The first house constructed under the ‘Sahana Sevana Housing programme’ initiated by the Godakanda Director Board of Herbal and Vendol Company was donated to a tsunami hit family at Pohaddaramulle.

K. Sarath Chandrasiri Silva, his wife Ranjani, son Ushan Kumudu(10) and daughter Uresha Madushari(2), a poverty-stricken family were living along the beach when their house and property were devastated by the tidal wave disaster on December 26.

Since then, the family had been temporarily living in various places.

Ven. Maduluwava Sobitha Thera, film and teledrama artiste Kanchana Mendis and several residents participated in the house donation ceremony. The house at a cost of Rs. two lakhs was constructed at Heen Ela road in Phoddaramulle.

Ven. Maduluwava Sobitha Thera addressing the gathering said the tsunami devastation was unprecedented and unparalled in the nation’s history.

" Reconstruction and rehabilitation are the need of the hour. Creating a nation more cultured than it was should be our prime concern," he said.