Housing project for Meeriyabedde landslide victims

The resettlement of the families affected by the recent landslide in Meeriyabedde in Koslanda got off the ground today (18th December). Commencing the project Secretary Defence and Urban Development Gotabaya Rajapaksa laid the foundation stone for the new housing scheme during a ceremony held there this morning.

According to the Defence Ministry, the authority is to build 75 houses for the affected families. The project will be carried out with the collaboration of the Sri Lanka Army. Each house will consist of a floor area of 526 sq ft with a living area, two bedrooms, kitchen and sanitary facilities and cost approximately Rs. 1.2 million. The total project will cost Rs. 130 million. The project will include basic infrastructure facilities and other conveniences.

A massive landslide swept away a part of a tea estate in Meeriyabedde watte in the Haldummulla Divisional Secretary Division in the Badulla District burying many lives and more than70 line houses on a fateful morning (29th) in October. Responding to the emergency situation security forces teams were rushed to the site for rescue operations. More than 500 soldiers braved through the heavy rainy weather and rough terrain to rescue those affected and provide relief to them.