Special meeting held at Matale to discuss flood situation

D.N.M. Arachchige - Matale Central group corr

A special meeting was held at the District Secretariat Matale last Thursday to discuss the activities relevant to the disastrous situation caused by rains. The meeting which was called by District Secretary Helan Meegasmulla.

It was attended by Transport Deputy Minister Rohana Dissanayake, DCC Matale Chairman Lakshman Perera and the heads of all the government institutions in the district and the local government bodies.

According to the District Secretary, 1,711 displaced people from 434 families are in 14 camps. Some affected families are living in their relations’ houses but the government will provide dry rations to them as long as they are in such places. If someone comes to a camp due to the fear of earthslip he or she will be treated as a displaced person because the situation has not yet comeback to normal, Mrs. Meegasmulla said.

“We have sufficient funds in hand. About Rs. 3 million has been issued to the divisional secretaries so far.

Most of the roads damaged due to the floods and landslides have been repaired. The bridges will be re-constructed soon, she said.

Central Provincial Council, Highways, Power and Energy Minister Bandula Yalegama said the blocks of land used for building houses must be selected carefully.

“We too are responsible for this situation when the housing projects for the Sate workers are launched we must give them suitable places. But what we have done is to give them land blocks just by rivers or streams.

These places are not safe to live. The Tamil people who work in estates have been the most affected. Hereafter building houses in such places must not be allowed, the minister.

Transport Deputy Minister Rohana Dissanayake said proper approval must be taken before something is done.

DCC – Matle Chairman Lakshman Perera said. Now the situation is coming back to normal. Adequate funds have been allocated to do the needful but as most of the people get only food and sanitary facilities, we have to think of their other needs like clothes.