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Victims of army camp disaster need help, says Colombo cardinal

Prelate asks country's leaders to deliver on promises to properly house those left homeless
Victims of army camp disaster need help, says Colombo cardinal
Published: July 14, 2016 08:44 AM GMT
Updated: July 14, 2016 08:48 AM GMT

Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith of Colombo has appealed to Sri Lanka's leaders to help those who have lost their homes and livelihood because of an explosion and fire that erupted at an army base in Salawa, near the capital city a month ago.

"Residents in the area forced to flee only with the clothes on their backs as a result of the tragedy are still in a state of shock and suffering," said Cardinal Ranjith in a press statement issued by Colombo Archdiocese.

One soldier was killed and thousands of people were evacuated due to the fire and explosions that raged June 5-6. The incident completely destroyed the army camp and its munitions stockpiles.

Hundreds of nearby homes and businesses were destroyed in the disaster. The cardinal says that people are now living in makeshift tents.

"They have lost everything they toiled for over a lifetime, their homes, their commercial ventures and everything that belonged to them which have been reduced to rubble and ash," Cardinal Ranjith said.

"All of this has happened accidentally and they had no hand in that."

The cardinal asked the government to speed up assistance for those affected by the disaster.

"Even though promises have been made by the relevant authorities that their houses and ventures would be re-built very soon, due to red tape and official procedure ... These promises are still be to realized," he added.

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