File photo of Koslanda landslide

Badulla District Secretary Rohana Keerthi Dissanayake says that steps are underway to provide housing facilities to those individuals who have been displaced, owing to the recent landslide in Koslanda.

The District Secretary made this statement during a special discussion held in this regard in Bandarawela on Wednesday.

Dissanayake also revealed during the discussions that 65 estate lands prone to landslides have been identified so far.

The District Secretary further stated,

[quote]Discussions were held with regard to providing houses to those who have been displaced. We have already selected a suitable land as per the advice of the Physical Planning Department and the NBRO. The government will provide the necessary funding while the armed forces are creating the architectural plan. We will be constructing 75 houses for these families. We have also decided to construct houses for families who currently reside in landslide prone areas in the near future. We will conclude building these houses within 3 months. Furthermore, the government has also approved to carry out a special housing program which will be spearheaded by the Urban Development Authority. Nine Thousand (9000) houses will be constructed under this program and will be given to estate workers are living in line houses situated in landslide prone areas.[/quote]