The two projects consisting of 50,000 and 5,000 houses will be carried out under the National Housing Development Authority.
The two projects will be completed parallel to the 100 days program of the government, the Chairman of the National Housing Development Authority L. S. Palansuriya said.
The 50,000 housing project will cover 160 electorates and 300 beneficiaries from each electorate will be selected to receive houses, the process of which has been completed by identifying the beneficiaries.
A separate committee will be appointed under District Secretaries and Divisional Secretaries to select lands required for construction of houses.
Minister of Housing and Samurdhi Sajith Premadasa said Rs. 5 billion will be deposited in a fund for the project. The required funds for this project will be obtained from philanthropists and several have already come forward to contribute. The Minister on the first day of assuming duties has contributed Rs. 10 million for the fund.
Mr. Palansuriya said that on the forthcoming Independence Day holiday on February 4th, all officials of the Housing and Samurdhi Ministry together with the participation of Minister Sajith Premadasa will contribute for the project with their labor.
Under the 5000 Houses Project, The ministry will provide each family with financial assistance of Rs. 100,000 as a low interest loan to repair their houses.
Minister Premadasa also said the one million Housing Programme started by the late President Ranasinghe Premadasa will be continued.