Flooded out of their tents

By Isuri Kaviratne

The heavy rains in Batticaloa which lasted for three days has destroyed refugee tents in Kalawanchikudi and Ariyampathi, Batticaloa MP P. Ariyanethran said.

“Around 25 tents have been destroyed as the low lands were flooded due to the rain”, he added.

Though plans were made to send the refugees to the schools for temporary shelter, they were not implemented as the Zonal Education Director did not give his approval.

He had said that if refugees extended their stay in schools, their opening for students could be affected.

“The houses of those people displaced from Vakarai are safe but they have not been allowed to go there yet. Even people who have been sent there are living in temporary shelters, not in their houses”, he said.

He said the Batticoloa District GA had held a discussion with the AGAs to send the refugees back to their homes before the New Year.

“I sent letters to the President and the Opposition Leader asking them to take action to send these people back to their homes”, Mr. Ariyanethran said.

Kalawanchikudi Divisional Secretary Arul Raj said some of the temporary shelters were been destroyed and the people so displaced sent to other tents temporarily.

“We don’t have enough tents so people who need around 3000 tents are sharing 700 in Kalawanchikudi”, he said.