INDIAN ASSISTANCE FOR 50 ADDITIONAL MODEL VILLAGES COUNTRYWIDE

India and Sri Lanka signed two Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) for construction of 1,200 houses through 50 model villages, using Indian grant assistance of SL Rs. 600 million.

The Indian High Commission said the Mous were signed by Indian High Commissioner Taranjit Singh Sandhu and Secretary to the Ministry of Housing and Construction Bernard Wasantha in the presence of Minister Sajith Premadasa in Hambantota.

The 1,200 houses under 50 Model Villages are in addition to the 1,200 houses (50 Model villages) under construction in collaboration with the Ministry of Housing and Construction. With this, India’s collaboration with Ministry of Housing and Construction under Model Villages Housing Programme stands at 2,400 houses in 100 model villages, it is said. The houses will be constructed using the successful ownerdriven model with Indian grant assistance. As per the new Mous, 600 houses each will be constructed in the Southern and Northern Provinces.

The project will target low income landless and homeless beneficiaries. A cash grant of SLR 500,000 will be provided to each beneficiary in instalments, linked to the stages of construction of the house.

The 1,200 houses under 50 Model Villages are in addition to the 1,200 houses (50 Model villages) under construction