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Minister for Media Mangala Samaraweera and UNP’s Colombo District Parliamentarian Milinda Moragoda met on Monday (10) at the Matara District Secretary’s Office for a discussion on rebuilding the devastated areas in the Matara District with an unified party effort.

Parliamentarians, Ven Athuraliye Rathana Thera, Lakshman Yapa Abeywardhena and J.V.P Provincial Councillor Southern Province Council Sisira Kumara also participated in the meeting.

Representatives of Government departments, Corporations, Foreign Institutes and the Private sector also participated in the meeting. Constructing new houses for the homeless and constructing of new schools close to the proposed express highway were considered on this occasion.

Victims are to be resettled 100 meters away from the coastal line and more trees and plants are to be grown in the coastal zone. The lands have been identified for resettling those affected.

Constructing of a ring road parallel to the express highway and special consideration for fishermen was also discussed.

"The whole district is affected by this devastation. People have lost their lives, properties and therefore have fallen mentally to low ebb. The government’s responsibility is to look into all these matters". Minister Mangala Samaraweera said.

Milinda Moragoda said it was time to put aside political differences and join hands together to rebuild our country. Mangala Samaraweera agreed with the suggestion and this special meeting was the first step for joining hands together. The whole country should act to achieve this objective, he said.

The District Secretary, Matara, produced the new plans for housing, roads, and business places to the participants. The heads of the Departments of lands, irrigation, fisheries, welfare societies, health and Divisional Secretaries were also present on this occasion.