Dematagoda residents demand concessions amidst COVID-19

COLOMBO (News1st): Residents of the Kalipullawatta area in Dematagoda took to the streets on Friday demanding for concessions from the government amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. The protestors complained that they had not received any form of relief from the government although the pandemic has affected their livelihoods. ''Officials who visited us claimed that they can only give the allowance to 40 families. There are more than 260 people who have file appeals'' one resident complained. Chief Inspector of the Dematagoda Police, R.A.S. Perera, who arrived at the scene instructed officials to provide the remaining families with the Rs 5000 allowance. Priyanka Dissanayake, the divisional secretary of Thimbirigasyaya said that 649 residents have already received the allowance. ''There is no house for some addresses mentioned in the appeals. So our committee is facing great difficulties, '' the secretary pointed out. There are more than 100 COVID-19 infected patients in Kalipullawatta area at present.