Year 2008 could be termed  as an year in which our Ministry faced many challengers in the Housing sector and performed in a more productive manner.

 Here, the National Housing Development Authority has taken steps to provide housing facilities to over 30,000 families through Gama Neguma Housing Development Programme in rural areas where majority of the population of our country lives along with other  programmes such as estate housing, “Jana Sevana” grant programme and “Jathika Saviya”.

These programmes are being successfully implemented through utilization of Treasury funds as well as loan recoveries.

In addition, all these houses were constructed with the active participation and commitment of the beneficiary families producing a permanent hose of higher value. Furthermore, it was possible to  implement a  housing programme with the financial contribution of the Sevana Fund through Jana Sevana Grant Programme covering the entire island including North and East during the past period. The financial assistance provided by various donors and philanthropists contributed largely to the success of this programme. Also, the Public Private Partnership  Housing Development Programme implemented by the National Housing Development Authority under the guidance of Ministry has shown successful results. Construction work has commenced in one housing project in Pallekelle, Kandy and several other  projects are planned in  various parts of the country under this Programme.

 The Condominium Management Authority which provides services to regularize management of apartment houses has taken many measures to resolve  various problems associated with Condominium housing schemes.

 Accordingly, steps have been taken to establish Management Corporations in housing schemes and to maintain of those schemes productively through them. Also, maximum assistance has been given to implementation of  housing and other  development activities in rural areas by affiliating the National Equipment Machinery Organization which operates on infrastructure  development in rural areas to the National Housing Development Authority.

The World Habitat Day which is celebrated on the First Monday of each year was successfully  celebrated on 6^th  October  this year centering Moratuwa together with an islandwide  programme. New housing programme were commenced in Moratuwa and adjoining areas as well as throughout the country country under this programme. Also, creating  awareness among school children and public under the theme  “harmonious Cities” was achieved.

I wish to extend my gratitude to Hon. Githanjana Gunawardane, Minister of Housing, the secretary and the entire Staff of our Ministry, Chairman and Staff of the National Housing Development Authority and Chairman and Staff of the Condominium Management Authority that provided their fullest cooperation towards successful implementation of the activities of the Ministry and the affiliated agencies.