2nd Lead (Adds details)

Delays in relief worsen woes of Batticaloa affected- MP

[TamilNet, Saturday, 15 January 2005, 14:17 GMT]
Senior Parliamentarian of Tamil National Alliance (TNA), Joseph Pararajasingham talking to TamilNet Saturday charged that the reconstruction and relief in the Batticaloa district are being carried out at "Snail's Pace"' despite the presence of deputy minister of relief' reconstruction and rehabilitation D.M. Dassanayake in the area.

Mr Pararajasingham further said that he is not satisfied with the speed at which clearing of debris, relocating of refugees and the construction of temporary bridges is taking place in the district. He said the delays add to severe hard ships for those affected by the tsunami disaster and urged the Sri Lanka government to act expeditiously to improve conditions in Batticaloa.

"The rebuilding is happening at a snail's pace when it actually should be carried out on a war footing. At present only two bulldozers and a few tipper trucks are being used for clearing up. The Ceylon Workers Congress (CWC) from hill country has promised to send three tipper trucks and two bulldozers to help out," he said.

"Two more bridges, Kallaru Cause Way Bridge and Onthachchimadam Cause way Bridge, need to be constructed urgently. About 25 schools are unable to function as they are still housing displaced persons" he added.

With the help of some International and local NGO's, relocation of displaced persons from schools into makeshift camps on government land is scheduled to commence next week. Mr. Pararajasingam said, that the Head of the task force Mano Tittalawela, Head of the Task force for rescue and relief Dr. Tara De Mel together with Ms. Rohini Nanayakakara had visited Batticaloa recently to assess the situation.

The disaster committee of the Batticaloa district had brought to their attention the problems of the district, but complained of seeing no improvement to the situation yet Mr. Pararajasingam said.