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| Sunday, 16 January 2005 |
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Provincial Councils join relief effort by Ananda Kannangara and Deepal Warnakulasuriya Western and Southern Provincial Councils have commenced massive relief distribution programs for nearly 175,000 persons, affected by the December 26 tsunami disaster. The construction work of 600 housing units in the Colombo, Gampaha and Kalutara coastal areas will commence on February 01 by the Western Provincial Council (WPC). It is reported that nearly 300 families, in the coastal areas of Kalutara, Panadura, Beruwala, Pothupitiya, Negombo, Moratuwa, Modera, Koralawella and Egodauyana were displaced following the disaster. WPC, Chief Minister Reginald Cooray said that in addition to the 600 housing units which will be constructed in four-storeyed buildings, the Council has also decided to re-construct 10 completely destroyed schools in the Kalutara district and 15 other slightly damaged schools. "We have also decided to construct another 2400 housing units in latter stages to fulfil the aspirations of needy persons," he said. the Chief Minister said that all the Council members had taken a unanimous decision to pay Rs. 2000 each from their monthly salaries for a period of twelve months commencing from January this year. The Chief Minister further said that the WPC had opened as account No. 4530801344 at the Bank of Ceylon, Torrington Square branch to enable the general public to make their contributions towards the tsunami victims. Meanwhile Southern Provincial Council, Chief Minister Shan Wijelal de Silva told the 'Sunday Observer' that the Council had allocated Rs. ten million to provide urgently needed items for more than 100,000 victims in the Galle, Matara and Hambantota districts. "Steps have been taken to build nearly 1000 housing units in selected locations and the construction work will commence before the end of this month with the assistance of the Central Government," he said. "We have also started a program to grant compensation to public servants who lost their lives following the tsunami disaster and their spouses as well as their dependents," he said. Meanwhile, Sabaragamuwa Province Chief Minister Maheepala Herath said that as soon as they heard the massive disaster caused by tsunami, took it as a national task and engaged in assisting the people in affected areas. He said that the Centre for National Operations of the Presidential Secretariat had asked them to carry out relief programs in Hambantota district. He also added that they set up four committees for Food, Health, Finance and Engineering including volunteers from doctors, engineers, civil citizens and clergies. The teams had already been engaged in numerous works in Hambantota upgrading the lifestyles of affected people. "We have also provided the PC owned heavy vehicles to engage the volunteers in cleaning and rebuilding programs in Hambantota", Chief Minister added. A spokesman from the North-East Provincial Council said that tsunami had hit a number of their local government areas in all districts and however, other areas have already gathered to assist the affected areas. "We began logistic supports soon after the disaster occurred and it is still continuing. Central Province Deputy Chief Secretary (Administration) Dayananda Jayaweera told the `Sunday Observer' that they had been asked to work on rebuilding measures in the Batticaloa district and to provide essentials for the affected people there. In addition to the donations of a day's salary of all employees to the nation's rebuild fund, the province is also continuing several ongoing funds at the Provincial Council and relevant Government Agents' offices to assist the displaced countrymen. North-Western Province had been asked to cover Matara district by the CNO and the NWP officials are engaged in relief distribution and cleaning measures in five electorates in Matara district. NWP Governor's Office sources confirmed that they had also planned to build up 500 housing units for displaced people in the district under the guidance of CNO. |
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