Turkish Red Crescent delegation meets Hakeem

A delegation of Red Crescent led by Hakan Karay, head of the mission's local operation met with Sri Lanka Muslim Congress Leader Rauff Hakeem recently.

The 45 minute long discussions concentrated on tsunami rebuilding and methods of empowering the affected economically, states a Sri Lanka Muslim Congress press release.

The Red Crescent Sri Lanka Operations Head had also informed the SLMC leader that the Turkish Government will construct a total of 700 houses, 200 houses in Ampara and 500 houses in Matara respectively. A letter of interest on the matter has already been signed between the Government of Sri Lanka and Turkey.

The houses to be constructed in Matara will cost approximately Rs. 800,000 per house and will include tiled floors and asbestos sheet roofs. However the houses in Ampara will be constructed in apartment styles due to the shortage of land in the area.

Meanwhile the Turkish Ambassador based in New Delhi scheduled to arrive in the island shortly to sign a Memorandum of Understanding on this regard. The construction of the houses will begin in May, Mr. Karan informed the SLMC leader.

Even though the Turkish Government initially decided to construct houses only in the South, Hakeem had intervened and lodged his protest on grounds that everyone was concentrating on South and not the worse affected Eastern province. It was after this that the Turks had decided to construct houses in the Eastern province.

"I am also really happy to note the Turkish government's interest towards Sri Lanka. So of all the government delegations that visited the country since the tsunami took place, the most high powered delegation has been from Turkey which included four Ministers, 12 Parliamentarians and three Mayors," he said. Consul-General of Turkey Barathi Wijeratne also participated in this discussion.

Meanwhile the officials also requested the SLMC leader to submit a proposal on matters relating to ways of empowering tsunami affected fishermen families.

The Turks had vowed to extend necessary financial and other support to these fishing families, after studying the proposals. SLMC General Secretary, Hassan Ali and Provincial Councillor, Shafeek Rajabdeen also took part in this meeting.