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| Sunday, 6 February 2005 |
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Some 8,500 housing units for tsunami victims in Galle district by Jayantha Sri Nissanka Galle District Secretariat has identified 500 acres of land to build 8,500 housing units for tsunami victims in the district. The Survey Department has started serveying these lands and 30 donors have come forward to build these houses. Provincial Public Service Commission Secretary D. G. Punchihewa who is in charge of the housing subject told the Sunday Observer that totally 12,499 houses were damaged by the December 26 tidal waves. Of them, 4,761 houses built within the 100-metre belt were completely destroyed and 2,787 were partly damaged. Another 1,305 houses built beyond 100-metres also completely collapsed and 3,646 houses were partially damaged. "We will not allow anyone to rebuild or repair the houses within the 100 meters. Instead 7,548 housing units will be provided for people who had houses within 100 meters coastal belt in safe areas", Punchihewa noted. Owners of about 1,305 houses destroyed beyond 100-metres coastal belt will be assisted to rebuild houses in their own lands and provided assistance to repair partly damaged 3,646 houses. When asked where they found lands he said that 244 acres in Galaboda Estate, Hikkaduwa, 110 acres in Monroviya Etate, 15 acres in Sirikadura Estate and other small lands in the district had been earmarked. When questioned on the basis for allocating housing units he said that fishermen will be given flats built beyond 100-metres close to the sea. He said that 100 housing units can be built in one acre of land. Others will be given single houses on 10-perches land interior. When asked how long it would take to complete this project he fears that it will take more than a year. Until then people will be given temporary housing facilities as they have found it difficult to live in huts during the day time. When asked how he was going to find skilled labour to build these houses he said that the Vocational Training Ministry has started training tsunami victims as carpenters, masons, welders, etc. |
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