"The
Sri Lankans have strength and courage to reconstruct their
destroyed houses even after the Tsunami catastrophes. The
responsibilities of international agencies like UN-HABITAT
to provide technical assistance and the guidance to the
people through encouragement and systematic programmes."
This was said by the Executive Director of UN-HABITAT, Dr. (Mrs)
Anna Kajumulo Tibaijuka who has recently visited in Sri
Lanka expressed her views after the inspection of 'Siyambalagahawatta'
housing scheme in Galle district constructed for Tsunami
affected families.
The UN-HABITAT Executive Director arrived in Sri Lanka on
the invitation of Sri Lankan government and during her
visits she has inspected several development programmes
implemented with the assistance of UN-HABITAT. Under the
UN-HABITAT Programme, several Tsunami re-development
programmes were implemented in Galle, Hambantota, Kalmunai,
Kathankudi, Batticaloa, Kilinochchi and Jaffna.
Under this programme 'Siyambalagahawatta' housing project in
Galle district is being constructed for 1000 displaced
families under the community infrastructure facilities and
housing construction projects.
The government of Japan provides the financial assistance
for this project on the request of UN-HABITAT and the
National Housing Development Authority provide the technical
assistance for the construction of these houses.
Further expressing her views on this occasion the UN-HABITAT
Director said "The international agencies like UN-HABITAT
always provides the correct guidelines to the people who
needed houses. The Tsunami affected people in Sri Lanka
were constructed their houses in efficient manner with the
assistance of UN-HABITAT staff and Sri Lankan officials.
Mt. Lalith Lankathilake, Sri Lankan Director of UN-HABITAT
Project and Mayor of Galle, Mr. Fouzer Niyas also
participated in this inspection tour.
Before the inspection tour the District Secretary of Galle
and Mayor of Galle has made a special presentation to
UN-HABITAT Director on Housing Programme implemented in
Tsunami devastated areas in Galle.
