Diversified blue-chip conglomerate Aitken Spence & Co re-affirms its commitment to post-tsunami reconstruction and rehabilitation by completing 26 homes for tsunami-affected families in the North & East. On the 24th December, less than 1 year after the devastating Tsunami hit Sri Lanka, Aitken Spence will officially unveil one of the first tsunami-affected villages to be reconstructed with fully completed houses in the North & East.

Deputy Chairman Rajan Brito commented :
“At Aitken Spence, we are committed to fulfilling our duty to the Tsunami survivors in Sri Lanka in a timely and enduring manner, using our strengths to make a positive and long-lasting impact on our world. The Tsunami was a national tragedy the likes of which we have never seen, the cause of death, destruction and suffering on a level we hope never to see again. In its immediate aftermath, our staff worked tirelessly to evacuate the effected and assist in re-building. Tomorrow will be a proud day for our Group, a day where we open new homes for Tsunami survivors in the North & East, just six months after the Government gave us the green light. These 26 new homes are not only a long-term solution to the deserving families that will occupy them, they are a testament of the hard work and commitment of our teams and their tireless effort to complete this stage of our Tsunami re-construction project. I applaud all those involved in our reconstruction effort in Kumpuripiddy.”

Kumpuripiddy Village in the Trincomalee District was relocated by the Urban Development Authority (UDA) and Aitken Spence & Co were allocated 26 houses in an area belonging to the Kichchuveli Divisional Secretariat to rebuild. The first phase of the project commenced during the first week of June 2005 and was completed at the cost Rs.20 million. Aitken Spence’s partners TUI- the world’s largest tourism group - jointly contributed towards the reconstruction project in the North & East, in addition to the 22 houses already financed in Katuwila, in the South.

The on-going second phase will include a Medical Centre, a Pre-school, a Community Centre and a Playground,