Rs 45m as relief for flood-hit

Dinesh DE ALWIS

The Resettlement Ministry will distribute relief among flood affected people in Vavuniya, Mullaitivu, Kilinochchi and Jaffna districts from December 18 to 24, said Resettlement Minister Gunaratne Weerakoon.

Addressing a media briefing in Colombo yesterday, he said Rs 45 million has already been allocated. "One family will receive goods including rice, sugar, dhal, milk powder and dry rations valued at Rs 4,500," he said. He also said combined mechanism has been started to resettle displaced families within two months.

"Earlier there were 300,000 displaced but now there are only 17,000 to be resettled. After de-mining process is over, we will resettle them immediately," the Minister said.

Weerakoon said they will visit flood affected areas to distribute the relief package. "This will enable us to find solutions to the flood-hit. Puttalam district has been the worst affected by floods.

Immediate action will be taken to assist them" he said.