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Flood havoc: Alternative land to resettle 6,000 families
View(s):Alternative land is being sought to resettle up to 6,000 families living in areas vulnerable to landslides and floods, officials said.
The directive was given to government officials by President Maithripala Sirisena at a meeting on Friday.
Disaster Management Ministry Secretary S.S. Niyanwala told the Sunday Times officials were told to look for state and private land which could be used for resettlement purposes. Private lands would be bought by the state.
The Secretary said the Lands and Plantations Ministries were told to look for lands available for resettlement purposes.
The highest number to be resettled will be from the Kegalle district where about 2,000 families would have to be resettled.
He said those living in areas prone to floods in Colombo also would be resettled. But further talks would be held as some families were known to be illegally occupying land in Colombo.
Meanwhile, about 3,000 tents are required to provide shelter to people displaced by floods and landslides. He said China had sent 1,000 tents with each of them being able to accommodate three beds. Bangladesh is sending 1,000 more tents.