Opposition MP Jeewan Thondaman has accused the government of misleading the public about the housing handover event scheduled to be held in Bandarawela on Sunday (12) under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
In a statement, MP Thondaman said that contrary to government claims, no houses will actually be handed over during the event. Instead, families will receive a paper naming them as “future beneficiaries” — a document with no legal weight or ownership status.
He explained that this has been the standard practice since the beginning of the housing program, but it is the first time such an event has been organized to publicize the process.
The Opposition MP further alleged that, so far in 2025, not a single house has been built, handed over, or completed under the current administration. Of the 1,000 deeds prepared during the tenure of former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, only 237 are now being distributed, with just 10 expected to be symbolically presented on the day of the event.
Thondaman claimed that the Ministry responsible has been spreading misinformation to cover up its inefficiencies, particularly in the upcountry region, where it has failed to address critical issues such as wages, land rights, and housing for plantation workers.
The event in question is part of the fourth phase of the Indian-funded housing project for 10,000 houses, jointly implemented by the Governments of Sri Lanka and India. According to the government, ownership of 2,000 houses will be awarded to beneficiaries to uplift the living standards of the plantation community and promote their social and economic empowerment. (Newswire)
