Housing, Construction and Water Supply Minister Dr. H.M. Susil Ranasinghe has announced that 5,000 houses constructed with government assistance will be handed over to the public tomorrow (October 5) to mark World Habitat Day.
Speaking at a media briefing held at the Government Information Department, the Minister said this year’s World Habitat Day celebrations will be held under the theme “A Safe Home for All,” with Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya attending as the chief guest.
A Habitat Week will also be conducted across the country in conjunction with the celebrations.
Ranasinghe said the government aims to construct 30,000 houses by December 31, with the broader objective of ensuring that every person has access to a safe home.
He said low-income families will be given priority when allocating houses. Each house constructed with community participation will be a fully equipped 550-square-foot home.
Under the programme, houses will also be provided to families in the Northern and Eastern provinces who lost their homes due to the war, with the government allocating Rs. 2 million for each house.
Under the “Yathiwara Ma Piya” programme, Rs. 1.5 million will be provided for each house, while Rs. 2 million will be allocated for each safe home constructed for children in institutional care.
The Minister also said Rs. 5 million would be provided to each family whose home was completely destroyed by Cyclone Ditwah.
Meanwhile, Rs. 500 million has been allocated for housing loans for government employees, with the government covering four percentage points of the interest charged on these loans.
Migrant workers will also be eligible to obtain bank loans of up to Rs. 10 million at an interest rate of 15%, with the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment providing assistance towards part of the interest, the Minister added.
