|
|
|
  |
| Sunday, 20 March 2005 |
 |
|
 |
Politics | Today's Top Story |  |
| News Business Features
|
Buffer zone in best interest of people - Finance Minister by Rohan Mathes Finance Minister Dr. Sarath Amunugama asserts that the 100 metre buffer zone law has been imposed with a deep sense of responsibility by the government, in the best interest of the people and in good faith. Minister Amunugama told the Sunday Observer that the buffer zone statement was made by the government after serious consideration of the risk involved and after close consultation with the relevant experts and professionals. It was intended to protect our people, especially the innocent women and children who are the most vulnerable in a tsunami-like disaster as experienced on last Boxing day. The UNP is maliciously and blindly opposing this move. The LTTE has imposed a 400 metre rule. The Tamil people and their leaders, including Prabhakaran are willing to comply. The UNP says nothing about it. The majority of those who lost their lives in the last tsunami would have survived, if this rule was in force, he said. He said that as Prof. C. B. Dissanayake had pointed out in the media recently, due to natural and environmental considerations, Sri Lanka could no longer be considered an earthquake and tsunami free land. It is prone to natural disasters and a responsible government should always intervene to mitigate the impact of such disasters. "This is not a Kadawunu Poronduwa (Broken Promise) as claimed by Ranil Wickremasinghe, but a Hunuwataye Kathawa (Chalk Circle), where the true mother in the best interest of her offspring, upheld the truth despite her heavy losses, as opposed to the rogue mother. The UNP is concealing the reality deliberately from the people. They will see the result", Amunugama quipped. He clarified that these lands within the restricted zone will not be taken over by the government. The owners could have temporary structures or even grow coconut trees and the like in it. However they are barred from constructing houses within it. They would obtain a free and permanent house elsewhere. We would provide them with Rs. 250,000 and also a low interest loan up to four million. They may obtain assistance from NGOs too. |
|
| News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security | Produced by Lake House |
