The Ministry of Construction, Engineering services Housing and Common Amenities is to start construction of special housing schemes for indigenous people in one month’s time, the ministry said yesterday.

The Minister of Construction, Engineering services Housing and Common Amenities Wimal Weerawansa gave this assurance when he met the leaders of indigenous people including Uruwarige Wanniyala Attho in Mahiyangana over the weekend to discuss the issues with regard to their housing.
 
The housing schemes would be constructed in Dambana,Henanthigala, Dalukana, Rathugala, Wakare and Pollabeddha according to the Ministry.
 
He said Rs.80 million had been allocated for the purpose this year while more funds would be allocated for it in the next year.
 
He assured that houses would be built in a way which suits the culture of the Veddah community.
 
Uruwarige Wanniyala Attho who came out with the issues they face when gathering material to repair their houses, said this activity had become more and more difficult with the vast reduction of forest cover in the country. He explained that most of the housing materials they get are from forests.
 
He said his community is glad that some help had been assured from the government at last. (YP)