President visits flood-affected areas in Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa

• Swift measures to rehabilitate damaged houses and tank anicuts
• Directives to reconstruct infrastructure facilities
• Data on crop damages collected

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa visited areas affected by floods in Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa district yesterday to inspect relief measures provided to displaced people in the area.

President Rajapaksa who met the political authority and Government officials at the President’s House in Anuradhapura this morning reviewed the welfare program and instructed the relevant authorities to continue with providing assistance to the affected communities.

The relief program been implemented under two phases; provision of relief during the disaster as well as post-disaster activities. President emphasised that the Government acted with utmost responsibility in this process.

Floods caused by torrential rains have affected 10 out of 22 Divisional Secretariats in Anuradhapura district. The situation had left 5,181 persons from 1,561 families displaced. Around 2,923 from 937 families have been provided shelter at welfare centres and measures have been taken to provide them with cooked food and dry rations.

President instructed the officials to inspect the damages caused to houses and take immediate remedial action. Cleaning activities have already begun where floods have subsided. Directives have also been issued to inspect the available health facilities. Attention has been drawn to rehabilitate tank anicuts and other infrastructure facilities.

As floods have also destroyed paddy crops, the President ordered officials to estimate the damage and take appropriate measures.   

Ministers S.M. Chandrasena, Duminda Dissanayake, North Central Province Governor Prof. Tissa Vitarana, former Minister Tissa Karaliyadda, Adviser to the President Lalith Weeratunga, Ministry of Defence Secretary Maj. Gen. Kamal Gunaratne, Government officials, chiefs of armed forces and Police were present during the discussion.

President Rajapaksa is also scheduled to visit several welfare centres and meet displaced people during the day. Accordingly, he will visit Dutugemunu Viharaya and Bodhirajarama Viharaya in Rajanganaya.

A special discussion will be chaired by the President at the Polonnaruwa District Secretariat this evening to look into to the relief efforts in Polonnaruwa district.

Later, President will visit the welfare centre in Elahara.