Tsunami museum yet to be constructed
Government and Non Governmental Organizations were busy with planning for post tsunami reconstruction projects and relief programmes including housing projects in the aftermath of the disaster on Dec 26, 2004.
However, the tsunami-stricken people in the South are not satisfied with many of the rehabilitation projects.The proposed tsunami museum at Pereliya was one such. Several thousands of passengers in the Matara bound express train died when the tsunami waves destroyed the train at Pereliya in Hikkaduwa.
The authorities promised to establish a tsunami museum with the remnants of the ill-fated train as exhibits. Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake laid the foundation for the proposed museum during the official ceremony to commemorate the tsunami victims on Dec.26, 2005.
The residents of the area said the tsunami museum is just another failed project that did not progress beyond the laying of the foundation stone. The tsunami hit train has been left to the mercy of elements at Hikkaduwa railway station for more than three years. It is today the abode of the nocturnal gangs engaged in nefarious activities and drug addicts. The residents of the area said “The ministers and the representatives of Non Governmental Organizations visited the area soon after the disaster and promised to provide relief to the affected people. However, housing schemes constructed by the NGOs are now in a dilapidated condition.
How can we expect the government that failed to provide relief to the people to build a museum at a colossal expenditure?”
Meanwhile, Divisional Secretary, Hikkaduwa, Vidura Kariyawasam said “Cultural Ministry undertook the construction work of the museum. Divisional Secretariat is not responsible for the project. Any issue affecting the proposed museum should be taken up with the cultural ministry.”
By Yasas Mendis
Source: Dailymirror
Tags: cultural ministry, dilapidated condition, divisional secretary, drug addicts, express trains, foundation stone, hikkaduwa, housing projects, housing schemes, matara, nefarious activities, proposed museum, railway station, ratnasiri wickremanayake, reconstruction projects, tsunami, tsunami museum, tsunami reconstruction, tsunami victims, tsunami waves
