Aussie housing for tsunami hit Seenigama

COLOMBO: A multimillion dollar housing settlement, comprising a community centre and a children's playground will be built in Sri Lanka as part of the Victorian Government's contribution to post tsunami reconstruction.

A senior official of the Victorian construction union told Lankapuvath.

The village was almost wiped out in the tsunami, which hit the area on December 26, 2004.

"As part of Victoria's tsunami assistance package we will fund the rebuilding of a $ 3.2 million housing settlement which will see up to 84 houses built along with a community centre and children's playground," he said.

Premier Steve Bracks made the announcement during his visit to the village of Seenigama recently.

"Most of the villagers here lost everything in the tsunami and continue to live in temporary shelters or in crowded houses with relatives so their most urgent need is permanent housing", he said.

He said the settlement to be known as Victoria Gardens, would be built in relationship with a local charity, the Foundation of Goodness.

The Victoria construction union and employer trust, Incolink, has donated $ 50,000 to the project. Lankapuvath