President Anura Kumara Dissanayake today handed over the “Navodayapuram” Housing Project to 50 families from Poonagala, Kabaragala who lost their homes in the 2023 landslide and had been living in unsafe conditions for nearly three and a half years. 

The project, constructed with the active contribution of the Sri Lanka Army Corps of Engineers, was hailed as a significant initiative to improve the living standards of the Malayagam community.

Speaking at the ceremony, the President emphasized that the people of Malayagam are equal citizens of Sri Lanka and must enjoy their full rights and dignity. 

He said it would be unjust to allow future generations to inherit the same hardships endured for centuries, and pledged that his Government is committed to ensuring a better quality of life for all citizens who contribute to the nation’s economy.

The President recalled that the Cabinet had recently decided to remove obstacles faced by Sri Lankans who fled the country during the war and are currently living in India, enabling them to return home. 

He also noted that housing construction projects have been given priority in the forthcoming Budget, and that future agreements with plantation companies will include provisions safeguarding the rights of the Malayagam community.

Highlighting the importance of environmental protection, President Dissanayake stressed the need to safeguard the Central Highlands, describing them as the “heart of the country.” 

He announced that legislation would be presented to Parliament by the end of this year or early next year to establish a Central Highlands Protection Authority with comprehensive powers, consolidating the responsibilities of all institutions tasked with protecting the region. 

He invited all citizens to join in the national responsibility of restoring and preserving the Highlands for future generations.

The President commended the Navodayapuram project as a milestone in uplifting the Malayagam community and expressed gratitude to all who contributed to its implementation, particularly acknowledging the Sri Lanka Army Corps of Engineers for their commendable role throughout the construction process. (Newswire)

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President Anura Kumara Dissanayake announced that the Central Highlands Conservation Authority Act will be presented to Parliament either at the end of this year or at the beginning of next year, granting the new Authority full powers to protect the fragile ecosystem. 

He made the remarks while attending the ceremony to hand over the “Navodaya Housing Project” to families who lost their homes in the 2023 landslide at Punagala Kabaragala Mountain in Bandarawela.

The President said the Authority will be established with assistance from the Asian Development Bank. 

He cautioned that while it may take decades for the Central Highlands to return to their original state, immediate steps must be taken to halt the ongoing destruction.

Describing the Central Highlands as the heart of Sri Lanka, the President warned that they are being visibly destroyed, with mountain collapses, spring failures, and river blockages already evident. 

He stressed that once the Act is passed, all powers will be vested in the Central Highlands Conservation Authority to safeguard the region. (Newswire)

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The Government of India (GoI) has agreed to double the financial support per house to SLR 1,000,000 for the construction of houses under the owner-driven model in the Northern and Southern provinces, based on a request from the Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL). 

The revised assistance was formalized through Diplomatic Letters exchanged between High Commissioner Santosh Jha and the Secretary, Ministry of Housing, Construction and Water Supply, Eng. L.B. Kumudu Lal at a ceremony held at the High Commission of India yesterday (30 Dec).

According to the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka, over 1,550 families will benefit from the increased support under the three projects.

The projects were originally launched under Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) signed in October 2017 and October 2018, for the three housing-sector projects: Gram Shakthi Northern, Gram Shakthi Southern I and Gram Shakthi Southern II.

Per the agreement, the GoI was releasing SLR 500,000 to low-income families selected by the GoSL for the construction of houses under the owner-driven model in the Northern and Southern provinces. 

However, due to price escalations following the Covid-19 pandemic and the economic challenges of 2022, beneficiaries struggled to complete construction within the allocated assistance, prompting the GoSL’s request for enhanced support.

The High Commission noted that ‘Housing’ figures prominently among India’s people-centric development cooperation initiatives in Sri Lanka. Close to 50,000 houses have already been constructed and handed over under the flagship Indian Housing Project in the Northern and Eastern provinces and plantation regions, while construction of another 10,000 houses is underway as part of Phase IV.

Besides the three Gram Shakthi projects, India is also implementing other High Impact Community Development Projects (HICDPs) in the housing sector, including the island-wide Model Village Project (providing housing for 24 low-income families in each of Sri Lanka’s 25 districts), transit houses for pilgrims visiting the Madhu Shrine near Mannar, and the recently completed Ven. Shobhita Nahimigama project in Anuradhapura.

The High Commission further stated that assistance to support the construction of fully and partially damaged houses is also proposed under the USD 450 million reconstruction and recovery package for Sri Lanka announced by the GoI in the wake of Cyclone Ditwah. (Newswire)

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Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) Leader MP Mano Ganesan says the government’s recent programme to issue house and land deeds to plantation beneficiaries in Bandarawela was merely the distribution of ‘Letters of Intention’. 

“The JVP government held a grand event at Bandarawela, with much fanfare, claimed to have issued house & land deeds to 2,000+ plantation beneficiaries under the Indian Housing Grant Project. But in reality, no new houses, no land identified, no foundations laid. Only “Letters of Intention”, he said.

He further said that in an act of deception, the hill country Tamil (Malaiyaha) politicos of the government distributed 234 ownership deeds of houses built during the previous government to the inhabitants of those houses, and yet they loudly made a hollow claim of giving 2,288 legal deeds

MP Mano Ganesan alleged that JVP Tamil politicos in the government have taken the innocent plantation residents, the whole country, and the diplomatic community and development partners in Sri Lanka for a ride.  

“And what’s more, they have made the last laugh at their own leader, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake,” he added. 

Opposition MP Mano Ganesan made the remarks in a statement shared on ‘X’. (Newswire)

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The Cabinet of Ministers recently approved the removal of concessions previously granted to Members of Parliament for purchasing homes under the Viyathpura housing project.

According to the government, under this scheme, 29 former MPs had deposited 25% of the sale price toward purchasing homes by 31 December 2024.

Following is the list of MPs who had placed the initial deposit to purchase homes under the Viyathpura housing project;

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The proposal to grant part of a plot of land in Colpetty to Expo Property Developers (Pvt) Ltd for a housing project has received a Cabinet nod.

As per the provisions of the Urban Development Authority Act, approval was granted in 2007 to dispose of 40 perches of land owned by the Urban Development Authority at Sea Lane in Colpetty to Expo Property Developers (Pvt) Ltd.

It was proposed to provide the said land under a 50-year long-term lease basis and an amount equal to 25% of the value of that land had been charged. However, activities related to the transferring of the land could not be completed due to unauthorized persons residing there. 

As such, Expo Property Developers (Pvt) Ltd had requested to grant them 52 perches of land including 12 perches adjacent to the said land to implement a housing project under a 99 years lease basis. The approval of the Board of Management of the Urban Development Authority has also been received for this purpose. 

Accordingly, the Cabinet approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Urban Development and Housing to transfer the relevant portion of land to Expo Property Developers (Pvt) Ltd under a 99-year lease based on the current assessment of the chief assessor. (Newswire)

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The virtual launch of the 4th stage of the Indian Housing project, ‘Bharat-Lanka,’ aimed at constructing 10,000 houses for plantation sector workers was inaugurated by President Ranil Wickremesinghe today (Feb 19).  

During the ceremony held at the Presidential Secretariat, the President along with Minister of Estate Infrastructure Development Jeevan Thondaman and Indian High Commissioner Santhosh Jha, virtually unveiled the foundation stone plaque for 1300 houses across 45 plantation estates in ten districts.

Addressing the event, the President underscored the government’s commitment to safeguarding the economic and social rights of the upcountry Tamil community. 

He further acknowledged their significant contribution to the nation’s economy and expressed intentions to unite political representatives from the upcountry, transcending party lines, to present collaborative proposals within the upcoming month.

President Wickremesinghe expressed gratitude to the Government of India for their support, particularly on the 200th anniversary of the upcountry Tamil community’s arrival in Sri Lanka. He highlighted efforts to negotiate land acquisition from estate companies for housing construction and emphasized the government’s commitment to advancing education standards within the upcountry.

The event was attended by several dignitaries, including State Minister of Irrigation and Water Supply Shasheendra Rajapaksa and Governor of Central Province Lalith U Gamage, highlighting the significance of the housing project and bilateral relations between India and Sri Lanka.

Addressing the event, President Wickremesinghe said; “On the occasion of the 200th anniversary of the arrival of the Upcountry Tamil Community to Sri Lanka, the Indian government has generously provided support for this housing project. I express my sincere gratitude to the Government of India for this gesture. The Tamil community of Indian Origin, who have made significant contributions to the country’s economy, have unfortunately suffered great losses due to the lack of land and housing ownership.

“Today, they have been deprived of their political rights, but it is imperative that their economic and social rights are upheld. The government is actively initiating this process, starting with negotiations with estate companies to acquire land for the construction of these houses. Consequently, we anticipate commencing related housing programs in the near future.

“Furthermore, the government has prioritized the advancement of education in the estate sector. Education levels within estates lag behind those in other regions, necessitating the establishment of equitable educational standards across all schools.

“Moreover, it’s essential to recognize that not all upcountry residents engage in plantation work. Thus, efforts must extend to providing opportunities for youth, including access to education and vocational training, particularly geared towards international employment opportunities,” he said.

The President went on to note that currently under deliberation is the decision between continued plantation labour or the provision of land plots as per the plantation agreement, aiming to elevate individuals to the status of small tea plantation owners. “

This initiative seeks to foster economic empowerment and equality among upcountry communities. Our aim is to convene all political representatives and present unified proposals devoid of party divisions within the next month.

“The government is diligently addressing challenges one by one. Currently, discussions are underway to find solutions for the issues facing the people of the North East. Simultaneously, we must prepare to advance the nation’s economy by addressing the concerns of the Tamils and Muslim communities residing in the Upcountry region.

“While we faced hardships for a period, we have now overcome bankruptcy and resumed economic activities. Upon assuming office, the nation grappled with shortages of food and fuel. Today, however, we have successfully overcome these shortages. As we implement economic programs, challenges such as tax burdens arise. Nevertheless, this burden is not permanent and in a matter of months, relief will be provided to the people,” he said.

The President pointed out that it wass crucial to acknowledge that Sri Lanka’s progress from the recent economic crisis was significantly aided by the financial support provided by India. “Without this assistance, our path forward would indeed be challenging.

“Furthermore, we are actively engaged in enhancing our economic ties with India, particularly during this period of India’s rapid economic development. During our discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we extensively deliberated on bolstering the relationship between our two nations. In conclusion, I express my heartfelt gratitude once again to the Government of India for their invaluable support in initiating this program.” he added.

Also addressing the occasion, Minister of Water Supply and Estate Infrastructure Development Jeevan Thondaman emphasized that the launch of 1,300 houses in Phase 4 of the Indian Housing Scheme symbolizes more than mere construction, adding that it signifies the initiation of the larger promise of 10,000 homes made during Prime Minister Modi’s visit. 

He expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his dedication to the Indian-origin Tamil community in Sri Lanka.

Minister Thondaman stressed the long-awaited nature of the housing project, affirming the government’s commitment to delivering on promised projects rather than merely showcasing them.

Minister Thondaman praised President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s declaration of the decade of development for the up-country community and outlined initiatives of the granting of land ownership rights to facilitate economic and social inclusion. He also thanked President Ranil Wickremesinghe for his leadership during challenging times and emphasized the importance of permanent solutions to the community’s issues.

Meanwhile, the Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Santosh Jha expressed his immense pleasure in participating in the event marking the launch of Phase 4 of the Indian Housing Project. He announced the virtual commencement of constructing the first phase of 1,300 houses out of the pledged 10,000 houses for plantation workers in Sri Lanka.

Highlighting the significance of the project, the High Commissioner emphasized India’s deep commitment, particularly under the leadership of Prime Minister Sri Narendra Modi, to support the Indian-origin Tamil community in Sri Lanka. “The decision to construct these houses was announced during Prime Minister Modi’s historic visit to Hatton, marking the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the region. These 10,000 houses, spanning 250 estates and six provinces, aim to support the most underprivileged sections of society. The primary objective of the housing project is to provide plantation workers with their own dwelling spaces, thereby empowering them and improving their well-being. This initiative aligns with India’s people-centric approach and neighbourhood-first policy in its relations with Sri Lanka”.

The High Commissioner concluded by acknowledging the Government of Sri Lanka, especially President Ranil Wickremesinghe, for his support and guidance. He reiterated India’s commitment to building a deeper and stronger partnership based on shared security, prosperity and enhanced connectivity between the two nations, as outlined in the vision document issued during President Wickremesinghe’s visit to India in July 2023. (NewsWire)

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The High Commission of India has signed two significant agreements for the construction of 10,000 houses in plantation areas of Sri Lanka under Phase IV of the Indian Housing Project. 

Separate agreements signed on Tuesday (Nov 28) with the two Implementing Agencies, namely, the National Housing Development Authority (NHDA) and the State Engineering Corporation (SEC) are aimed at early rollout of construction of the 10,000 houses. 

Counsellor and Head of Development Cooperation Wing, Eldos Mathew Punnoose, Chairman of the SEC, Rathnasiri Kalupahana, and General Manager of the NHDA, Kankanamalage Ajantha Janaka were the signatories to the two agreements.

Issuing a statement, the Indian High Commission said Phase-IV of the Indian Housing Project is spread across 11 Districts and 6 provinces of Sri Lanka. 

The overall commitment of the Government of India under the Indian Housing Project currently stands at 60,000 houses. 

While 46,000 houses were completed in Northern and Eastern Provinces in the first two phases, the third phase for the construction of 4000 houses in plantation areas is nearing completion.

The Indian High Commission further said that housing receives focused attention in India’s people-centric development cooperation partnership with Sri Lanka. 

Beyond the Indian Housing Project, 2400 houses are being built across the 25 Districts of Sri Lanka under different housing projects. 

The High Commission added that India’s development cooperation portfolio stands at around USD 5 billion, with close to USD 600 million being in grants. (NewsWire)

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Cabinet approval has been given to sign an agreement with the Government of China for the construction of houses for low-income people within the Western Province.

According to the government, the Government of China has given its consent to finance a grant of Yuan 552 million to Sri Lanka for this project.

Under the project, a total of 1,996 housing units will be constructed as assistance for the urban restoration project.

The project will provide residents of low-facility housing schemes within the Western province with houses in the urban housing schemes with facilities. 

As per the agreement, the Government of Sri Lanka would be responsible for land development and supply of infrastructure facilities covering the site limit. 

Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal submitted by the Minister of Urban Development and Housing to sign the agreement to the relevant project implementation with the Government of China. (NewsWire)

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