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An-ex policeman's tsunami housingdrive
By Esther Williams
Many people together can build a house! So believes retired Senior Police Officer Upali Seneviratne, currently on a one-man mission - to do what ever he can to help victims of the tsunami disaster.

Convinced that small amounts of money would make a difference, Mr. Seneviratne (former Superintendent of Police CID) used his good offices to secure support. He appealed to friends here and abroad to contribute towards specific items such as bricks, cement, sand, paint, tiles, doors and windows.

"If 100 people can give ten dollars each (the cost of two pints of beer) we can get most of the important construction done," thought this immediate past president of the Retired Senior Police Officers Association, who currently runs a private investigation firm.

So far, he has been singularly responsible for the construction of one house for W.N.S. De Silva and family and two more that are in the process of construction, also for families in the police force. The foundation stone was laid for the second house on March 11 at Payagala. Mr. Seneviratne is justified in targeting his support to those in the armed forces for he has ascertained their plight to be deserving.

Having visited the affected areas in the stations he has served (Kalutara South, Payagala, Kosgoda, Ambalangoda, Meetiyagoda, Hikkaduwa, Habaraduwa and Ahangama) he came across untold suffering among people whose lives will never be the same again. He realised that while providing dry rations and other essentials was important, it was equally vital to assist people in getting back on their feet.

It began with a call from Peter Savage, ex-Scotland yard detective who now runs a firm of investigators in UK whom Mr. Seneviratne has worked with professionally. Wondering how he could help, Mr. Savage decided to send a cheque rather than relief items that could be purchased in Sri Lanka.

Subsequently, Former Superintendent of Police (Ceylon), Southern Province and SP, Police Headquarters, Neil Hadow, the oldest and only British Police Officer who served in the Ceylon Police (1938-1949) offered 500 pounds out of concern for the area he served and love for the country.

"Concern from well wishers and friends and their willingness to contribute in whatever way possible got me thinking about building houses for families who have been affected by the tsunami," he adds, convinced that small efforts can generate many more. It further reflected human kindness and the capacity of ordinary people to change people's lives dramatically.

"Rather than being involved with any organisation, I decided to work on my own," he says speaking of his decision to go solo. Organisations meant red tape that would lead to delay in actual work. He was also convinced that there were many others who wanted to help but did not know how.

With the initial sums he received, together with contributions of Rs. 200 each from all his employees, he began the initial work to build a house for W.N.S. De Silva, father of three sons, two of whom are in the armed forces, whose house in Kahawa, near Ambalangoda was swept away by the tsunami.

When the waves battered the coastline close to their home, his wife who was at home was able to run and save herself although the sea took away all their belongings and property built with their lifetime savings, leaving them with only the clothes they wore.

Having moved into a refugee camp in Batapola, the family subsequently moved in with relatives and will now move into the house built on a small piece of land in Kalutara South owned by the De Silva family that cost approximately Rs. 175,000.

"The important thing is that the family has got back on their feet again and feel secure in the fact that they have a roof over their heads, helping them to recover dignity and a sense of meaning in their lives," explains Mr. Seneviratne.

Plans are now underway to build two houses that would cost around Rs. 200,000 each for two constables - Samal de Zoysa of Dodangoda and Jayantha Silva, both of whom also lost their houses to the tsunami.

Many friends and police officers abroad have pledged various sums for the cause. "It does not matter how small the contribution is, every little bit counts," reflects Mr. Seneviratne, speaking with pride of the solidarity shown by people of one vocation. He is aware that many other police officers need assistance and should he receive further support, is hopeful of helping at least some of them.

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