The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka

¶ 01 We will also commence projects in Madampitiya, Obesekarapura, Applewatte, Wattala, Nittambuwa, Sri Jayewardenepura, Gikkaduwa, Kaduwela, Athurugiriya and other areas. Under Indian assistance, we are implementing housing projects in Maduluwawa Sobitha Gama, and in Mannar and Mullaitivu; completed houses will be handed over within this month. Under Chinese assistance, we plan to provide another 1,996 apartments in Peliyagoda, Dematagoda, Mannar, Kottawa and other areas.

¶ 02 Madam Presiding Member, please grant me one more minute. Despite state efforts and donor/credit lines, the target of meeting the roughly one million housing need is still far. We therefore need new concepts and a structured approach, including changing how we conceive housing projects. Accordingly, as a Ministry, together with the NHDA and the Urban Settlement Development Authority, we plan to formulate a new integrated national housing policy with several new concepts to meet the need.

¶ 03 Finally, I thank Hon. Members for bringing proposals that allow us to present these important ideas to the House.