Construction work has commenced on 17 new houses at Mohomadiwatta, Palindanuwara, under a special housing project aimed at providing permanent shelter for families affected by the 2017 natural disaster.

The initiative, valued at Rs. 34 million, is being implemented with the joint contribution of the Health and Media Ministry and the Ministry of Agriculture and Community Infrastructure. 

Of the total, 12 houses will be built under the Agriculture Ministry with oversight by the Divisional Secretariat, while five houses will be constructed through the Indian Housing Assistance Project with the involvement of the National Housing Development Authority.

At the same event, housing assistance cheques worth Rs. 1 million each were distributed to 16 low‑income beneficiaries in the Palindanuwara Divisional Secretariat area under the second phase of the “A Place of Their Own, A Beautiful Life” programme. 

Eight families benefited in the first phase, while 55 have been selected for the third.

Health Minister Nalinda Jayatissa, who presided over the ceremony alongside Deputy Minister Sundaralingam Pradeep, said the project fulfills a long‑awaited dream for disaster‑affected families who have lived without permanent homes for nine years. 

He noted that the Maleyigama community, which settled in Sri Lanka 200 years ago, is now receiving deeds and permanent addresses for the first time under the present Government.

The Minister further announced that Rs. 2000 billion, the largest allocation in history, will be set aside for development projects in the coming year, stressing that funds earmarked for disaster relief must be used solely for that purpose. (Newswire)

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The National People’s Power (NPP) has established power in the Palindanuwara and Walallawita Pradeshiya Sabhas in the Kalutara District. 

NPP candidate Nihal Jeewantha was elected as the Chairman of the Palindanuwara Pradeshiya Sabha by securing 12 votes.

The opposition, Samagi Jana Balawegaya’s (SJB) candidate, had managed to secure only 11 votes during elections held today. 

Meanwhile, NPP candidate Sunil Abeysiri was elected Chairman of the Walallawita Pradeshiya Sabha during a secret vote held today. 

During the elections, the NPP candidate had secured 16 votes, the SJB candidate 05 votes, and the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) candidate 03 votes. (Newswire)

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