Kumaratunga bans house construction close to sea coast

[TamilNet, Thursday, 30 December 2004, 10:03 GMT]
Visiting the tsunami hit areas in the Southern Province, President Chandrika Kumaratunga said Wednesday that "in the future as a safety measure construction of houses would not be allowed in areas close to the sea coast."

President Kumaratunga, accompanied by Ports, Airways and Media Minister Mangala Samaraweera and Additional Secretary to the President Mr. P. Dissanayake, toured areas affected by the tidal wave in Yodhakandiya in the Hambantota district.

According to a statement from the President's office, she had met people affected by the tsunami and made inquiries if the distribution of food and essential needs are reaching the people who need them most.

"She also discussed with the doctors about the immediate medical needs and if the facilities already provided were adequate and if there were any shortcomings," the statement said, adding that she has promised to provide housing to those who lost their dwellings in the natural disaster.

The President's statement has come amidst rising death toll in what is considered Asia's worst ever natural disaster.