Stage 2 of Indian Housing Project Phase IV launched in Bandarwela
COLOMBO – Stage 2 of the Indian Housing Project (IHP) Phase IV was launched on Sunday (12) with a ceremony held at the Bandarwela Municipal Council attended by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Santosh Jha, among a host of other dignitaries.
The IHP is one of India’s largest grant-funded development initiatives abroad, with a commitment to building 60,000 houses for Sri Lankan beneficiaries at a cost of over INR 18 billion. Under Phases I and II, 46,000 houses were constructed or renovated in the Northern and Eastern provinces. Phase III, which includes 4,000 houses in the plantation sector, is nearing completion.
Phase IV of the IHP, announced by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Sri Lanka in 2017, aims to build an additional 10,000 houses for the plantation community. Of these, 1,300 houses under Stage 1 are currently in various stages of completion.
Under Stage 2, launched on Sunday, the Government of Sri Lanka plans to support 4,700 additional beneficiaries. During the ceremony, around 2,000 beneficiaries received house entitlement certificates.
The Government of Sri Lanka holds responsibility for allotting land plots, issuing clearances, providing amenities, and finalizing the list of beneficiaries under the IHP.
Addressing the gathering, President Dissanayake expressed gratitude to the Indian government and people for their sustained support to improve the economic and social well-being of Sri Lankans through initiatives such as the Indian Housing Project.
Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha noted that the 14,000 houses under Phases III and IV reflect India’s strong commitment to uplift and empower the Indian-origin Tamil community in the plantation regions. He also highlighted India’s broader development partnerships in the sector, including initiatives in education, healthcare, and socio-economic development.
Jha recalled the special development package worth INR 750 million announced in July 2023 to mark 200 years since the arrival of the Indian-origin Tamil community in Sri Lanka, reaffirming India’s long-term support.
The launch of Stage 2 signals continued collaboration between the two countries in addressing historical inequalities and improving living conditions for plantation workers, one of Sri Lanka’s most marginalized communities. The project is expected to significantly boost housing security, infrastructure, and overall quality of life for thousands of families in the coming months.
Attending the launch ceremony were also Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure Samantha Viddyarathna, Minister of Fisheries Ramalingam Chandrasekar, Deputy Ministers Sundaralingam Pradeep (Plantation and Community Infrastructure), Ruwan Ranasinghe (Tourism), and Dinindu Saman Kumara (Youth Affairs). Governors of Uva and Sabaragamuwa Provinces, Members of Parliament, provincial chief secretaries, district officials, government agents, mayors, and other dignitaries.
ndian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Santosh Jha
-ENCL
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