Houses for three displaced families

Ishara Mudugamuwa

The three families who lost their land and houses with the implementation of the Thalapathpitiya Development Project were provided with houses yesterday in pursuance of the Mahinda Chinthana Future Vision programme by the Urban Development Authority.

Hamnbnthota District MP Namal Rajapaksa and Defence and Urban Development Ministry Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa presenting the deeds to one of the new occupants. Picture by Wasitha Patabendige

The handing over of the keys to the three families took place at Kimbulawala, Battaramulla, in the presence of Hamnbnthota District MP Namal Rajapaksa and Defence and Urban Development Ministry Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa. K.K. Perera, L Ranjith and Wijekumara were the three recipients of the keys to the new houses. The Thalapathpitiya development project covers 72 acres of barren field and has been distributed among 91 farmers for paddy cultivation to create a model farm with traditional farming practices.

“When the Defense Secretory visited this area he had seen those three families living in shanties put up in this barren field.

The houses were constructed by using funds available through the Api Wenuwen Api programme, the brain-child project of the Defence Secretary. The Urban Development Authority constructed houses for these underprivileged families.” said Urban Development Authority Deputy Director Prasad Ranaweera.

He also said that all constructions were done by the Engineers Service Regiment and the project was supervised by Col. N.Jayasundara. Managing Director, Derana Television Dilip Jayaweera provided funds for the construction of one house.

Residents of these houses do not have to pay for the electricity bill as they have been equipped with solar power systems.

Ven Uduwe Dhammaloka Thera, Chief Incumbent monk of Silumina Viharaya, Ven. Mahameunawe Mangala Thera and the Chief Incumbent of Sambuddathwa Jayanthi Viharaya Weligama Pagnarathana Thera conducted religious observances to invoke blessings on the owners of new houses.

Media Centre for National Security Director General Lakshman Hulughalle, Chairperson of the Seva Vanitha Unit of the Ministry of Defense and Urban Development Ayoma Rajapaksa, Heads of the Three Forces and Police were present on the occasion.