Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe on Monday launched the fourth phase of the Indian housing project, ‘India-Lanka’. It aims to build 10,000 houses with Indian grant assistance for plantation sector workers in Sri Lanka. During this, Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha was also present. He along with the President unveiled the foundation stone plaque for 1,300 houses in 45 plantation estates in ten districts. Jha stressed India’s deep commitment to supporting the Tamil community in Sri Lanka.
India provided generous assistance for this project: President
During the event, Wickremesinghe said his government had begun the process of upholding the economic and social rights of the country’s minority Tamil community. He expressed gratitude for India’s support for the housing project. He said that India has provided generous assistance for this project. I express my gratitude to the Government of India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The President said that the government is actively initiating this process. Negotiations are starting with estate companies for land acquisition. The President said that the primary objective of the housing project is to provide housing to the plantation workers, thereby empowering them.
High Commissioner @santjha joined H.E President @RW_UNP, and other dignitaries virtually in a ceremony to launch the construction of 1300 houses. This is the first stage of construction of 10,000 houses in plantation areas through grant assistance from #India. pic.twitter.com/Afv7iuHyaU
— India in Sri Lanka (@IndiainSL) February 19, 2024
Tamils deprived of political rights in Sri Lanka
It is noteworthy that the Tamil community of Indian origin was being disadvantaged due to lack of land and housing ownership in Sri Lanka. Tamils in Sri Lanka are deprived of their political rights. Tamils, who contribute significantly to the Sri Lankan economy, need to have their economic and social rights upheld. Let us tell you, during his visit to Sri Lanka in May 2017, PM Modi had made an announcement regarding 10,000 houses.