The Hon. Mano Ganesan

¶ 01 Madam Deputy Chairperson, thank you for the opportunity, especially to speak right after the Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe. I know your Secretary, Engineer Kumudu Lal Bogahawatta, performed well at the Colombo Municipal Council; now at your Ministry, the two of you can address housing nationally. I wish you well.

¶ 02 Hon. Minister, you spoke about the North and East, and also the South and the Malayaga (estate) community. However, estate lands and housing issues are presently under a different Ministry. I request that all housing responsibilities—North, East, Malayaga, South, citizens with disabilities—be brought under one roof with a single National Housing Policy. I ask through you that the President consider this.

¶ 03 Under our Good Governance administration, the war had just ended and we focused on post-war needs in the North and East, and on Malayaga land and housing. Discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi led to support for 14,000 houses for the estate community. They are now prepared to provide Rs. 2.8 million per house, and can adjust further if prices rise. Please consolidate and proceed responsibly.

¶ 04 A National Housing Policy should maximize land use. All housing should be in proximity to townships, villages, or highways—connect people, do not isolate them. For example, at Penrith Watta (Karungaley division) in Avissawella, it takes an hour to reach from Wellawatte by car, and another two hours uphill even in a Prado. Officials cannot realistically access such places regularly. Bring people down to roadside lands and build there. When you update the policy, invite us; we will contribute.

¶ 05 Post-war Northern and Eastern communities are only now rising; help them, and also low-income communities in the South. Within NHDA, create segments with dedicated directors and officers for different groups’ specific needs. One Ministry cannot treat all identically.

¶ 06 Surveys show the Central Highlands require about 200,000 housing units for around one million residents; many are not in plantation employment. This is not charity or sympathy—we demand justice. For 200 years the estate community has laboured for this country—tea, rubber, coffee, building highways, railways, and ports. Integrate them fully into the Sri Lankan framework.

¶ 07 Regarding implementation, earlier this year the Minister of Irrigation and Community Infrastructure said 6,000 houses for estates would be completed by 31 December. That target will not be met; promises were made but not delivered. I am not accusing anyone of lying; I acknowledge effort was made and constraints existed. We achieved significant progress earlier with Indian support: funds for 10,000 houses, building Pradeshiya Sabha offices, Divisional Secretariats, and school lands. Continue the current efforts, but please place all housing under the Housing Ministry.

¶ 08 Thank you.