Batticaloa District housing schemes expedited 
[February 07, 2005 -11.00 GMT] 

President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga today chaired a special discussion on new housing schemes for the people displaced by tsunami disaster in the Batticaloa district. The President briefed the Ministers, Parliamentarians and officials of the District on three special housing projects with all urban amenities.

President Kumaratunga directed the housing authority officials to commence construction activities of these projects before the 20th of this month. The National Housing Authority (NHDA) has already identified the lands required for the construction of all such resettlement schemes in the North–East provinces.

Urban Development Minister Dinesh Gunawardane, Labour Minister Athauda Seneviratne, Batticaloa District Rehabilitation Minister Risad Badiudeen, Rehabilitation Deputy Minister D. M. Dassanayake, Hon. Basheer Segudawood, M. P., Secretary to the President W. J. S. Karunaratne, Urban Development Ministry Secretary T. Hewage, Chief Secretary of the NEPC S. Rangarajah, Batticaloa Government Agent S. Shanmugam and NHDA Chairman M. N. Junaid also participated in the discussion.

A group of entrepreneurs of the private sector who have pledged to construct houses for the displaced also called upon the President at the President’s House this evening. The officials of the Housing Authority made them aware of the identified lands for the construction of the houses undertaken by them. Several foreign institutions have also agreed to sponsor selected villages of those displaced by the tsunami.

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Last Updated Date: February 07, 2005 - 11.00 GMT