Homeless in Galle

By Gamini Mahadura in Galle

At least 188 families in the Kadawas Satara area in Galle who lost their homes due to the tsunami are yet to be provided with houses, Divisional Secretary Bandula Harischandra said. He said the long delay was caused by a dispute that arose when residents of the area including a Buddhist monk objected to permanent houses being built in a land allocated for the purpose at Ambitiligoda.

Thirty eight houses were to be constructed at this site with funds received from the Netherlands-Sri Lanka Friendship association. Venerable Kegalle Pannasara Thera who was one of those who objected to the construction of the houses at this site said the residents had forwarded a petition to President Mahinda Rajapaksa informing him of the reasons for not wanting houses built on a block of land which is used as a playground.

The Thera said though they agreed that these people should be settled as soon as possible it should be done at another site.