'Dinamina Nivahana' Project inaugurated at Kiralogama

THE first of the 'Dinamina Nivahana' houses under the National Housing Development Authority 'Janasevana' Housing Project was inaugurated at Kiralogama, Anuradhapura, with First Lady Shiranthi Rajapakse laying the foundation stone for construction yesterday.

The ceremony was attended by many distinguished invitees including the NCP Chief Minister Berty Premalal Dissanayake, Agrarian Services Minister S. M. Chandrasena, North Central Provincial Ministers Gamage Weerasena and H. B. Semasinghe, NHDA General Manager Wasantha Wijeratne, A. S. P. Group Chairman Dr. S. P. Liyanage, Lotteries Board Director Janaka Sri Wanasinghe, ANCL Chairman Dr. Sunil Jayasekera, Vendol Lanka Chairman Dr. Godakanda, and President Mahinda Rajapakse's son Yoshitha Rajapakse.

Mrs. Rajapakse lit the traditional oil lamp to commence proceedings. She also planted a coconut sapling and unveiled the plaque to mark the occasion.

'Janasevana' is a Housing Programme implemented under the National Housing Development Authority in conformity with the Mahinda Chintana of President Mahinda Rajapakse, intended to provide shelter to the poorest of the poor through the length and breadth of this country.

The first house for which the foundation stone was laid yesterday is intended to house a widow, K. A. Vinitha, who lived in a hut for the last 20 years with her school-going two daughters since her husband's death.

The 10-perch land on which the house will be built is a gift by the Mahaweli Authority. The project initiated by the Dinamina is sponsored by the A. S. P. Group of Companies and Vendol Lanka Limited.

Lake House Operational and Trading Director Sanjeewa Siribaddana said that this Housing Programme initiated under the Mahinda Chintana concept is enormously supported by Mrs. Shiranthi Rajapakse who like a mother deeply moved by the travails of helpless children dedicated herself to help this cause initiated by her husband.

On seeing the poor condition of the clothes worn by the children on this occasion, she has promised to provide them with better clothing within the next two weeks, he said.

NCP Chief Minister Berty Premalal Dissanayake describing the occasion as a historic event said that this project pioneered by President Mahinda Rajapakse is another fulfilment of the pledges envisaged under the Mahinda Chintana and the gigantic strength and courage behind the development process engineered by President Rajapakse is his wife Mrs. Shiranthi Rajapakse.

Though the President at the last Presidential Election won the mandate of the people to lead us during the next six years, he is certain to win the next term of six years as well as he is sure to produce a quantum of progress and prosperity equivalent to 24 years of service within the next 12 years, he said.