Deputy Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure Sundaralingam Pradeep stated that providing housing ownership to disaster-affected families makes today a joyful occasion not only for the people of the hill country, but for the entire nation.
He made these remarks while attending the official handing-over ceremony of the “Navodayagama” housing project on August 28, constructed for 50 families from Poonagala, Kabaragala, who had been living in vulnerable conditions following landslides in 2023.
Elaborating further, Deputy Minister Pradeep noted:
“Today marks a deeply satisfying day as housing rights are restored to hill country families affected by disasters. The community has placed immense trust in the current administration after being misled for over 200 years. The political shift in 2024 opened the pathway to meaningful change, fulfilling commitments outlined in the Hatton Declaration—including wage increases delivered without the need for protests, marches, or hunger strikes.”
Key highlights and dignitaries in attendance included:
Government-Funded Housing: Pradeep stressed that all housing units were built entirely through state funding, marking the beginning of a broader program to guarantee land ownership and homes for every citizen as promised by the National People’s Power (NPP).
Dignitaries Present: The event was attended by members of the Maha Sangha and religious leaders; Minister of Housing, Construction and Water Supply Susil Ranasinghe; Minister of Women and Child Affairs Saroja Savithri Paulraj; Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources Ramalingam Chandrasekar; Deputy Minister of Youth Affairs Dinindu Saman Kumara Hennayake; Deputy Minister of Tourism Ruwan Ranasinghe; Governor of the Uva Province Attorney J. M. Kapila Jayasekara; Members of Parliament; Secretary to the Prime Minister Pradeep Saputhanthri; Presidential Chief of Staff Prabath Chandrakeerthi; Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal (Retd.) Sampath Thuyacontha; Plantation Ministry Secretary Gunadasa Samarasinghe; Badulla District Secretary Sunil Galagama; Acting Indian High Commissioner Maitrey Kulkarni; along with foreign delegates and local residents.
