Kalutara Housing Project - Foundation Stone Laying Ceremony

Rtn. Nilesh de Silva (2nd From Left), President Shantha Warnakulasooriya (Far Right), Rtn. Altaf Ismail (2nd from Right) & Rtn. Harsha de Silva - Project Chairperson for the Kalutara Housing Project (3rd from Right) along with the Clergy, Contractor, Officials of the Divisional Secretariat & Friends of Rotary at the Foundation Stone Laying Ceremony on Wednesday, 25th January 2006.

Kalutara Housing Project - Foundation Stone Laying Ceremony

Rtn. Harsha de Silva - Project Chairperson for the Kalutara Housing Project at the Foundation Stone Laying Ceremony on Wednesday, 25th January 2006.

Kalutara Housing Project - Foundation Stone Laying Ceremony

President Shantha Warnakulasooriya laid the Foundation Stone at the Rotary Regency Kalutara Housing Project this morning.

At the auspicious time of 10:51 am, amidst chanting of Pirith by two local buddhist priests and clapping of the few onlookers, President Shantha inaugarated the LKR 10.5 Million 15 house project.

Rotarians Nilesh, Altaf and Harsha were also present at the occasion and particpated in the ceremony.

The Project is expected to finish sometime in April or early May 2006.

Once again, Thank You to everyone who helped on this Project thus far.

Kalutara Housing Project - Ground Breaking

The Ground Breaking Ceremony & the Foundation Stone Laying Ceremony for the KALUTARA Housing Project has been scheduled for Wednesday 25th January 2006.

NAT Constructions has obtained a "Neketa" (Auspicious Time) to Break Ground at 10.05 am and to lay the Foundation Stone at 10:51 am on Wednesday.

Water Sanitation for Katthankudy

We have received confirmation for a matching grant of $12,500 from Newtown Club in USA for a Water and Sanitation project for Katthankudy. Their District (7430) will match that grant and the RCCR will have to contribute $100 as well.

This will enable 4 community wells, 12 toliet blocks, 12 overhead water tanks and 12 septic and soakage pits.

The District could committ to 14 toliet blocks, 14 overhead water tanks and 14 septic and soakage pits.

'Ruk Rakaganno' and the Arboretum

An NGO by the name of “Ruk Rakaganno” (meaning 'Protectors of Trees') who have an Arboretum in the dry zone of Dambulla have indicated to us that they might be able to help us obtain plants to plant in our land, as it is rather barren.

We are currently in the process of liaising with them regarding the possibility of finding donors to sponsor plants for our land.

Katthankudy Status Report as of JAN 2006

Below is a summary of the work done/ in progress to-date at the Katthankudy Rotary Village:

The Urban Development Authority approval on the Building Plan for the Katthankudy housing construction project having being obtained, work continues steadily.

At present, Foundations for 48 houses have been laid, block walls upto roof level 04 houses have been completed and 2 Model Houses have been completed.

A Site Visit has been tentatively scheduled for the 11th and 12th Weekend in February to monitor progress, interview prospective recipients and generally assess the status quo. The Housing Committee also hopes to meet with the Government Agent of the area in order to obtain a letter of Approval from him.

The said letter, together with other required documentation, have to be tendered to the Finance Ministry to obtain a VAT deferment due to the nature of our project.

We also hope to sign a Trust between the Donor of the land, the Federation Housing Committee and the RCCR, so that the land in question will be held in Trust until such time as the houses are conveyed to the Recipients. There was a delay in signing due to difficulties in obtaining required documentation.

Kalutara Housing Project is Underway!

The 15 House Kalutara Housing Project, on the west coast of Sri Lanka, south of Colombo has been given the gree light to commence work.

- The proposals from 3 contractors were evaluated and 'NAT Constructions' at a cost of LKR 10,500,000.00 (US$ 105,000.00) was awarded the contract for the 15 houses.

- Foundation stone laying ceremony will take place during the next 14 days.