69th model village of the Uda Gammana program declared open

COLOMBO (News 1^st) - The Surabinagar model village constructed under the Uda Gammana program in Iththavil, Pachchilaipalli in the Kilinochchi District, was declared open yesterday (May 21) by the Deputy Leader of the UNP and Minister of Housing and Construction, Sajith Premadasa. This is the 69^th model village to be declared open under the Semata Sevana Yali Pibidena Uda Gammana program. The village of Surabinagar comprises of 25 homes built at a cost of Rs 39.3 million. Deeds were presented to the new homeowners today while concessionary housing loans were also gifted to 400 low-income families. The Minister also presented equipment to the self-employed and spectacles for 35 visually impaired persons at this event. Speaking at the event Minister Satjith Premadasa stated that it is his hope to initiate 2500 villages across the country by the 31^st of December 2019 even amidst the criticism of opponents. He added that if the required strength is there with the will and commitment, then commencing 2500 Uda Gammana villages by the 31^st of December next year is not a big task. Furthermore, he said protecting human rights and the violation of human rights are phrases that can be constantly heard in the political dictionary today and the violation of human rights and defending human rights have become a political campaign slogan for many people. He states that he came to Kilinochchi in order to restore a human right that the people have been hitherto deprived of.