Urban slum upgrading programme in top gear

Mohammed Naalir

The Urban Development and Sacred Area Development Ministry has initiated several housing projects to end the urban slum issue in Colombo and other cities.

One thousand housing units constructed under the urban slum upgrading programme have been commissioned for beneficiary families.

Another 2,000 housing units will be constructed within six months under the Mahinda Chinthana.

The life pattern of the poor and the rich are different. One party is in the peak of wealth while the second is striving to lead a normal day to day life. They are the group leading a life without any fundamental facilities, Urban Development and Sacred Area Development Minister Dinesh Gunawardane said. A sustainable solution can be found to the urban slum problem under the Mahinda Chinthana. The Mahinda Chinthana is also based on the theme "House for all Sri Lankans."

Minister Gunawardane was addressing the launching ceremony of the Dahasak Niwasa magazine containing details of Niwasa Arunodhaya housing project of the Urban Development and Sacred Area Development Ministry.

He noted that the main reason for the success of the project was the direct involvement of beneficiary families and the assistance of other Government Institutions.

He said the Ministry has imposed a tax to overcome the expenses rising in the process of constructing houses for slum dwellers.

A nominal tax of one per cent to five per cent will be imposed if the area of the house exceeds 5,000 square feet, Minister Gunawardane added.

He said the Government set aside Rs. 100 million from last year's budget to construct houses for slum dwellers.