Japan-Sri Lanka Friendship Village construction begins in Trincomalee

[TamilNet, Sunday, 26 March 2006, 21:36 GMT]
The construction work on the 246 permanent houses for tsunami affected Muslim and Tamil families in Iqbal Nagar on Trincomalee-Nilaveli road under the Japan-Sri Lanka Friendship Village Project funded by the people and Government of Japan has begun with the ceremonial foundation-laying event held Saturday morning.

The project is implemented at an estimated cost 470 million rupees from the fund of 800 million US Dollars allocated by the Government of Japan for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of tsunami affected coastal areas in the island, sources said.

Each house with two bedrooms, living and dining room, kitchen and a verandah is to be constructed on 550 sq.ft in 10 perch block of land at an estimated of one million rupees.

Electricity and pipe-borne water supply facilities and other infrastructure facilities are also to be provided in 33 acre-block of land.

136 Tamil families and 110 Muslim families affected by tsunami are to be resettled under this project. Beneficiaries have already been selected

The Consultant of the project is Japan International Co-operation System (JICA) Project Team for Recovery, Rehabilitation and Development Project for Tsunami Affected Areas, sources said

Mr.Yuji Miayahara, First Secretary of the Japanese Embassy and Mr.P.Weerahandi, Secretary to the Ministry of Housing and Construction laid the foundation and unveiled the plaque and the name board of the project Saturday.

At the commencement of the event the guests were taken to the venue with band of Nilaveli Tamil Maha Vidiyalayam in attendance.

Thereafter Mr.Weerahandi hoisted the national flag of Sri Lanka and Mr.Yuji Miayahara the Japanese national flag. Mr.Gamini Amaratunge, Additional Government Agent hoisted the District Flag and Mr. Mohamed Rafeek, Chairman of the National Housing Development Authority (NHDA) hoisted the NHDA flag.

Guests and two beneficiary women- one Muslim and other Tamil lit the traditional oil lamps. Muslim and Tamil beneficiary families participated in large number in the event, sources said.

Mr. Mohamed Rafeek, NHDA Chairman said in his welcome speech that the proposed Friendship Village under construction in Iqbal Nagar would certainly pave way for the lasting unity between Muslims and Tamils because they are going to live here side by side.

Mr.N.Thirukumar, NHDA Trincomalee District manager proposed vote of thanks.

The National Housing Development Authority (NHDA) organized the event.