Housing project for Akkaraipattu tsunami victims commences

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 13 June 2006, 11:46 GMT]
Mr.Kanagasabai Pathmanathan, Amparai district Tamil National Alliance (TNA) parliamentarian and Rev.Fr.Sylvester Sritharan, Director, EHED-Caritas Monday laid foundation for permanent housing project for tsunami affected families in Akkaraipattu Sinnamuhathuwaram in an eight acre plot at Kolaviltheevukalai, sources in Trincomalee said. EHED-Caritas is funding the project.

Each house is to be constructed at an estimated cost of about 1.2 million rupees on 500 square feet plot with two rooms, a dining hall, water supply and other basic facilities.

Mr.Pathmanathan, parliamentarians speaking at the event said several non-governmental organizations soon after tsunami disaster came to the district and signed Memorandum of Understanding to construct permanent houses for tsunami affected families. But none of it materialised except the EHED-Caritas which has been implementing the permanent housing project with dedication.

He added the Sri Lanka government has neglected the rehabilitation and resettlement of tsunami victims in the district.

He thanked EHED-Caritas which is functioning under the able guidance of Rev. Dr.Kingsely Swampillai, Bishop of Trincomalee-Batticaloa Diocese, for its humanitarian assistance to tsunami victims.