Sajith’s Housing Projects Under Probe for Irregularities

COLOMBO (News 1st); Preliminary investigations have been launched into alleged irregularities in housing projects implemented by the National Housing Development Authority (NHDA) during the tenure of Sajith Premadasa as Minister of Housing from 2015 to 2019.

The probe is being conducted by the Permanent Investigations Unit of the Ministry of Housing, under the supervision of an Additional Secretary of the Ministry.

At the recent media briefing to announce decisions reached by the cabinet, it was revealed that the Finance Division of the National Housing Development Authority has released a report revealing significant discrepancies in the Sevana Model House Village Project, launched under the Good Governance Government (2015–2019).

According to the report, while 2,562 model villages were proposed, only 367 were officially declared open. Despite this, a staggering Rs. 523 million was spent on promotional activities. Additionally, Rs. 5.968 billion, allocated for housing beneficiaries, remains unpaid.

Cabinet Spokesperson Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa confirmed that a ministerial-level investigation is underway, alongside an audit, to examine the financial irregularities.

The report also notes that 25,453 beneficiaries received loans and 28,633 were granted aid, totaling 54,086 recipients.