Resettlement of shanty dwellers to continue - Minister

Shirly Wijesinghe

The resettlement of shanty and slums dwellers in Colombo will continue despite efforts by rival political elements to mislead them, Urban Development and Sacred Area Development Minister Dinesh Gunawardana said. He was speaking after laying the foundation for the proposed 60 housing units of Sinhapura at Baseline Mawatha, Colombo 8 yesterday.

The Minister said the Government will give a face-lift to the Colombo city providing adequate housing facilities to the affected.

The public have now realised the legal background of the eviction of unauthorised dwelling in the Slave Island after the Supreme Court ruling.

The Minister said the CMC has failed to provide better service to the rate payers. The Minister quoting a report by the Association of Regional Countries said the Colombo city is still having a chance to achieve its development goals for an attractive city.

He said the Government has decided to go for a 65,000 housing units for the settlement of shanty and slums dwellers in the Colombo city under the Mahinda Chintana concept.

Housing and Common Amenities Minister Ferial Ashraff and Presidential Advisor on Trade Union and Political Affairs Baratha Lakshman Premachandra also spoke.