Thursday, April 07, 2005
Switzerland funds housing repair and reconstruction programme
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Switzerland will assist the Government of Sri Lanka in its efforts to rebuild tsunami destroyed houses with seven million USD. Swiss Ambassador Bernardino Regazzoni today signed a Memorandum of Understanding with P.B. Jayasundera, Secretary, Ministry of Finance. Switzerland will also continue its ongoing reconstruction programme of schools in Matara and Jaffna.
The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and other Swiss donors are funding the housing repair and reconstruction programme of the Government of Sri Lanka on a participatory scheme with seven million USD. These funds will cover the reconstruction and repair of approximately 4000 fully or partially damaged houses in the Trincomalee and Matara districts. All Tsunami affected households outside the restricted area (Buffer Zone) will be provided with phased cash grants to repair or rebuild their houses.
The construction process will be managed by the families, while Switzerland will provide expertise through SDC. Three experts each in Trincomalee and Matara will integrate local governmental bodies to implement the programme and exchange knowledge on the participatory reconstruction programmes. Switzerland has already started a school reconstruction programme in Matara, where SDC will reconstruct seven schools.
Khalid
Re-building the nation after Tsunami- Amunugama Says Co-operation is good at all levels
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Finance Minister Dr. Sarath Amunugama said toay that there is a lot of co-operation between all parties, especially at the project implementation and ground level in re-building the nation after Tsunami. Amunugama paid a special tribute to all Sri Lankans and politicians for working together in affected areas.Responding to a question on , what steps the government had taken to get all parties on board to re-build the nation ; Amunugama said "We have set up structures at local levels, at Kachcheris and at divisional secretary level. Everyone is working well together and we don't have any problems."
Amunugama said at national level they have had consultations and the government has not received major complaints so far. "We may have differences on policy matters. But, the government is always ready to talk and engage others. We are always open for discussions" added Amunugama. Finance Minister also said that the government will stick by the 100 meter buffer zone. The Finance Minister pointed out that people who opposed the 100 meter buffer zone seem to be silent after the threat of a second tsunami recently. He considered it as an acceptance of the government's decision.
Answering a question on government's dealings with the LTTE and LTTE front Tamil Rehabilitation Organisation (TRO) in the rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts, Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar said "You are compelled to deal with these parties even if you don't like to, considering the monumental disaster our people faced after Tsunami. All our people will be treated equally. But, there will not be a sell out to the LTTE in this aspect. But, we have to be very practical" Secretary to the Ministry of Finance Dr P.B. Jayasundera and Mano Tittawella, Chairman of TAFREN also were associated with the two ministers, at the first media briefing held today to brief on Tsunami Rehabilitation and Reconstruction.
Khalid
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