New Delhi, August 2, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
An India-funded housing initiative in Sri Lanka is emerging as a significant support programme for improving living conditions of underprivileged families while strengthening bilateral cooperation between the two countries, according to a report.
The report by ‘Ceylon News 24 News Web’ said the latest phase of the Indian Housing Project (IHP) represents another milestone in India’s development partnership with Sri Lanka, particularly as the island nation continues efforts to recover from recent economic challenges.
The foundation stone for 57 houses was recently laid at Kannavarella Estate in Badulla District under the fourth phase of the project, which is being implemented with grant assistance from the Government of India. The event was attended by Sri Lanka’s Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure K.V. Samantha Vidyaratne and Consul General of India in Hambantota Harvinder Singh.
The fourth phase aims to construct 10,000 houses across six provinces, with a focus on economically weaker families, especially those living in Sri Lanka’s plantation sector.
According to the report, the larger Indian Housing Project plans to build nearly 60,000 houses across Sri Lanka with an investment exceeding INR 18 billion. The first two phases resulted in the construction or renovation of 46,000 homes in the war-affected Northern and Eastern Provinces, while the third phase provided 4,000 houses for plantation workers.
The report highlighted that the initiative is not merely an infrastructure programme but also a step towards improving social security, restoring dignity and creating stability for vulnerable communities.
The project has particular importance for the Indian Origin Tamil community in Sri Lanka’s plantation regions, which has contributed significantly to the country’s economy for over two centuries but continues to face socio-economic challenges.
During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Sri Lanka in July 2023, India announced a multi-sectoral grant package of INR 750 million for the development of plantation areas as the Indian Origin Tamil community completed 200 years of its presence in the country.
The report said access to safe and quality housing would support livelihood recovery, strengthen communities and contribute to Sri Lanka’s broader economic revival.
The housing programme is aligned with India’s “Neighbourhood First” policy and reflects continued cooperation between the two countries through grant-based development projects.
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