Housing project at Beruwala for the tsunami affected
 

Beruwala special corr.

Helmut Voitl an Austrian national and the Initiator of "Give Hope" Project of Austria said that after having witnessed the disaster Sri Lankans faced during the last year's tsunami we Austrians have come forward to help the victims to this natural disaster through "Give Hope", Foundation despite the nationality, religion or the race of the victims.

Helmut Voitl made these remarks at the foundation laying ceremony to build 90 houses for tsunami victims at Maradana and Paranakade in Beruwala through the "Give Hope" project of Austria. Funds for this housing project was raised from the people of Austria.

Each house is to be built at a cost of Rs. 1,000,000 (approximately 1 million) on 5 perches of land on the request of Al-Haj Mazahim Mohamed, Chairman, U.C. Beruwala and A.H.M. Ramis, social worker, Beruwala.

Wolfgang Welte, Engineer of the Project presented the foundation stones to Sheik Hairul Bashar of Jamia Naleemiya Institute, Beruwala.

"Give Hope" Foundation could assist the tsunami victims in various ways for the last six months in the Beruwala area where about 180 partially damaged houses were repaired. We will be able to build these houses by March or April 2006 with the help of national and foreign constructors and Architects, Helmut Voitl stated.

Al-Haj Mazahim Mohamed, Chairman, U.C. Beruwala and the pioneer of this project thanked the team of the "Give Hope" Project and its Initiator Helmut Voitl and Ms. Helmut. He called on the inhabitants of these houses to extend their co-operation to carry out the construction work.

Al-Haj M.H.M. Jalaldeen-Coordinating Officer to Minister Rohitha Abeygunawardana, Gamini Alwis, Member, U.C. Beruwala and Ms. M.A.F. Nawasiya, Samurdhi Development Officer were also present on the occasion.