First housing scheme for old, retired couples in Jaffna
In the good old days, parents lived with their children and grandchildren after they (children) got married as one big extended family.
However, now in most other countries which is also becoming a custom now in Sri Lanka, married children live separately in a different house or apartment or have migrated abroad.
Lonely and stranded elderly parents with no other choice, thinking of the future of their children take up the challenge and live separately in their hometown or village. They prefer living with the community of people they are used to and where they were brought up from their 'small' days and then got married which gives them that extra joy to the rest of their life.
Parents do understand the privacy needs of their children. But they also love the company of their sons, daughters and grandchildren who visit them during times of old age.
The Business Times recently was present at a media briefing at the Renuka Hotel in Colombo to launch the Rose Villa Heritage Homes in Uduvil in Jaffna. The heritage homes' is a scheme of seven houses which is to be built mainly for old-age couples who have retired from work.
Yogavarathan Mahalingasivam, a Sri Lankan-born engineer now living in Norway for more than 30 years, is investing in Jaffna on this project. A housing scheme with only one large bed room and attached bathroom in each of the seven houses will be completed in six months, as stated at the media briefing. Each house costs Rs. 10 million. During the second phase of the project, a club house will be built next to the compound for the children and grandchildren to stay when visiting their parents.
The 6700 sq. metre property is located along the main Kankesanturai Road, 10 km north of Jaffna town. The Inuvil Railway Station, the Maruthanaarmadam and Chunnakam market are within 3 km radius from the property. Residents will have easy access to cultural venues, religious places of worship and the Northern Central Hospital in Jaffna for medical purposes. Direct telemedicine services will also be roped in from Canada.
Rose Villa Homes also includes a home automation system, CCTV cameras, fire safety systems, hot and cold water supply, electricity supply with solar panel system for backup power, telephone and Wi Fi connection, laundry services and handicap facilities.
There will also be a common garden with walkway and lighting and a car park.
An in-house caretaker will manage the garden and common areas where yoga lessons and gardening practices will be carried out for residents to promote overall wellness of mind and body. There will also be a service management company to provide other support services such as cleaning, cooking and maintenance of the homes, ensuring comfort to the residents.
With phase two of the construction, Rose Villa residents will be introduced to a more active social life, with a proposed clubhouse that is set to include a restaurant, laundry, room for rental, library, fitness centre and ayurvedic spa, as well as a swimming pool.
Yogavarathan Mahalingasivam, a Sri Lankan-born engineer now living in Norway for more than 30 years, is investing in Jaffna on this project. A housing scheme with only one large bed room and attached bathroom in each of the seven houses will be completed in six months, as stated at the media briefing.