Help for flood victims

Ruwanthi Abeyakoon

COLOMBO:A programme to assist all victims of the recent floods and landslide will be launched shortly by the Disaster Management and Human Rights Ministry.

"We have advised the District Secretaries, Provincial Secretaries and Government Officers to provide the victims with all relief", Ministry Secretary P. Dias Amarasinghe said.

Under this project the flood prone areas will be identified and the displaced will be compensated. "The Disaster Management Ministry together with other ministries will assist in replacing the affected," Amarasinghe said.

The Ministry has allocated Rs. 2 million as compensation for the cyclone victims in Walallavita. The Ratnapura and Kalutara Districts are provided with boats and life saving equipment. Officers have been appointed to carry out relief services.

The Ministry of Disaster Relief Services has also allocated Rs 140,000 to deal with floods, landslides and mudslides caused by the prevailing conditions.

This was revealed at a press conference at the Ministry yesterday with the participation of Disaster Relief Services Minister M. S. S. Ameer Ali.

"All equipment is stored at Orugodawatte to be used when needed," the Minister said. The Ministry of Disaster Relief Services can be contacted on 0112-431579 during an emergency.