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Easter Sunday attacks: New housing for victims 

13 Nov 2021

By Uwin Lugoda An initiative was recently launched to provide new housing to the victims of the Easter Sunday bombings who were injured at the St. Anthony’s Church in Kochchikade, The Sunday Morning learnt. According to the Urban Development Authority (UDA), the government initiative aims to provide new housing to several families who were victims of the Easter Sunday attacks. The project gave this first set of houses to the victims on 28 October, at a ceremony held at the St. Lucia Cathedral in Kotahena. Speaking to The Sunday Morning, UDA Media Spokesperson Prasad Manju stated that the initiative was undertaken following instructions of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa in his capacity as the Minister of Urban Development and Housing. According to Manju, during said event, the Prime Minister handed over 19 newly built houses to the 19 beneficiary families. He explained that these houses belonged to housing complexes owned by the UDA, and were given on a rental and low-income basis to these families. He went on to state that the entire initiative aims to provide new houses to a total of 33 beneficiary families, out of which 14 houses remain to be completed. He further added that each of these houses (low-income category) cost the Government more than Rs. 4 million to construct, and includes all the basic facilities, such as washrooms, and an aesthetic build. At the event, Prime Minister Rajapaksa stated that it was the Government’s duty to serve the people affected by the series of suicide attacks that took place on 21 April 2019. He stated that the Government was ready to fulfil its duties to the people, despite the two-year delay. “We will fulfil our duty as a government on behalf of the people affected by the Kochchikade bombing. We may have had delays, but we are definitely ready to make our commitment to them, because we know the plight of those families who have been battered by terrorism. It should also be reminded that this Government will take steps to ensure that such a situation does not arise in the future,” said Prime Minister Rajapaksa. He stated that the people should have the right to travel freely, go to the temple, church, or kovil to practice their respective religions. As such, he stated that they must be protected and allowed to practice their religion freely. “It is the responsibility of the Government to take all necessary steps. We consider it our responsibility. Therefore, I am happy to be able to fulfil our duty on behalf of these people today as well as to participate in this.” The event was also graced by Bishop J.D. Anthony, Bishop Anton Ranjith, and Minister of State for Urban Development, Pollution Disposal, and Community Sanitation Dr. Nalaka Godahewa. According to Manju, the second phase of the project, which is to hand over the remaining houses to 14 more victims of the attack on St. Anthony’s Church, will take place soon.  


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