Sri Lanka Plans Celebrations for World Habitat Day 2014


22 September 2014,  Colombo, Sri Lanka:
The Government of Sri Lanka and its lead agencies in human settlements development have launched a series of celebrations to commemorate World Habitat Day 2014. With a focus on engaging children, youth, women and self-employed, the events will commence on the 20th of September and culminate on the World Habitat Day, the 6th October 2014, at a grand ceremony presided by the President of Sri Lanka, His Excellency Mahinda Rajapakse.

President of Sri Lanka at the 2013 World Habitat Day Celebrations.Hon. Wimal Weerawansa, the Minister of Construction, Engineering Services, Housing and Common Amenities is the convener of the celebrations under this year’s theme “Voices from Slums”. The Ministry will partner with line agencies such as the National Housing Development Authority, Urban Settlement Development Authority and the Urban Development Authority, as well as the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat).

The event timetable is listed below:

  • 20th September: Drawing/Art Competition “Children of Colombo”; final rounds to be held with the participation of 5,000 children at Viharamahadevi Park, Colombo 07.
  • 27th/28th September: Drama Competition; final rounds to be held at the New Town Hall, Green Path, Colombo 07.
  • 28th September:  Six-a-side Cricket tourney for Men and Women; final rounds of to be held at the Bandaranaikepura Stadium, Rajagiriya
  • 1st/2nd/3rd October: “Children of Colombo” Art Exhibition at the National Art Gallery, Colombo 07. The inauguration ceremony will be on 1st October at 4.00pm.
  • 1st/2nd/3rd October: 6:00pm- 10:00pm: Urban Cultural Festival at the Viharamahadevi Open-air Theatre, Colombo 07.
  • 1st/2nd/3rd October: 4:00pm- 10:00pm: Healthy Food Street Carnival featuring produce by urban small-scale farmers and vendors to be held along the Green Path, Colombo 07.
  • 4th October: “Children of Colombo” Cultural variety show at the Lotus Pond Mahinda Rajapakse Theatre, Colombo 07.
  • 6th October: The “World Habitat Day” main event presided by His Excellency Mahinda Rajapakse, the President of Sri Lanka. The event is expected to draw over 5,000 attendees and will feature the handover of deeds establishing security of tenure to 1,000 families.

In addition to the ceremonies, programmes to establish 50 Community Resource Development Centres, 450 Urban Youth Sports Clubs and a project to promote the Urban Small-scale Food Producers will be launched to mark World Habitat Day 2014.

*The Image above depicts the President of Sri Lanka at the 2013 World Habitat Day Celebrations.