Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. I'm glad that you asked that question.
Mr. Petrasek, I'm really glad that you're here today, because you have outlined two unique things.
This will sound like a statement, but I would like you to comment.
I think it's a great idea for Canada to engage with the NPC in the north. And regarding the idea you just mentioned, UN remuneration is often much higher than domestic pay for the troops of some countries involved in peacekeeping. Like you said, the prestige element plays a role in it too. I think those are both very good ideas, and I know our researchers will capture them for our later report.
I had asked a couple of witnesses previously—and it sounds like you've reviewed all of the testimony—about the war widows. I'm concerned about them. I've heard numbers from 40,000 to 90,000, and unless they've migrated, I think they would primarily be in the north.
Are they the responsibility of the NPC? Do you know of any actions that the Sri Lankan regime is taking right now to try to look after their needs? Please elaborate, if you can.