10,000 brick and mortar type houses for NE: First phase of 4,750 units starts with Thai Pongal

The Ministry of National Policies, Economic Affairs, Resettlement and Rehabilitation, Northern Province Development, Vocational Training, Skills Development and Youth Affairs under the leadership of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe as Minister of this Ministry initiated action is to construct 10,000 brick and mortar/cement sand blocks type traditional houses in the conflict affected Northern and Eastern Provinces under owner-driven modality. 

As a first phase of this initiative, 4,750 houses will be commenced with Thai Pongal. These houses have floor area of 550 sq.ft, two bed rooms, kitchen, living room and toilet with Calicut titles and the estimated cost is Rs. 1 million, said Secretary to the Ministry V. Sivagnanasothy. 

Accordingly, priority will be given to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), families in the welfare camps and refugee returnees with special focus on women headed families, disabled, mine affected families, families of missing persons, low income group and families living in huts with children and families with elderly persons. 

The first phase of 4,750 houses are being constructed through the vote on account allocation following the decision of high powered steering committee. The housing program will be implemented through the District and Divisional administration. 

Based on the number of IDPs, families in the welfare camps and refugee returnees, under the first phase, 1,500 houses for Jaffna, 670 houses for Kilinochchi, 630 houses for Mullaitivu, 450 houses for Vavuniya, 350 houses for Mannar, 625 houses for Batticaloa, 400 houses for Trincomalee and 125 houses for Ampara are scheduled to commence with Thai Pongal, said Sivagnanasothy.

In 2019, it is targeted to provide 10,000 brick and mortar type/cement sand block houses in the conflict affected Northern and Eastern Provinces.