Thousands of
people died and lack of people lost their dwellings due to
Tsunami disaster and conflicts prevailed for nearly three
decades. The main objective of the National Housing
Programme implemented by the present government under the
directions of His Excellency the President, Mahinda
Rajapakse is to grant ownership of a house to each displaced
family.
The present
government has practically proved that the objective of a
house could be realized by fully utilizing the labour of
beneficiaries and providing technical advice and a basic
amount of money required to build a house.”
This was said by
the Minister of Housing and Common Amenities, Mrs. Ferial
Ashraff at the community meeting followed by handing over
ownership of houses of Bihanimulla Housing Project, Kalutara
to people who have lost their houses due to Tsunami
disaster. The National Housing Development Authority (NHDA)
has built this new housing scheme for Tsunami displaced
families utilizing a grant from International Fund for
Agriculture Development (IFAD) and under the guidance of
Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. Ownership of
this housing scheme was handed over to the people by the
Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Mr.Felix
Perera and Minister of Housing and Common Amenities,
Mrs.Ferial Ashraff, on the invitation of the Minister of
Nation Building and Estate Infrastructure, Mr.Rohitha
Abeygunawardene.
Further
speaking, Mrs.Ferial Ashraff said as far as housing is
concerned we are participating in a very important
ceremony. Ownership of houses was given to fisheries
families who have lost their dwellings. Although the
fisheries community prefer to live close to the coast, the
Tsunami disaster has evacuated them from coast and have
settled them in a more secured and comfortable environment.
The NHDA has
constructed these houses with a contribution of Rs.500,000/-
per house by IFAD Organization and with the support of
Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. The fisheries
community of Bihanimulla has practically proved that with
state patronage and with a grant of Rs.500,000/- and
utilizing the labour of beneficiaries could build a house
worth nearly 1,000,000/-
Over 10,000
houses were to be built in worst affected Eastern area by
the Tsunami disaster. The Government has drawn special
attention to construct new houses for Tsunami affected
communities and has decided to give equal opportunities to
the house wives who play a leading role in housing
development programmes as householders. Accordingly, the
house wives will be treated as having equal status as the
house holders, when granting ownership of houses in future.
The Minister of
Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Mr.Felix Perera,
expressing his views said the government has drawn special
attention to develop the fisheries sector. Over 3 Billion
has been spent recently for Kalutara District along for
fisheries sector. Over Rs.30 Million has spent for this
housing project opened today and has spent over Rs.7.5
million for infrastructure development. The government aims
to provide a better future for fisheries community through
all these programmes. It is essential to uplift the living
standards of the fisheries community to develop the
fisheries industry.
Special attention
will be drawn to the inland fisheries industry in future and
inland fisheries projects will be started in Kalutara
District. The International Fund for Agriculture
Development (IFAD) of Italy has made arrangements to
construct 500 houses at a cost of Rs.250 Million in Tsunami
affected districts. This organization has expressed
willingness to give a massive financial grants for similar
projects in future. The government has made arrangements to
start Fish Canning Factory in Galle town and the government
will make arrangements to uplift the fisheries industry in a
similar manner.
The Minister of
Nation Building and State Infrastructure Mr.Rohitha
Abeygunawardene, the Secretary to the Ministry of Fisheries
and Aquatic Resources, Mr.G.Piyasena, Sri Lanka Director
of IRAD Project, Mr.Lesley Tissera, too, addressed the
meeting.
District
Secretary, Kalutara, Mr.S.Hapuarachchi, General Manager
NHDA, Mr.L.S.Palansuriya and several other officials and
a large number of people of the area participated in this
occasion.
16th
September 2009.
