Love Lane Tsunami Refugee camp in Trincomalee

The above mentioned tsunami refugee camp is located in Love Lane, Trincomalee, in Sri Lanka. Here, thirty-four families were displaced by the 2004 tsunami. Sixteen of these families have been resettled, but the other 18 affected families are still living in the refugee camp. Many family members have to stay in a small cottage and have been facing a number of problems during the rain. These eighteen families are going to be resettled at Vellaimanal, Karimanal Uttru in Trincomalee. The Gramma Sewaka (G.S) has stated that the affected families will be settled down before 15 January, 2009, but the contracted works have still not been completed. These 18 families are fisher people. Although they have severe constraints for their livelihood and the education of their children, they have declared that if they resettle in Vellaimanal village, they will have to travel 15 km to do their fisheries work. If they want to go to the sea for fishing, they are required to get the pass around 05.00am, but the first bus from Vellaimanal to Kuchchuveli is at 05.30am. The affected people request that the government should at least arrange the bus just earlier than the scheduled time, such as 04.00am, so they can carry out their work in a successful manner. Otherwise their livelihood will be affected completely. Even if the people are settled down, their problems and existing poverty would remain. So the people request that the government provide the equitable and sustainable solution for them.

By: F.Raajan