April 27, Colombo (LNW): A high-level coordination meeting was convened at Army Headquarters to accelerate the construction of temporary housing for families displaced by Cyclone Ditwah.
The session was led by Deputy Defence Minister Aruna Jayasekara, who underscored the urgency of providing safe shelter to those affected.
Officials reviewed the current pace of work and explored ways to fast-track the rollout of interim housing across some of the hardest-hit districts, including Kegalle, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya and Badulla. Authorities indicated that the initiative aims to relocate around 1,000 displaced residents into secure, liveable accommodation as quickly as possible.
Construction work is expected to begin in early May, with the Sri Lanka Army taking a leading role in delivering the project. Military engineers and personnel are set to be deployed to ensure rapid progress while maintaining structural standards.
The programme forms part of the Government’s broader “Rebuilding Sri Lanka” effort, which seeks to restore communities impacted by natural disasters. During the meeting, the Deputy Minister called for a comprehensive action plan with firm deadlines, noting that delays could worsen the hardship faced by affected families.
Discussions also highlighted ongoing efforts to identify suitable land for the shelters. This process is being carried out in coordination with district authorities and technical experts from the National Building Research Institute, with a strong emphasis on selecting locations that meet safety and environmental criteria.
Emphasis was placed on maintaining transparency and accountability throughout the project, alongside improving collaboration between agencies to prevent bottlenecks. Senior military officials, representatives from disaster management bodies, and housing authorities were present at the meeting, reflecting a multi-agency approach to the recovery effort.
