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| Monday, 10 January 2005 |
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| Tsunami disaster: School children in refugee camps should be admitted to nearby schools - WP Chief Minister Wadduwa special correspondent "Thirty four thousand two hundred and eighty two persons were affected by the tsunami catastrophe in Kalutara district including five thousand and four hundred and eighty four families. According to the latest statistics, two hundred and seventeen persons died and four hundred and twenty persons were admitted to hospitals." This was disclosed by Government Agent, Kalutara, Jayalath Ravi Dissanayaka addressing the officials of the Kalutara district at a meeting held at the Kalutara District Secretariat. Reginald Cooray, the Chief Minister of the Western Province (WP), Kumar Welgama the Deputy Minister of Power and Energy, Rohita Abeygunawardana the Deputy Minister of Posts, Telecommunications and Udarata Development, Nandana Goonatillaka, the District Member of Parliament for Kalutara and the officials and the heads of the departments participated in the conference. The Government Agent said that there are nineteen thousand and eight hundred persons in eighty four refugee camps and committees would be appointed and assigned to attend to the work of the camps. "A card system would be introduced to issue rice, sugar and flour for families to prepare food and other food items could be purchased from the cooperative outlets," he stated. Reginald Cooray, the Chief Minister of the WP said, "Schools would be opened for the new year on January 10 and the schoolchildren in the refugee camps should be admitted to the nearest schools to continue their education. A progress report should be forwarded by the officials within this week to attend to the necessities of the refugees. He also requested the Government Agent to acquire the vacant government buildings to set up refugee camps. The Government Agent also said that some of the chief incumbents of temples have requested the refugees to evacuate from the temples as the temple is the most venerated place in the area, the refugees' behaviour below dignity. It was also revealed at the conference that considering the future safety of the lives of the people no houses would be allowed to be put up within 100 meters from the seashore. Already foreign and local organisations have consented to construct housing complexes when the land is provided to them. The officials of the Water Supply and Drainage Board said that one hundred and forty nine wells have been cleaned and water could be used for consumption now. |
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