Development:

Lanka's policy eco-friendly

Ridma DISSANAYAKE

Many foreign countries had been following various development modules which have become detrimental to the environment But Sri Lanka's development model will not become a threat to the environment, said construction, Engineering Service, Housing and Common Amenities Minister Wimal Weerawansa.

The Minister was addressing the 'Janasewana' National Housing Symposium 2011 inauguration ceremony at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute (SLFI) yesterday.

The symposium was organized by the construction, Engineering Services, Housing and Common Amenities Ministry in collaboration with the United Nation Habitat.

Minister Weerawansa said a home is an essential thing for every person to lead a better life. It would provide us with the best opportunities for us as a nation. A home helps to develop happiness, peace and bonds with others," the Minister said.

The Janasevana housing program was launched without causing any harm to the environment, the Minister said.

He said the Government has taken the relevant measures to uplift the lives of the urban and rural population with projects like, 'Gami Diriya' and 'Divi Neguma'. All persons have a dream about their own homes. There are five million persons in Sri Lanka without shelter. "Janasewana" housing project plans to provide a house for everyone," said Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga.

The Government has to pay special attention to rural areas and they should take steps to introduce new technological methods and relief measures for those building houses, he added.

Construction,Engineering Service,Housing and Common Amenities Deputy Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna,Ministry's Secretary Gotabhaya Jayarathne, Treasury's Secretary Dr P B Jayasundara, UN Habitat's Sri Lankan Manager Lakshman Perera, Moratuwa University Architecture Faculty's Dean Prof P K S Mahanama and SLFI Chairman Ranjith Bandara were also present.