Indian-funded housing project launched in Galle

The foundation stone for the construction of 50 houses in Walahanduwa estate on a grant basis under Indian Housing Project was jointly laid today (15) by High Commissioner of India, Gopal Baglay (in virtual mode), Jeevan Thondaman, State Minister of Estate Housing & Community Infrastructure, and Dr. Ramesh Pathirana, Minister of Plantation today.

High Commissioner Baglay addressed the gathering through a special video message.

He told the gathering that India will continue to support Sri Lanka during the current challenging times, within the limits of its capacity.

He said that India is committed to assist Sri Lanka in its overall socio-economic development focusing on the priority areas of the Government of Sri Lanka which are water and sanitation, skill development, IT and agriculture.

The project was launched a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi said his government had always taken care of the welfare of Sri Lankan Tamils and ‘consistently’ flagged the issue of their rights with the leaders in the island nation.

He said India was always committed to ensuring that the Tamils in Sri Lanka lived with equity, equality, justice, peace and dignity.

The Indian Housing Project in Walahanduwa Estate, Galle is part of Government of India's flagship Indian Housing Project in Sri Lanka to construct 50,000 houses with a total allocation of USD270 million in grants. Out of which, 4000 houses are being constructed in the plantation regions of Central, Uva, Sabragamuwa and Southern Provinces of Sri Lanka.

These 50 new 2-bedroom houses would be constructed for the plantation community in an owner driven model. The project will be implemented in close consultation with the State Ministry of Estate Infrastructure & Community Infrastructure, Government of Sri Lanka.

The project is in continuation of Government of India’s people-oriented development cooperation partnership with Government of Sri Lanka. India’s overall commitment of development assistance to Sri Lanka stands at a total of around USD3.5 billion and among these, USD560 million is under grants.