Children displaced by tsunami in Colombo re-settled within one week - DIG

The children who were displaced in the Colombo Division Police area following the tsunami were re-settled within a week and arrangements were made for those children to attend schools in order to continue with their education, said Colombo DIG Sirisena Herath at a Counselling meeting held with the participation of all religious dignitaries in Colombo recently.

Western Province Governor Alavi Mowlana and UNICEF Country Representative Ted Chaiban were the chief guests at the ceremony.

Ven. Ethkanda Saddhajeewa Thera, Jayawardenapura University Vice Chancellor Chandima Wijebandara, Prof. Gnanadasa Perera, Dr. Ramani Perera, Dr. Ms. I. Jayawardena and several other lecturers participated in the Counselling meeting.

DIG Herath said that those displaced people, children and the others are given shelter in Temples, Churches, Mosques and school buildings in the area. The Police are making arrangements with the assistance of the public to re-settle these people as early as possible.

"Not a single robbery or rape was reported from the Colombo area due to the immediate steps taken to prevent any outsiders entering the area without the knowledge of the people of the area.

On the directions of Colombo DIG Herath, two riot squads of the Field Force Headquarters, life saving squads and roads blocks were deployed to prevent any situation in the area.

A special squad will also be sent to the Southern Range on the direction of IGP Chandra Fernando to assist the displaced persons following the tsunami tidal waves, DIG Herath said.

Colombo North Senior SP H. S. Dayananda, SP H. A. K. Nanayakkara, ASP Bandula Wijewardena, City Traffic ASP Anton Prabath Sirikumara, Chief Inspector D. S. Jayasinghe, OIC, Grandpass Police, Chief Inspector U. S. Bandaranayake, OIC, Modera and Sergeant Senanayake of the Colombo DIG's Office also participated in the Counselling meeting.

Khalid

Australian High Commissioner visits the East

Australian High Commissioner visits the East

The Australian High Commissioner, Dr. Greg French, visited the eastern districts of Trincomalee, Batticaloa and Ampara on March 1-3 to inspect the tsunami assistance projects being funded by the Australian Government.

Dr. French held discussions with the Government Agents of Trincomalee and Batticaloa, as well as UN Agencies, NGOs, representatives of civil society and a number of welfare camp committees said Australian High Commission in a press release.

He also observed progress in the Ampara district water supply project, which is being primarily funded and constructed through Australian channels.

The project is already providing access to drinking water to many in tsunami-affected areas of Ampara district. On completion, it will enable access to potable water for almost three quarters of the Ampara district population.

The High Commissioner also presented a cheque to Survivor's Associated for a psycho-social project in 22 welfare camps in Valaichennai and Kalmunai as well as to the Samasta Lanka Praja Sanwardana Association for a water and sanitation project in Komari.

Australia has disbursed over A$10 million for tsunami assistance activities in Sri Lanka, in addition to the ongoing aid program valued at A$23 million annually.

The immediate post tsunami assistance package focused on urgent food, shelter, water and sanitation needs and public health issues was provided through the World Food Programme (WFP), UNICEF, UNHCR, OXFAM Australia and a range of non-governmental organisations.

The Australian Government is currently mobilising further packages for the rehabilitation and reconstruction phase, which will aim to bring together the numerous offers of assistance from Australian State Governments, private agencies and individuals.

Khalid