1000 houses for landslide victims

40 perch land for each family:
Rs2M for each house:

By Pradeep Kumara Dharmaratne

Housing Minister Sajith Premadasa yesterday pledged to construct 1000 houses for landslide victims and for those living in landslide threatened areas in Aranayaka, Hakurugammana and Athgampala in the Kegalle district.

He said these houses will be constructed in three zones for those affected by landslides.

Minister Premadasa who visited landslide affected areas in Aranayake yesterday and participating at a meeting with relevant government agencies said, the Ministry will allocate Rs.2 million to construct each house. A 40 perch land will be allocated for each family when constructing the houses.

The Minister instructed Housing Development Authority officials to provide him with a report about the number of landslide- affected people and those in need of houses, within three days so that construction could commence in a month.

He said lands required for construction will be acquired from plantation companies after discussing the issue with them and will be acquired from safer areas.

He assured the proposed houses will be constructed in safer areas, after obtaining National Building Research Organisation certification for the construction of these houses.

The Minister also said victims whose houses were partially damaged will be paid Rs.750,000 as compensation, when relocating or reconstructing new houses.