The
Sri Lanka Fund continues to be proficient as they approach
their goal of building homes for tsunami victims. The government
has granted the Sri Lanka Fund a two-acre plot of land.
This acquired land is located in Induruwa, just 40 miles
south of the capital, Colombo, and 200 meters from the ocean.
Along with the land, the organizers have also chosen tsunami
victims who will have the opportunity to own the newly built
homes. Organizers Sanjiv Gunasekara and Raja Edirisuriya
obtained a list of tsunami victims from the Government Agency
Office. Then they provided all the victims with an application,
a requirement to be considered as a future homeowner. Additonally,
Gunasekara and Edirisuriya personally interview each applicant
to assure that they were capable of becoming a homeowner.
Of the chosen homeowners, almost all are fishermen by occupation
and have completely lost their home due to the tsunami.
Pictures of all these future home recipients can be seen
on the Sri Lanka Fund website at www.srilankafund.com.
After the land and homeowners were secured, the organizers
met with Lalith DeSilva, the president of the architectural
association in Sri Lanka. De Silva was hired as the architect
of the project. Therefore, he is responsible for providing
the architectural plans and overseeing the construction
of the homes. After De Silva had completed the plans, organizer
Edirisuriya hired Shanthi Builders as the contractor for
the project. On February 15, 2005 a contract was awarded
to Shanthi Builders to build 40 homes on the two-acre plot
for the Sri Lanka Fund.
On February 6, the Sri Lanka Fund hosted a groundbreaking
ceremony to initiate the construction of the 40 residential
homes. Over 2,000 people, including 50 Buddhist monks, attended
the ceremony. Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse was the Chief
Guest at the groundbreaking ceremony. Rajapakse and Edirisuriya
laid down the first stone to initiate the housing project.
The Sri Lankan Prime Minister’s presence was a honor
and an achievement for the fund. The organizers have been
very efficient and productive for having accomplished so
much in such a little time. Within a span of four weeks,
they have acquired land, awarded a contract, and hosted
the ceremony.
The construction of the homes is estimated to take approximately
four months. Since the contract was awarded on February 15, the
project should be completed by June 15. Currently, as of March 15,
the land holds 15 homes with foundations and walls. Therefore, it
is evident that the building is progressing at an expeditious rate.
On Sunday, April 3rd at 6 pm, the organizers plan to hold a town
hall meeting at the Lankarama Temple in La Puente. At the meeting
there will be a 30-minute video presentation about the development
status of the project. Sri Lankan delicacies, such as hoppers and
curry, will be provided for your enjoyment at the meeting. Please
be sure to attend and assit the victims of the tsunami. For further
information and updates about the Sri Lanka Fund feel free to visit
their website.
