Houses for terror hit families

Nimal WIJESINGHE- Anuradhapura Additional District group correspondent

Arrangements are made to offer housing facilities to nearly 3,000 homeless families who were made to desert their houses and property in fear of LTTE terrorist attacks in Anuradhapura district.

The Anuradhapura District National Housing Development Authority initiated the preliminary action to implement the housing program.

NHDA Senior Manager Anuradhapura R Dhanapala said data and information of displaced families who are not possessing proper housing facilities in Kebithigollewa, Padaviya, Welioya, Mahawilachchiya, Horowpothana, Medawachchiya, Galenbindunuwewa were being collected and analysed through the Anuradhapura District Secretariat, at present.

The proposed housing construction project would be affiliated to the ongoing Uthuru Vasanthaya program launched for he overall development of the Northern Province, since the particular villages are located close to boundaries of Mannar, Vavuniya and Mulaithivu districts. It has been roughly estimated that Rs 350 million would be required for the completion of the housing schemes to be put up in these districts.

"Families who fled in fear of LTTE attacks in the past are now arriving at their former villages, where most of the houses were devastated by terrorists and jumbos. In the light of this situation the NHDA has come forward to assist them in securing suitable housing facilities," Dhanapala emphasised.

Referring to Mahanikawewa hamlet in Kebithigollewa division he said that LTTE terrorists attacked innocent civilians of the village. Nearly 60 families were given shelter in a refugee camp.

They are now leaving the refugee camp to resettle in their village. The NHDA has selected 12 families whose houses have been totally destroyed and are offering new houses at a cost of Rs 1.5 million, according to the senior manager.