The government is stepping up its housing construction efforts to provide homes for the underserved settlements in Colombo and adjoining areas. By 2023, over 50,000 slum dwellers will be provided with flats and better housing units, Megalopolis and Western Development Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka said.
The Minister said that the housing issues faced by slum dwellers in the capital will be solved by 2023 as Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe has promised adequate funds to construct the required number of houses from next year onwards. The minister was speaking at the opening of the Lesley Ranagala road in Borella which was renovated at a cost of Rs.54 million.
The minister went on to say that the Borella area will be developed in the future in a well planned manner.
He said that a project currently underway, will provide housing units to 600 professionals working in the Colombo area.
The minister said that the proposed Light Rail Transit System from Malabe to Fort will go through Borella area providing better and faster public transport facilities.
He further said that the Borella supermarket will be renovated and a new entertainment park will be created in the area.
The minister also urged Education authorities to come up with three national schools in Borella, Colombo North and Colombo Central to cater to offer better educational facilities to children in these areas.