Development successful through national unity - Minister

All Communities should unite to safeguard the peace achieved under the direction of President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Cooperation between institutions and organizations is vital for developing the country.

This year's World Habitat Day Program has shown a good example. Political leadership ministries and local govt. institutions have worked together to make World Habitat Day a success, Housing and Common Amenities, Minister Ferial Ashraff said.

She was speaking at the opening session of the National Conference of the World Habitat Day-2009 in Negombo Town Hall recently.

United Nations Committee for Human Settlement has declared first Monday of October in each year as the "World Habitat Day". This year the World Habitat Day was celebrated on October 5 under the theme "Planning our Urban Future" all over the world including Sri Lanka.

The World Habitat Day Development Program was launched in Sri Lanka in parallel to this program.

Minister Ashraff said today we are celebrating the World Habitat Day with the rest of the countries in the world.

The World Habitat Day has been celebrated during the past 24 years, focusing the attention on shelter which is essential for human life.

This year more attention has been given to planning the urban areas.