3,000 displaced families to be settled in tents

BY PRASAD RUKMAL

More than 15,000 people in 3,000 families in the Badulla District affected by the recent natural disaster and now in welfare centres are to be settled in tents.

District Secretary Panduka Sri Prabhath Abeywardene said yesterday the displaced families have been provided temporary shelter in 100 welfare centres in schools and that they would be shifted to tents.

He said several welfare centres in Lunugala, Passara, Badulla, Haliela, Soranathota, Migahakiula, Kandeketiya, Mahiyangana, Rideemaliyedda, Haputale, Uva Paranagama and Welimada divisions have been located in government schools and that the displaced families would be shifted to tents to allow the re-opening of schools on January 05.

The District Secretary said a consignment of tents has been received from the Netherlands, China, India, and Germany to provide shelter to the displaced families.

He said the tents would be erected with the help of the Army from Eladaluwa Military base at locations recommended by the National Building and Research Organisation.

The District Secretary further said tents would be provided, one for each family, and sanitary facilities, cooking facilities, cooking utensils and dry rations would be available to them.