Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa in his capacity as the Urban Development and Housing Minister has decided to launch a new housing programme called ‘Mihindu Niwasa’ to show gratitude to the parents whose children have joined the Buddhist Order.
Accordingly, the Mihindu Niwasa project will commence on February 7 under the patronage of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa.
Under this, 2,000 houses are to be constructed this year. These houses will be constructed in the areas where the parents are selected according to the qualifications given under the “Mihindu Niwasa Project”.
Issuing a media release, the Ministry of Urban Development stated that the committee members of the Mihindu Niwasa Project hopes that the construction of these houses will fulfill four key factors that will help to protect the Buddha Sasana. This resolves a number of issues, including the ability of monks to freely engage in religious activities.
“Otaining a house from the Mihindu Niwasa project is subject to several criteria. Accordingly, the beneficiary must be a mother or father whose child has joined the Buddhist Religious Order, lost a house or owns a half completed house. The land should be in the name of the monk’s mother or father. Licensed lands are also considered. The child who joined the Sasana should have been ordained three years ago. The beneficiary must submit applications called by the Ministry or its affiliated coordinating committee”, the Ministry of Urban Development stated.
The Mihindu Niwasa project is being implemented on a proposal made by Professor at the University of Kelaniya Ven. Idugare Dhammaratana Thera.