India committed to support Sri Lanka’s development

India is committed to support Sri Lanka’s development, particularly in improving livelihoods, the High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, Santosh Jha, said.

High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, Santosh Jha and Minister of Urban Development, Construction and Housing, Anura Karunathilaka, jointly inaugurated and handed over Chandran Nagar Model Village in Mullaitivu to 24 beneficiary families.

Nagalingam Vethanayagan, Governor of Northern Province and Dr Sellaththamby Thilaganathan, Member of Parliament, also participated in the ceremony.

The event was also attended by District Secretary, Mullaitivu; Chairman and senior officials from National Housing Development Authority, and senior officials from the Ministry of Urban Development, Construction and Housing of Sri Lanka; Northern Provincial Council and Mullaitivu District Administration.

Speaking at the event, High Commissioner Santosh Jha emphasised India’s unwavering commitment to support Sri Lanka’s development, particularly in improving livelihoods and supporting development of communities in the Northern Province.

Minister Anura Karunathilaka conveyed gratitude on behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka for the people-centric development cooperation initiatives of India in the country, particularly in the housing sector.

A Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of India and the Government of Sri Lanka was signed for the Model Village project in October 2017. The project encompasses housing facilities for 600 low-income families of Sri Lanka, with a model village each consisting of 24 houses per district for families. The Ministry of Urban Development, Construction and Housing of Sri Lanka is implementing the project with grant support from the Government of India.

Earlier this month, Jim Brown Nagar Model Village was inaugurated. Model Villages in 13 other districts have been handed over earlier. The overall project progress is over 97% and the remaining model villages too are expected to be inaugurated and handed over to the beneficiaries soon.