Housing scheme for tsunami victims in Payagala

THE Family Help Programme (FHP) has set an example on effective utilisation of donor money for tsunami reconstruction projects, said Counsellor of the Netherlands Embassy in Sri Lanka Harry Van Dijk while handing over a housing project in Payagala to tsunami victims last Tuesday.

The new village which is built in Payagala, Ethagama at a cost of Rs 15 million consists of 16 houses.

"Our effort was to provide every possible facility to each house. Electricity, running water and all other facilities are available here and the villagers can now lead a decent life from today," said FHP Executive Director William Phillips.

"This is a better case study on how donor money should be implemented in an effective and useful manner in tsunami reconstruction projects. We must commend the efforts of FHP in constructing this village in a systematic and attractive way," said Counsellor Van Dijk.

One of the recipients Vijitha Perera said that he could now start a new lease of life since he feels secure to leave the family behind to go for fishing.

"We lost everything. Fortunately my wife, daughter and I managed to survive the killer waves. We were living in a house of a relative for the past 14 months. Now we can have a decent life," Vijitha said. Another fisherman E D P Marcus said that he was living in a shanty since the day of the disaster.

"We faced all kinds of hardships during this period. Sometimes it was worse than the tsunami. All these problems are finished from today," said Marcus.

Ven. Malegoda Nanda Thera of the Malegoda Pushparamaya and Fr. Ivan Peter of Payagala St. Mary's Church blessed the new village.