The government’s failure to effectively communicate its housing reconstruction plans to the grassroots is creating torment among people already distressed by last month’s tsunami.

Much of the misery is caused by uncertainty over the 100-metre coastal buffer zone to be imposed by the government. Although the regulations were announced by the Urban Development Authority (UDA) through a public notice dated January 19, they are yet to be gazetted.

Reports from affected areas along the southern and eastern coast indicate that many displaced persons wishing to rebuild their homes on the seafront believe the regulations may be waived. Many others, while keen to start rebuilding their homes, are unsure of their status or where they will be relocated.

Even government and provincial officials are unaware of the current situation. One senior official in Kalmunai said last week that he was constantly being asked for clarifications on the 100-metre buffer zone by people in his area.

"Since I don’t know myself what is happening, I have advised all of them not to start rebuilding any structures within a full 300-metre zone," he lamented, speaking on condition of anonymity. "The prime minister comes here and says one thing, the finance minister comes and says something else, the television says something completely different. I don’t know the legal status so I want people to be on the safe side."

UDA Chairman Gemunu Silva admitted last week that there had been some weakness in communicating with the grassroots. He said that the UDA had delayed making "too many statements" till consensus was reached within relevant authorities on the policy to be adopted. "The 100 metre no-build zone will definitely be implemented," Silva emphasised. "It will be gazetted either by the UDA or the Coast Conservation Department next week."

Under the public notice issued on January 19, only coast conservation vegetation and parks; coast conservation structures; ports, fisheries harbours and related developments; and historical monuments or archaeological sites; may herewith be situated within 100 metres from the coastline. In the east, from Point Pedro to Dondra Head, the same conditions are applicable to a 200 metre land strip from the coastline. Thereafter, from 101 metres to one kilometre (201 metres to one kilometre in the east), the land may be used only for reasons permissible under development plans prepared for relevant areas.