Jana Sevana program:

Simultaneous solutions to housing problems

The Jana Sevana one million houses program has the ability to provide simultaneous solutions to the housing problems in cities and villages, said Construction, Engineering Services, Housing and Common Amenities Minister Wimal Weerawansa when he addressed the Asian Underpriveledged Urban Community Leaders Conference which began in Colombo on Monday. The Minister said his Ministry is working according to the Mahinda Chinthana Future Vision program to tackle the urban slum problem which is a common problem in many countries.

In addition to State sponsored programs, community organisations were also implementing programs to solve the slum problem in Sri Lanka, he said. Weerawansa said the Government was getting community participation in housing programs rather than giving houses free to the people.

A program to build 50 houses with community participation has begun in Killinochchi while his Ministry offered consultancy and other facilities needed for it.

With community participation a house worth Rs 1.5 million could be built at a cost of Rs 350,000. These programs with community participation were being implemented in all Divisional Secretariat divisions because our country had a culture of combined effort and dedicated work.

As such building community units for the program of building houses was not a difficult task. Therefore, everyone of you have a duty and responsibility to contribute towards the Jana Sarana one million houses and habitat development operation.

The conference attended by delegates of India, Pakistan, Philippines, Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka concludes on February 24.

It is organised by the Women's Development Bank.