Tsunami affected Maruthamunai residents discontinue protest

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 24 January 2007, 03:46 GMT]
The protest organized by the residents of predominantly Muslim village of Maruthamunai to draw attention to the lack of commitment by the Government officials to help rebuild their homes destroyed by 2004 tsunami, was suspended after assurances given by the Government Agent (GA) of Amparai that he will expedite efforts to help the families, civil society sources in Batticaloa said. The protest continued for three days from Saturday until Monday.

Members of nearly 250 families accuse the Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) not taking any interest in providing permanent houses for them.

All business establishments in Maruthamunai were shut down and all activitities of the government departments were brought to a standstill during the protest, residents said.

Ampara District GA Sunil Kannangara and regional secretary A.M.M.Ansarin met with a 15-member group of affected civilians, attorney-at-laws, moulavis and members of the media at the office of the Kalmunai regional secretariat on Monday afternoon at 2:00 pm.

Entire coastal suburbs of this densely populated Muslim town were flattened by the tsunami in December 2004.

Maruthamunai, is located 34 kilometres south of Batticaloa.