Rebuilding Sri Lanka: Over Rs. 25 Billion provided for 55,000 damaged houses

The Presidential Task Force on “Rebuilding Sri Lanka” has reviewed delays in post-disaster reconstruction, with more than Rs. 25 billion already provided for over 55,000 damaged houses.

The Task Force met at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo yesterday afternoon (August 13) under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.

The meeting held extensive discussions on delays in contracted projects to rebuild infrastructure following the Ditwah disaster, obstacles affecting the achievement of 2026 project targets and the current progress of the “Rebuilding Sri Lanka” programme.

Officials revealed that Rs. 13,505 million has already been provided for 50,554 partially damaged houses, while Rs. 11,510 million has been provided for 4,918 completely damaged houses.

The meeting also reviewed the reconstruction of damaged highways, railway lines and bridges, along with the next steps needed to speed up the work.

Attention was also given to the progress of rebuilding partially and completely damaged houses, resettlement activities and measures required for people who are still staying in relief camps.

Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya instructed officials to visit areas affected by the Ditwah disaster and assess the current situation.

She stressed the need to restore the daily lives of affected people as quickly as possible and said discussions should be held with officials of the relevant line agencies to achieve this.

The Prime Minister also instructed members of the Presidential Task Force to take immediate steps to hold discussions with Governors, District Coordinating Committee Chairpersons, District Secretaries, Provincial Chief Secretaries and officials of relevant line agencies to speed up reconstruction projects that are facing delays.

Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando, Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government Dr. A. H. M. H. Abayarathna, Deputy Minister of Defence Major General (Retired) Aruna Jayasekara, Chief of Staff to the President Prabath Chandrakeerthi, Senior Presidential Adviser on Digital Economy and Chairman of GovTech Sri Lanka Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya, Senior Additional Secretary to the President Russel Aponsu, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma and Secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government S. Aloka Bandara were among those who attended the meeting.

Other members of the Presidential Task Force also participated.