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| Sunday, 1 January 2006 |
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Singhapura - gift from Lion City by Deepal Warnakulasuriya
It was the hour when all the religious, ethnic and political differences were forgotten and began to think that all are human beings. The day was December 26, 2004 when tsunami engulfed several countries in the Asian Pacific Zone. Temples, churches and schools were turned into shelters, clinics and civilian turned doctors to treat for the wounded. The rest of the World came out with their lending hands to assist the tsunami effected countries. Singapore's Buddhist Research Society (BRS) which is headed by Bellanwila Rajamaha Vihara's Chief Incumbent Ven. Bellanwila Dhammarathana Nayaka thera was also one of the organisations came to our rescue. They gave us one and a half tons of aid, by air and a forty foot sea container with eight tons of rice. Their assistance also included a medical team with 36 doctors. Meanwhile three volunteers from the Singapore Buddhist Liberty which comes under the BRS arrived along with Ven. Dhammarathana Nayaka thera and noted that there was much more than food and clothing necessary for the victims. Cost factor An idea was mooted for a housing project and approved by the Singapore Red Cross Society (SRCS) and on a result Singhapura Maithrigama village in Hambantota came into being which was opened by President Mahinda Rajapakse last week. The initial plan for project had earmarked 200 housing units but later reduced to 150 due the cost factor. The Singapore Red Cross Society agreement was to provide 80 per cent of the total projected cost borne by them and the balance from the BRS. The MoU for the project was signed between Minister Chamal Rajapakse on behalf of the Government and Ven. Bellanwila Dhammarathana Nayaka Thera on behalf of the BRS. According to the BRS and Singapore Buddhist Library Chairman Prof. Wong Weng Fai they received a 30 acre plot of land in Hambantota in May, 2005 after an initial delay and constructions started the same month. "Each house with two bed rooms, sitting room, kitchen and a toilet came up on a 20 perch land,"Prof. Weng said. Recipients Fifty completely built houses were handed over to the recipients who were selected by the Hambantota Divisional Secretariat's Office last week. Singhapura Maithrigama site plan includes a playground, community hall with several other facilities. Electricity has been provided, no water facility is still done. When Prof. Wong was questioned on the infrastructure facilities he emphasized on the government's role to play in the project to provide and maintain infrastructure facilities. The BRS Adviser and Bellanwila Nayaka thera said that the balance 100 housing units would be completed by December 2006. The first lot of fifty houses was handed over to 50 recipients at a simple function held at the village site in Hambantota with the participation of the President, Ven. Prof. Bellanwila Wimalarathana Nayake thera, Agriculture Development Minister Chamal Rajapakse, Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Minister Felix Perera, Nihal Galappatthy MP and several others. |
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