Colombo, August 4: Sri Lanka’s government plans to resolve the country’s long-standing housing shortage within the next five to ten years, Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe said on Saturday.
Speaking at a housing assistance programme in Anuradhapura, the Minister announced the rollout of low-interest loans for public sector workers to build or renovate homes. The initiative, he added, is part of a broader effort to provide tangible support to citizens rather than focus on promotional campaigns.
“A transparent process will determine who qualifies for aid, unlike the politically driven approach of the past,” Samarasinghe said, accusing the previous administration of spending Rs. 520 million solely on housing publicity.
So far, 140 individuals have received assistance under the programme. Over 100 public sector employees have secured low-interest loans, while 80 have each received Rs. 1 million in financial support, he said.