Renovation work at 15 housing schemes complete

Bandara Athapattu

President Mahinda Rajapaksa has given priority to finding solutions to the housing issues faced by urban people, by allocating the largest portion of money for the Housing Ministry this year, Housing, Common Amenities, Engendering Service and Construction Minister Wimal Weerawansa said.

The Minister was addressing the Janasewana minister's mobile service held to discuss housing issues in the Fair line Fishing communities housing scheme, Wellawatta Weluwanarama housing scheme and Narahenpita Elvitigala Housing schemes recently.

"We have already embarked on the mission of serving people in urban areas. The Sovereignty Management Authority has already completed renovation work at 15 housing schemes. Facilitation and renovation work at other housing schemes will also be completed before year's end," the Minister said.

"In addition to the identified issues, we will also pay attention to other issues at housing schemes. This will help facilitate management corporation set up by each housing scheme to carry out maintenance and providing other common facilities with a proper mechanism," he said.

The Minister urged householders of these schemes to initiate a fund to find solutions to the problems at housing schemes.

"As the Common Facilities Board was abolished during the Ranil Wickremesinghe era, no funds were allocated to upgrade common facilities at housing schemes.

All these fund allocations are made on the instructions of President Rajapaksa, "the Minister further said.

"It is the responsibility of dwellers to continue the maintenance work and use the facilities provided by the government to the fullest," he added.

The Minister also visited the Wellawatta Weluwanarama housing scheme which was established in 1975 with 136 houses. It was observed that the housing scheme has not been repaired for 36 years. The Minister's also inspected the Elvitigala housing scheme which has 240 houses, which has not been renovated for nearly 40 years.