2026 State Housing Construction Report - President Anura Kumara

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated that 2026 will be the year when the highest number of houses are constructed under state patronage in Sri Lankan history. The President pointed out that including houses rebuilt due to recent disasters and those constructed under the government's normal development plans, it is expected to build between 50,000 and 55,000 new houses in that year.

The President expressed these views while participating in the inaugural event of PROJECT 5M, implemented concurrently with the ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ program, this morning (09). At this ceremony, held in Alubadda village, Malbeligala Grama Niladhari Division, Galnewa Divisional Secretariat, compensation was provided for houses completely damaged by Cyclone Ditwa, and the construction of new houses was officially commenced.

Under the first phase of this program, benefits are provided to disaster-affected families in the Galnewa, Palagala, Ipalogama, Palugaswewa, and Thirappane Divisional Secretariat Divisions of the Anuradhapura District. Here, under the patronage of the President, compensation was awarded and construction work for new houses commenced for 26 displaced families who received quality certificates confirming that houses could be rebuilt at the same location.

It is reported that about 6,000 houses have been completely destroyed due to the recent disaster, and about 17,000 to 18,000 houses in high-risk areas are unfit for re-habitation. In this situation, the President pointed out that 20,000 to 25,000 new houses need to be built for those completely damaged by the disaster. Additionally, the President mentioned that under the 2026 budget, plans are underway to construct another 31,000 houses under the normal procedure, including 10,000 houses through the National Housing Development Authority, 2,500 houses for war-displaced persons, and houses built for plantation communities under Indian aid.

The President recalled that the massive economic collapse the country faced three years ago was not a natural disaster but a result of long-standing erroneous economic policies. However, he stated that after the current government came to power, it succeeded in stabilizing the economy, showing positive growth in economic indicators with high state revenue and the lowest budget deficit since 1977 in 2025. Although World Bank reports indicate a loss of approximately USD 4.1 billion for infrastructure due to the recent disaster, the President emphasized that it is the government's responsibility not to abandon the affected people but to care for them.

The President revealed that a massive sum of 50,000 million Sri Lankan Rupees (500 billion LKR) has been allocated for rebuilding the country from this disaster situation in 2026 alone. He pointed out that such a large amount of compensation or relief has never been provided at any point in history, and stated that compensation would also be given for crop damages and loss of livelihoods. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake further emphasized that the government's primary objective is to fulfill the five basic needs of the people: high income, good education for children, a healthy life, a good home, and mental well-being.