Netherlands alumni extends help towards tsunami devastated

Sarath Malalasekera

Koggala: The Netherlands Alumni Association of Lanka (NAAL) with the assistance of City of Haarlemmermeer in the Netherlands donated 25 newly built houses to fishermen who were victims of the Tsunami. NAAL funded Rs. 20 million for the project and the houses were set up at Koggala and Habaraduwa.

The keys were handed over to the new owners by Southern Province Governor Kumari Balasuriya and the Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands Reynout van Dijk at a special ceremony.

Southern Province Governor Kumari Balasuriya thanked former Mayor of the City of Haarlemmermeer Fons Hertog for his initiative to construct houses for the Tsunami victims in Sri Lanka.

Ambassador Reynout van Dijk addressing the ceremony said that the Netherlands had relations with Sri Lanka for over 400 years and ready to help Sri Lankans when in need.

The Dutch Government had donated over US$ 6 million to develop cultural heritage and religious places of importance and to develop tourist industry in the South.

Governor Kumari Balasuriya said that she, as the President of the Women's Federation of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party, was involved in Tsunami relief activities under the guidance of President Mahinda Rajapaksa in the Southern Province.

Governor Balasuriya expressed her gratitude to former Mayor Fons Hertog and the Netherlands Government for the donation.

The Netherlands Alumni Association of Lanka President S.P.C. Kumarasinghe addressing the new owners of the houses appealed to the new owners to maintain their houses well.

Divisional Secretary Lal Samarasekera and Galle NAAL representative P. Hewawasam also addressed the ceremony. NAAL Assistant Treasurer S.B. Niyangoda delivered the vote of thanks.