Rs. 491 million allocated to build houses in Puttalam

Colombo, Feb 26 (Daily Mirror) - The Government has allocated Rs. 491 million for the construction of 491 houses in the Puttalam District under the 2026 National Housing Programme, with Minister of State Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government, Chandana Abeyrathne, initiating the distribution of housing assistance to beneficiaries yesterday (25).

The Puttalam District leg of the programme, themed “A Place of One’s Own – A Beautiful Life,” was held under the patronage of the Minister as part of the Government’s broader vision of building a “Prosperous Country – A Beautiful Life.”

The programme is being implemented island-wide by the National Housing Development Authority (NHDA) under the guidance of the Ministry of Housing, Construction and Water Supply, covering 13 districts. During the ceremony in Puttalam, housing assistance cheques were distributed to 125 selected beneficiaries.

According to officials, 491 houses will be constructed across 548 Grama Niladhari divisions in the district during 2026. Each beneficiary will receive Rs. 1 million in financial assistance to build a permanent house with a minimum floor area of 550 square feet.

While beneficiaries are responsible for carrying out construction work, technical officers attached to the respective Divisional Secretariats will provide guidance and supervision to ensure quality standards are maintained.

Priority in beneficiary selection has been given to low-income families without permanent housing, female-headed households, families with disabled or chronically ill members, and families with several school-going children.

Under the National Housing Programme – 2026, the Government aims to construct 31,218 houses across the country this year, with plans to address remaining housing needs between 2027 and 2029.

The event was attended by Members of Parliament Ajith Gihan, Mohamed Faisal and Gayan Janaka Kumara, along with the Puttalam District Secretary, NHDA officials, Divisional Secretaries, other government officers and housing beneficiaries.