The India-backed Model Village Housing Project has moved closer to its goal with the opening of two new model villages in Kegalle and Kalutara. The latest phase has provided new homes for 48 low-income families.
High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka Santosh Jha and Minister of Housing, Construction and Water Supply Susil Ranasinghe jointly opened Nanda Gama in Kegalle and Jana Aruna Gama in Kalutara on Wednesday.
Minister of Environment Dr. Dammika Patabendi attended the ceremony in Kegalle. Minister of Health and Mass Media Nalinda Jayatissa joined the event in Kalutara.
Housing programme enters its final phase
India and Sri Lanka launched the Model Village Housing Project after signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in October 2017.
The programme aims to provide homes for 600 low-income families across all 25 districts. Each model village includes 24 housing units. District Housing Committees selected the beneficiary families.
Officials say the project has reached about 98.5% completion. They expect to open the remaining five model villages soon.
More than a housing project
The programme does more than build houses. It helps improve living conditions for low-income families while supporting planned community development.
The project also reflects the ongoing development partnership between India and Sri Lanka.
So far, the programme has delivered model villages in 18 districts, including Batticaloa, Vavuniya, Jaffna, Kandy, Gampaha, Anuradhapura, Badulla, Matale, Puttalam, Colombo, Trincomalee, Monaragala, Kilinochchi, Mannar, Mullaitivu, Ratnapura, Ampara and Kurunegala.
With only five villages left, the project is close to achieving its goal of providing 600 homes across the country.
Last modified: July 30, 2026
