Cabinet approves establishing National Housing Operational Committee to address homelessness

Saturday, 28 February 2026 01:23 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Cabinet of Ministers on Monday approved the establishment of a National Housing Operational Committee to coordinate and strengthen the country’s housing programs, following findings from the 2024 Population and Housing Census that highlighted a significant number of homeless individuals across Sri Lanka.

Addressing the weekly post-Cabinet meeting, Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said for 2026, around Rs. 100 billion has been allocated for the construction of new houses.

The National Housing Operational Committee will provide technical guidance, establish program guidelines, address monitoring challenges, and facilitate follow-up to ensure that housing projects meet national objectives efficiently.

Homelessness among vulnerable groups, including low-income earners, estate communities, people with disabilities, fishing communities, urban homeless, and those displaced for various reasons has been identified as a key challenge. “The new Committee is tasked with ensuring that national housing policy is reviewed and updated based on participatory planning, economic productivity, environmental protection, social cohesion, and cultural appropriateness,” he said.

Currently, multiple Ministries, provincial councils, local State institutions, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and private sector community groups implement housing initiatives using varying strategies and standards, leading to a dispersed approach. “The new Committee aims to streamline these efforts under a unified national program to achieve optimal outcomes,” Dr. Jayatissa added.