Housing Scheme for Estate Workers: 10 Perch Plots from Companies, Houses at Rs. 5 Million

08-Apr-2026

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A housing scheme has been approved for estate worker families whose homes were completely or partially damaged by the Cyclone Ditwah and who are living in landslide-prone areas. Under this initiative, estate companies will provide 10 perch plots in the estate sector, on which houses will be constructed at a cost of Rs. 5 million, Cabinet Spokesperson and Minister Vijitha Herath informed.

However, Minister Herath emphasized that beneficiaries who receive these estate plots must continue to work in the estates, a condition stipulated by the companies.

He made these remarks during a press conference at the Government Information Department in Colombo on April 7, announcing the Cabinet decisions. He further explained that although arrangements have been made to rebuild and repair houses for families affected by the cyclone Ditwah, the special provisions for compensating estate residents for cyclone-related damages were not included in the issued circular.

Accordingly, for estate workers’ homes that were completely destroyed by floods, landslides, or other natural disasters, or partially damaged rendering them unusable, and where landslide risk is confirmed, the government will provide Rs. 5 million in stages to construct a 650-square-foot house following the safety guidelines and housing blueprint issued by the Ministry of Defence.

The scheme plans to allocate safe 10 perch plots within the estate for these workers. If the estate company determines that the worker’s continued service is not required, the worker may use the plot or the Rs. 5 million provided to construct the house.

The proposal to implement the scheme has been jointly submitted by President Anuragumar Dissanayake and the Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure, Samanda Vithyarathna, and has been approved by the Cabinet. Alternative arrangements exist for Tamil hill-country residents affected by the cyclone Ditwah who do not wish to continue working in estates—they can receive plots outside the estates or construct houses on government land using the Rs. 5 million assistance.

The scheme will be fully government-led. Once the house is allotted, beneficiaries must continue working in the estate to avoid administrative gaps. Full ownership of the house will be granted to beneficiaries if the company provides the plot. Only those estate residents whose locations were declared unsafe by the National Building Research Organization after the Cyclone Ditwah will be included.