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Assistance trickles in slowly to those still gutted by that fateful day in May
View(s):Aranayaka landslide tragedy-one year on
By Pradeep Kumara Dharmaratne in Aranayaka Â
A year has passed since the landslide on Samasara Hill in Aranayaka, but the painful memories are still fresh in the minds of the survivors.
No longer do people traverse up and down that hill that came sliding down on that fateful May 17, burying 127 lives and destroying house and property. Only 31 bodies were recovered.
The landslide sparked fears that more areas in the surroundings were vulnerable forcing the eviction of some 571 families in addition to the 72 families who had lost their homes in the landslide. The houses of 288 families were partially damaged.
The houses that are coming up for the families affected by the landslide
The affected families were assisted by the state, the private sector and individuals and so far 58 of the 72 families directly affected have been given houses.
But many families who were evicted from vulnerable areas have been living in tents for the past one year.
“We are a family with three children. We have been living in a tent for the past one year and there is no one to support us. We have a sewing machine and we try to make a living. My husband travels to Pamunuwa, Maharagama and brings off-cuts of cloth,” Sandhya Kumari Jayakody, 38, said.
“We are not sure when we will receive a house, despite various assurances given to us,” Ms Jayakody who lives in a tent in Ussapitiya laments.
The assistance provided to the affected families by the state has come to a halt now.
“I am a disabled person. Since the day of the landslide we have been living in a camp in Viyaneliya. Today no one is looking out for us. We have not been given a house so far. We have lost our sources of income as well,” A Gunapala said.
There are a few who have been provided houses, but are emotionally still affected either by the loss of one or more members in the family or being deprived of their livelihood.
“Today we have got a house but are unable to get back on our feet. I had about an acre of tea planted. In 1969 we were given the land. I lived there with my son. Fortunately my son was working in Colombo when the tragedy occured. I was at a boutique nearby. With a deafening sound of an explosion the hill slid at a speed of about 500 to 600 km per hour,” E.G. Sugathapala recalled.
Sandya Jayakody
Aranayake Divisional Secretary Z.A.M. Faizal
Those who lost their loved ones are still unable to come to terms with their loss.
K.G. Piyasena 62 lost every member in his family. His wife had passed on 20 years ago. When the landslide occurred his eldest son, his wife and their two children were at home.
“I was away selling sweep tickets. At about 4.30 p.m. I was at a boutique nearby. I heard the sound of a big blast like that of a helicopter crashing into the ground. I ran towards my house in the heavy rain. I lost everything. I Still see my grand children running towards me,” Mr Piyasena said fighting back his tears. But he has something to smile about as he is one among those affected who has received a house.
Amid the gloom there was a sigh of relief as 57 houses are to be given to families of the Siripura Colony under corporate social responsiblity projects initiated by Rhino, Dialog and state media corporations. The houses were built with the participation of the armed forces. In addition, Habitat Sri Lanka is building 40 houses in Debathgama Kalugalawatte. More houses are being built elsewhere while several sites have been identified to build houses for 92 displaced families.
K.G. Piyasena: Lost his entire family
Forty-five-year-old Ajith Seneviratne who also was the recipient of a house built by the Rhino Company at Wasanthagama said he lost many family members including his wife, younger son, mother, sister, brother and brother in law. “I lost my land and everything. I am a carpenter but I lost all my tools.”
“I am yet to get death certificates. We were told that we would be given Rs.300,000 to re-start our livelihoods, but these were mere empty words. We don’t have money to hold alms-giving for the departed. Without their death certificates I can’t get any compensation either,” he lamented.
Aranayake Divisional Secretary Z.A.M. Faizal said in his area of 61 Grama Niladari Divisions 29 Grama Niladhari Divisions were affected by the landslide while 4291 people were displaced.
“Some of them are living in 480 temporary shelters while 2061 people are still living in 11 camps. Various institutes have come forward to construct houses,” he said adding that 132 families have opted to purchase their own lands.
Assistance is coming say authorities, but the process has been slow with one of the obstacles being finding suitable land away from landslide-vulnerable areas.