World Habitat Day falls today. First Monday of October has been declared as the World Habitat Day by the United Nations in response to a proposal made by former Sri Lankan prime Minister late R. Premadasa. Accordingly, the day is celebrated since 1986. This year's theme of the day is priority for houses. Minister Sajith Premadasa says many programmes will be implemented islandwide under this theme.

The National ceremony to mark the day will be held in Polonnaruwa under the patronage of President Maithripala Sirisena. Three development programmes implemented at a cost of 330 million rupees will be vested in the public by the President. Sugaladevi model village which has 24 houses will be declared open today. 500 kidney patients of the district will be provided with housing aid. 200 vocational trainees will be provided with vocational equipments and uniforms. Many other community services will also be launched today in line with the day.

Issuing a message, President Maithripala Sirisena says the government is committed to accelerate housing construction programmes during the coming decade in order to fulfill the housing need of all Sri Lankans. Accordingly, a wider programme has been arranged covering all urban and rural areas in the island. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe in his message says housing facilities are the basic need of the people and the government will face this challenge in sustainable manner.