Hundreds of displaced people still without a home after blasts rocketed the Salawa army base

In June, a huge fire damaged more than 2,000 homes. The owners of those with minor damages, about half of the total, were able to go home. The others still live in houses rented by the government. The authorities have paid for the houses but not for tools and furniture. Damage assessments undervalue losses. Many of those who lost their jobs as a result of the fire are still unemployed.

Colombo (AsiaNews) – Hundreds of the families took to the streets in Colombo to reiterate their right to a home. They were affected by a huge fire in June that swept the Salawa army base, east of the capital, damaging more than 2,000 houses and shops.

The so-called Salawa victims gathered in front of Fort Railway Station and demanded that their situation be solved soon. Protesters complain that after five months and many promises, many of those affected by the fire are still forced to live in houses rented by the government and have not received adequate compensation for their losses.

On 5 June, fire broke out on the army base and spread to the munitions depot, causing explosions felt within a radius of several kilometres. The debris caused extensive damage.

So far the military have repaired about a thousand homes that suffer minor damage. "Compensation is handed by the district administration," said military spokesman Brigadier Roshan Senevirathna.

"The government has not paid what they promised us,” replied Hemantha Priyankara Rodrigo, head of the victims’ group. “Some people have received some money for homes, but no compensation for tools and furniture that were completely destroyed. "

Senarathne, another resident, complains that his home structure "had 17 pillars and I will never be able to rebuild it as it was."

According to the owners of other businesses, the damage assessments by the authorities do not reflect the true market value of the properties but are lower by “at least 30 per cent”.

Athula Parana Yapa, a local businessman, reports that more than 250 local workers have lost their jobs.

What is more, "I paid millions of rupees in taxes and insurance,” he noted, “and so far I have not had any compensation."

• sri lanka
• fire
• homes
• shops
• salawa military base
• damages