Housing project for public servants gets off the ground

by Rohana Jayalal

Public servants throughout the country have been adversely affected by the housing problem. As a solution a housing project was launched in Galle in 2003. However, it stalled.

“Today is a proud day for us as we are launching this housing project under our own government after a lapse of over 12 years. It is our policy to provide housing facilities for public servants in each district and those who do not possess a house of their own are eligible to obtain a house,” former Minister of Public Administration, Management and Reforms and currently Adviser to the Prime Minister, Vajira Abeywardene told guests at the opening of Richmond Hill Residencies in Galle.

If there is an excess of houses, it could be purchased by government pensioners or their siblings at a concessionary price. Housing schemes such as this are a boon to public servants who live far from their place of work. It not only provides proper houses in the city but also eases the burden of commuting to work and saves travelling expenses as well, he said.

Integrated infrastructure and engineering solutions provider MTD Walkers PLC with the Ministry of Public Administration, Local Government and Democratic Governance and the Board of Investment (BOI) is offering public sector employees an opportunity to own apartments at Richmond Hill Residencies in Galle.

Built under the Nila Sevana Public Servants Housing Project, public sector employees are given concessionary prices for the apartments, while they are also available for the private sector employees at a higher price. The housing project will be extended to all districts to meet the growing demand for quality, affordable homes by public sector employees.

The Nila Sevana public servants housing project hopes to construct 25,000 affordable housing units. The company has already built over 1,000 affordable apartment units in the Galle district.

Although public sector employees are given preferred pricing, the houses will be available for the private sector as well with units priced from Rs. 3.2 million upwards.Richmond Hill Residencies in Galle is approximately three kilometers from Galle town and less than 1 km from Richmond College.

The 512 houses consist of three-bedroomed, 695 square foot and 776 square foot units. Each unit includes modern sanitary facilities. The project also offers landscaped gardens with play areas for children and spectacular views from the upperfloors.The project has been endorsed by the Board of Investment and the Ministry of Public Administration, Local Government and Democratic Governance and is due to be extended to all districts in the island. Deputy Chairman, MTD Walkers PLC, Jehan Amaratunga said, “We at MTD Walkers PLC are proud to have been part of this project and invite public sector and private sector employees in Galle to take advantage of the Richmond Hill Residencies offerings. We look forward to extending affordable housing projects to other parts of theisland as well.”