World Habitat Day 2011:

Ministry to organize islandwide programmes

Ridma DISSANAYAKE

The World Habitat Day 2011 will be celebrated on October 3 by the Construction, Engineering Services, Housing and Common Amenities Ministry under the theme, Habitats and Climate Change.

The ministry will organise a number of programmes such as education and trade exhibition, school level competitions, etc., to draw attention of all stakeholders in the settlement sector to the problem of housing and settlements, and finding solutions.

Short and long-term programmes will be conducted throughout the island including several sessions at district level.

The Cabinet of Ministers on Wednesday approved a proposal forwarded by Minister Weerawansa declaring a settlement week and on implementing a series of programmes. Accordingly, the week from September 27 to October 3 had been declared the Habitat Week.

The main celebration will be held on October 3 at BMICH under the patronage of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

The adivasi housing project will also be launched simultaneously with World Habitat Day 2011. Its foundation stone laying ceremony will be held on September 29 in Wakarai area in the Mannar district under the patronage of Minister Wimal Weerawansa.

According to Construction, Engineering Services, Housing and Common Amenities Minister Wimal Weerawansa, the Housing Development Authority and several other ministries and institutes have joined hands in addressing issues faced by the communities that live with minimum facilities.

"Sri Lanka is marching towards development after three decades. But material development alone is not enough to uplift the livelihoods of the people. The government has taken several measures to uplift their livelihoods, the minister said, addressing a press briefing at the ministry premises.