President
Chandrika Kumaratunga yesterday invited local
media personnel and the international media
men who have converged to cover the aftermath
of the tsunami disaster. She explained to the
journalists the government's plans to reconstruct
the ravaged infrastructure. The reconstruction
process of the Tsunami-hit areas would begin
on January 15, all political parties and the
LTTE
would be involved Kumaratunga said.
The President said the current
estimates of reconstruction would cost the nation
nearly a Rs. 100 billion. "All political
parities including the opposition leader has
willingly accepted the proposal and we have
already written to the LTTE. Their response
is expected soon," she said adding that
the reconstruction hopefully will be completed
in six months.
She thanked the international
community and the civil society that volunteered
almost immediate assistance. The President who
had just returned to the capital after touring
tsunami hit areas in the East said the scale
of human destruction and the colossal damage
to infrastructure astounded her.
Responding to queries the Kumaratunga
denied reports that the North East was being
neglected and said since Monday relief supplies
were being sent to the affected areas in the
North East including the uncleared areas under
LTTE control.
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