Houses for property lost fishing families

P. M. K. Rahumathullah, Alaiyadivembu group correspondent

AMPARA: Infrastructure Development and Fisheries Housing Minister A. L. M. Athaullah vested one house each to 58 homeless fishermen families who had sacrificed their houses and premises for the development of the Oluvil harbour in Ampara district.

Minister Athaullah addressed the occasion after issuing the house keys at the ceremony held at Oluvil Mahapola Training Centre, presided over by Project Officer A. L. Nagoorthamby.

The Minister said that there were no precedence of fishermen's life standards being uplifted by providing subsidies itself. "Fishing is a risky job. The fishermen of our country are facing immense difficulties in their daily life, providing facilities for them is a must.

As a measure of developing the fishing sector in Oluvil, the government has allocated a large sum of money for the housing scheme for those who have been displaced from the area where the proposed harbour is to be constructed at Oluvil.

I intend myself to take steps to uplift the living standard of the fishermen in all aspects. Above all, a solution for the North East problems should be offered permanently for which, the initial action was taken by the government to demerger the East from the North so that the people of all three communities in the East can live amicable lives," Athaullah said.