Study to estimate Salawa damage underway:

Finance Ministry allocates Rs 100M

By Manjula Fernando

The Finance Ministry on Friday allocated Rs.100 million to provide compensation for those affected in the Salawa Army camp ammunition dump explosion. Secretary to the Treasury Dr. R.H.S. Samaratunga said, funds were released to the Disaster Management Ministry with no restrictions to urgently compensate those who have been rendered homeless after the unexpected calamity last Sunday.

A systematic study to estimate the cost of the total disaster including the exact number of buildings damaged in the incident began yesterday. The study is expected to be concluded today (Sunday). Colombo District Secretary Sunil Kannangara said the handing over of compensation payments will begin from Tuesday, June 14 after estimates are received.

A team of 76 government valuers will carry out the study expeditiously. The valuers are required to make house-to-house calls to estimate the damage to each property and reports are expected on Monday.

A total of 12 Grama Niladari divisions – Salawa, Suduwella, Muruthalawa, Pahala Kosgama East, Pahala Kosgama West, Thawalgoda, Kaluaggala, Katugoda North, Akarawita, Ihala Kosgama North, Mawalgama and Miriswatte - have been affected by the blasts. Over 654 buildings including private houses were partially and completely destroyed.

Treasury funds will be used to provide a monthly rent allowance of Rs. 50,000, for three months, per family whose houses are uninhabitable.

The Government has also appointed 12 committees comprising area Development Officer, a Samurdhi Niladari, an Army officer, a representative from the police and a civilian representative to attend to the grievances of the people. The committees are chaired by the Garam Niladari of the area. Residents can bring their problems regarding food, water supply, electricity, and issues relating to cleaning debris. A hotline - 036 3798616 or 0363798617 - has been set up to receive complaints from those affected.

The Colombo District Secretary said the government has restored the supply of pipe-borne water to up to 90 per cent of the inhabited households, and most of the wells in the area have been cleaned by yesterday.

The angered people in Salawa and affected areas last week blocked the main road demanding government assistance to rebuild their life. They claimed that none of the officials visited their homes to witness what has happened and share their grief.