The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka - Minister of Urban Development, Construction and Housing

¶ 01 Madam Presiding Member, a house is not just a place; it is a feeling. Peace of mind is made possible by a home. Receiving a house is not only walls and a roof; it is the start of a new life. Unfortunately, many Sri Lankans have been deprived of this comfort. Hon. Ravi Karunanayake presented important proposals and statistics. The latest figures show how severe this has become. According to 2024 data compiled by Divisional Secretariats, there are approximately 6,699,150 families and 6,762,644 housing units in Sri Lanka. Of these, 495,520 houses require upgrading or reconstruction.

¶ 02 Hon. Ravi Karunanayake, on that basis the current housing need in Sri Lanka is approximately 937,678. Annually, the housing need grows by 1.9%, but only about 9.5% of that need is being met. Thus, the gap is worsening.

¶ 03 In recent history, various housing projects were launched under different themes. However, despite various names, many lacked a proper, sustainable implementation framework or feasibility planning, leading to incomplete or failing projects. For example, under NHDA projects initiated around 2017–2018, there are 45,117 incomplete houses across the country: about 5,519 at foundation level, 7,867 around window level (about 80% complete), and others at lintel level—still incomplete.

¶ 04 Another example: in Hambantota District, two “housing villages” were planned beyond the elephant fence, inside forest areas. In Gunapala Thissakuttiarachchigama, 24 houses were planned, but only one reached roof level. In Tennisan Edirisooriya village, 24 were planned, but only four reached roof level. This shows how ill-planned projects turned unsuccessful.

¶ 05 I thank Hon. Karunanayake for bringing a socially sensitive proposal. As the National People’s Power (NPP), our policy, as stated in our manifesto, is to ensure a healthy, safe home for all. Three institutions under my Ministry are working toward this: the National Housing Development Authority, the Urban Settlement Development Authority, and the Urban Development Authority. As Hon. Chathuri Gangani outlined NHDA programs, I will be brief: this year we aim to provide assistance for 1,764 houses. As approved by Cabinet, the grant component has been increased from Rs. 600,000 to Rs. 1,000,000, and we will proceed accordingly.

¶ 06 Under the Urban Regeneration Housing Program around Colombo’s underserved settlements, several projects have been initiated. We expect to hand over units later this year: for example, 615 units at Kirulapone (Colombo Gaama Mawatha), and about 1,000 at Stadium Gama, by September–October.