A discussion on the housing construction programme for people in the districts of Kandy, Matale, Nuwara Eliya, Kurunegala, Kegalle and Badulla who lost homes due to Cyclone Ditwah and on issues that have arisen in allocating the required lands, was held yesterday (12) at the Presidential Secretariat under the patronage of Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs, Ananda Wijepala and Secretary to the President Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake.
Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs, Ananda Wijepala, who directly intervened to resolve the issues that have arisen, stated that it is the expectation of the President and the Government to complete this resettlement process very soon and that sufficient fund have been allocated for that purpose.
In the resettlement process, special attention has been paid to the report of the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO). While resettling those who can be accommodated at the original locations of their former houses, the current situation in each district was also reviewed with special focus on identifying those who must be resettled elsewhere and allocating the necessary lands for that purpose.
Attention was also drawn to delays encountered in obtaining reports from the NBRO in connection with resettlement activities in the Kandy District and Nuwara Eliya District. The Minister instructed that, where there is a shortage of officers in the relevant areas, assistance should be sought from officials in districts where NBRO reporting has already been completed, with a view to concluding the process within one month.
The discussion also addressed challenges encountered in securing vehicles and other facilities required for these activities. The Minister instructed that the preparation and issuance of NBRO reports should be expedited by prioritising high-risk zones and completing the process swiftly in accordance with the established order of priority.
The Minister further emphasised the need to engage with affected communities to address public concerns relating to NBRO reports and to proceed with the relevant activities only after ensuring safety through proper assessment and study.
Attention was also drawn to issues arising in the construction of houses for estate communities affected by Cyclone Ditwah. It was noted that the housing programme should commence only after discussions with estate companies to secure the release of adequate land for this purpose.
The discussion further addressed difficulties faced by individuals seeking to purchase houses together with land, particularly challenges encountered in the acquisition of land. The need for a systematic mechanism to resolve issues relating to lands allocated under permit schemes such as Jayabhoomi was also highlighted.
Meanwhile, District Secretaries informed the meeting that the government allowances of LKR 25,000, LKR 50,000, and the LKR 15,000 student allowance provided to those affected by Cyclone Ditwah have now been fully disbursed to all eligible beneficiaries. The Minister instructed that discrepancies identified in statistical data relating to certain districts should be corrected without delay and that accurate information be submitted promptly.
The Minister also drew the attention of officials to the issues encountered in compensating business establishments damaged due to flooding in Giriulla. He instructed that steps be taken to resolve the difficulties arising in the payment of compensation and to ensure the disbursement of LKR 200,000 to all business establishments liable for rates under the local authority, after addressing the outstanding issues.
The meeting was attended by the Commissioner General of Essential Services and Secretary to the Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure, Prabath Chandrakeerthi, Secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government, S. Aloka Bandara, Secretaries of the relevant Ministries, District Secretaries, the Commissioner General of Land Chandana Ranaweera and the Director General of the National Building Research Organisation, Engineer Dr. Asiri Karunawardhana, along with geologists and other government officials.
