Misappropriating tsunami aid?

Misappropriating tsunami aid?

U.L.A. Gunasekera, The Island, Asia News Network/Colombo

According to recent reports in the media, Minister Mangala
Samaraweera has claimed that tsunami relief is being administered
fairly and with an even hand though shortcomings are inevitable
in the execution of such a gigantic task. As a tsunami victim
myself, I feel competent to relate the factual story of the
administrative mechanisms which are in place for the relief of
victims in the Matara district.

The first official arm to arrive on the scene was the police
which competently recorded the loss of person and property. The
Dept. of Census and statistics on Feb. 11, 2005, made a study of
the damage and loss caused to my village, which except for the
substantially built houses, all else had been wiped out by the
tsunami.

Thereafter, two bright and duty conscious young graduates from
the District Secretariat recorded their observations on forms,
which were designed to reflect a comprehensive picture of the
situation. It is clear that these surveys were only for the
purpose of record as subsequent events were not seen to bear any
connection with them.

In March, that is two months after the tsunami, the Grama
Niladari and a Technical Officer of the N.H.D.A. made a cursory
inspection of my house, viewing it from outside. These two
officials are empowered to inspect, assess the damage and the
compensation due to the victim. Leaving such a task to one
individual however competent he may be, cannot be a satisfactory
arrangement for a comprehensive assessment, which must include
accuracy in measurement, visual inspection and estimate of cost.
Prejudice and favor cannot be ruled out.

Officials at the lower levels seem to burden themselves with
the idea that all victims of the tsunami are ignorant, poverty-
stricken workers of the fishing industry. These officials cannot
comprehend that others of different social and economic
circumstances are victims of the tsunami.

The N.H.D.A. Technical Officer after a cursory inspection of
my house assessed the damage at 40 percent. In my house 2250 sq.
ft. of roof, 4,000 sq. ft. of walls and thirty one doors and
windows were destroyed leaving only a section of the roof and the
floor intact. Consequently, the compensation available to me is
Rs. 50,000.00 only. It is apparent even to a Nelsonian eye that
nearly 85 percent is damaged or destroyed.

To add insult to injury, the officials final decision is that
the entire house should be reconstructed before any further
entitlements are considered. However, the officials agreed that
the cost of such a reconstruction will be near Rs. 800.000.00.

Therefore, it is clear that the official move is a subterfuge
to ensure that I will not receive the compensation which is my
due. The Government is distributing largesse to its vote bank
only. Besides, there is truth in the theory that the 200 m rule
was a strategy to misappriate the generosity which was pouring
in.

The Minister concerned speaks with forked tongue.