Strengthening Indo–Sri Lanka ties through community development and housing.
Stage 2 of the Indian Housing Project Phase IV was launched on 12th October 2025 at an event held at the Bandarwela Municipal Council attended by President of Sri Lanka H.E. Anura Kumara Dissanayake; High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka H.E. Santosh Jha; Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure Hon. Samantha Viddyarathna; Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar; Deputy Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure Hon. Sundaralingam Pradeep; Deputy Minister of Tourism Hon. Ruwan Ranasinghe; Deputy Minister of Youth Affairs Hon. Dinindu Saman Kumara; Hon. Governors of Uva and Sabaragamuwa Provinces; Hon. Members of Parliament; Chief Secretaries and senior officials of Provinces with plantation areas; Mayors, Government Agents and officials of Districts in the plantation regions; among other dignitaries.
The Indian Housing Project (IHP) figures among the largest development initiatives undertaken by India overseas. It encompasses an overall commitment of Government of India to build 60,000 houses for Sri Lankan beneficiaries with grant assistance worth over INR 18 billion. A total of 46,000 houses were constructed and renovated in the Northern and Eastern provinces under the first two phases of the project. Phase III, encompassing 4,000 houses for the plantation regions, is almost complete.
Phase IV, announced by Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi during his visit to Sri Lanka in 2017, envisages construction of another 10,000 houses for the plantation community. Of these, 1,300 houses under Stage 1 are in various stages of completion.
Under Stage 2, launched on 12th October, Government of Sri Lanka plans to cover 4,700 beneficiaries. Out of these, around 2,000 beneficiaries were awarded house entitlement certificates during the ceremony. The responsibility of allotment of land plots, issuance of relevant clearances, provision of amenities and finalization and endorsement of beneficiaries under IHP vests in the Government of Sri Lanka.
Speaking at the event, H.E. President Dissanayake thanked the Prime Minister and the people of India for the continued support extended by the Government of India to improve the economic and social wellbeing of the Sri Lankan people through various development initiatives such as the IHP. In his remarks, H.E. High Commissioner Santosh Jha underscored that the 14,000 houses being constructed as part of Phases III & IV of IHP represent India’s firm commitment to working with the Government of Sri Lanka for uplifting and empowering the Indian Origin Tamil community in Sri Lanka. In this regard, he highlighted various initiatives in addition to the housing project to promote education, healthcare and socio-economic development in the plantation regions, including under the special package worth INR 750 million announced in July 2023 to mark 200 years of the arrival of the community in Sri Lanka.
