Thirty eight two storeyed houses for tsunami affected
Sarath MALALASEKERA
Thirty eight two storeyed houses with modern amenities built at a
cost of Rs. 80 million were recently handed over to people affected by
the Tsunami in the Galle District as a token to the Twin City program
between Galle and Velsen in the Netherlands.
The land for the New Tsunami Housing Project was provided by the
Galle District Secretary under the guidance of President Mahinda
Rajapaksa, said NAAL President S.P.C. Kumarasinghe.
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NAAL President S.P.C. Kumarasinghe escorting the Chief Guest
Southern Province Governor Kumari Balasuriya and other
invitees to the venue. (Left): The newly built houses. |
Construction work of these houses was coordinated by the Netherlands
Alumni Association of Lanka (NAAL) led by the NAAL President.
Southern Province Governor Kumari Balasooriya was the chief guest on
the occasion. Skills Development and Vocational Training Minister
Piyasena Gamage, Agriculture Minister Hemakumara Nanayakkara, Social
Service Deputy Minister Lional Premasiri also graced the occasion.
On behalf of the citizens of the Velsen in the Netherlands a
delegation from SOS Velsen (Foundation for development corporation
Velsen) comprising SOS Chairman Guus Hartendorf and wife Jantine,
Secretary Klaas van Slooten and wife Johanna, Treasurer Robert
Zomerdijke and wife Anija and member of the Committee Dirk van Zondern
also participated.
Galle Mayor Methsiri de Silva, Galle District Secretary Asoka
Gunasekera, Divisional Secretary Bandula Harischandra and several
Council members, NAAL Deputy Presidents S.G. Punchihewa, J. Paranamana,
Secretary S.M.S.B. Niyangoda and Committee members S. Hettiarachchi,
Wijerathna Banda, F.H. Ansar and G.S. Fernando also participated at the
occasion.
The donor SOS Velsen in the Netherlands decided to build quality and
more spacious houses for the citizen of their Sister City.
The result was a beautiful housing project with houses exceeding 900
sq.ft. floor area, tiled bathroom and toilet with modern fittings, two
ceiling fans with electricity and water connections and as tarred road
network and drainage.
Minister Hemakumara Nanayakkara promised the new owners of the
houses, suitable plants to grow in the home gardens. The Galle Mayor
undertook to provide street lights.
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