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| Friday, 5 September 2003 |
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by Ariyaratne Ganegoda and Deniyaya Gr.Cor. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe who made an inspection tour of the village of Lankagama in the Deniyaya Electorate, which was devastated by the recent floods met the residents of Lankagama at the Lankagama Primary School,the restoration of which has been undertaken by the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited(Lake House). The Prime Minister was accompanied by Lake House Chairman Nalin Ladduwahetty, Public Administration Minister Vajira Abeywardena, Power and Energy Deputy Minister Sagala Ratnayake, and Provincial Council Member Sunil Senanayake. The Premier while surveying the school area inspected the proposed building plans and moved among the people listening to their various problems. He also partook of kevun and kokis prepared by the villagers. According to Lake House Chairman Nalin Ladduwahetty the reconstruction of the school building will cost Rs.10 million, the entirety of which will be borne by the Lake House. When the contractor, Upali Weerasekera, in answer to the Premier's query as to how long will it take to complete the construction replied that it will be done within four weeks. School Principal Piyasena Kumarage thanked the Premier for taking the initiative to restore the collapsed school building so rapidly. In response to the people's request to the Premier to repair the devastated road network, Minister Vajira Abeywardena stated that the necessary funds amounting to Rs.13 million has already been allocated for the purpose. Prime Minister Wickremesinghe reminded the people that the felling of trees is a contributory factor to the severe floods and told them to carry out reforestation campaigns.When some of the people present, appealed to the Premier for financial aid through banks,he requested Deputy Minister Sagala Ratnayake to explore the possibility of loan facilities through the Sampath Bank.The Premier in his usual humour remarked that on his last visit to the village of Lankagama he had the occasion to taste a sip of "telijja"out of which Jaggery is made and told them to expand the jaggery industry. The reconstruction of the damaged buildings, houses, roads and communication facilities have been undertaken by state and non-governmental organizations. The distribution of clothing and household goods among the victims, organized by the World Vision Organization was conducted under the patronage of the Prime Minister.s |
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