October 06, Colombo (LNW): A national ceremony commemorating World Habitat Day took place yesterday (05) at Temple Trees, with the event presided over by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
The occasion served not only as a reflection on the global significance of housing and urban development but also as a platform to reaffirm the Sri Lankan government’s commitment to ensuring secure, dignified living conditions for all its citizens.
This year’s national theme, “A Place to Belong – A Beautiful Life”, echoed the core message of the United Nations’ World Habitat Day, which encourages sustainable urbanisation and equal access to shelter.
In recognition of this initiative, the week leading up to the main event – from October 01 to 05 – was designated as Habitat Week, during which a variety of awareness campaigns, educational programmes, and community outreach activities were held across the country.
As part of ongoing efforts to bridge the housing gap among low-income communities, the National Housing Development Authority has launched a large-scale programme aimed at providing homes to families unable to construct their own.
During the ceremony, 1,000 newly built houses were ceremonially handed over to selected beneficiaries via a digital platform, enabling real-time engagement with recipients located in various parts of the island.
Further highlighting the government’s multi-pronged housing strategy, the event included a symbolic handover of the Ambatale Water Supply Project to President Dissanayake. This vital infrastructure initiative is set to be realised with assistance from the Government of India and support from the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), coordinated through the UN-Habitat Sri Lanka Office.
Efforts to regularise land ownership also featured prominently. As part of a national drive to issue long-overdue land titles, a total of 357 land deeds were presented in a symbolic gesture to beneficiaries. Simultaneously, a financial support programme offering grants of one million rupees each to 1,000 families lacking the means to build homes saw 157 of those cheques ceremonially handed over during the event.
In addition to policy announcements and symbolic gestures, the ceremony embraced community and creativity. Young artists from across the country were celebrated for their participation in a nationwide art competition themed around housing and belonging.
The President personally handed out awards to the winners, recognising the importance of artistic expression in national dialogue. He also toured an accompanying exhibition showcasing student artwork and innovative housing design concepts, organised to inspire public engagement in urban development.
Urban Development, Construction and Housing Minister Anura Karunathilaka addressed the gathering, underscoring the government’s holistic approach to addressing the nation’s housing challenges. He stated that beyond mere infrastructure, the administration is committed to promoting thoughtful, inclusive housing policies that respond to the needs of present and future generations.
He also stressed the importance of fostering public discourse on sustainable urban living, ensuring that housing remains not just a basic need, but a fundamental right.
The official message from United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres was shared at the event by Harshini Halangoda, Programme Manager for UN-Habitat in Sri Lanka, reinforcing global solidarity in the pursuit of adequate shelter for all.
The ceremony drew participation from a broad cross-section of stakeholders, including senior government officials, local authorities, and international representatives. Notable attendees included Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development Anil Jayantha Fernando; Deputy Minister of Housing T. B. Sarath; Western Province Governor Haniff Yusuf; Colombo Mayor Vraie Cally Balthazar; and Navya Singla, First Secretary (Political) at the High Commission of India. Senior presidential and ministerial officials, along with key figures from the Urban Development Authority, were also present.
