Members of the Northern Provincial Council (NPC) raised concerns over the Sri Lankan government’s proposal to build 65,000 houses in the North-East, amidst allegations of corruption and politicisation of the process.
During the 48th session of the NPC, members alleged that supporters of the UNP’s Viajakala Maheswaran and SLFP’s Angajan Ramanathan have been given first allocations for the housing scheme.
Tamils on the ground were also not consulted on the project said several of the councillors, with Chief Minister C V Wigneswaran stating that the NPC was not consulted over the project.
His concerns were echoed by NPC member Mr Ravikaran who criticised the number of houses allocated across the North-East. Mullaitivu, a district that suffered heavily throughout the armed conflict, has only been allocated 7,000 houses. More than double that number is needed said Mr Ravikaran.
Members also questioned whether this project would generate any employment for locals in the North-East, with reports that those contracts to construct the houses will be offered to Sinhalese from the South.
During the 48th session of the NPC, members alleged that supporters of the UNP’s Viajakala Maheswaran and SLFP’s Angajan Ramanathan have been given first allocations for the housing scheme.
Tamils on the ground were also not consulted on the project said several of the councillors, with Chief Minister C V Wigneswaran stating that the NPC was not consulted over the project.
His concerns were echoed by NPC member Mr Ravikaran who criticised the number of houses allocated across the North-East. Mullaitivu, a district that suffered heavily throughout the armed conflict, has only been allocated 7,000 houses. More than double that number is needed said Mr Ravikaran.
Members also questioned whether this project would generate any employment for locals in the North-East, with reports that those contracts to construct the houses will be offered to Sinhalese from the South.