09-year wait ends: 16 families displaced by landslides receive new homes

After nearly nine years of displacement following the 2017 landslide disaster, 16 families from the red‑notice danger zone at Wogan Estate, Dodangoda, Kalutara, will finally receive permanent housing. 

According to the Ministry of Health, the foundation‑laying ceremony for the new homes was held on Wednesday (29) under the patronage of Health and Mass Media Minister Nalinda Jayatissa.

The Rs. 57.6 million housing project, implemented under the Ministry of Plantation Community Infrastructure, will provide complete houses with two bedrooms, a living room, kitchen, bathroom, and toilet. 

Construction is scheduled to be completed by December this year, with all 16 houses handed over to beneficiary families. Alongside housing, road systems, electricity, and drinking water facilities will be developed to ensure a safe and sustainable living environment.

Minister Jayatissa emphasized that a house is not merely a building but the foundation of a family’s future, bringing stability, security, and confidence. 

He noted that in the past year alone, financial assistance of Rs. 1 million each was given to low‑income families in Kalutara District to complete 136 houses, while funding is available this year for more than 200 new houses. 

In addition, programmes are underway to build 175 houses across several Divisional Secretariat divisions to meet housing needs in estate areas.

Beyond housing, the Minister said families will receive broader support through concessionary loans, financial assistance, and facilities for self‑employment and small businesses, integrating housing development with wider social empowerment. 

He stressed that beneficiary selection will be free from political favoritism or partiality, with the government committed to transparency and fairness. (Newswire)

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