The Ministry of Common Amenities in collaboration with allied institutions is constantly engaged in incorporating fullest and participation of the community in the matter of providing financial facilities and technical wherewithal in Housing Construction.

 In order to ensure the success of this strategy there are several programme implemented through the network of District officers of  the  National Housing Development Authority spread out throughout the entire island and in particular the work forces of the District officers.

In the matter of the   implementation of the housing programme on a national footing numerous projects are being carried out among various segments of the communities comprising of the Rural, Urban, Estate and Fishing communities etc for the provision of housing shelter. Concurrently through the “Gama Neguma” (Village Upliftment) Housing Development Programme. Already about ten thousand families have been provided with monitory and technical Assistance for their housing construction. Estate workers who has been living in estate for a long period of time without basic requirements housed in line rooms are in the process of gaining ownership for a plot of land from the estate for construction of a house through the Estate Housing Programme with the due assistance and direction of National Housing Development Authority (NHDA) during the year 2008.

 Furthermore during the past several months we have been implementing the “Samurthimath Gammana programme” in “20 Villages in 19 Districts” The Development Model Village Concept as envisaged by His Excellency The President, Mahinda Rajapaksha.

Year 2008 can be considered as the period in which assistance was provided through through the “Jana Sevana Programme” for Housing to the poverty stricken people living in slums and temporary dwellings through  the allocations of the Sevana fund and from the generous assistance of outsiders.

In addition to the above mentioned programs, the “Jathika Saviya” Programme has been successful in providing permanent housing for the families who were displaced by the conflict in the threatened areas of the  districts of  Polonnaruwa, Anuradhapura and Monaragala.

 Under the direction and leadership of His Excellency the President the Jana Sevana National Programme for Housing which is an integral part of the “Mahinda Chinthanaya” has been able to provide 30,000 families with new housing shelter and title to land. The above is the result of the some total of the programs referred to as aforesaid.

 Fortified with all these experiences and under the auspices and the direction of  His  Excellency The President, Mahinda Rajapaksha and through the formulation of our National Housing Policy, we hope to carry forward a well rounded programme for Housing for the Hill Country Rural Community who have been the victims of historical injustices under Colonial Rule.

I wish to express my sincere appreciation of the support extended by the Hon. Minister of Housing and Common Amenities Madam Ferial Ashraff respect of these Programmes of activities. Furthermore our gratitude is due to the Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Common Amenities and all the staff for the assistance and support extended towards reaching out our objectives.

I also thank the Directorate of National Housing Development Authority (NHDA) and the staff inclusive of all employers for their commitment towards the implementation of the Development Programmes of our Ministry.

 I also thank the Directorate of the Condominium Management Authority (CMA) and its staff and employers for the assistance an active support extended in the  management of Urban Housing Development Sector.

Last but not least I wish to thank the Director and the staff of the Centre for  Housing Planning and Building (CHPB) and all Trade Unions and Societies of the Bodies institutions coming under the Umbrella of the Ministry of Housing and Common Amenities.