Fifty houses handed over to tsunami-hit families in Hambantota

by Sarath Malalasekera in Hambantota

Fifty newly-built houses at "Singhapura Maithri Gama" in the Hambantota District were handed over to tsunami-affected people in the Hambantota area by President Mahinda Rajapakse at a simple ceremony held in a 33-acre land in Hambantota on Monday.

The Hambantota housing project was originated by the Singapore Red Cross Society and assisted by Singapore Buddhist Research Society Advisor Ven. Dr. Bellanwila Wimalaratana Nayake Thera.

President Rajapakse after unveiling the plaque at the new "Singhapura Maithri Gama" at the invitation of its architect and Singapore Buddhist Research Society Advisor Ven. Dhammarathana Nayake Thera declared open the new housing complex in the presence of Singaporean delegation including officials of the Singapore Red Cross Society.

The visiting Singapore delegates were led by Chief Coordinator of the project E David, Prof. Wong Weng Fai, Chairman Singapore Buddhist Research Society and Susan Chong, Chief Trustee of the Singapore Buddhist Research Society.

President Rajapakse paid a tribute Bellanwila Raja Maha Viharadhipathi Ven. Dr. Wimalaratana Nayake Thera, Officials of the Singapore Red cross Society and the Singapore Buddhist Research Society for their great effort in building houses for the Sri Lankan tsunami affected people.

"As Prime Minister, I appealed to all Sri Lankans to assist in the tsunami tragedy in last December. People of different walks of life promptly came forward to assist the tsunami-affected shedding all differences," President Rajapakse said.

The President handed over the first set of keys of a new house to three children who lost their parents. The three sons were present at the ceremony with their grandparents.

Udaya Pushpakumara, the eldest son of the deceased parents, invoked the blessings of the Triple Gem on the President and the organisers of the housing project for giving shelter for them to live and in assisting tsunami affected people in the Hambantota area.

Each house consists of a bedroom, a sitting room and a kitchen with an attached bathroom in a 20-perch block costing Rs.500,000. Donors are planning to complete the project with 150 houses to be handed over to tsunami affected people in the Hambantota District.

Ven. Wimalaratana Nayake Thera said that the entire project with 150 houses will be completed early next year. In addition to the 150 houses, the organisers are planning to construct a build building for a school, a community centre and medical clinic for the benefit of the new occupants of the houses, Ven. Wimalaratana Nayake Thera said.

The new occupants received a parcel of provisions and several school bags for children by the organisers.