SL, UN-HABITAT Asian Region Chairman:

Another feather in Lanka's cap

Common housing policy for SAARC countries:

Sri Lanka was appointed for the chairmanship of the UN-HABITAT Asian Region for two years at the 23rd session of the United Nations Human Settlements Commission held in Nairobi, Kenya from April 11 to 15.

It was after ten years that Sri Lanka was appointed for this post.

During the session it was decided to implement a common housing policy in the SAARC region including Sri Lanka upon a proposal by Construction, Engineering Services, Housing and Common Amenities Services Minister Wimal Weerawansa.

Minister Weerawansa drew the delegates' attention to the control of migration from village to urban areas instead of developing urban settlements and to build equilibrium between city and village. The foreign delegates made inquiries on the possibility of implementing Sri Lanka's housing and settlement development programme in their own countries.

Kenya's Housing Minister Peter Soitha Shachindra said he hopes to share Sri Lanka's experiences of Janasevana Housing Programme and looks forward to visit Sri Lanka to study this programme. Uganda, Tunisia, Brazil too made inquiries on housing programmes implemented in Sri Lanka.

United Nations Human Settlement Commission Executive Dr. John Crooze agreed to provide technical training for Sri Lanka's technical officers involved in housing development and to prepare a programme for better financial management. It was also decided to extend support for Sri Lanka's housing and settlement programme under a constructive plan by the United Nations Human Settlement Commission.

Minister Weerawansa also studied issues faced by one of the world's largest shanty settlements in Kibare, Kenya.

Particulars of the Nagamu Puravara Programme implemented by the Government for shanty dwellers was explained to the Kenyan counterparts and they expressed their interest in visiting Sri Lanka to study this programme. The 23rd UNHSC session was held to share experiences on housing and settlement development and to find solutions to related issues.

Sri Lanka's delegation also included Construction, Engineering Services, Housing and Common Amenities Ministry Secretary Gotabaya Jayaratne, Sri Lanka High Commissioner for Kenya Jayantha Dissanayake, National Housing Development Authority Chairman Jayantha Samaraweera, National Housing Development Authority General Manager Luckvijaya Sagara Palansuriya and Construction, Engineering Services, Housing and Common Amenities Ministry Senior Assistant Secretary Dhammika Wijesinghe.