Saturday, 27th September 2014
Rasika Somarathna
The government has initiated a project to build 50,000 housing units for plantation sector workers as per a concept mooted by President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
The houses will be two storeyed and will consist a spacious living area, bedroom and pantry with all amenities including proper sanitary facilities and costs over Rs.1.2 million. The project was recently inaugurated by Plantations Industries Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe at a function at the Delkin Estate in Baduraliya.
Minister Samarasinghe said the houses are being constructed according to a concept of President Rajapaksa to provide viable shelter to the plantation sector workers.
"The contribution of the estate sector to the national economy is considerable and the government hopes to fulfil the housing needs of the estate workers through this project," he added.
The minister explained that this measure was taken to uplift the living standards of plantation workers while recognising their enormous contribution to strengthen the country's economy. Minister Samarasinghe said the government will provide other facilities for workers to improve their living standards in a significant way.
According to Minister Samarasinghe, the program will be carried out by the Urban Development Authority under the direction of Defence and Urban Development Ministry Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa.
Minister Samarsinghe also said the government was considering allocating a seven perch land to plantation sector workers to build houses and added that this measure too will be formally announced shortly.
Under the first stage, construction of 200 estate houses in Delkin Estate in Baduraliya and Kiriwanaganga Estate in Deniyaya was commenced during the event.
The estate housing program is implemented in keeping with the President's pledge to construct of 50,000 houses for estate workers in the 2014 budget proposal.
From : http://www.dailynews.lk/?q=local/new-govt-project-build-50000-houses-plantation-sector
