Tamil plantation sector flood victims neglected for two years

[TamilNet, Thursday, 27 January 2005, 10:35 GMT]
Tamil plantation workers in the Sabaragamuwa Province were ignored in the flood relief assistance given to the people affected by the floods in 2003 and have not received any assistance during the last two years, said estate sources Thursday. The plantation workers continue to live in crowded tents for the last two years.

Floods in May 2003 affected people in Galle and subsequent floods affected many areas of Sabaragamuwa Province, particularly the Ratnapura district. These two incidents of floods claimed 125 lives and affected 55000 families. 10,000 houses were completely destroyed and 25,000 were partially damaged. Many were displaced due to fear of earth slips.

Sri Lanka Government gave 20 perches of land and Rs 100,000 to those families whose homes were completely destroyed or who were displaced. More than 100 families of plantation workers who qualified for this assistance has been ignored by the government to date. Government also gave Rs 40,000 to families who suffered partial damage to their homes. Around 200 Tamil plantation workers families whose homes were damaged were excluded from this relief aid.

The housing scheme for permanent plantation workers planned by the Human Resource Development wing of the Plantation Ministry is yet to be completed. In some cases it has not even started. Plantation workers continue live in crowded tents are undergoing much hardship during rainy seasons.