Tens of thousands affected by Sri Lankan floods and landslides

by wsws (reposted)

Wed, Jan 31, 2007 7:09AM

Tens of thousands of people were displaced by floods and landslides in mid-January in southern, central and eastern Sri Lanka. According to the Ministry of Disaster Relief Services, more than 80,000 people were forced to shelter in 80 makeshift refugee camps. Just 5 million rupees (about $US50,000) were allocated last week to the relief effort.

Among the worst affected areas were Walapane and Hanguranketha in the central hills district of Nuwara Eliya, about 150 kilometres from Colombo. At least 16 people were killed in landslides caused by torrential rain and another five are missing. Nearly 20,000 people were left homeless as the slippages destroyed 156 homes and partially damaged another 741 in the two areas.

The government has promised to settle victims in safer areas. At the same time, however, the authorities have not spelled out how they are going to find suitable alternative land and have already said none exists. Inevitably, many of the homeless will be forced to return to the same areas, where they face the danger of future landslides.

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http://wsws.org/articles/2007/jan2007/sril-j31.shtml

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