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Permanent homes for all shanty dwellers in Colombo City - President

President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga says all shanty dwellers in the Colombo city will be given permanent houses by the year 2005, SLBC news announced Thursday night.

At present there are 66,000 slums in the city. Under the Thirasara Purawara Program all arrangements have been made to provide fully fledged homes. The first phase of the program "Sahaspura" has already been completed.

The presentation of houses to these recipients of the housing program will take place next week. Each house is valued at Rs. one million. Such housing schemes are to be constructed in Borella, Wellawatta, Kochchikade, Totalanga and Narahenpita, the news said.

These housing schemes will be erected in mini towns with relevant facilities including parks, shopping complexes and day care centres.

Addressing the members of the families of Sahaspura Housing Project Thursday, the President said that former governments dropped the votes of the city shanty dwellers by giving them various false promises.

She said however the PA Government implements a policy to provide relief to all whether they voted for the PA or not. A policy statement of the PA in 1994 focused stern attention on resolving the housing problem of shanty dwellers in the city of Colombo.

The Government appointed a Presidential Task Force and took measures to alleviate their grievances. The aim of the Government is to make Sri Lanka the most picturesque city in Asia by the year 2010.

Presently the country and the people have to face a dangerous situation. This has arisen during the policy of the UNP to betray the country. However the PA Government is acting on a clear policy to bring a stable peace to the country.

She pointed out that therefore it would be possible to end the war soon and to inherit a peaceful and united country to the younger generation. The Government also acted with dedication to provide the minorities their just rights. As a result a rapid development was witnessed in the North and the East.

The President said the Government has still kept open the doors for peace. If the LTTE does not respond to the Government initiatives and continues to engage in war the Government will also continue to wage war.

She said a certain groups attempt to rescue the nation at the cost of their lives. Another small power hungry group is trying to betray the country. The PA came to power in 1994 recovered more than two thirds of the areas held under the rule of the LTTE.

However due to conspiracies of the UNP and some anti-patriotic Armed officials a part of that territory was lost. The PA Government always acts according to the wishes of the people.

She said the Government would not remain in power a moment if the majority opposed its rule.

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