Minister of Housing, Construction and Cultural Affairs Sajith Premadasa says that a sustainable development program will be implemented to eliminate the social inequality in women-headed families in the North and East and mete out justice for them.
The Minister said although the Constitution guarantees that all citizens, regardless of race or religion, are equal, when visiting the North and the East, disparities in sectors such as education and health can be seen.
As stated in the Constitution, a new economic and social development program will be created with due regard for social justice for women-headed families in the North and East.
The Minister said he was committed to ensure a better future for the people who had suffered from 30 years of war.
Minister Premadasa further said that an export-centric economy with direct foreign earnings flowing into the country will be created and the whole country will see an era of development in the future.
“We will create industries and create new employment opportunities through the export oriented development program,” the Minister said.
Minister Sajith Premadasa expressed these views today (Aug 10) at the opening ceremony of two Gam Udawa villages ‘Senthamil Gramam’ in Valikamam West and Thiruvarapuram in Tennamarachchi in the Jaffna District.
These are the 244th and 245th Model Villages which were vested with the public under the ‘Re-awakening Uda Gammana’ program of ‘Samata Sevana’.
There are 44 houses built in the two villages of Senthamil Gramam and Thiruvarepuram. The total expenditure incurred on these two villages was Rs. 41.6 million. These two villages comprise all infrastructure facilities including clean drinking water, electricity, access roads and proper internal roads. Senthamil Gramam village has been built under the Indian Housing Aid Program.
Parallel to this event, 44 beneficiaries were granted housing title certificates and free ownership of 44 developed plots of land worth Rs.5.6 million.
In addition, Rs. 9.7 millions of housing loans for 50 low-income families in the area, Rs. 5 million of Housing Loans and Aid for 50 low-income families, Rs. 240,000 worth school books for 80 students, benefits worth Rs. 12.1 million for 242 trainees under the ‘Shilpa Saviya’ program and spectacles to 46 persons with visual impairment were granted under the patronage of the Minister.
Jaffna District Parliamentarian Mavai Senathirajah, S. Saravanabavan, Indian Consul General in Jaffna S. Balachandran and many others participated in the occasion.
Courtesy: Colombo Page
