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
Wednesday, April 06, 2005
Today top story
Books within reach
Pope John Paul II, accompanied by Archbishop Nicholas Marcus Fernando, speaks to the then Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike, and President Chandrika Kumaratunga during his overnight visit to Sri Lanka on January 20, 1995. (File Photo)
Tsunami waves recorded at Kirinda and Colombo on March 28: NARA
Tide gauges operated by the National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA) at Kirinda and Colombo have measured tsunami waves resulting from the March 28 Sumatra earthquake.
A maximum wave height of 2.3 m was measured at Kirinda while at Colombo (Mutwal Fishery Boat Harbour) the maximum wave height was 0.5 m, NARA said in a release.
The waves were due to an earthquake measuring 8.7 on the Richter scale at 10.09.36 pm (Sri Lanka time) to the north of the Island of Nias.
The waves were recorded at both locations, approximately three hours after the earthquake. The first tsunami waves arrived at 0105 hours at Kirinda while at Colombo they were recorded 10 minutes later.
Dr. E. M. S. Wijeratne from NARA said the tsunami waves were smaller than those recorded during the December 26 tsunami.
On Boxing day a maximum tsunami wave height of 2.3 m was recorded by the NARA tide gauge in Mutwal harbour. "This time only a 0.5 m wave was recorded," Dr. Wijeratne said. "Compared to the normal tidal range of 0.6m, the observed water levels due to tsunami waves were very significant".
Prof. Charitha Pattiaratchi from the University of Western Australia said this is the third recorded instance within the past 122 years that tsunami waves have been recorded in Sri Lanka - the others being the Krakatoa volcanic eruption in 1883 and the December 26 tsunami. He added: "The effects of the March 28 earthquake on Sri Lanka was much smaller because the tsunami waves were directed away (to the south) from Sri Lanka and also the region affected by the earthquake was much smaller (200 km for the March 28 earthquake vs 1,200 km for the Boxing day earthquake).
Receding water levels were also observed at many coastal regions of Sri Lanka. Commander Y. N. Jayaratne of the Sri Lanka Navy said Naval observers, stationed at coastal regions after the tsunami warning was issued, reported receding of water levels from 0100 hours for about 15-20 minutes and has been significant in places like Tangalle (seven) m and Trincomalee (five) m, but surprisingly no observations in Batticaloa.
The Naval teams also observed notable differences from Pulmudai to Muttur and again from Kirinda to Galle, but all were very minor when compared to the previous devastating tsunami.
Khalid
Switzerland grants Rs.700 m for housing reconstruction
Switzerland has joined the Government's housing reconstruction programme in the tsunami affected areas by providing a grant of US $ 7 million (Rs. 700 million), the Finance Ministry said yesterday.
The grant funds will be used to provide cash grants to reconstruct fully or partly damaged houses located outside the coastal buffer zone.
Under the Government housing reconstruction programme household of a fully damaged house will receive a grant of Rs. 250,000 and household of a partly damaged house a grant of Rs. 100,000.
Matara and Trincomalee Districts have been identified for the cash grants provided by Switzerland. The funds will be channelled to the recipients through the Bank of Ceylon and the People's Bank.
Switzerland is the second donor to participate in the Government cash grant programme for housing reconstruction in the Tsunami affected areas. The World Bank, the first to join the Government housing reconstruction programme, provided US $ 40 million (Rs. 4 billion) under an Agreement signed on April 1, 2005.
The Agreement for the Swiss grant was signed yesterday at the Ministry of Finance and Planning. Bernardino Regazzoni, the Ambassador for Switzerland in Sri Lanka signed the Agreement on behalf of the Government of Switzerland and Dr. P.B. Jayasundera, Secretary, Ministry of Finance and Planning on behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka.
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 such as Swiss Solidarity and the Swiss Red Cross are funding the housing repair and reconstruction programme of the Government of Sri Lanka on a participatory scheme.
The funds cover the reconstruction and repair of approximately 4,000 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.
Additional cash projects as Cash for Host families, Cash for Rent or Cash for Livelihood will be directly implemented by the SDC experts for cash programmes in the same districts with a total budget of US$ two million.
Switzerland has already started a school reconstruction programme in Matara, where SDC will reconstruct seven schools. The post-conflict rehabilitation programme in the North of the island, which Switzerland has been running for two years, is being continued. In the Jaffna Peninsula, SDC has already rebuilt 14 schools and will reconstruct one tsunami affected school.
With its post conflict school rehabilitation programme in Jaffna and the new programmes in Matara and Trincomalee, SDC will be present in three tsunami affected areas of the country.
Today top story
President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga participating in a public function in Sevanagala yesterday. Minister Sumedha Jayasena is also in the picture
Rail strike ends
A lightning strike by railway controllers from Monday night which inconvenienced thousands of train commuters including schoolchildren and office workers yesterday morning ended late afternoon after Transport Minister Felix Perera intervened.
The operation of trains on all lines was disrupted on account of the strike and the few trains which operated arrived way behind schedule. However, railway services were due to resume yesterday evening.
The strike was launched by train controllers demanding the reinstatement of rail workers interdicted following an accident in Veyangoda last year. They included the engine driver, assistant engine driver, chief controller, deputy chief controller and a station master who worked at Trains Control.
All except the station master had earlier been reinstated.Minister Perera, who considered requests for the station master's reinstatement, discussed the issue with the Public Service Commission and facilitated his reinstatement. The controllers and station masters called off the strike and reported for duty after the letter was delivered.
Commenting on the strike, the Minister said this was the 103rd train strike he faced after assuming duties as the Transport Minister. He had to intervene to solve the strikes. He urged transport unions not to strike as they affect the travelling public.
During the strike yesterday, some trains were held up for several hours near signal posts due to their non-operation. Most office workers who could not attend places of work on time were seen hopping into buses to return home. `From Kelaniya to Dematagoda, six trains were seen halted in a line one after the other for lack of signals. Among them were Vavuniya-Matara and Kandy-Colombo express trains.
Some trains were held up across level crossings causing traffic jams along some highways.
The Railway Controllers Union said the strike was launched to protest the authorities' failure to reinstate the railway controller interdicted in connection with a railway accident at Veyangoda in November last year.
Sumathipala Manawadu, Convenor, Organisation for the Protection of Railway Property said most railway workers have denounced this trade union action launched by controllers saying it demeaned the status of trade unions and their activities.
General Manager of Railways, Priyal de Silva held discussions with representatives of the Railway Controllers Union yesterday noon to seek a solution prior to their meeting with the Minister.
Khalid
LTTE attacks Naval boat off Trinco coast
A Truce Monitor on board a Navy patrol boat in the sea off Trincomalee suffered injuries, as suspected LTTE cadres, in a deliberate ceasefire violation, fired at the boat yesterday morning, Military Spokesman Brigadier Daya Ratnayake told the Daily News yesterday.
The Navy boat on routine patrol came under LTTE fire around 9.52 a.m. in the sea off Upparu, in Trincomalee.
The Truce Monitor on board the Naval boat sustained injuries while running for cover.
"It was a deliberate attempt by the LTTE to provoke the Navy since the SLMM flag was clearly visible and there was every possibility that the LTTE knew about the presence of a SLMM monitor on board," Brigadier Ratnayake added.
The LTTE cadres had fired 75 to 100 rounds at the boat from the land side in Upparu, Brigadier Ratnayake added.
SLMM monitor Alf Stoelam sustained injuries during the incident, when running for cover, the Spokesman added.
The boat, damaged in the incident was later brought to the Sri Lanka Navy camp in Trincomalee.
SLMM spokesperson Helan Olaffsdottir told the Daily News that the SLMM was yet to conclude whether yesterday's attack was a violation of the ceasefire. "We are conducting forensic investigations on the Navy boat to ascertain where the shots were fired from."
She further added that they were in contact with the LTTE ascertain as to why they fired at the Navy boat adding that they have not given any ruling on the incident. She said the presence of the truce monitor on board the Navy boat doesn't make any change towards giving their ruling.
However, she said no one was injured in the incident.
Khalid
Monday, April 04, 2005
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Associated Press, Mon April 4, 2005 06:39 EDT . - - COLOMBO, Sri Lanka - (AP) At least 65 tsunami victims, including 25 children, were hospitalized in Sri Lanka - after eating uncooked grain at a refugee camp, officials said Monday.
The tsunami survivors in eastern Muttur, 230 kilometers (140 miles) northeast of the capital, Colombo, complained of dizziness and vomiting, said M. Shukri, director of the Muttur hospital.
``The patients had eaten some type of raw grain that needed to be boiled before consumption,'' he said.
They were hospitalized on Saturday. Some were discharged Sunday, while the rest were released on Monday, Shukri said.
Tens of thousands of people displaced by the Dec. 26 tsunami still remain in overcrowded camps and temporary shelters around the island. They are largely dependent on government aid.
April 4 (Bloomberg) -- Rains in Sri Lanka's eastern region caused flooding in tent camps housing thousands of people made homeless by the Dec. 26 tsunami that killed about 39,000 in the South Asian island nation. ``The tent floors are wet or flooded,'' A.K. Thavarajah, a relief official for the Batticaloa/Amparai district, said yesterday, according to a report on the TamilNet Web site. ``Mats and sheets on which refugee children sleep have got soggy with the unexpected rains.'' Hundreds of people are sheltering in buildings in Batticaloa that were used to store rice and are now in a dilapidated state with leaking roofs, TamilNet said. Sri Lanka was the worst-hit country after Indonesia by the tsunami disaster. About 17,000 people were killed in the mainly Tamil north and eastern region. The rebel Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, which has been fighting for two decades for a separate homeland in the northeast, has accused the government of President Chandrika Kumaratunga of failing to provide enough aid to rebel-held areas of the island of 19.7 million people, a charge the administration denies. About half a million people were left homeless by the tsunami that devastated coastal towns and villages. Sri Lanka needs $.1.5 billion in aid to recover from the disaster, the Asian Development Bank, the World bank and the Japan Bank for International Cooperation said last month. About $900 million has been committed to help Sri Lanka, the ADB said last month. Damage from the tsunami threatens economic expansion that has benefited from a cease-fire in February 2002 that halted the civil war. Sri Lanka needs to rebuild 100,000 houses, as well as ports, hotels and roads. Peace talks between the Liberation Tigers and the government, under the Norway brokered cease-fire, have been stalled since April 2003. The civil war has killed about 60,000 people. Khalid
Sri Lankan Rains Flood Tent Camps for Tsunami Survivors in East
TODAY'S TOP STORY
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65 tsunami victims hospitalized after eating grain in Sri Lanka
At least 65 tsunami victims, including 25 children, were hospitalized in Sri Lanka - after eating uncooked grain at a refugee camp, officials said Monday.
At least 65 tsunami victims, including 25 children, were hospitalized in Sri Lanka - after eating uncooked grain at a refugee camp, officials said Monday.
The tsunami survivors in eastern Muttur, 230 kilometers (140 miles) northeast of the capital, Colombo, complained of dizziness and vomiting, said M. Shukri, director of the Muttur hospital.
``The patients had eaten some type of raw grain that needed to be boiled before consumption,'' he said.
They were hospitalized on Saturday. Some were discharged Sunday, while the rest were released on Monday, Shukri said.
Tens of thousands of people displaced by the Dec. 26 tsunami still remain in overcrowded camps and temporary shelters around the island. They are largely dependent on government aid.
Sri Lankan Rains Flood Tent Camps for Tsunami Survivors in East
Sri Lankan Rains Flood Tent Camps for Tsunami Survivors in East
April 4 (Bloomberg) -- Rains in Sri Lanka's eastern region caused flooding in tent camps housing thousands of people made homeless by the Dec. 26 tsunami that killed about 39,000 in the South Asian island nation.
``The tent floors are wet or flooded,'' A.K. Thavarajah, a relief official for the Batticaloa/Amparai district, said yesterday, according to a report on the TamilNet Web site. ``Mats and sheets on which refugee children sleep have got soggy with the unexpected rains.''
Hundreds of people are sheltering in buildings in Batticaloa that were used to store rice and are now in a dilapidated state with leaking roofs, TamilNet said.
Sri Lanka was the worst-hit country after Indonesia by the tsunami disaster. About 17,000 people were killed in the mainly Tamil north and eastern region. The rebel Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, which has been fighting for two decades for a separate homeland in the northeast, has accused the government of President Chandrika Kumaratunga of failing to provide enough aid to rebel-held areas of the island of 19.7 million people, a charge the administration denies.
About half a million people were left homeless by the tsunami that devastated coastal towns and villages.
Sri Lanka needs $.1.5 billion in aid to recover from the disaster, the Asian Development Bank, the World bank and the Japan Bank for International Cooperation said last month. About $900 million has been committed to help Sri Lanka, the ADB said last month.
Damage from the tsunami threatens economic expansion that has benefited from a cease-fire in February 2002 that halted the civil war. Sri Lanka needs to rebuild 100,000 houses, as well as ports, hotels and roads.
Peace talks between the Liberation Tigers and the government, under the Norway brokered cease-fire, have been stalled since April 2003. The civil war has killed about 60,000 people.
Khalid
Tsunami affected Indigenous orthopaedic hospital seeks assistance
THE Pallewela Veda Medura abutting the Galle Road at Katukurunda, Moratuwa, an orthopaedic nursing institute of indigenous medicine treating indoor and outdoor patients of all ethnic denominations was hit by the ruthless tsunami on December 26 last year.
Pallewela Veda Medura, Katukurunda, Moratuwa, in addition to treating orthopaedic patients was also the laboratory for the production of local medicine, ointments, and medicinal herbal plasters used in its outlets in Sirimavo Bandaranaike Mawatha, Colombo and at Hospital Road, Kalubowila, Dehiwala.
It also housed the special X'ray equipment to investigate orthopaedic ailments. Not only locals but even foreigners sought treatment at this nursing home under emergency circumstances such as road accidents.
The sudden tsunami invasion of December 26 which submerged over 3 and half feet high within the nursing home premises swept away not only the medical equipment and indigenous medicinal accessaries but even large stocks of herbal logs stored in the laboratory by private traders.
The items swept away included patients' beds, furniture, doors and windows, bed-spreads, television sets, brass cauldrons etc.
The owner of the indigenous nursing home, Dr.R.K.Vaidyaratna, who takes great pains to preserve the ancient medical system lamented that in spite of several representations made to numerous institutions for rehabilitation assistance in respect of this devastated medical institute, nothing positive has emerged so far.
He urges benefactors to come forward to assist him as he is rendering this social service very often free of charge and devoid of any motives to earn profit.
Khalid
Sunday, April 03, 2005
Today Top Story
Tens of thousands of tsunami victims
still surviving in tents and other
temporary shelters were thrown into
more agony when heavy rain flooded
their makeshift camps.
Displaced families to receive relief coupons for two more months
Friday, April 1, 2005, 2:20 GMT, ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.
Apr 01, Colombo: The Office of the Commissioner General of Essential Services says the government has decided to issue relief coupons to tsunami victims for two additional months.
Families already receiving coupons will be eligible to claim further assistance in this form, sources said.
At present, the Office of the Commissioner General has issued relief coupons at the rate of 32 per family for a period of four months. As announced by the government, 954,110 displaced families will now be given relief for six months. The issue of coupons, which began in February, will continue until July.
The cost of the relief, Rs. 3.6 billion per month, is being borne by the government. The total amount to be spent on relief coupons will be around Rs. 22.6 billion, sources said.
This includes a coupon for Rs. 375 per month per person. From this, one is able to get Rs. 200 in cash. The balance comes in the form of food items.
Khalid
Khalid
Warning : landslides with monsoon!
Peradeniya University Geologists warned a possibility of more landslides in the central hilly areas during the monsoon period due to the shaken plates of earth as a result of the spate of earthquakes erupted in Sumatra in the recent past.
Prof. Kapila Dahanayake of the Peradeniya University told the Sunday Observer that certain parts of the country, specially the central hill have experienced tremors due to earthquakes in Sumatra.
He warns people to be cautious during the monsoon period as more cracks and fractures may have occurred in the central hills. "Therefore these areas are more vulnerable to landslides", he said. When asked how to identify signs of impending landslides, he said that people should immediately evacuate if they witness any unusual muddy and warm water, falling of nuts from coconut or other trees, turning of lamp and telephone posts to one side, and also cracks in the walls of houses.
Prof. Dahanayake also noted that so far there is no equipment in the world to exactly say the date, time and the place where an earthquake will occur. Present technology can only predict an earthquake, he added.
Members of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Natural Disaster together with geologists on Thursday visited an area in Kandy which has earlier experienced an earthquake. Pahatha Hewahata Divisional Secretary Wimala Makuldeniya said that 101 families are living in a vulnerable area for earthquakes. She said that 31 families are living in the most vulnerable area in Waldabala which experienced a landslide in 1996.
When asked why the authorities have not taken steps to evacuate them, she said "earlier these people were given lands in Huruluwewa and Giradurukotte. All of them went there but after sometime many of them returned after selling those lands".
Chairman of the Select Committee Mahinda Samarasinghe MP said that the Select Committee report will propose to establish a National Centre to monitor natural disasters with the coordination of the Meteorological Department, Peradeniya University and Geological Survey and Mines Bureau.
Chairman Samarasinghe also said that new equipment should be acquired with foreign assistance and existing equipment maintained deploying trained personnel. Sighting an example he said that some equipment in the Peradeniya University has been malfunctioning during the last eight months due to the dearth of trained technicians to repair them. He said that the Select Committee report will be completed by the end of May. An Interim report will be released in April for public debate.
Khalid
Saturday, April 02, 2005
TODAY'S TOP STORY
Bread rises from Rice
A team of Japanese experts showed how bread could be made with rice flour. They met the Minister of Agriculture Anura Dissnayaka at his ministry on Tuesday. They told the minister the bread baked with white and brown rice was as good as bread baked with wheat flour. Pictured is a member of the Japanese team of experts handing over a loaf of bread to the minister.
Immediate Rs.250,000 grant to owners of destroyed houses
THE Government has taken measures to immediately grant Rs.250,000 to families whose houses have been completely destroyed in the tsunami catastrophe, Finance and Planning Minister Dr.Sarath Amunugama told the media yesterday. Owners of partially damaged houses will receive Rs.100,000 each.
On a directive of President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, Minister Amunugama has already instructed the People's Bank and the Bank of Ceylon to immediately provide this housing grant to the tsunami affected families to reconstruct their fully or partially damaged houses.
All the branches of the People's Bank and Bank of Ceylon in the tsunami stricken areas will be open on April 3 for the express purpose of providing funds to reconstruct houses beyond the 100 metre limit which are fully or partially damaged by the tsunami.
He said according to estimates nearly 60,000 houses damaged by the tsunami have to be reconstructed. "Of this 60,000, we presume that 30,000 houses will be accommodated under the project that the Government is launching on April 3," he told a news briefing.
Under this project all those whose houses were fully or partially damaged and located beyond the 100 metre limit will be entitled to a grant.
In a case of total destruction of a house, the owner will get a grant of Rs.250,000 which will be given in instalments with the first instalment being Rs.70,000. For partly damaged houses, it will be Rs.100,000 of which the first instalment is Rs.50,000.
"On April 3, we are inviting all those who fall into this category to the nearest bank where they already have a bank account in respect of the Rs.5,000 payment."
The first category will be those bringing a form which had been made available to them through the Divisional Secretary and the Grama Niladhari which had been issued by the TAFREN.
In the second category, this form is not fully perfected but there are certain parts filled. The third category will be for those who are not in possession of such a form but would receive it in the bank branch office and have it filled with the assistance of the bank manager and his staff.
"However all these three categories will be received by the branch bank manager. Nobody will be turned away. In order to test whether the application is genuine, the Disaster Management Team (DAT) of TAFREN had already inspected the houses and certified which are damaged fully or partially.
In addition, the Department of Census and Statistics have done a total survey and visited all these places and itemised the damage."
The Minister noted that even of all these documents are not fully completed, the victims can come to the branch offices on April 3.
The officers will help them to fill any areas which have not been filled up and they will accept it. They have time from April 3 to 8 to make sure that information is very viable in terms of what is there in the DAT report or the report of the Department of the Census and Statistics.
Finally on April 9, all those who have been now declared to eligible for these grants that is either Rs.250000 or Rs.10000 will be given a certificate which is called a confirmation of deposits. It means that the first instalment has been deposited in their bank account.
"If this program is done properly, from about April 8 or 9, about the half the number of people who need housing will be able to get resources to rebuild their houses and get them back to their normal life," he said.
A special discussion was held in this connection at the Finance Ministry on March 31 under Minister Amunugama's patronage. Ministry Secretary Dr. P. B. Jayasundera and Chairmen of the People's Bank and the Bank of Ceylon also attended the discussion.
Clear instructions will be sent by the General Managers of the two banks regarding the procedure that should be followed in respect of the Rs.250,000 grant. Each bank branch will display a banner calling for housing grant applications on April 3, Dr. Amunugama said.
The Minister noted that 10,000 copies of the requisite forms were despatched yesterday to the General Managers of the two banks - 7,000 copies to the People's Bank and 3,000 copies to the Bank of Ceylon.
From April 3 to 8, the branch managers will process them to expedite disbursements The two banks will launch an information campaign during this period on the payment stages and the categorisation of fully and partially damaged houses which will help them to understand the exact category under which they can receive grants.
Khalid
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