2014-04-23 @

2236 residents of the North who do not have birth certificated submitted

applications to the mobile identity document service organized by Campaign for

Free and Fair Elections (CaFFE,) Department for Persons Registration and

Centre for Human Rights (CHR) in the last six days. These programs are

implemented targeting in Kilinochchi, Vanni and Jaffna Districts.

 

1584 people applied for birth certificates during the Mobile Clinic held at

Karachchi Divisional Secretariat held between the 9th and 11th and another 649

people applied for birth certificates between the 16th and 18th July.

 

Executive Director of CaFFE Keethi Tennakoon said the reason to start this

programme is because many people in this area have undergone immense

hardships due to the non-availability of birth certificates, which is a mandatory

applying for the valid identity documents that are mandatory for voting.

Tennakoon added that this problem has risen, as there was no proper

mechanism during the wartime to issue birth certificates to the people.

 

Due to the non-availability of birth certificates these people are unable to apply

for the National Identity Card. Due to this reason the fundamental rights of the

northern people, especially their voting rights have been violated. Therefore

this programme is to be implemented in Vavuniya, Mullaitivu and Mannar

Districts Tennakoon stated.