Every year it’s the same floody hell

On behalf of the multitude of flood victims at Bodhiraja Mawatha, Magawatte, I hope this letter will attract the attention of the authorities concerned particularly President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

This location probably has a ‘Guinness Record’ for frequent flooding.

In the wake of the floods the number of statisticians collecting data on the plight of the victims is a common occurrence with no tangible results or relief forthcoming.

The only aid most of the victims get is a banana, a packet of cooked rice and a ¼ pound of bread with sambol or ‘parippu’ (dhal) for the entire period of their suffering. This too only once. The victims do not look to the authorities to feed them or clothe them in the wake of such untoward occurrences.

Instead, if the common amenities are renovated it would be a relief. For example the septic pit system at this location should be replaced with a proper sewer line so as to reduce the instances of flooding - a grave health hazard at that!

Thus the hardships of the victims could be lessened to a great extent and the damage to the property minimized. The area has nominated four MMCs of the People’s Alliance at the last Local Government election.

~ Mohamed Basheer, Colombo 10