by

Saman Indrajith

Many of the people who perished in the Koslanda landslide had continued to occupy their homes in the landslide prone area despite repeated warnings, Parliament was told yesterday.

Chief Government Whip and Water Supply and Drainage Minister Dinesh Gunawardena said the area where the disaster occurred had been identified as a landslide prone area way back in 2005.

“It was recommended in 2005 that 75 families be shifted from the place and they were provided with alternative houses and the area was declared a reserve. In 2011 the possible danger of landslides was further confirmed and 35 families were given the option to move to a safer area, according to the District Secretariat.”

However, despite the new land being given, many people had continued to occupy their old homes which were destroyed by the landslide, Minister Gunawardena said in a statement to Parliament.

He said the Koslanda landslide was one of the worst natural disaster that had been experienced by the country in recent times. The President, the government and the entire nation mourned the tragic deaths and expressed their condolences to the affected people, he said.

Minister Gunawardena said the President had taken swift action as soon as he heard of the disaster and given necessary instructions to the Army, Provincial Councils, District and Divisional Secretariats and Pradeshiya Sabhas to coordinate the rescue and relief efforts. “Despite atrocious climate conditions all efforts were being made to respond to emergency situations being deployed to provide relief to the affected. The President visited the site this morning and actively participated in inspecting the relief provided to people affected.”

Following heavy monsoon rains the landslide took place at Meeriyabedda, Koslanda in Haldummulla, an area that had been identified as vulnerable to disasters. The disaster destroyed 63 houses in six estate lines affecting 337 persons of 57 families. A community centre, two milk collecting centres, a Hindu Kovil, two boutiques, two estate bungalows were also destroyed. Of those families, 75 children and 100 adults were not there when the disaster struck. The landslide was still active at 8.00 pm on Wednesday as the heavy showers continued. However, the search and rescue operations continued despite heavy rains and winds. Four bodies had so far been recovered but they were still not able to give an exact number of the dead, the minister said.

The Chief Government Whip said that 317 of 522 affected and vulnerable families had been temporarily provided with shelter at the Tamil Maha Vidyalaya in Koslanda, while 202 others had been given refuge at Poonagala Tamil Maha Vidyalaya. They would be provided with all facilities. On the instructions of the President and under the supervision of the Minister of Disaster Management all officials of the Provincial Council, District Secretariat, Divisional Secretariats, National Building Research Organisation, Disaster Management Units of the District Secretariats, tri-forces, the police and hospital workers had been deployed in the operations to rescue, help and provide assistance to the people affected by the disaster.

Minister Gunawardena said arrangements for the funerals of those killed in the disaster would be held by the government which would also provide dry rations, food, clothing and other necessities to the affected. The government also hoped that unaffected people in the area, non-governmental organisations and other institutions affiliated to provincial councils would cooperate with the government operations, the minister added.

Courtesy:The Island