India and Sri Lanka Inaugurate 90 New Houses in Anuradhapura under Sri Shobhitha Nahimigama Project

India and Sri Lanka have jointly inaugurated 90 newly constructed houses in Elapathgama village in the Anuradhapura District, as part of the Sri Shobhitha Nahimigama Project, also known as the Ven. Sobitha Thero Housing Project. The event, held on July 13, 2025, was attended by Sri Lankan Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya and Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha, who together unveiled this major milestone in a collaborative development effort. This project, funded by the Government of India, is a tribute to the late Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha Thero, a highly respected Buddhist monk renowned for his advocacy of good governance and social justice in Sri Lanka.

The Sri Shobhitha Nahimigama initiative was launched with the goal of uplifting low-income rural households in Elapathgama by providing secure housing and essential community infrastructure. A total of 115 to 153 houses are planned under the project, of which 90 have now been completed and handed over. In addition to housing, the project includes the construction of an alms hall, temple support buildings, and improvements to local water supply systems and public amenities, ensuring holistic development of the area.

The funding for this initiative was initially set at SLR 300 million in 2017, and in 2024, an additional SLR 150 million was allocated—bringing the total investment to SLR 450 million, which is approximately ₹200 million INR (Indian Rupees). An MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) marking the start of this collaboration was signed on July 14, 2017, with construction activities spanning several years and reaching substantial completion by early 2025.

During the inauguration, High Commissioner Santosh Jha emphasized the shared vision of India and Sri Lanka for inclusive development—a development model that ensures the benefits of progress reach marginalized and underrepresented groups. He also noted other India-supported infrastructure projects in the region, including railway upgrades and the Sacred City Complex, underscoring India’s broader commitment to regional development and heritage conservation.

Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, in her address, paid tribute to the enduring legacy of Ven. Sobitha Thero, noting his moral leadership and the project's symbolic importance. She also expressed deep gratitude for India’s consistent support in uplifting disadvantaged communities in Sri Lanka. The transformation of Elapathgama into Sri Shobhitha Nahimigama—literally meaning "Sobitha Village"—not only provides dignified housing but also stands as a powerful gesture of cross-border friendship, people-to-people ties, and development cooperation between the two nations.

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