Damaged houses will be rebuilt soon - Minister Weerawansa

by L. S. Ananda WEDAARACHCHI

The reconstruction of houses damaged by the recent floods and landslides should be commenced soon, said Construction, Engineering Services, Housing and Common Amenities Minister Wimal Weerawansa addressing a special meeting held at Sawsiripaya to assess the damage caused to houses. It was revealed that over 10,000 houses were completely damaged and 25,000 partly damaged in Trincomalee, Ampara, Vavuniya, Polonnaruwa, Anuradhapura, Badulla, Nuwara Eliya, Kandy and Matale districts.The Minister said that President Mahinda Rajapaksa is keen to provide assistance to reconstruct the damaged houses.

National Housing Development Authority (NHDA) General Manager L. S. Palansuriya said instructed by the Minister, the NHDA district officers and technical officers are visiting all those damaged houses to collect information for a detailed assessment of the damaged caused.

The NHDA will soon commence rebuilding or repairing the damaged houses after receiving the assessment reports.

The General Manager said that since it would cost billions of rupees to reconstruct or repair the damaged houses, the Minister has appealed to all stakeholders of the construction industry and philanthropists to assist this major reconstruction drive to resettle the dehoused people.

He said the National Construction Association has already granted Rs. 100 million all public contribution could be remitted to the Sevana Fund Account No. 204100110085283 - People's Bank Head Office or the building materials too could be donated.