Shelter for low-income groups in NCP

Nimal Wijesinghe Anuradhapura Additional District group correspondent

The North Central Provincial Council has decided to extend a helping hand to the low income group families to construct new houses within the next five years. Already, Rs. 15 million has been allocated for this purpose, North Central Province Chief Minister Berty Premalal Dissanayake said.

He was speaking after inspecting the progress of the Kumaraeliya housing project in Talawa Divisional Secretariat division, Anuradhapura.

The Kumaraeliya housing project consisting of 50 housing units is constructed to commemorate the 29th anniversary of the National Housing Development Authority (NHDA). The estimated cost of the project is Rs. 80 million. This is a joint venture by the North Central Provincial Council, NHDA, Samurdhi Authority, Mahaweli Authority, Talawa Divisional Secretariat and Talawa Pradeshiya Sabha.

The Chief Minister said as the war against the LTTE will end soon ample funds would be allocated to provide modern housing facilities to the Samurdhi recipients. He said, amidst financial difficulties the North Central Provincial Council has been allocating funds for housing construction. In 2008, Rs. 25 million was set aside for the housing development by the Provincial Council, he said.

In providing houses, priority will be given to war heroes and villagers who lost their property due to LTTE attacks in Kebitigollewa, Padaviya, Welioya, Wahalkada, Mahawilachchiya and Wilpattu areas. The housing projects at Kapugollewa and Ipologama meant for war heroes consisting of nearly 8,000 houses will be commissioned soon, the Chief Minister said.