27.12.2004
Hon. Mahinda Rajapakse MPPrime Minister,
Temple Trees,
Colombo – 3.
My Dear Prime Minister,
I join you in conveying my deepest sympathies to the grief stricken families who had lost their kith and kin and also their houses with all their belongings, due to the havoc created by nature.
I was listening to the reports of the commentators from various villages that are devastated by the Tidal waves. According to a press release from your office this afternoon the number of dead bodies so far recovered has touched five thousand. But according to the various reports broadcast over the radio I am sure that the number will swell by several folds.
This is such a gigantic problem that you alone cannot tackle. This is the time for all the people in this country to get to gather, forgetting all their political and ethnic differences, because the death blow dealt by nature had broken the backbone of every community in our country. The lesson we learnt is that we are all one.
I am happy that you, the business community in Sri Lanka and the general public have risen to the occasion and are doing everything possible within each one’s capacity. The aid is coming in spontaneously. Organisation such as Maharajah’s has mobilized their entire manpower and with a large donation of theirs is already in the field. Many others are preparing to follow.
The good gesture on the part of the Indian Government to give their warships and helicopters for our use and the offer of helicopters for relief work by the Pakistan Government and such other assistance from both countries is appreciable. Several other countries are getting ready with their aids of cash and kind.
For the first time in the history of our country we are facing such a large refugee problem, very difficult to manage. We have to find permanent abode to several hundred thousands of people. We have to find them a way for their living. Those who lost their kith and kin will not dare to even to near to the beach because without any warning within a couple of hours they were reduced to zero.
I suggest to you, on the arrival of Her Excellency the President in consultation with her and with your Cabinet of Ministers please negotiate with prospective donors to provide the following for the unfortunate victims of nature.
1. Provide low cost of houses for all of them in their respective villages, half a kilometer from the beach.
2. Provide loan facilities with free or low rate of interest for those who can afford to put up houses on their own.
3. Provide a substantial amount of money immediately for them to purchase their immediate requirements such as clothing etc.
4. Provide a monthly allowance for their subsistence for a specified period subject to review after a certain period.
5. Provide with implements required for their trade such as fishing nets, boats agricultural implements etc with loan facilities.
6. Construction of temporary sheds to accommodate the refugees in batches that will lease congestion in existing camps.
7. Toilet facilities wherever necessary should be provided without any delay.
I appeal to you to consider the pathetic plight of the people living in the coastal areas of Mullaitivu, Kilinochchi and Point Pedro where several thousand have died as stated by the LTTE. They have complained that no assistance has reached the victims so far from any source. Kindly take immediate action.
In conclusion I very earnestly request you to see that every relief worker acts impartially and without any bias towards any ethnic group.
I hope my suggestion will receive the serious consideration of your government.
V. Anandasangaree,
President - TULF
Copy to Her Excellency the President
