Lands and cheques were granted to people displaced by Ditwah disaster
The grant of official land ownership rights and cheques for housing construction to people affected by Cyclone Ditwah, for a more stable future, was held yesterday (19th) at Ududumbara Batumulla School, under the patronage of Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation, Mr. K.D. Lal Kantha.
A total of 30 acres from Thekkawatta plantation area that was under the Department of Forest Conservation were allocated for the people, and the number of beneficiaries is 114. All these beneficiaries are entitled to a sum of Rs. 500,000 for the construction of their houses, and the initial payment of Rs. 200,000 each in the form of cheques was also presented on this occasion.
No previous government had ever provided such a large amount of funds to such a large number of people during a disaster period, and the people who were present expressed their appreciation and gratitude to the Government in that regard.
The Minister expressed his views while participating in this event.
“After the Ditwah incident, the President specifically discussed with the Cabinet of Ministers that we should provide as much relief as possible to the people at the grassroots level. The District Secretary has sufficient funds. However, those funds can only be disbursed after completing the necessary procedures in accordance with the relevant legal and administrative circulars. Therefore, there is absolutely no issue regarding funds. In this matter, the Divisional Secretary is providing us with tremendous support. Likewise, without the District Secretary and the Grama Niladhari, we would not be able to carry out this work. The Government makes policy decisions to provide a better life than what the disaster-affected people previously had. For that purpose, the Government allocates funds. It is the duty of the State to implement that.
There are no problems that cannot be solved by humans. The philosopher Karl Marx said that no problem that has a solution comes before humans. Therefore, do not harbor any pessimism.
All the revenue collected into the General Treasury belongs to and is given back to the people themselves. As soon as we came into office, we increased the salaries of Divisional Secretaries and District Secretaries. The fertilizer subsidy for farmers, which was Rs. 30,000 per two hectares, was increased to Rs. 60,000.
We must think optimistically about life. Optimistic goals can be achieved. We must dream beautiful dreams. We must dedicate ourselves to making them a success. This can only be accomplished when the Government, the State and the people come together as one.”
The occasion was attended by Kandy District Secretary Indika Udawatta, Kandy District Member of Parliament Basnayake, along with Divisional Secretaries, officers of the Department of Forest Conservation, as well as a large number of residents of the area.
