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| Sunday, 6 February 2005 |
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Tsunami aid flows through harbour by Jayampathy Jayasinghe Storage facilities for Tsunami aid have been streamlined with space provided at Colombo Harbour warehouses to store them without a hassle. At the very onset of the Tsunami disaster large quantities of aid came by air through Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) causing pile ups for want of proper and adequate storage space. Now the bulk of aid is shipped and channelled through Colombo Harbour, Public Security Law and Order Ministry Secretary Tilak Ranaviraja said at a media briefing recently. He said ships carrying aid to Sri Lanka arrive at Colombo Harbour where procedures have been streamlined. Three warehouses have been allotted to store the aid packages. Government departments have detailed officers at the harbour to handle this work. Meanwhile the container goods addressed to 21 International Non -Governmental Organisations (NGO) will be released to recipients after examination soon. The bulk of these goods sent to the North-East provinces. Eighteen other local NGO's too have been afforded the same facility. But goods designated to individuals are sent to respective Government Agents in the provinces for distribution. He said the total number of individuals affected by the tsunami disaster has been estimated at 960,000, but figures sent by some Government Agents for relief were not acceptable. The Batticoloa Government Agent had initially requested relief for 175,000 persons but subsequently had increased the list to 254,000. This was 60 percent of the total population of Batticoloa district the number which was not affected by the Tsunami disaster. Relief will be provided only for 175,000 as indicated earlier. The Galle district list contained 94.000 names but was subsequently increased to 123,000. Inquiries revealed that this number was correct. The aim of the government was to provide relief to 80 percent of the Tsunami victims before the second week of February. Despite instructions to Government Agents, Assistant Government Agents, and Grama Niladaris on distribution of relief aid only 30 percent has reached the Tsunami victims. "The President has directed me to ensure that 70-80 percent of tsunami victims are provided with relief before February 7. The relief package includes cash Rs 200 plus Rs. 175 worth dry rations which will cost the State Rs 10 billion if given to one million people. The package includes rations for an individual for one week. Meanwhile the Survey General, B.J.P. Mendis said that the 100 metre limit would be demarcated from the high tide limit. Temporary stones would be buried on land to demarcate areas with the support of the Coast Conservation Department. "Sixty three kilometres have been mapped out in the Southern province and we hope to finish the job within one month. A stretch of 150 kilos had been covered at Hambantota. There was commotion when measurements were being taken at Hambantota but we explained to them and they understood." The work at Matara has already commenced. One hundred and five meters at Ampara, one hundred and twenty meters at Batticoloa and one hundred ninety meters at Trincomalee, twenty one meters at kalutara have to be mapped out. Mr. Ranaviraja added that the State does not intend demolishing existing buildings and will allow people to live in undamaged houses. |
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