'Disaster free Colombo'

Milton DHARMASINHE- Bulathsinhala spl corr

Steps have been taken to develop Colombo to protect the people and their properties from sudden flood and other disasters, Disaster Management Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said.

Construction of reservoirs has started, filling of marshy land have been stopped and proper drainage systems to flow water are being built, he said addressing a meeting at Horana Thursday.

The Asian Development Bank funds six billion rupees for this.

The Minister said during the past few months lightning has claimed 30 lives, over Rs 300 million of property has been damaged, hundred of persons have become handicapped.

As Horana in the Kalutara district has reported the highest number of lightning incidents, it has been selected to launch the first lightning awareness programme," he said. According to the recommendations of the appointed committee, steps have been taken to provide the Meteorological Department with modern technology and to launch a national programme on dangers.

Senior Minister for Good Governance and Infrastructure Facilities Ratnasiri Wickramanayaka, Kalutara District MP Vidura Wickramanayaka, Deputy Disaster Management Minister Dulip Wijesekara, Meteorological department Director General G. B. Samarasinghe, Colombo University Senior Lecturer Dr. Chandana Jayaratna also spoke.