Aitken Spence completes tsunami housing scheme

Following the devastation of the tsunami in 2004, Kumburupiddy in the Trincomalee district was badly affected leaving many families homeless and destitute.

In response to the dire situation, Aitken Spence initiated a housing project comprising of 26 housing units which was primarily funded by its partner, TUI- the world’s largest integrated tourism group. Each unit is well equipped to house families with 5 members on average.

In spite of an unstable ground situation which was prevalent in the area, the construction phase was completed in 10 months which made it one of the quickest post-tsunami housing projects to be completed in the district.

Kumburupiddy residents who fled the area when violence erupted have begun to move back into the houses as the political situation of the area stabilized.

During the past several weeks the houses have been provided with electricity wiring and circuit connections.

The Divisional Secretariat is to provide with the main electricity connection in the weeks to come.

The second phase of the project which has taken over two years due to the instability in the area, comprises of the construction of a community centre, medical clinic, pre-school and a playground, which is funded by Hartmann Reisen, a German tour operator, represented in Sri Lanka by Ace Travels.

The medical clinic and the pre-school have already been completed and is to be ceremoniously handed over to the Kumburupiddy community in the near future.