Flood relief continues apace

Mohammed Naalir

The Government has reserved Rs. 50 million to carry out immediate relief work in flood affected districts, Resettlement and Disaster Relief Services Minister Rishad Badiudeen said yesterday.

Torrential rains wreaked havoc in many districts especially the Kalutara, Gampaha, Colombo, Galle, Matara and Ratnapura districts with rising water levels taking the death toll to 20 with four missing while rendering 91,976 families consisting of 405,932 persons homeless.

Addressing the Media at his Ministry Minister Badiudeen said displaced families have been housed in 116 welfare camps, schools, religious places and other common buildings until the waters subside in these areas.

The Disaster Relief Service Ministry has allocated Rs. 29 million to flood affected districts.

Accordingly, Rs. 2 million has been allocated to the Colombo district, Rs. 2 million to the Galle district, Rs. 1 million to the Nuwara-Eliya District and Rs. 12 million to Ratnapura District so far.

In addition to this sum, the Ministry yesterday allocated a further Rs. 2 million to the Colombo district, Rs. 2 million to the Galle district, Rs. 1 million to the Matara district and Rs. 2 million to the Ratnapura District.

He said, President Mahinda Rajapaksa has also directed him to utilise the funds to meet the fundamental needs of the victims.Meanwhile, Minister Badiudeen said that Rs. 15,000 was allocated as funeral expenses on behalf of each dead flood victim.

The Japan International Corporation Agency (JICA) has donated a water purifying machine worth Rs. 17 million to flood affected districts, Minister Badiudeen added. The Kalutara district was the worst hit by the floods.

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Help flood victims

Colombo: Construction and Engineering Services Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne has appealed for assistance from the public for providing urgent relief to flood victims in the Kalutara District.

The Minister said 12 deaths have been reported due to floods in the Kalutara District which had displaced nearly 100,000 persons. Areas worse affected were Palindanuwara, Bulathsinhala, Dodangoda, Ingiriya, Matugama and Walallawita.

All contributions in kind should be handed over to the Ministry Office on the 2nd floor of Sethsiripaya, Battaramulla immediately. Items needed include rice, flour, sugar, dhal and other dry food items, bottled water, towels and linen.

Further information could be obtained from Minister Dr. Senaratne, Sri Lal Munasinghe, Co-ordinating Secretary) on 0777260253 or D.S.N. Rajapakse (Medi Secretary) on 0723478428.