Project to uplift street community

A programme to uplift the condition of street community should be implemented to create an environment for them to lead an honourable life, said Minister Douglas Devananda at a meeting with non-governmental and international organisations involved in street community rehabilitation.

The Government is making every effort to minimise the imbalance of fundamental human rights, as evident in present day society in keeping with the Mahinda Chinthanaya.

The Minister commended the mission carried out by them to achieve this. He stressed the importance of providing food, clothing, housing and education for children and means of living for adults.

"An urgent action will be taken to categorise these communities within the Colombo city limits separately as elders, disabled persons and children," the Minister said.

He told them to formulate a programme containing proposals and suggestions of all institutions and organisations to rehabilitate the street community islandwide without causing them any mental agony and furnish the same to him by the second week of January. A Management Committee will be appointed thereafter to implement the programme.

Ministry Secretary Jegerajasinham welcoming the participants requested their cooperation to uplift their living condition.

Over 35 representatives of Volunteer Organisations participated at the meeting. The United Nation's Insurance Fund for Children and Sarvodaya were among them.

Minister's Private Secretary Thavaraja and Minister's adviser Maheshvary, too were present.