Houses for Meethotamulla victims from Thursday

President Maithripala Sirisena has given instructions to expedite the resettlement process for the people who are affected by the section of the Meethotamulla garbage dump collapse. Accordingly, a programme for providing houses for the displaced persons will be implemented from tomorrow (April 20). Initially, houses will be given to 98 families, whose houses were completely destroyed.  

The President made these remarks during a meeting held at the Ministry of Disaster Management today (19) on providing reliefs measures to the victims.  

President Sirisena also instructed to strengthen the process of providing infrastructure facilities to the affected people while giving priority to evacuate people who are in the danger zone around the Meethotamulla disaster area.

The President further instructed to clear the Meethotamulla garbage dump in the next few months under the supervision of the Sri Lanka Army as well as to ban the illegal settlements.    

The President further stated that required activities for providing compensations to the victims should be done with extreme vigilance. He requested the continuance of the assistance given by all institutions to provide relief to the victims.

The next progress review meeting regarding the Meethotamulla disaster will be held on the 21 April at the Ministry of Disaster Management.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Ministers Anura Priyadarshana Yapa, Susil Premajayantha, Sagala Rathnayaka, Vajira Abeywardena, A. H. M. Fowzie, Chief Minister of Western Province Isura Dewapriya, Commanders of Tri Forces and the Inspector General of Police joined this discussion.