To mark World Habitat Day, the People’s Coalition for the Right to a Habitat in Gampaha District held a public conference. At this, the housing problems of the people living without a house in Negombo, Wattala, Katana areas and the people who have migrated from the Malaiyaha areas and are living in Gampaha areas were presented, including the daily problems faced by these people.
The Deputy Minister of Labour, Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe, participated as the chief guest of this conference, and more than 600 people from affected communities, religious leaders and representatives of civil society organizations participated.
The Land and Agriculture Reforms Movement (MONLAR), the People’s Movement for Land Rights (PAARL) provided financial and advisory support for this program, while the Shrabhimani Kendraya, the Janavabodaya Kendraya, the National Fisheries Solidarity Movement, the Praja Abilasha Network, the Sri Vimukthi Fisher Women’s Organization and the Voice of the Plantation People Organization(VOPP) acted as the operational organizations. At this meeting, women leaders and representatives of civil society organizations expressed their issues and opinions. The Deputy Minister, who spoke, promised to hold a round table discussion on the concerns of the people and prepare a future plan. During this conference, a petition was handed over to the Minister regarding the concerns of the homeless people and the action to be taken.
