Special District Coordination Committee Meeting Chaired by the President to Review Resettlement Progress in Nuwara Eliya District

Special District Coordination Committee Meeting Chaired by the President to Review Resettlement Progress in Nuwara Eliya District

 President instructs relevant authorities to construct temporary houses on the allocated lands until permanent housing is built for estate community

A special District Coordination Committee meeting to review the progress of the resettlement programme for the people in the Nuwara Eliya District who lost their homes due to Cyclone Ditwah was held this morning (13) at the Nuwara Eliya District Secretariat under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

During the meeting, the President extensively inquired into the compensation payments for the loss of lives and destruction of property caused by Cyclone Ditwah, compensation for business losses and the measures taken to restore housing and normal livelihoods. The President also reviewed the progress of resettlement and land identification processes separately at the Divisional Secretariat level.

As a result of Cyclone Ditwah, 61,833 individuals belonging to 18,266 families across all 10 Divisional Secretariat divisions in the Nuwara Eliya District namely Ambagamuwa, Nuwara Eliya, Norwood, Nildandahinna, Kotmale, Talawakelle/ West, Walapane, Mathurata, Hanguranketha and Kotmale / East were affected. A total of 675 estate houses and 1,565 village houses were completely destroyed, while 612 estate houses and 153 village houses suffered partial damage. In addition, 93 deaths were reported.

The President also reviewed in detail the progress of relief measures provided to the affected people.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake pointed out that estate residents who lost their homes and are currently living in tents are facing numerous difficulties due to the prevailing rainy season. The President instructed officials to prioritize their resettlement.

The President further directed the relevant authorities to expedite the allocation of land required for resettlement and to take immediate steps to construct temporary houses on those same lands until permanent houses are built.

The President emphasized that while the initial stages of restoring the lives and infrastructure devastated by Cyclone Ditwah, the largest disaster in recent history, were unsystematic, effective planning and the dedication of government officials led to the successful completion of a substantial portion of the initial work. The President added that for the people to truly benefit, the process must be finalized effectively. Therefore, he anticipates the cooperation of all government officials to ensure the swift completion of the second phase of work, which includes resettlement.

The President also pointed out that the government bears the responsibility of managing the country’s economy in a way that would prevent a recurrence of the economic crisis experienced in recent years. He stressed the importance of maintaining strong financial discipline and operating within important economic parameters. The President further expressed confidence that government officials would dedicate themselves fully to ensuring that the funds allocated by the government to provide relief to cyclone-affected people are properly utilized and that the benefits reach the people promptly.

Among those who attended the event were Nuwara Eliya District Member of Parliament and District Coordination Committee Chairman, Manjula Suraweera Arachchi; Co-Chairman of the Nuwara Eliya District Coordination Committee and Central Province Governor, Professor Sarath Abeykoon; Members of Parliament R.G. Wijerathna and V.S. Radhakrishnan; government and opposition MPs; Mayor; Chairpersons of Pradeshiya Sabhas; public representatives; Central Province Chief Secretary, Ajith Premasinghe; Commissioner General of Essential Services and Presidential Chief of Staff, Prabath Chandrakeerthi; Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retired); Nuwara Eliya District Secretary, R.A.D.T.N. Thennakoon; Ministry Secretaries; Heads of relevant Departments; and representatives of the security forces.