World Habitat Day festivities in Moratuwa

By Rohana JAYALAL

The World Habitat Day will be celebrated under the theme "Harmonious Cities" on October 6, with the National Conference on the same day at 9.30 a.m. at the Buddhist Congress Hall, Moratuwa.

This event will be organised by the National Housing Development Authority, Urban Development Authority, Lunawa Environmental Improvement and Community Development Project under the guidance of the Ministry of Housing and Common Amenities, Ministry of Urban Development and Sacred Area Development and the Moratuwa Municipal Council.

The United Nations selection of the theme, was to raise an awareness of problems of rapid urbanization, its impact on the environment, the growth of slums, and the urbanization of poverty as more and more people crowd in to towns and cities, looking for a better life.

This year's special attention will be on school children, the National Housing Development Authority has organised an All Island Art and Essay Competition to mark the Day , and a speech and drama competition for school children in the Moratuwa City with the assistance from Moratuwa Municipal Council and the Ministry of Education.

The Ministry of Urban Development and Sacred Area Development has implemented several development projects in all parts of the country with special focus on Moratuwa City.