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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