President Hands Over ‘Navodhyagama’ Housing Project Constructed by Army Engineers for 50 Landslide-Affected Families

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake officially handed over the 'Navodhyagama' Housing Project in Poonagala, Bandarawela, on 28 August 2026, providing permanent homes to 50 families who lost their houses in the landslide that occurred in 2023.

Lieutenant General Nilantha Premaratne RSP USP nps psc, Commander of the Army, attended the ceremony held to mark the handing over of the newly constructed houses to the beneficiary families.

Initiated with the laying of the foundation stone on 15 March 2025, the project was implemented under the initiative of the Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure to resettle families who had been living in difficult and insecure conditions following the disaster.

Troops of the Corps of Engineer Services (CES) of the Sri Lanka Army played a significant role in the construction of the project, contributing throughout its various stages, from earthwork and ground preparation to laying foundations and completing the houses.

The project comprises 50 fully equipped houses, each featuring two bedrooms, a living room, a kitchen and a bathroom. In addition, each beneficiary family will be provided with essential household items, including furniture and kitchen equipment.

During the ceremony, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake symbolically handed over the keys and title deeds of the newly constructed houses to 10 beneficiaries.

In recognition of the active and commendable contribution made by Sri Lanka Army troops, the President presented a token of appreciation to the Commander of the Army.

The President, the Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure and the Deputy Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure also addressed the gathering, emphasising the importance of providing dignified living conditions and ensuring the rights and well-being of the Malayagam Tamil community.

Freehold deeds were also handed over to 163 beneficiaries residing in houses constructed under the Indian Housing Programme - 4,000 Houses Project in the Haldummulla, Bandarawela and Haputale Divisional Secretariat Divisions of Badulla District.

Members of Parliament, the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, government officials, senior military officers and residents of the area were also present at the occasion.