Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Sunday attended the launch of the Indian Housing Project (IHP) Stage 2 Phase IV, reaffirming India’s long-standing commitment to improving living standards in Sri Lanka’s plantation regions.

The Indian High Commission announced that this phase aims to construct 4,700 houses as part of the larger initiative to build 60,000 homes across the country with Indian grant assistance of over INR 18 billion. More than 50,000 houses have already been completed under the project.

Over 2,000 beneficiaries attended the event, alongside senior Sri Lankan ministers, governors, and Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha. The initiative, one of India’s largest overseas development programs, continues to symbolize the deep and enduring partnership between the two nations.

In a statement on X, the Indian High Commission said the project “represents the Government of India’s firm commitment to uplifting and empowering the Indian-origin Tamil community in Sri Lanka.”

Since its inception in 2010, the Indian Housing Project has been implemented in multiple phases across Sri Lanka’s Northern, Eastern, Central, and Uva provinces. The first two phases delivered 46,000 houses, while Phase III added 4,000 more using a community-driven approach.

During his 2017 visit to Sri Lanka, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an additional 10,000 houses for estate workers, further strengthening people-to-people ties. The construction of these homes continues under Phase IV, reflecting India’s inclusive development vision for its neighborhood.

The project stands as a cornerstone of India-Sri Lanka cooperation, contributing not only to housing but also to social and economic empowerment in plantation communities.