More houses for tsunami victims
Bentota group correspondent
"It is four months since 26th December 2004, yet that date is still
imprinted in our collective memories as the day that unleashed death and
destruction across a large part of Asia. The impact of the earthquake
triggered a massive tsunami that obliterated towns, villages and seaside
resorts in more than 10 countries and Sri Lanka was the second hardest
hit" said the Deputy Chairman, MAS Holdings (Pvt) Ltd, Sharad Amalean.
He said so at a meeting held at Galagodawatte, Hikkaduwa after laying
foundation stones for 25 houses for tsunami victims there.
Further speaking he said "the death toll in Sri Lanka was a
staggering 31,187 people with a further 23,189 injured. Equally
devastating was the impact of the tsunami on the country's
infrastructure, all sectors ranging from roads and railways,
communications and utility supplies to the fisheries and tourism
industries have been severely affected. The Central Bank of Sri Lanka
estimates that the reconstruction effort will cost between US$ 1.3 to
1.5 billion".
As the first stage we are constructing 25 houses at Galagodawatte,
Hikkaduwa in Galle district under the supervision of "Habitat for
Humanity" and our estimate for each house is Rs. 5 lakhs - for the whole
project it will be Rs. 125 lakhs, he also said.
Regional Manager (Southern) Habitat for Humanity Edward Fernando, Jt.
Managing Director, MAS Bodyline Dave Ranasinghe, Ananda Welikala, Miss.
Tamara Dilrukshi also spoke. |