December 16, Colombo (LNW): The National Council for Disaster Management has endorsed a major housing initiative aimed at resettling families who were left homeless by recent disasters, as well as those currently living in areas identified as highly vulnerable to landslides.
The decision was taken at a council meeting held yesterday and chaired by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
Minister of Housing and Water Supply Dr. Susil Ranasinghe said the National Housing Development Authority has been assigned responsibility for designing and carrying out the proposed housing schemes. The projects will focus on providing safe and permanent homes for displaced families and relocating residents from dangerous locations.
He noted that District Secretaries and local government bodies have already submitted assessments to the Commissioner General of Essential Services, detailing housing needs and identifying suitable state or alternative lands for resettlement in high-risk districts.
Following these evaluations, the National Housing Development Authority, together with the Urban Development Authority, has been instructed to move swiftly and begin the initial stage of construction for families who have lost their homes and those requiring urgent relocation to safer areas.
