Residents struck by unkind fate and false promises

MADAMPITIYA: It was crisis time in Colombo and the Port was a target of attack. For the safety of the Port around 180 families were removed from the area in close proximity to it and were given houses at Henamulla, Madampitiya. Fate struck them again and they lost their houses due to an unforeseen fire caused by (electric) power leakage in 2005.

The Red Cross came to their help in the hour of need. Instead of houses they were stationed in tents in close location to their burnt houses with the promise of better houses.

But up to date there is no sign of getting any houses. The people struck by unkind fate and deceived by false promises still live in an unhygienic environment.

Visitors to the site call the area “Somalia” in Sri Lanka. They say that these people also lack the bear minimum of necessities of life such as water and sanitary facilities.

The smell emanated by the burning of the dirt and the refuse within the area is unbearable.