Rs. 1,000 m for Colombo flat renovation

Ishara Mudugamuwa

The Construction, Engineering Services, Housing and Common Amenities Ministry will renovate all flats in Colombo by spending Rs.1,000 million.

The ministry has renovated the Maligawatte flats after 39 years and it was handed over to the public on August 5 under the patronage of Construction Engineering Services, Housing and Common Amenities Minister Wimal Weerawansa.

Addressing the occasion Construction, Engineering Serivices, Housing and Common Amenities Minister Wimal Weerawansa said that the Maligawatte housing complex was established in 1973 under the guidance of Former Housing Minister Peter Keuneman. Then former President Ranasighe Premadasa developed the housing complex. After that the housing complex was not developed.

“Majority of the residents of Maligawatte flats are UNP supporters. People have the right to have their own political views. So we never think that they are UNP supporters they all are Sri Lankans.

He said, they are also a dedicated people who render a service for country's development. "So we wanted to enhance their living standards.” the minister said.

The minister also said that under the guidance of President Mahinda Rajapaksa a number of long neglected housing complexes in Colombo have been renovated under the Mahinda Chinthanaya Janasewana Nagamu Purawara Programme.

About 10,000 people live in 1520 housing units of the Maligawatte housing complex.

The National Housing Development Authority has spent 280 million rupees for the modernization project of the housing complex with carpeted roads and other facilities. All renovations are done by the State Engineering Corporation.