Adequate funds will be made available to restore flood areas – President

President Mahinda Rajapaksa assured all government officials who submitted estimates for various rehabilitation works in the flood affected areas that the Government would provide them funds to alleviate the condition of the victims and restore normality.He said so when he met Government officials and representatives of provincial and local authorities at the Anuradhapura Central Bank Auditorium on Wednesday.

President Rajapaksa also said thousands of flood devastated villagers and victims would be offered work in sites that have started rehabilitating damaged roads, tanks, anicuts, houses and school buildings etc. so that they would be able to secure a daily wage of Rs. 500.

President called on all relevant authorities to commit themselves to alleviate the conditions of destitute villagers who fell victim to the floods.

He said the damage caused by the floods in the Eastern and North Central Provinces had been estimated at Rs. 33,000 million.

He emphasised the need to carry out the repairs properly on the damaged infrastructure to withstand any natural disaster.

He pointed out the need to implement a solid programme to assist the farmers whose fields and crops were destroyed by the floods. President Rajapaksa instructed the relevant officials to provide seeds free of charge and fertiliser at a concessionary rate to the farmers.

While emphasising that the development drive of the country will not be stopped in the face of various criticisms, the President assured the government is committed to fulfill the responsibilities that should be carried out for the betterment of the people.

The President added that in his bid to rebuild the flood devastated Anuradhapura to its past pristine glory, next year’s Deyata Kirula event will be held in Sri Lanka’s ancient capital.

Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga and Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal accompanied the President on his inspection tour in Anuradhapura.

Ministers Tissa Karalliyadda and S. M. Chandrasena, Chief Minister Berty Premalal Dissanayake, Deputy Ministers Duminda Dissanayake, W. B. Ekanayake, Governor Karunaratne Divulgane, Provincial Ministers and members of the PC and Pradeshiya Sabhas, Army Commander Jagath Jayasooriya, Finance Secretary P. B. Jayasundera, several Line Ministry Secretaries, Anuradhapura Government Agent H. M. K. Herath, all Divisional Secretaries and Heads of Departments were also present.

The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) reported that as of 9 February, 1,256,900 people from 336,410 families are affected by the floods. This includes 140,665 persons sheltered in 584 camps in 15 districts.

The death toll from rains has risen to 17 with 2 missing and 11 injured.