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from M. R. M. Niyas, Hambantota special correspondent

The Minister of Social Welfare Ravindra Samaraweera requested the Hambantota District Secretary to hold a full scale inquiry into the missing plastic shell water containers that were provided to supply drinking water for the public during the prolonged drought that prevailed last year in the Hambantota district. The Minister made this request when some Pradeshiya Sabha Chairmen of the district pointed out that the water containers provided for their PSs are missing.

This was disclosed at a meeting convened at the Chief Minister's Office, Hambantota on August 2, to discuss the ways and means to grant relief for the drought affected families in the Hambantota district. Divisional Secretaries, Pradeshiya Sabhas and Urban Council Chairmen and heads of departments in the Hambantota district were present at the meeting.

Minister Samaraweera emphasised that the ample resources available to supply drinking water for the people were not equally distributed among the needy and this had paved the way to the divisions among the people.

He said that unlike in the drought last season, the Government this time would pay more attention to make sure that the drought relief reached those affected persons. It is our view that the drought relief should be given to those who are actually affected by the natural disaster.

We have also determined not to grant relief assistance just for nothing, unless the recipients participate in some development activities in their respective areas. The people also opt to be involved in some form of development activity in their areas do not like to get anything free.

Minister Samaraweera said, a sum of Rs. 5.4 million had been spent to provide drought relief assistance for the people of the Hambantota district up to now. Apart from the Government funds international donor agencies like the World Food Program (WFP) and national and international NGOs have spent more funds to assist the drought stricken people. Any assistance given to the affected people should go through the Government Agent, Hambantota to reach the appropriate people. It should be co-ordinated by the GA's office, the Minister added.

Minister of Southern Region Development Ananda Kularatne said a committee has been appointed by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to look into matters of drought relief in the Hambantota district and to provide a report in this regard. The Prime Minister has taken a keen interest to assist the people. We hope that the drought will come to an end soon. A sum of Rs. 3.4 million has also been allocated to Muruthawela irrigation scheme by the Government.

Deputy Chairman of Committees Siri A. Andrahendi, Hambantota District MPs Dilip Wedaarachchi and Nihal Galappaththi, GA Hambantota district Ananda Amaratunga, Director of Social Services (Mrs) D. N. N. Pathirana and several others also spoke.

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