The Hon. T.B. Sarath - Deputy Minister of Housing, Construction and Water Supply

¶ 01 Mr. Speaker, I will answer on behalf of the Minister.

¶ 02 (a) (i) Yes. Under the Manmunai West Divisional Secretariat (Vavunativu Divisional Secretariat), 40 model villages comprising 885 houses were constructed.

¶ 03 Note: Manmunai West Divisional Secretariat and Vavunativu Divisional Secretariat refer to the same area.

¶ 04 (ii) Yes. Of these, work on 270 houses has been fully completed, and the remaining houses will be completed as funds are allocated.

¶ 05 (iii) Yes.

¶ 06 (iv) Yes. Relevant State and non-State organizations, including international NGOs, have been apprised. The work has been included in the five-year plan of the Kachcheri.

¶ 07 (b) (i) Yes. In 2026, construction will be completed in two model villages in Manmunai West DS Division. Treasury funds have been requested to complete the partially-built houses over a period of about three years, and the programme will be implemented in phases as funds are received.

¶ 08 (ii) Yes. Approval was granted in 2025 for eight model villages and their construction has been completed. For 2026, approval has been granted for six model villages comprising 136 houses, and construction is expected to be completed within this year. Subject to future approvals, remaining villages will also be completed.

¶ 09 (c) Does not arise.

¶ 10 In 2015–2019, over 40,000 houses across the country were initiated at various stages — foundation, wall, or roof. In the relevant area there are 855 houses; 270 were completed last year. A further 136 will be completed this year. We have a plan to complete the balance in about three years — by the end of that period, around 800 houses in the relevant area will be completed, including 136 this year across six villages.

¶ 11 This year, under the resettlement housing scheme for the North and East, funds have been allocated for 2,500 houses. The President has directed that, instead of Rs. 900,000 and Rs. 1,500,000 per house previously provided, Rs. 2,000,000 per house be provided in those areas. Accordingly, Rs. 2 million per house will be granted for 2,500 houses under the resettlement scheme, and within the next three years, all remaining houses in the relevant areas will be completed under a structured programme. Similar allocations are made for the Eastern Province as well.