32 new shops costing Rs. 20 m handed to victims of May violence

• Dozen Sinhalese shop owners also among them 

Western Province Governor A.J.M. Muzammil yesterday handed over 32 newly-constructed shops to the owners of the properties that were vandalised and burnt down during the recent riots in Minuwangoda.

The new row of shops located adjacent to the Minuwangoda Central Bus Stand was built at a cost Rs. 20 million fully funded by the World Memon Organization in cooperation with the Federation of Wellawatte, Dehiwala and Kirulapone mosques.

Former Chief Minister of the Western Province and Parliamentarian Prasanna Ranatunge and the Chief Incumbent of the Minuwangoda Raja Maha Vihara were also present at the event.

Speaking on the occasion, Governor Muzammil thanked the donors for the wonderful donation they made to give a new lease of life to the shop-keepers who had lost their valuables and had suffered damages to their properties during the riots. He lamented that the Government did not compensate for the damages although it was the responsibility of the State to look after the safety and security of men and their properties.  He also said that among the 28 shop-keepers who suffered these losses were 16 Muslims and 12 Sinhalese people.

The Governor also thanked Prasanna Ranatunge for his cooperation in this matter. “Prasanna Ranatunge was very keen on helping all the victims of the violence which deprived them of their daily earnings,” Muzammil said, pointing out that the entire project was carried out under the direct supervision of the Munuwangoda Urban Council. 

He further said he was glad that the victims were compensated within a short period of time following violence took in May. The meeting started with prayers from the heads of all faiths.