Conference Proceedings : “JANASEVANA” National ... - UN HABITAT

Janasevena Programme Strategy: Mr. Anura Dasanayake, Director of the Lunawa Environment Improvement and
Community Development Project commented that it is necessary to consider several critical issues in the housing
sector with regard to land, finance, and regulatory frameworks within the context of the one million housing
programme. Therefore, it is imperative that the Ministry obtains support from other organisations. He also mentioned
that there is a need to develop a hand book on “Technical knowledge and institutional arrangements”. The Additional
Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Construction responding to Mr. Dasanayake said that many issues have been
solved through coordination committees under the Janasevana Programme which includes a Cabinet Sub Committee
appointed by the President.
The Women’s Cooperative Bank, queried whether the Janasevana programme could include Micro Finance Institutions
as they are already implementing a housing loan programme and hence could assist with the provision of housing
loans. The Janasevana programme had already included Community Development Societies. However the inclusion of
Micro Finance Institutions was unclear following the presentation at the Symposium. In response, Mr. Withana
expressed willingness to collaborate with the Women’s Cooperative Bank in implementing the Janasevana
programme.
On the question of coordination, it was mentioned that there is significant coordination taking place amongst agencies
and organisations at present, on the reconstruction of the Northern Province. The necessity for a flexible, efficient
coordination role in housing construction was emphasised.
The Chair recommended that housing and settlement policies should be integrated with other relevant National
Policies. The National Planning Department should consider all these factors including the issue of water quality in
proposed metro areas prior to developing settlements. Disaster resilience should be considered in land use planning.
It was recommended that the NHDA guidelines on disaster prevention should be widely shared at the Provincial level.
Day 2: 23 March 2011: National Housing Symposium
TECHNICAL SESSION 3: A HOME WITHIN REACH: AFFORDABILITY AND QUALITY OF HOUSING
In Sri Lanka, the housing sector contributes to the national economy in various forms. It contributes to the
construction industry at large and generates both skilled and unskilled employment. Housing credit is an important
factor for the growth of the housing sector and access to housing finance has always been limited to a traditional
approach. The domestic capital market has not been effectively explored to facilitate the housing sector, and in
particular the formal banking sector had been more conservative and inflexible. This symposium provided a platform
to discuss and share experiences and lessons learned in innovative financing products which could enhance the
financial inflow for the housing sector.
The session Chair Mr. Don Barnabas stated that the housing credit sector is a vital area for Sri Lanka. Currently the
country is at a critical stage in terms of growth, following the 30 year civil war, which came to an end in 2009. He
expressed his appreciation to the organisers of the symposium for providing a platform to discuss these important
national issues.
According to the 2001 survey, there are 4.7 Mn housing units in Sri Lanka. The Central Bank Annual Report of 2003
indicates a shortage of 400,000 housing units. This figure is expected to rise to 650,000 by 2010. The Indian Ocean
Tsunami of 2004 had destroyed 65,000 units while 44,000 units were partially damaged. There is also a major need for
housing in the North & East of Sri Lanka following the 30 year civil war between the Government of Sri Lanka and the
Conference Proceedings – National Housing Symposium 18