Saturday Oct 05, 2024
Saturday Oct 05, 2024
Monday, 13 June 2016 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe engaged in an inspection tour at Salawa area again yesterday to observe the progress in the reconstruction and relief efforts carried out by various agencies for the people affected by the fire and explosions that occurred at Salawa Army Base in Kosgama.
Accompanied by several Ministers, the Premier visited Sri Wardhanarama temple in Boralugoda where some of the displaced people are still being sheltered.
He promised to provide food, drinking water and all other basic amenities to the people affected by the disaster and to return their lives to normalcy as soon as possible.
While visiting the information centre setup in Muruthagama the Prime Minister said that the necessary funds have already been allocated to provide relief for the victims.
He said that there is no truth to the reports that the government does not have sufficient funds to provide relief and there is no disruption in the government’s development work.
The Prime Minister inspected the housing units that have been damaged by the explosion. He said that the divisional secretary has submitted reports on 92 housing units. It is reported that 1260 housing units have been registered as damaged in the area.
He also inspected an array of business places that had been identified as damaged by the explosion and made an inspection at the base hospital in Kosgama.
Wickremesinghe said measures will be taken to pay compensation for the damaged houses and businesses as soon as the assessment reports are received. Once those reports are received, residents have the choice either to allow the Army to rebuild the dwellings or do it by themselves, the Premier said. Until then the government will provide the relief to the victims, he assured.
Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa said that damage estimation has already begun.
The Prime Minister appreciated the service of the people’s representatives and public officials who, setting aside political differences, are working to restore the lives of the people affected by the Army camp fire.
Chief incumbent of Sri Wardhanaramaya Ven. Hewelwala Gnanananda thero said that the commitment of the public representatives is appreciable.
Ven. Elle Gunawansa Thero, Parliamentarians Dinesh Gunawardena, Bandula Gunawardena, Gamini Lokuge were also present during the Prime Minister’s inspection.
Owners of houses and property destroyed at the Salawa armory explosion will be given compensation from Tuesday (14 June).
According to the Colombo District Secretary Sunil Kannangara, 76 government valuation officers are already engaged in valuations of the destroyed properties.
The report prepared by these officers will be submitted to the Divisional Secretary of Seethawaka today(13th June) and the compensation granting process will be started then.
Nearly 654 houses and buildings have been reported as destroyed by the armory explosion.
The public are requested to contact 036-37 98 616 or 036-37 98 617 to make complaints or to report related problems.
