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Sri Lanka Army

Defender of the Nation

11th June 2016 00:20:47 Hours

Special Meeting Session Listens to Grievances: 394 Wells Fit for Drinking at Kosgama

Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Crishanthe De Silva, together with Minister Susil Premajayanth, Divisional Secretary for Seethawaka, local politicians, Commander, Security Forces - West and state officials this morning (10) once again met members of affected families in Kosgama - Salawa inferno during a special meeting, held at the Divisional Secretariat Office at Seethawaka, Hanwella.       

Authorities at the meeting briefed aggrieved civilians on the status-quo, regarding ongoing clearing, repairing and re-building work in affected areas and carefully listened to their grievances with the intention of providing all possible relief to their issues.  

While Army troops are continuing to provide drinking water by bowsers, Sri Lanka Navy troops with Water Board experts after inspecting all affected domestic wells confirmed that a total of 394 wells are now completely safe for drinking. A total of 406 drinking wells were inspected in all affected areas and contaminated water in 85 wells was pumped out during the past four days.  

In the meantime, Army Engineers, infantrymen and other troops, engaged in clearing operations were able to complete the repairs in about 20 houses which had minor damages on the roofs, walls, etc by Thursday (9) evening, according to the operations room, manned by Army personnel at Seethawaka. 

Similarly, troops as well as civil sector authorities, including the Centre for Disaster Management on Thursday (9) went on putting up temporary tents for those returning to their home compounds, although repairs have not yet been completed. 

Meanwhile, Army Engineers continue to collect shrapnel and other explosive devices, still scattered in some residential compounds in affected areas. Since special care has to be exercised in handling such explosives, the troops have been compelled to take extra precautionary measures in doing so which is time-consuming.