Adivasi housing project launched next month

Nethali STRUYS

The adivasi housing project will be launched next month with a view to providing homes for the adivasi community.

The Construction, Engineering Services, Housing and Common Amenities Ministry is to initiate this housing project with the joint partnership of the Culture and Aesthetic Affairs Ministry.

Construction, Engineering Services, Housing and Common Amenities Minister Wimal Weerawansa gave this assurance when he met the leaders of the adivasi community including Uruwarige Wanniyala Attho during a visit to Mahiyangana.

The ministry said that the housing schemes will be constructed in Dambana, Hennanigala, Dalukana, Rathugala, Wakare and Pollebedda.

The government has allocated Rs. 80 million for this and more funds will be allocated later as it is an ongoing programme.

The minister added that since the Vakarai adivasi community has faced more problems due to war and tsunami, they will be given priority. The houses will be constructed in a manner that would suit the culture and lifestyle of the adivasi community.

Adivasi chief Uruwarige Wanniyala Attho who took part in this discussions said that as the former projects launched by governments in the past were failures, the adivasi community is having doubts about this too. But since the ministers themselves visited and discussed the project, they are more convinced now, ministry sources said.