The Sri Lankan military played a commendable role in the aftermath of the ammunition dump explosion that caused damage worth Rs 5 billion, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said today.
The premier visited the site to meet with the people affected by the explosion on June 5 at one of the central ammunition stores for the military located at Salawa, 30 kms east of here.
"The military did their job of providing relief to people and they will continue to do their good work. Some were trying to set people against them," Wickremesinghe said.
Over 300 homes and businesses were destroyed by mortars, anti tank shells and artillery which landed in the neighbourhood. The cause of the explosion is yet to be verified.
Army commander Chrishantha de Silva has said the army's loss was close to Rs 5 billion.
The affected people are upset and there have been continued protests at the site since last week.
Some claimed their properties built over a lifetime had been destroyed even as the government has pledged assistance to rebuild the area.
