Online edition of Daily News - News: "Reconstruction activities are being expedited in the tsunami-hit Matara district. The committee on the Matara City Renewal Action Program (McRAP) recently reported the progress of its work to Ports and Aviation Minister Mangala Samaraweera. Samaraweera, who is also the Chairman of the overall reconstruction program of the Matara District, reviewed the progress of the Midigama project, being implemented by the Turkish Government to construct a new modern township with 500 houses and all other community and public utilities in Weligama. The project proposal to develop Polhena site in Matara, totally destroyed by the tsunami, was also reviewed. A modern housing settlement with 300 units will be constructed for the benefit of affected families in the area. The other on-going housing projects in the Matara district including Nupawela and Kammalwatte in Matara (80 and 35 units respectively), Kandegodella in Devinuwara (100 units), Kandepamula in Weligama (30 units) were also discussed. The Matara District Secretary was instructed to expedite the acquisition of lands to enable McRAP committee to speed up the allocation of lands to housing and community development projects lined up for implementation."
