Date:  From Thursday, January 20, 2005 to Thursday, January 20, 2005

Summary

On 17 January 2005, a Memorandum of Agreement was signed between Sri Lankan Government, under the Office of the Prime Minister and Plan Sri Lanka. Part of the agreement is to develop the new township on land that has been identified in Tangalle.

For more information Contact: Arunee Achakulwisut
Communications Manager
Plan Asia Regional Office
Email : arunee.achakulwisut@plan-
international.org

Additional information

Plan will support the development of one site in Yayawatta for 500 families,
with a land area of 315,900 square metres, the biggest township for
development awarded to an International Non-Government Organisation
(INGO). 

Plan intends to support the construction of 1,213 houses in Tangalle and
this will be done in consultation with the men, women and children of the
communities.  Plan will work closely with the Urban Development Authority;
the government arm assigned the task for township reconstruction and
development.

“We chose Plan because we are confident that Plan will deliver and we will
use Plan assisted township to be the showcase of a child-friendly village.
They are a leading development INGO in the reconstruction” stated
Mr.Mahinda Rajapakse, Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister

On 19 January, a groundbreaking ceremony for the new township
development was attended by Mrs. Chandrika Kumaratunga, the President
and Mr.Mahinda Rajapakse, the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka.  The theme of
the ceremony was "Rebuilding Hambantota for a New Hope and New
Future".  Plan was invited together with World Vision, Red Cross and GTZ
as confirmed donor INGOs.

In addition to its contribution on permanent house construction, Plan
provides input to the government’s house design with its approach of
designing the houses with the participation of children, women and men,
just as it did with the 2003 flood housing assistance.

Plan’s international appeal to date has raised US$ 9.9 million, of which US$
3.8 million is designated to Sri Lanka. [Source: CRIN]