President tours flood-hit areas in Kalutara district

President Maithripala Sirisena inspected areas affected by the recent floods and landslides in Bulathsinhala, Yatagampitiya and Nagahadola in the Kalutara District yesterday.

The President also inquired about the damage to property and joined in a Shramadana campaign organised in the area by the Ministry of Environment in conjunction with the World Environment Day.

This Shramadana campaign was carried out with the participation of members of the Army and Chinese relief teams.

People living in Nagahadola faced floods as a result of the Nagahadola River being blocked due to the Pahiyangala Mountain landslide and the President, after observing the site, instructed the District Secretary to submit a report in this regard to him.

Furthermore, the President instructed officials to submit a report on the clearing of the Nagahadola River which was clogged with soil from a landslide.

President Sirisena instructed officials to implement a special program for the benefit of affected schoolchildren in the area and advised the District Secretary to continually look into the healthcare and other needs of the people and schoolchildren of the area.

Currently, lands required to build houses that were entirely destroyed have been identified and the President asked to expedite the resettlement process of those affected by the disaster after carrying out a proper feasibility study.

Later, the President also joined in a program to distribute supplies to victims of the disaster housed at the Yatagampitiya Primary School.

Pahiyangala Ananda Thero, Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe, Deputy Minister Ajith P. Perera, Chief Minister of the Western Province Isura Devapriya, Secretary of the Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Environment Udaya R. Senevirathne, Kalutara District Secretary U.D.C. Jayalal and other officials participated in this event.