The National Celebration of World Habitat Day was held under the leadership of Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena at the Auditorium on the 11th floor, Sethsiripaya (Stage 2), Battaramulla.
On the occasion of the World Habitat Day, the Prime Minister presented certificates, awards and monetary prizes to the students who won the art, essay and dance competitions organized by the Ministry of Urban Development and Housing to improve the artistic skills of the school children.
The Ministry of Urban Development and Housing is the Sri Lankan representative of the United Nations Human Settlements Program (UN-Habitat), which implements World Habitat Day worldwide.
According to the guidance of Minister of Urban Development and Housing Hon Prasanna Ranatunga, the Ministry of Urban Development and Housing has announced a settlement week. Various programs have been organized by the institutions under the Ministry of Urban Development and Housing throughout this week.
State Minister of Urban Development and Housing Hon. Tenuka Vidanagamage, Member of Parliament Yadamini Gunawardena, Program Management Officer of the United Nations Human Settlements Program Sri Lanka Office Salem Karimzada, Secretary of the Ministry of Urban Development and Housing Mr. W. S. Sathyananda and a group of heads of institutions including parents and children participated.
The Urban Settlement Development Authority (USDA),which was established in 2008 by Parliament Act No. 36 of 2008, is an institution functioning under the Ministry of Urban Development and Housing. The formulation of national policy in relation to urban settlement development and ensuring implementation of such policy, along with the provision of improvements to the living conditions of people in underserved settlements, are the interconnected twin objectives of the establishment of USDA.
