Rural development, Govt's priority - Ferial

"Accelerating development at village level will help to develop the country. President Mahinda Rajapaksa and his government have given priority to develop rural areas amidst a war" said the Minister of Housing and Common Amenities Ferial Ashraff. She was addressing a meeting after handing over Lakjayagama, Janasevana Housing Scheme constructed at Mirigama recently.

The Lakjayagama housing scheme with 50 houses was constructed by the National Housing Development Authority (NHDA) at a cost of Rs. 3.2 million. The recipients of the houses are from low income families in Mirigama.

The houses were constructed within one year. The NHDA has granted Rs. 100,000 as a given to construct the houses and the beneficiary families have constructed their own houses using low cost building materials and traditional technology.

The housing scheme consists of a community hall, shrine room and internal road network. Minister Ashraff was welcomed by Kokila Harshani Gunewardena, the Chief Organiser of the SLFP, Mirigama. Senior Advisor to President Rajapaksa, former Minister, Lakshman Jayakody and Minister of Public Administration and Provincial Councils Karu Jayasuriya participated.

Ashraff said the Lakjayagama housing scheme can be considered a milestone in the development process of the housing program and the 50 beneficiary families have constructed fully completed houses with a Rs. 100,000 grant given by the government and NHDA assistance.

Minister of Public Administration and Provincial Councils Karu Jayasuriya said, "Although 60 years had lapsed since the independence no proper development program was implemented due to the ongoing war. We should support the President to find a solution to the war and develop the country.

"Among development programs housing development should be a priority" he said.