Sri Lanka (Commonwealth Union)_ According to the statement from Santosh Jha, the Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has pledged unwavering support for the Indian-origin Tamil community residing in Sri Lanka. This commitment was reiterated during an event commemorating the initiation of Phase 4 of the Indian Housing Project in Sri Lanka. At the launch, the High Commissioner disclosed the virtual commencement of construction for the initial phase consisting of 1,300 houses, which is part of a larger commitment of 10,000 houses earmarked for plantation workers in Sri Lanka. Stressing the project’s significance, he underscored India’s profound dedication, particularly under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, towards uplifting the Indian-origin Tamil community in Sri Lanka.
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The decision to embark on this housing initiative was declared during Prime Minister Modi’s historic visit to Hatton, marking the inaugural visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the region. These 10,000 houses, spread across 250 estates and six provinces, target uplifting the most marginalized segments of society. Additionally, the primary aim of this housing endeavor is also to provide plantation workers with their own residences, thereby empowering them and enhancing their overall well-being. This initiative also resonates with India’s people-centric approach and its policy of prioritizing relations with neighboring countries, which is exemplified in its dealings with Sri Lanka.
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President Wickremesinghe virtually inaugurated the fourth phase of the Indian Housing project, named ‘Bharat-Lanka,’ which intends to construct 10,000 houses with Indian grant assistance for workers in the plantation sector in Sri Lanka. Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha, alongside President Wickremesinghe, virtually opened the foundation stone plaque for the construction of 1,300 houses spanning 45 plantation estates across ten districts.
Expressing gratitude to India for its support, Wickremesinghe remarked, “The Indian government has generously provided support for this housing project. I express my sincere gratitude to the Government of India for this gesture.” He added, “The Tamil community of Indian origin, who have significantly contributed to the country’s economy, unfortunately, have suffered considerable losses due to the lack of land and housing ownership. While they have been deprived of their political rights, it is imperative that their economic and social rights are upheld.”
The announcement about the construction of 10,000 houses was made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his previous visit to the island nation in May 2017. Accordingly, the Indian High Commissioner reiterated India’s deep commitment to supporting the Indian-origin Tamil community in Sri Lanka, emphasizing the historic nature of Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Hatton and the overarching goal of uplifting the underprivileged segments of society through these housing initiatives. In closing, the High Commissioner extended gratitude to the Government of Sri Lanka, particularly President Ranil Wickremesinghe, for their support and guidance. He reaffirmed India’s commitment to fostering a deeper and more robust partnership based on shared security, prosperity, and improved connectivity between the two countries, as described in the vision document released during President Wickremesinghe’s visit to India in July 2023.