Saudi funded tsunami housing scheme inaugurated

The official handing over of tsunami housing scheme funded by the Saudi Arabian government to Sri Lanka took place at Temple Trees yesterday. Saudi Ambassador in Sri Lanka Abululaziz Abdulrahman Al Jammaz presented a token key to President Mahinda Rajapaksa to mark the official handing over of the housing scheme to the government.

The construction of this housing scheme comprising 500 units commenced three years ago. A Saudi delegation led by Saudi Ambassador Abululaziz Abdulrahman Al Jammaz presented a model of the housing scheme to the President. They also gave a full account of the housing scheme to the President.

This housing scheme consisting of all amenities such as a school, hospital, playground, community centre and a market complex is situated at Norochcholai in the Ampara district and the families of all communities displaced by the tsunami in the area would receive houses.

External Affairs Minister Prof G.L. Peiris and Director of Saud Embassy in Sri Lanka Amer Al Mlek signed an agreement over the housing project.

Deputy External Affairs Minister Neomal Perera, Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga, Foreign Ministry Secretary Karunathilake Amunugama and Ampara District Secretary Sunil Kannangara were also present.