Pilayaan group’s interference stalls Siththaandi housing scheme

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 26 March 2008, 10:42 GMT]
A housing scheme about to be implemented as a joint venture by Swiss Red Cross Society (SRCS) and Sri Lanka Red Cross Society (SLRCS) in Siththaa’ndi First Division in Batticaloa district has come to a halt due to interference and demands by Pillayan group, the affected civilians in the area said.

The scheme jointly initiated by the two Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) was designed to provide houses for 375 families with low income, each house costing Rs.750,000.

The said NGOs worked independently without any involvement from the Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL), and the NGOs provided their own engineers, masons, building materials and complete the construction with the help of the intended owners.

However, Pillayaan group has threatened the public in Siththaa’ndi First Division stating that the policies of these organizations cannot be implemented in these areas and have demanded that all activities related to the construction of the houses including purchasing of building materials have to be done according to their instructions.

Already a similar housing scheme that was about to be implemented in Tha'lavaay within the Ea'raavoorpattu Chengkaladi District Secretary’s administrative area has been suspended due to the interference by Pillayaan group and a similar situation has developed here too, residents in Siththaa’ndi First Division, said.