even to cook food for patients.

"There are many other hospitals in Sri Lanka that do not have main water lines," says Awad.

The water projects are part of a series of quick action projects (QUIPs) that the UN agency targets to finish in 90 days. Awad says 78 such project have been completed so far.

UNHCR says other private companies can chip in as more refugees return home.

"We hope Sri La

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