|
|
 |
 |
| Sunday, 25 May 2003 |
 |
|
 |
News |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
In flood-hit areas : Military officers as AGAs by Ramani Kangaraarachchi The Commanders of the three services have nominated senior officers of the Armed Forces as Assistant Government Agents (AGAs) to serve in flood affected areas to maintain a corruption-free distribution of aid to flood victims. This decision has been taken by the service chiefs as several cases of malpractices and corruption have been reported from the affected areas, where relief items were being distributed. With the new arrangement, goods will be transported to flood-hit areas in a convoy with Army escorts. Distribution of relief items to victims will be conducted through military officers designated as AGAs, a senior military officer said. In the meantime, security forces and Police have been jointly carrying out rehabilitation work such as restoring power, water, food supply, and medical clinics. SSP Rienze Perera said the IGP had instructed the Police to make use of schools, temples and churches where facilities are available to cook meals. An operation room has been set up at "Temple Trees" comprising senior officers from the three services and the police to coordinate relief activities. The Indian government has sent 200 rescue workers comprising divers, medical teams along with nine boats, two helicopters and field ambulances etc. They are all deployed in affected areas to carry out relief measures. The number of flood refugees has risen to 176,899 by Friday (23)with 24,756 houses completely destroyed. Nearly 33,000 houses have been partly damaged, according to the reports from the ops room. Group Captain Ajith Wijesundara, the Air Force spokesman said, that the Air Force had deployed a total of eleven air craft (MI17, Bell 212) in Ratnapura, Koggala, Kalutara for rescue work during the early part of the week. Helicopters are still on the alert in identified earth slip areas in Deniyaya, Hambantota and Matara. Sri Lanka Navy in Boossa has deployed 18 teams in Galle district for rehabilitation work. Twenty nine boats including of those provided by the Indian Navy were also deployed for rescue operations. Deputy Area Commander Captain J. Colombage said that water level has subsided to a great extent other than in Tihagoda, Tudawa, Hiniduma and Hitthetiya. Situation in Ratnapura is also improving and most of the main roads are open for traffic, but the interior roads such as Pothupitiya, Dimiyawa, Palawela are still not cleared. Over 350 army personnel and Indian medical teams have been deployed in Ratnapura. Colonel S. Mark Brigade Commander, Kuruwita camp said. "There is a problem to reach the people in interior villages due to communication problems but we are sending teams to locate them." He also said that another earth slip is quite likely in Pothupitiya and arrangements have been made to evacuate the people living there. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security Produced by Lake House |
