President’s proposal receives Cabinet approval:

Mass housing for Colombo’s underserved

*Project envisages 14,938 housing units

*Decent abodes for shanty dwellers

Nadira GUNATILLEKE

Cabinet approval has been granted to a cabinet memorandum presented by President Mahinda Rajapaksa as the Defence Minister to build 1930 housing units for the underserved settlements in Colombo and adjoining areas, Cabinet Spokesman and Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said.

Addressing the weekly Cabinet press briefing at the Government Information Department yesterday, Minister Rambukwella said that Cabinet approval has been granted to construct 384 housing units at locations identified by the Urban Development Authority (UDA) at a total cost of Rs 960 million. Cabinet approval has also been granted to construct 1,000 housing units at locations identified by the UDA at a total cost of Rs. 2500 million and to construct 550 housing units at locations identified by the UDA at a total cost of Rs 1,375 million.

According to Minister Rambukwella up to now, five low income housing projects have been approved for implementation by the government. A total of 14,398 housing units are to be constructed under these projects. “The government has not chased away any person or family. Although late President Ranasinghe Premadasa implemented many housing projects, the problem stills exists.

The government is not ready to take decisions that have short-lived popularity. This decision may face some opposition in certain quarters at the inception but, will be gradually welcomed by the people who will greatly benefit by these housing units. It has been proved by the fishing community living at apartment complexes built at Moratuwa after the 2004 tsunami. It is the same with Serpentine Road where shanty dwellers live in decent houses at present.”