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| Saturday, 01 January 2005 |
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Top billing for reconstruction and rehabilitation by Chandani Jayatilleke
President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga has announced that the Government will begin the reconstruction process by January 15 with the help of all political parties. This amply demonstrates the Government's commitment to bring back to normalcy the lives of those who have been affected by the tsunami. The President has also said that the reconstruction work would be completed in six months. The people most affected by this disaster are from well-to-do families, many had their own houses, vehicles and business organisations. They all led dignified lives, though they are now depending on relief assistance and are at destitute camps. But many of these persons do not wish to continue as 'camp residents' - they need their own homes. Reports throughout the week mentioned that these people have sought Government assistance to build their own houses. All business chambers and many other organisations have pledged assistance and support and have already launched many programs to distribute relief, by way of food, clothing and medicines. But the feeding and provision, clothing and shelter to a population of over one million people - in many parts of the country - is not an easy task. Such an exercise shouldn't be continued in a shoddy manner as it would be another trauma for the affected people. The private sector has also volunteered to support the Government in its efforts in rebuilding the nation. For instance, the construction industry and architects have assured their support at all levels. President, Young Entrepreneurs of Sri Lanka, Patrick Amarasinghe said though the tsunami devastation is a tragedy, now the country has got an opportunity to relocate the people in a planned manner - in well-planned housing schemes. "The reconstruction units should think about housing which can stand disasters such as this. We can learn lessons from countries such as Japan and the private sector should help the Government by way of designing new and strong models which are cost effective," he said. "We should first identify the locations for housing and the fishing community should be given safe areas which would not distrupt their livelihood. President, Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industries of Sri Lanka, Nihal Abeysekera pointed out that housing is a top priority. "However, the affected people should not be given the same location. If they go to the same place, the trauma would haunt their minds forever. That will affect them psychologically," he said. As far as the private sector is concerned, Abeysekera said, they are ready to support the Government at any time. "The chambers are meeting early next week to draw out a long-term plan on how to support the affected people," he added. He said the country is also receiving much foreign assistance and support and we are not alone in this tragic moment. All people of Sri Lanka have come together as one nation to support the destitute, although several unscrupulous gangs have tried to make use of this situation to make a fortune. Many governments have also shown keenness to help Sri Lanka in reconstruction and infrastructure development programs in the aftermath of the tragedy. China on Wednesday pledged assistance to rebuild and reconstruct the tsunami devastated areas of Sri Lanka. The help will come in various forms, as and when, requested by the Sri Lankan Government, according to the Chinese Ambassador. The cost of infrastructure reconstruction is estimated to be around Rs. 100 billion. Psychiatrists say that counselling is very much needed in these camps to build up morale and courage in the minds of the affected. "And this should be done by well-trained persons. It's a situation which has to be handled with much care. Everybody cannot do that. If we are to heal the wounds in their minds, and allow them to rebuild their own lives, they should be given a lot of encouragement," a well known Psychologist told the Daily News. Renovation of hotels sector is another crucial area that has to be given much prominence. The tsunami has devastated many hotels in the coastal line around the island and this sector is hoping that the Government would come to their rescue with some assistance. Sri Lanka's leisure industry expected to have the best winter season in 2004/2005, yet these hopes were washed away with the tsunami tragedy. Most of the hotels were packed with tourists and there were successful bookings till April. But, the industry has pledged to overcome all the obstacles and start reconstruction work at the earliest. So far the tsunami disaster has taken 25,000 lives and nearly 100,000 houses and other properties while millions of people have been forced to seek shelter in destitute camps. |
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