Rs 1,200m to expedite rehabilitation in East

by Anura Maitipe

The Government has allocated Rs 1,200 million to expedite rehabilitation and reconstruction work in the liberated areas in the Eastern province, Minister of Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Rished Badurdeen told the Sunday Observer.

Over 33,314 displaced families have been resettled in the liberated areas. The number of families resettled in Vakerai is 4,227, Wellaweli 8,718, Kokadichole 6,314, Vaunithive 7,211 and Verugal, Kadiraweli, Panchankerni and Poonagar 6,817 during the past few months.

The installation of electricity posts for Vakerai which had no electricity earlier has been completed and electricity was provided to the people in the area. The daily income of the fishing community has increased sharply with the withdrawal of restrictions enforced on deep water fishing in the Eastern costal line, he said.

The reconstruction of the main road from Batticaloa to Vakerai is also in progress. Over four main bridges and 13 culverts are under construction and with the completion of this road people in Vakerai, Verugal, Kadiraweli, Panchankerni, Vakkaneri, Poonagar and Kokaweli will benefit, he said.

The Government has already set up other key institutions needed for the civil society such as the Judiciary Service, police, schools, hospitals, drinking water supply lines, post and communication service centres in the liberated areas, he said.