TSunami Housing Project

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.