Under a Presidential directive and the supervision of Secretary Defence, the Urban Development Authority is to build 75 houses for the affected families. The project will be carried out in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Army. Each house with a floor area of 526 sq ft consist of a living area, two bedrooms, kitchen and sanitary facilities. Approximate cost of each house will be Rs. 1.2 million and the total project will cost Rs. 130 million. The project will include basic infrastructure facilities and other conveniences.

A massive landslide swept away a part of a tea estate in Meeriyabedde Estate in the Haldummulla Divisional Secretary's Division in the Badulla District burying many people and more than 70 line houses on Oct.29. The affected families were promised alternate accommodation and upon finding a suitable location, plans were drawn to construct houses to resettle them.

Speaking on the occasion Secretary Defence Gotabaya Rajapaksa expressed his sorrow on the loss of lives and said that the President hearing about the incident immediately directed the security forces to render assistance to the victims. He also visited the site to see for himself the tragedy that had befallen them.

Further he added that the houses will be constructed without delay and once the project is completed it will usher in more development to the area. He promised that his assistance will be always forthcoming to complete the project and bring relief to the people.

Minister Arumugam Thondaman, parliamentarians, provincial councilors, state officials and a large number of people were present at the occasion.(KH)