Sri Lanka to construct 1,000 temporary residences for cyclone victims

Sri Lanka will construct 1,000 interim housing units, with help from its Army, for people displaced by Cyclone Ditwah 5 months ago, minister Nalinda Jayatissa said.

Families living in shelters in Kegalle, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya and Badulla will be beneficiaries of this temporary housing project, which will be built with labour contribution from the Sri Lanka Army and according to a plan by the National Building Research Institute.

6,088 houses were completely destroyed during the cyclone, and 115,179 partially damaged, Jayatissa said.

The remaining families are being given compensation of up to 5 million rupees each, he said in response to queries from reporters.

Jayatissa acknowledged that there were no plans to extend the 25,000 payment made by the government for those who are currently renting premises.

494 families are still living in 20 shelters across 4 districts in the country, while several more live in tents and with relatives five months after the cyclone hit people without adequate warning.

Source: Economy Next