World Habitat Day 2014 - Inauguration Ceremony

Measures were taken to conduct children’s programmes of World Habitat Day 2014 on the theme of “Children of Colombo” and the inaugural ceremony was held in collaboration with the University of Visual and Performing Arts at the Ape Gama” (Folk Art Centre) on 22nd February 2014 with the participation of 2,500 children.

With the aim of improving artistic skills of children of underserved settlements in and around Colombo, they Were taught basic knowledge on aesthetic subjects such as singing, dancing and sculpting with the involvement of teachers of the University of Visual and Performing Arts.

Arts, Singing, Dancing training programme for children to mark World Habitat Day

Involving all children who were to take part in arts, singing and dancing competitions, training programmes were conducted in public places of urban settlements continuously from April with the participation of lecturers and academics of the Visual Arts Faculty of Aesthetics University

Rehearsing for cultural concert

Rehearsals of the cultural concert held at ‘Nelum Pokuna’ international theatre were conducted with the participation of over 500 children who were guided by the resource personnel from the University of Visual and Performing Arts. This presented an excellent opportunity for these children to showcase their inborn talents.

“Children of Colombo” –Children’s Cultural Show

On October 04, 2014, a children’s cultural show was held at Nelum Pokuna theatre with the participation of nearly 700 children from urban settlements. Many cultural items were on display at the rehearsals were carried out under the supervision of veterans of the field.

The script was written and directed by Mr.Amiththa Weerasinghe and music was composed by Mr. Navaratne Gamage. Make up was handled by Vasanta Vitatchchi and a group led by Mrs Swineetha Perera and Miss Ama Wijesekara were in charge of dress designing.

Commemorating World Habitat Day-2014

As per the provisions of the Urban Settlement Development Authority Act, the responsibilities with regard to the celebration of Word Habitat Day in Sri Lanka have been entrusted to our authority. The presentation of awards, certificates, and cash gifts for the winners of the art and drama competition and cricket tournament was conducted at Habitat Day national ceremony held at Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium under the patronage of His Excellency the President on 06th October 2014.

Drawing competition of children of urban settlements –First Round

An art competition with the objective of promoting creative and artistic skills of children of urban settlements was conducted from the first week of August 2914 and the event was organized with the involvement of community activists and community leaders. More than 13,000 of urban settlements in Colombo children were mobilized for the competition held under three age categories to mark World Habitat Day.

Drawing competition of children of urban settlements –Second Round

Five thousand best creations were selected from the first round and a live drawing competition was held on 20th September at Vihara Maha Devi Park. 50 academics from the University of Visual and Performing Arts joined hands with as a support group to conduct the event successfully.

“Swashakthi” –Children’s art exhibition

600 drawings of students excelled in the final round of the drawing competition were displayed in an art exhibition held at the Arts Gallery for three days from 01st to 03rd October 2014. The presentation of awards, certificates, and cash gifts for the winners of the art competition took place at the World Habitat Day national ceremony held at Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium, Colombo on 06th October 2014 under the distinguished patronage of His Excellency the President.

Short Drama competition for developing skills of children of urban settlements

Our Authority also organized a children’s drama festival as part of the events organized for World Habitat Day-2014 to promote artistic skills of the children of urban underserved settlements. For all groups who participated in the drama competition, required training and guidance were offered by lecturers and academics of the University of Visual and Performing Arts. 63 groups staged dramas at the first round covering settlements in Colombo metropolitan area.  27 dramas (400 children) were selected for the second round by an expert panel of judges and a special drama workshop was organized to help improve the quality of these dramas.

A drama festival was organized to stage dramas selected for the second round was held at New Town Hall, Green Path, Colombo on 28th and 29th September 2014.  Best dramas and best performers were selected and the awards and certificates were presented to the winners at the World Habitat Day national ceremony held at Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium, Colombo on 06th October 2014 held under the distinguished patronage of His Excellency the President.

Sports skills development 2014 –Six-a-side cricket tournament (Men/ Women)

With the aim of improving sports skills of young men and women of underserved urban settlements, the Urban Settlement Development Authority organized an open six-a-side men and women’s cricket tournament (Men/ Women) to coincide with World Habitat Day-2014. 150 teams representing settlements in Colombo Urban Zone competed in the first round of matches and the number of players participated in this round exceeded 1,200. The matches were played at Shalika Grounds, Bandaranaikepura Grounds, Sri Wickremapura Grounds and Railway Grounds-Baseline Road.

2014 Sports skills promotion - Six-a-side cricket tournament (Men/ Women) Final Round

20 teams (men/women) qualified for the second round and the matchers of this round were played at , Bandaranaikepura Grounds, Rajagiriya and the presentation of certificates and awards to winners took place at the World Habitat Day national ceremony held at Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium, Colombo on 06th October 2014 held under the distinguished patronage of His Excellency the President.

Pre-awareness on street food festival

400 persons engaged in the preparation and sale of street foods were mobilized under the banner of “Association of Street Food Producers and Vendors of Colombo” under the leadership of 26 community activists covering the zones of Colombo North, Colombo Central, Colombo East/West and Borella and a preliminary discussion was held at the Magazine community hall, Borella on 31.10.2014 on devising a street food production and sales promotion programme with the participation of officials of the USDA, community leaders and activists and similar programmes were conducted in 04 zones.

The street food festival for promoting small scale street food producing self employed persons in urban settlements was held at Green Path, Colombo on October 1st, 2nd and 3rd.

Distribution of gas cylinders and gas burners

Distribution of gas cylinders and gas burners among 185 self employed persons engaged in sale of food items took place at Vihara Maha Devi Open Air Theatre on 01st October 2014 with the objective of encouraging and incentivizing these small sale food vendors.

World Habitat Day Celebration – 2015

Theme of 2015 – ‘Public Space for All’

The United Nations has designated the first Monday of October of every year as World Habitat Day. Accordingly, Habitat Day will be celebrated this year on Monday, 05 October. World Habitat Day was established in 1985 at the annual session of UN Habitat held in Kingston, Jamaica upon the adoption of a resolution moved by Sri Lanka and was first celebrated in 1986. This year marks the 30th anniversary of this important day.

The responsibility for celebrating World Habitat Day as well as National Housing Day declared to be held on June 23 from this year has been entrusted to the Ministry of Housing and Samurdhi and the Urban Settlement Development Authority which is a major institution under this Ministry organized. as in previous years, a host of special programmes parallel to ‘Swashakthi’ Human Development Programme. Most prominent among them were the drama competitions, cricket tournament, essay competitions and art competitions for both children and youths.

Short drama festival of children     

‘Swashakthi’ Children’s art competition -2015

A painting competition with the objective of promoting creative and artistic skills of children of urban settlements was conducted on the theme of World Habitat Day 2015 with the intervention of the Social Mobilization Division. This year’s art competition was conducted in three stages for the age groups of 15-18 years, 10-14 years and 6-9 years under different topics. In the first stage, 9000 children’s paintings were submitted for the competition. Of them, the panel of judges selected 600 paintings for the art exhibition with 200 categorized as exceptionally good and another 400 as good.

Art exhibition of Children’s painting competition 

The art exhibition of the art competition organized as part of World Habitat Day celebration was held at Pradeepa Hall, Maligawatta with the participation of Minister of Housing Construction Hon. Sajith Premadasa and other distinguished invitees.

Programmes for promoting painting skills

Parallel to World Habitat Day programmes of 2016, the first stage of “Swashakthi” children’s painting programme was conducted under 03 age categories with the participation of nearly 15,000 children of the Colombo urban zone and in the districts where which human development programmes are implemented with the objective of promoting creative and artistic skills of children of urban settlements.

Final stage of “Swashakthi Children’s Painting Competition

After evaluating the drawings of children who took part in the first phase by an expert panel of judges, 3,000 paintings were selected from the three age categories of 6-9, 10-14 and 15-18. The children so selected participated in the final competition held at Vihara Maha Devi Park, Colombo on 29.04.2016.The final stage was held with pomp and pageantry and the occasion was graced by the former first lady Madam Hema Premadasa. A salient feature was the participation of a large number of children not only from the Colombo urban zone but from other districts in which human development programmes are conducted.

Winners of Children’s Painting Competition

Age category 6-9

Age category 10-14

Age category 15-18

“Swashakthi” short drama festival

Though there are children with innate talents in acting in underserved urban settlements, the only avenue available for them to display such talents is the “Swashakthi” children’s drama competition. As in previous Habitat Day progrmmes, a short drama competition was conducted covering Colombo urban zones with the participation of 53 teams in the first round.

In the first round competition, rehearsals were conducted at the settlement level with the assistance of undergraduates of the University of the Visual and Performing Arts. The competition led to strong bonds being formed among children of different settlements.

The preliminary round competitions of the “Swashakthi” short drama festival conducted parallel to World Habitat Day 2016 were held at Pradeepa Hall, Maligawatta.

The second round too was held at Pradeepa Hall with the participation of 20 teams.

“Swashakthi” essay competition

Marking World Habitat Day 2016, an essay competition was organized involving children in urban settlements with the objective of enhancing their knowledge and understanding. 617 children took part in the competition and the medals, certificates and cash awards for winners of three categories were presented by His Excellency the President  at the national ceremony held to mark World Habitat Day.

Primary category (up to Grade 5)

Junior Category (up to Grade 6 to 9)

Senior Category (up to Grade 13)

World Habitat Day 2016 Celebration

By virtue of powers vested in the Authority in terms of the provisions of the USDA Act, it has to play a pivotal role in the commemoration of World Habitat Day in Sri Lanka. The national ceremony of World Habitat Day-2016 was held under the patronage of His Excellency the President on the theme of “Housing at the Centre” on 03.10.2016 at “Sugaladevi” model village, Nuwaragala, Polonnaruwa. The winners of the drama, essay and arts competitions and the cricket tournament received certificate and cash awards from His Excellency the President.

“Swashakthi Children’s Art Competition

Under the guidance of the Social Mobilization Unit of the USDA, a slew of  children’s programmes were organized ‘Swashakthi” human development  programme, setting the stage for children of underserved urban settlements to showcase their aesthetic skills. Opening new vistas for children of underserved settlements, the arts festival of children was organized for the seventh consecutive year parallel to coincide with World Habitat Day highlighting the this year’s theme “Affordable Housing for All”.  

The competition was held under three age categories of 6-9, 10-14 and 15-18. At the first stage, approximately 15,000 drawings  were submitted by children took part in the first phase and after evaluating the drawings by an expert panel of judges of the University of Performing Arts and the Jayawardanapura-Kotte zonal education office, 3,000 paintings were selected for the second round. The final competition held at Vihara Maha Devi Park, Colombo on 23.09.2017.

Age category 6-9

Age category 10-14

Age category 15-18

Children’s art competition- At Ruhuna University on 30.09.2017

Children’s art competition conducted with the participation of schoolchildren of Matara district

Children’s art exhibition – Matara Old Dutch Trade Centre

Swashakthi Short Drama Festival

This short drama festival of children which has been held since year 2010 has set the stage for a large number of children to display their innate artistic talents. In underserved urban settlements, we have come across children of school going age not fortunate enough to receive school    education and children with hidden talents who have not had the opportunity to    showcase their talents. “Swashakthi” children’s short drama festival stands testimony to the undoubted talents of these budding artistes from underserved settlements. The drama festival was held under two rounds and the dramas selected by an expert panel of experts are referred to the second round.

Finals of the short drama festival

Date – 12.09.2017

Venue – Pradeepa Hall, Maligawatta

First Place

Dedimuththuduwa settlement

“Kete Holowapan” children’s short drama

Second Place

Nelson Lane Settlement

“Ape Dekma” children’s short drama

Third Place

102Panchikawatta Settlement

“Marketing” children’s short drama

World Habitat Day National Ceremony

The distribution of awards and certificates of competitions held parallel to World Habitat Day was held with pomp and pageantry on 02.10.2017 at Sanath Jayasuriya Stadium, Matara.

 Conducting the first stage of the children’s drawing competition held to mark World Habitat Day 2018

Preliminary round of the drawing competitions were conducted at the settlement level mobilizing children in settlements within the Colombo urban zone and outside of it wherein human development programme is in operation in order to bring out and hone the skills of hidden creative skills of children. The number of children who participated in the first round of the competition was 11,450.

Three thousand children selected from the preliminary stage were selected for the final round of the competition held on 22.09.2018 at Vihara Maha Devi Park. The winning drawings were selected by an expert panel. 

Kurunegala- Nikaweratiya children’s drawing competition

In pursuance of a proposal made at a meeting held at the Kurunegala District Secretariat with the participation of the Deputy Minister of Housing and Construction, Indika Bandaranayake and the Secretary to the Ministry, a children’s drawing competition was held on 22.09.2018 at Nika/Wari/ Gnanodaya Central College with the participation of around 500 children from Nikaweratiya Education Zone.

Children’s short drama festival to commemorate World Habitat Day 2018

With a view to improving quality and creativity of the ‘short dramas presented by children of settlements at the ‘Swashakthi’ children’s short drama festival concurrent to World Habitat Day Commemoration 2018, training workshops were conducted in settlements with the involvement of students of the University of Performing Arts.

The first round of the drama competition   conducted to mark World Habitat Day 2018 was staged at Pradeepa Hall, Maligawatta on 23,24.08.2019with 48 dramas vying for  honours. The competition showcased undoubted talent of boys and girls from urban settlements. The second round of the competition for which 20 dramas were  selected was held at Pradeepa Hall, Maligawatta on 08.09.2018 under the patronage of Mrs. Sajith Premadasa and other distinguished invitees.

First Place

“Surapuraya”

Second Place                      

“Piya Senehasa”

Third Place                          

“Dilindukama Pitudakimu”

Gifts, shields and certificates awarded to winners of competitions held to mark World Habitat Day 2018

Awarding gifts, certificates and cups for the first place winners of drawing and short children’s drama competitions of children conducted parallel to World Habitat Day 2018 took place at the national ceremony to mark World Habitat Day 2018 held on Monday the 01st of October 2018 under the auspices of the Minister of Housing and Construction Hon. Sajith Premadasa and other distinguished participants. At a parallel ceremony held in Kotavehera in the Kurunegala District, “Jagath Nivahangama” mode village was vested in the people.

Gifts, shields and certificates awarded to winners of competitions held to mark World Habitat Day-2018

The awarding of gifts, shields and certificates for the second and third place winners of  children’s painting, short drama, essay and six-a-side cricket tournament held parallel to World Habitat Day 2017 was held ceremoniously at Pradeepa Hall, Maligawatta on 17.03.2018  under the patronage of Mrs. Jalani Premadasa, the wife of the Minister of Housing and Construction, Hon. Sajith Premadasa and with the participation of the members of the Board of Directors of the  USDA and distinguished invitees. 

World Habitat Day-2019

“Swashakthi” Children’s Drawing Competition

Swashakthi children’s drawing competition based on World Habitat Day theme, ‘Frontier Technologies as an Innovative Tool to Transform Waste to Wealth’ was held at Pradeepa Hall, Maligawatta and the winners were awarded certificates that day itself.

A salient feature was the participation of a large number of children not only from the Colombo urban zone but from other districts in which human development programmes are conducted. The number of  children participated in the drawing competition held under three age categories was 810.

Conducting the drawing competition at Pradeepa Hall, Maligawatta on 22.09.2019

 Conducting Children’s Essay Competition

Every year an essay competition is conducted to mark World Habitat Day with the objective of promoting creativity, knowledge and skills of children studying in underserved schools located in the Colombo urban zone and for this year’s competition 500 essays were presented under three age categories.

Tree planting campaign and handing over of garbage bins

 A tree planting campaign and distribution of garbage bins were conducted on 06.07.2019 parallel to World Habitat Day at Ayurupura Housing Project, Angulana with the objective of bringing about attitudinal change in the community for the creation of a cleaner green city.

Swashakthi Human Development Special Programme

For the community victimized by terrorist attacks on 21.04.2019, a special relief programme was launched by our Authority in collaboration with ‘Sethsarana’ organization to provide benefits to the affected community. The beneficiaries were chosen on the basis of findings of a joint survey conducted by USDA and Sethsarana and the summary of programmes conducted is tabulated below.

Details of benefits granted to beneficiaries of programmes implemented for the community victimized due to terrorist attacks carried out on 21.04.2019

Benefits have not been granted to the people affected by the attack on Zion church

Donations for people affected by terrorist attack on Katuwapitiya church

Donations for people affected by terrorist attack on Kochchikade church

World Habitat Day-2020

Accordingly, the responsibility of celebrating World Habitat Day in Sri Lanka is entrusted to the line Ministry and the USDA Authority plays a key role  in commemorating this day. The theme of World Habitat Day 2020 was:

“Housing for All - A Better Urban Future”

The United Nations has designated the first Monday of October every year as World Habitat Day and programmes are implemented on a theme based on basic challenges faced by people of all countries including Sri Lanka in the housing sector. The day is used to remind the world that everyone has the power and responsibility to shape the future of towns and cities.

As Covid-19 was reaching pandemic proportions, the official national ceremony to mark Habitat Day could not be held in 2020. However, thanks to the unwavering commitment of the staff the USDA , a range of programmes was implemented  in compliance with health guidelines to mark World Habitat Day.

Without confining the habitat day programme just to a commemoration ceremony, the Authority implemented a series of programmes under the theme of “Housing for All- A Better Urban Future” to bring the settlement development programme of Sri Lanka closer to the public and involve them in the programme in a more productive manner.

The total number of targeted programmes by the USDA to mark World Habitat Day was 11 and they were carried out at a cost of Rs. 4.43 million.

Home Gardening Promotion Programme conducted concurrent to World Habitat Day

Programme locations:-

Thuruithurugama housing project – Anuradhapura, Ralajayapura housing project, Rajgama, Galle

Programme for felicitating community leaders representing urban settlements

Children’s Art Competition

Children’s art competition was held under 03 age groups

• 6-9 age group
• 10-14 age group
• 15-18 age group

The children’s art competition was held in 02 stages covering all 25 districts, and 8000 children’s drawings were received from all districts for the first stage.

Out of these 8000 drawings, 500 pupils were selected for the second stage under 03 age groups. The selected 500 children were called to “Apegama” Folk Art Centre, Pelawatta for the final round of the art competition subsequent to which the winners were selected .

• 09 children for first, second and third places from the 03 age groups
• 21 children with 07 children per group for special merits from the 03 age groups
• Merit awards for 970 children representing all 25 districts

M.B. Sethuni Ransiluni

First Place - 6-9 Age group

No. 180/159, Second Cross Street, Thalgasgoda, Ambalangoda

K.P. Chanduli Nikeshala

First Place 10-14 age group

Gangana, Nandagodawatta, Bandaththara, Thihagoda

W.M. Gamitha Dinujaya Weerasinghe

First Place 15-18 age group                  Katugampala, Wesawgama, Thihagoda

Marketing Promotion Programme of street food, handicraft/apparels and other finished products

100 entrepreneurs representing 22 districts participated in the programme under the two categories as food and products.  (There were no participants from the Trincomalee, Mannar and Nuwaraeliya districts) each of the 100 participants was allocated a stall at the marketing and trade fair held at the Sethsiripaya premises.

All participants were presented cash awards and certificates.

Selection of winners

• First, second and third places from the food category
• First, second and third places from the production category

World Habitat Day Commemoration Ceremony

The awards ceremony for the winners of the “Swashakthi” Children’s Art Competition and the “Swashakthi” Entrepreneurs Marketing Promotion Programme conducted under the theme of World Habitat Day 2020 “Housing for All- A Better Urban Future” was held at the ‘Sethsiripaya-Stage II’ premises on 29 September 2020  under the patronage of the State Minister of Urban Development, Coast Conservation’ Waste Disposal and Community Cleanliness Hon. Dr. Nalaka Godahewa.

The occasion was graced by the then Chairman of the USDA, Engineer Raja Edirisuriya and Director General of the USDA Retired Major General Udaya Nanayakkara and other senior officers of the Authority.

Conducting programmes parallel to World Habitat Day 2021

World Habitat Day is marked on the first Monday of October each year and is recognized by the United Nations to reflect on the state of human settlements, and on the basic right of all to adequate shelter. This year’s World Habitat Day was celebrated on Monday the 04th October 2021. USDA embarked on activities centered on urban underserved communities in 25 districts of the island on the theme of this year’s World Habitat Day ‘Accelerating urban action for a carbon-free world.’ Three major events had been organized to mark 2021 World Habitat Day.

1. Children’s arts competition. (Three age groups 6-9 years, 10-14 years and 15-18 years)
2. Open quiz competition
3. Trade exhibition for micro/small/medium scale entrepreneurs

Outstanding results

• More than 3,000 drawings were received for the arts competition.
• 9 winners were selected from each category for further encouraging artistic skills.
• 74 micro/small scale entrepreneurs participated in the food and trade exhibition.
• 6 micro/small/medium scale entrepreneurs of food and trade categories were selected as wills and cash gifts were awarded.

World Habitat Day Programme 2022

World Habitat Day is marked on the first Monday of October each year and attention is focused on the state of human settlements, and on the basic right of all to adequate shelter. This year’s World Habitat Day was celebrated on Monday the 03rd October 2022. USDA embarked on activities centered on urban underserved communities in 25 districts of the island on the theme of this year’s World Habitat Day ‘Mind the gap. Leave no one and no place behind’ .

Four major events had been organized to mark 2021 World Habitat Day.

1. Children’s arts competition. (Three age groups 6-9 years, 10-14 years and 15-18 years)
2. Trade exhibition for micro/small/medium scale entrepreneurs
3. Short film competition
4. Urban home-gardening competition

Opportunity was accorded to children of Galwatta settlement, Mahara in the Gampaha district to showcase their hidden dancing skills at the World Habitat Day celebration

Results achieved by implementing World Habitat Day-2022 Programme

• 1200 drawings were received for the children’s arts competition of 2022 
• 9 winners and 21 with special merits were selected from each category for further encouraging artistic skills.
• 52 micro/small scale entrepreneurs participated in the food and trade exhibition
• 6 micro/small/medium scale entrepreneurs of food and trade categories were selected as winners and cash gifts were awarded.
• Gifts were awarded to 03 winners of the short film competition.
• Gifts were awarded to 03 winners of the home-gardening competition.

World Habitat Day 2023

A house of his own is the dream of the entire human kind. The 37th commemoration of World Habitat Day which was first celebrated in the year 1986 with the theme "Shelter is my right",  reflecting on the basic right of all to adequate shelter was marked on 02nd October 2023 under the theme "Resilient urban economies".  World Habitat Day celebrations which commenced centering on the concept of "Housing" has laid more emphasis in recent times on finding solutions to problems that have emerged with urban sprawl.  Accordingly, an arts, dancing and short film competition was held with the aim of developing creative skills of children of underserved settlements.   

The art competition that is held every year based on the theme of World Habitat Day was conducted on the year 2023 as well and accordingly, this competition was held with the participation of children of 22 settlements in which the social development programme was being implemented in the year 2023 under the following age categories.

• 6-9 years age group
• 10-14 years age group
• 15-18 years age group

In the first phase, children were drawings were on "Minimizing the effect of climate change". Out of them, 500 drawings were selected for the second stage and an exhibition of these drawings were held at Senerath Paranawithana National School, Udugampola as "Siyane Ru" children's drawing competition.  The drawings were on the theme "Our Environment" for 6-9 years age group and the theme for 10-14 years and 15-18 years age categories was "lets' face urbanization protecting the natural environment". It was heartening to note the enthusiastic participation of children in the drawing competition.

A creative short video film competition of 5-minute duration on the theme "Minimizing the effect of climate changes" using mobile phones was held to bring the artistic creative skills of children to the fore with the participation of children of active children's societies.

Short films from settlements wherein human development programme were being implemented in the districts of Colombo, Gampaha, Matale, Hambantota, Matara, Ratnapura, Nuwaraeliya and Anuradhapura were presented for this competition.  Three short films were selected as the best films by a panel of judges with expertise on children's short films and the winners were awarded certificates, trophies and gifts.

A children's dancing competition was also held concurrent to the commemoration of World Habitat Day. Each dancing troupe comprised 5-10 children and they were given the opportunity of presenting new creations. The children who participated in the dancing competition did rehearsals in their settlements with great enthusiasm and were very creative in their presentation. The three teams that won the first, second and third places were awarded certificates and trophies at the Habitat Day commemorative ceremony.

Annual Progress

Nearly 3000 children's drawings were presented at the settlement level for the first round of the competition. A qualified panel of judges selected 500 drawings under three age categories for the second round.

• In the second stage, 9 paintings of excellence, 21 special merit drawings, 30 merit drawings were selected under the three age categories.
• 18 short films entered the fray for short film competition and the number of children acted in them were 150.
• 20 teams participated in the children's dancing competition and the teams included a total of 120 children.

Children's drawing competition

Children's dancing competition

Short film festival

World Habitat Day National Ceremony 2023

The World Habitat Day National Celebration was held on 02 October 2023 under the patronage of the Honorable Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, with the participation of the Minister of State for Urban Development and Housing, the Honorable Thenuka Widanagamage, and the Sri Lankan Head of the United Nations Human Settlements Program, Mr. Lakshman Perera, and ministry officials. Certificates, trophies and prize money were given to the winners of the children's painting competition and the children's dance competition.

World Habitat Day 2024

World Habitat Day has been celebrated internationally on the first Monday of October each year since 1986, following a proposal made during a session of the United Nations Commission on Human Settlements held in Kingston, Jamaica in 1985; accordingly, this year marks the 38th celebration of World Habitat Day under the theme " Engaging youth to create a better urban future”

Since 2010, the World Habitat Day program has been continuously implemented, initially in the Colombo Metropolitan Area, and subsequently expanded throughout the island, covering 11 districts, engaging underprivileged communities.

Accordingly, a series of programs were conducted, including a children's art competition, children's dance competition, children's short film competition, an entrepreneurship and trade promotion program, a financial management training workshop for small group members, a six-a-side soft ball cricket tournament, provision of school supplies for children without parental care, the establishment of a children's library, and an awareness campaign on the use of public property.

The annual children's painting competition, themed after World Habitat Day, was also held in 2024. Accordingly, under

• 6-9 age group
• 10-14 age group
• 15-18 age group

The above competitions were held with the participation of children in the settlements where the 2024 Social Development Program is implemented.  Suitable for ages 6-9 ,Out of the 3500 drawings submitted by children in the first phase, 500 creative drawings were selected for the second phase, and the second phase drawing competition was held at the Senarath Paranavithana National School, Udugampola, Gampaha with the participation of those 500 children. During the event, children in the 6–9 age group created paintings under the themes “The future of a beautiful city, a city where convenience and beauty come together, a beautiful city full of trees,” while those in the 10–14 and 15–18 age groups created artworks on themes such as “Youth Vision for Urban Upliftment,” “Let’s Build Cities in Harmony with Nature,” and “Let’s Integrate the City and the Environment.” It was special to see the children participating in this project with great enthusiasm and dedication and creating paintings.

Also, utilizing the creative talents of children, a 5-minute creative short film competition using mobile phones was launched under the theme. "A vibrant city", and (Maximum 11 children per group) 10 groups with about 100 children participated in it. It was especially carried out through the participation of members of active children's clubs.

Under this social development program, short films were submitted from settlements in the districts of Colombo, Gampaha, Matale, and Nuwara Eliya. A panel of judges with specialized expertise in children’s short films selected the top 03 creations as winning entries. The winners were presented with prizes, certificates, and trophies.

Programs aimed at identifying small and micro-entrepreneurs, introducing new products, providing them with financial loan facilities, and creating market opportunities are implemented under the Self-Employment Program to economically empower communities living in urban settlements with limited amenities. The aim of this program is to introduce market opportunities for various products of entrepreneurs in conjunction with World Habitat Day, aiming for a productive economy.

A total of 45 entrepreneurs participated in this program across both the food and manufacturing sectors, with a particular focus on those engaged in entrepreneurial development programs who have recently started new products, prioritizing the strengthening and further development of their existing businesses.

A motivational program for small group officers was held at the Ministry of Environment Auditorium in conjunction with World Habitat Day. 52 officers from 15 small groups participated in the program, and this workshop was conducted to develop the practical knowledge, skills and attitudes of officers in small groups on financial discipline, account maintenance, community participation and team work. Small groups of officers from settlements in the districts of Monaragala, Anuradhapura, Galle, Colombo, Gampaha, Ratnapura, and Nuwara Eliya participated in this.

To commemorate World Population Day, a six-member soft ball cricket tournament was organized for youth residing in urban underserved communities, aiming to develop their sports skills; this program primarily sought to foster teamwork, leadership, and positive attitudes among young men and women, thereby actively engaging them in the human development process.

The aim of this program is also to reduce the anti-social activities that are growing among urban youth and to make them essential individuals for society. The first round matches in the Colombo district were held at the Shalika Stadium in Colombo and the first round matches in the Gampaha district were held at the Senarath Paranavithana National School in Gampaha. The second round of competitions in Colombo and Gampaha districts were held at Senarath Paranavithana National School, Gampaha and the winners were selected. This six-a-side cricket tournament was contested under two categories: men's and women's. Five women's cricket teams representing both Colombo and Gampaha districts, 11 men's cricket teams from the Colombo urban region, and 11 men's teams from the Gampaha district competed.

As part of the social development program implemented in urban settlements and apartment complexes, 30 children from identified low-income families who have lost one or both parents were provided with 30 school bags containing essential school supplies to support their continuous education and contribute to their future well-being.

Awareness programs were conducted in six apartment complexes, including five in the Colombo urban area and the Angulana Sayurapura apartment complex, to equip residents with the necessary knowledge for safeguarding common property, fostering positive attitudes, and promoting harmonious living within their apartment environments. This program raises public awareness about the rules and regulations to be followed when living in apartment complexes, with the support and expertise of officials from the Deputy Management Authority and community police officers assigned to the apartments; a total of 320 residents from six apartment complexes participated, and a handbook titled “Guidelines for the Use of Common Property” was distributed to assist the community involved in this awareness initiative.

In conjunction with World Habitat Day, arrangements were made to establish a children's library, which was established under the name "Muwadaora Uyana Akura", centering on the Children's Society of the Mattakkuliya - Muwadora Uyana Apartment Complex. For this initiative, the participation of Professor Sunethra from the Department of Social Studies at the University of Colombo was secured, along with the involvement of the local temple chief monk, the Grama Niladhari officer, senior police officers, the Director (Housing) of the Urban Development Authority, and officials from our organization. Additionally, 94 children from the Children’s Committee took part, with support also provided by the Community Committee.

Children's Painting Competition

Judging of the short film competition

Small group workshop

Six-a-side softball cricket match

Awareness about the use of public property

Opening of the “Akura” Children’s Library at Muwadora Uyana

World Habitat National Celebration - 2024

Marking the 38th anniversary of World Population Day, proclaimed in 1985, the Ministry of Rural, Urban Development, Housing and Construction, under Secretary A.M.P.M.B. Athapattu, in collaboration with Ms. Harshani Halangoda, Sri Lanka Program Manager of the United Nations Population Fund, and other ministry officials, organized the arrangements for the celebration of the National Celebration of World Population Day.

Among the programs held in conjunction with the World Habitat Day celebration were an island-wide children's painting competition, a children's dance competition, a children's short film competition, and an entrepreneurship promotion sales competition, and the presentation of cash prizes, certificates and trophies to the winners and beneficiaries of these competitions was held at the auditorium on the 11th floor of Sethsiripaya Phase 2 on Monday, 07th October 2024, under the patronage of the Secretary to the Ministry.