1. Administrative Division

All the functions related to the general administration and human resources management of the State Ministry of Rural Housing and Construction & Building Materials Industries Promotion is the main function assigned to the Administrative division. Accordingly, the Administration Division prepares the necessary background, manages the physical and human resources effectively, and provides guidance for all the institutional activities and human resource management of the institutions affiliated to the Ministry.

Key Functions of the Administrative Division

• All general administrative affairs of the Ministry and establishment and administrative affairs of all officers.
• Establishment and administrative affairs of the staff of the Minister.
• All establishment and administrative activities of the institutions affiliated with the Ministry which are carried out with the intervention of the Ministry.
• Functioning as per the powers entrusted to the officers of the Administrative division under FR.135 concerning the financial management of the Ministry.
• Preparing and submitting Cabinet Memoranda relevant to Administrative division and coordinating Cabinet office and other institutions.
• Coordinating relevant matters related to the Parliament.
• Coordinating activities relevant to referring officers for local and foreign training programmes relevant to human resources development.
• Coordinating and supervision of annual reports, performance reports of the institutions affiliated with the Ministry.
• Organizing meetings and special programmes.
• Coordinating activities of improving methodologies relevant to the information technology of the Ministry.
• Management of fixed assets and maintenance activities.

2. Planning Division

Guiding the Ministry and the institutions under the purview of the Ministry to achieve the progress in development activities as planned is the key function of the division. Creating awareness among the relevant parties and the general public by disseminating information about the development activities carried out in the housing, construction and building materials industries promotion sector as well as resettlement and infrastructure supply for those displaced by the conflict in the North and East is also included to it. Further, in line with the Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour policy statement, identifying the developmental needs of the housing, construction and building materials industries promotion sector and assisting to have the project proposals formulated by the affiliated institutions approved by the Department of National Planning is also carried out by the Planning Division.

Key Functions of the Planning Division

• Coordinating activities related to the preparation of the action plan of the Ministry and its affiliated institutions in line with the vision and objectives of the Ministry.
• Submitting and coordinating project proposals submitted by the Ministry and its affiliated institutions to the Department of National Planning for approval after evaluation by the Project Evaluation Committee of the Ministry.
• Compiling and reporting information related to development programmes.
• Following up and evaluating projects.
• Reporting and evaluating the progress of developmental activities of institutions under the purview of the Ministry as per the monthly, quarterly and annual action plans.
• Following up on the implementation of cabinet decisions relevant to the Ministry and affiliated institutions.
• Preparing the Annual Progress Report of the Ministry and duly submitting it to table in the Parliament.
• Preparing the Performance Report and duly submitting it to table in the Parliament.
• Organizing, report preparation and following up on progress review meetings.
• Coordinating foreign-funded housing projects with the relevant institutions and follow up.

3. Housing and Development Division

  3.1 Housing Division

This division is responsible for formulating national policies, making plans, guiding, conducting follow-ups in the field of housing development to achieve the objectives of the housing sector, and offering guidance to institutions affiliated with the Ministry.

Key Functions of the Housing Division

1. Policy Formulation

• Formulating policies required for the advancement of the housing field.
• Preparation of Cabinet Memorandum and Notes to the Cabinet in relation to the field of housing development.
• Amendment of Acts and formulation of Regulations relevant to the housing field.
• Implementing policies relevant to the housing field in collaboration with other public sector institutions.
• Preparation and submission of observations related to the housing sector for Cabinet papers submitted by other Ministries.
• Preparation and submission of answers and observations to the Parliamentary questions raised by the Members of Parliament to the Hon Minister.

2. Housing Development

• Implementing “Obata Geyak – Ratata Hetak” housing programme island wide for low- income earners.
• Implementing “Sapiri Mahal Niwasa” programme “Siyapatha” housing programme and “Middle Income Housing and Infrastructure Development Accelerated Programme” for middle-income families mainly under the Public- Private Partnership.
• Implementing the “Mihindu Niwahana” housing programme for the parents of Buddhist monks who are deprived of a suitable home for living.
• Implementation of “Sonduru Mahal Niwasa” programme for homeless people who living mainly on rent basis.
• Implementing participatory housing loan / assistance programmes.
• Activities related to renovation and redevelopment of multi-storey housing.
• Coordinating housing projects with local and foreign investors.
• Implementing housing programmes in collaboration with other public sector agencies.
• Directing and coordinating the housing requests made by the public to the relevant institutions.

3. Other Duties

• Implementation of housing related programs in line with the World Habitat Day.
• Carry out other coordination activities with the United Nations Human Settlements Program (UN-Habitat) and prepare and submit information reports.

  3.2 Land Division

Identifying lands required for housing programmes, acquisition of lands by coordinating with relevant institutions and expediting the disposal process, taking actions on the issues and requests submitted regarding the subject of land is also carried out by this division. Also, coordinates the acquisition of lands required by the institutions under the Ministry.

As per Section 8(1) of the National Housing Development Authority Act No. 17 of 1979, the approval of the Hon. Minister shall be obtained to alienate a certain land, flat, house or other accommodation of the Authority. Accordingly, after obtaining the approval for the documents prepared and sent by the National Housing Development Authority to obtain the approval of the Hon. Minister for the issuance of housing / land deeds for the persons who have completed the payments, and forwarding those back to the National Housing Development Authority is done by this division.

Key Functions of the Land Division

• Activities relating to acquisition / transfer of lands for the purpose of housing development.
• Activities pertaining to disposal of lands for housing purposes.
• Transferring legal ownership of lands/housing to their occupants under section 8(1) of the National Housing Development Authority Act.
• Activities related to land acquisition for Department of Buildings, Department of Government Factory, Building Materials Corporation Ltd, State Engineering Corporation, Construction Industry Development Authority, National Equipment and Machinery Organization.

Middle Income Project Unit

A housing programme for middle income earners in urban and suburban areas has been commenced as the “Middle Income Housing and Infrastructure Development Accelerated Programme”. Under this programme, fully equipped apartments will be provided to middle income earners in urban and suburban areas at reasonable prices. There, the investment, planning, construction, marketing and sale should be done by the private sector and the government will provide water, electricity and road facilities up to the entrance of the housing project and will provide lands for the project at the development cost of the land on which the housing project is being constructed. The effective implementation of this programme is the function of the Management Unit established under the State Ministry of Rural Housing and Construction and Building Materials Industries Promotion under the name ‘Middle Income Project Unit’.

  3.3 National Housing Commissioner’s Division

This division executes powers and functions proclaimed under the Ceiling on Housing Property Law No. 01 of 1973. It also carries out certain functions under the Rent Act No. 7 of 1972.

Key Functions of the National Housing Commissioner’s Division

• Granting deeds for tenants.
• Paying compensation to owners of houses acquired by the government.
• Resolving problems arisen in respect of areas reserved for common amenities.

4. Technical Division

Provides support, coordination and technical guidance to the activities of the Construction Industry Development Authority affiliated to the Ministry. Accordingly, progress review meetings are conducted within the Ministry.

Primarily, this Ministry is responsible for making arrangements for the development of the construction industry and guide institutions to create a qualitative and environmentally friendly construction industry. The technical division is primarily involved in this.

Key Functions of the Technical Division

• Formulating policies required for the advancement of the field of construction.
• Activities regarding Bills and Acts relevant to the construction sector.
• Regulating the construction industry affiliated to the Technical Division and directing engineering service providers for the advancement of the construction industry.
• Taking measures to prepare the labour force required for the construction industry.
• Directing institutions affiliated to the Ministry to equip professionals and builders with skills and knowledge and to carry out quality construction.
• Taking action to submit Cabinet papers when necessary.

5. Construction Division

This Division was established after the appointment of an Additional Secretary on 29.05.2019.

Coordinating the construction work carried out primarily by the Building Materials Corporation Limited, National Housing Development Authority, Department of Government Factory, Department of Buildings, Ocean View Development Pvt Ltd, and Middle Income Housing and Infrastructure Development Accelerated Program at the Ministry level is the main role assigned to this Division.

Key Functions of the Construction Division

• Reviewing the progress of relevant institutions.
• Dealing with financial issues of relevant institutions.
• Supervision of the construction sector and providing advisory services.
• Coordinating procurement and contract activities.
• Preparation of Cabinet Memoranda and providing observations for Cabinet Memoranda.
• Providing recommendations to the Department of Immigration and Emigration to obtain visas for foreign experts in the field of construction without prejudicing skilled Sri Lankans.

6. Engineering Division

The Engineering Services Division was established after the appointment of a Director-General on 01.07.2021.

Coordinating the construction work and machinery services carried out primarily by the State Engineering Corporation and National Equipment and Machinery Organization at the Ministry level is the main role assigned to this Division.

Key Functions of the Engineering Services Division

• Reviewing the progress of relevant institutions.
• Dealing with financial issues of relevant institutions.
• Provide supervision and advisory services related to the provision of construction and machinery services.
• Conducting discussions on employee issues and investigations in that regard.
• Preparation and providing observations for Cabinet Memoranda.

7. Finance Division

Provision of financial resources and consultancy services required for the attainment of the objectives of the Ministry and institutions coming under its purview and giving instructions on systems and control methods needed for more efficient and effective deployment of such resources are the main functions of this division.

Key Functions of the Finance Division

• Implementing an efficient and effective financial management system in the Ministry.
• Appointing procurement committees for institutions under the purview of the Ministry.
• Giving instructions and offering guidance to the Ministry and institutions there under on financial management, financial planning, budgeting, assets management and purchasing, and management.
• Maintaining coordination with the Ministry of Finance and securing financial provisions from the Treasury for the attainment of objectives of the Ministry and disbursing such provisions amongst institutions under the Ministry.
• Preparing annual budgets for the Ministry and institutions under the Ministry to achieve the objectives of the Ministry and conducting budgetary controlling activities throughout the year.
• Reporting the expenditure of the money allocated to the Ministry and institutions under the Ministry through annual Appropriation Acts and submitting financial statements monthly and annually to the relevant institutions.
• Maintaining proper coordination with the government audit division and internal audit division and implementing internal control methods proposed by those divisions.
• Formally conducting all procurement activities of the Ministry.

8. Internal Audit Division

Establishing sound financial administration and proper management to convert the expected goals of the institutions into reality.

Participating in the financial administration and management activities of the Ministry and institutions under its purview and assisting them by offering guidance and giving instructions to carry out such activities more systematically and efficiently.

Key Functions of the Internal Audit Division

• Coordinating and following up audit activities of the Ministry and institutions affiliated to the Ministry.
• Taking action to minimize problematic situations of the Ministry and institutions affiliated to the Ministry through the meetings of the Audit and Management Committee.
• Assisting in the minimization of problems of institutions through audits and inquiries.
• Following up on the implementation of the recommendations and directives of the Committee on Public Enterprises and the Committee on Public Accounts.

9. Resettlement Division

The Resettlement Division was entrusted under this Ministry by the extraordinary gazette notification No. 2187/27 dated 09.08.2020. The Resettlement division organizes and coordinates all the activities required for resettlement of families displaced due to the conflicted situation that prevailed in North and East.

Accordingly, in 2021, this division has resettled 7337 persons belonging to 2666 families in Northern Province, and 54 persons belonging to 19 families in Eastern Province in their original places or in alternative places and has taken necessary measures to uplift their living condition. Accordingly, 7391 persons belonging to 2685 families have been resettled within the year 2021.

Additionally, 8767 persons belonging to 2909 families are to be resettled. This division also resettles families who returned to Sri Lanka in their places of origin from among the families who fled to India due to the conflict. There, the required houses and other basic infrastructure are also provided for them.

Further, this division conducts the de-mining activities in the Northern and Eastern Provinces together with the Sri Lanka Army and nongovernmental organizations (Mines Advisory Group, HALO Trust, Delvon Assistance for Social Harmony, SKAVITA Humanitarian Assistance and Relief Project) and takes necessary measures to return the lands to the public.

In 2021, an area of 4.3 square kilometers has been cleared and released for resettlement and development activities. Further, an area of 13.5 square kilometers is remaining to be cleared in Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu Districts.

A sum of Rs.400 million was allocated in 2021 for the construction of 300 units of prefabricated concrete panel housing units for families displaced due to the conflict and living in their original places. Accordingly, 150 housing units in the Trincomalee District, 100 housing units in the Batticaloa District and 50 housing units in the Ampara District were planned to be constructed but the progress was not as expected and the financial progress was only Rs.2.8 Mn.

Key Functions of the Resettlement Division

•  Constructing permanent houses for the resettlement of families displaced due to the conflicted situation prevailed in North and East.
• Implementing permanent housing construction programmes by purchasing lands on government assistance for the landless families displaced due to the conflicted situation and are currently living in welfare centers in the Jaffna district.
• Providing basic infrastructure required for the resettlement of displaced families.
  • Providing drinking water facilities.
  • Providing domestic electricity connections.
  • Renovating damaged houses.
  • Providing sanitary facilities.
  • Constructing internal access roads in the areas where displaced families are residing.
  • Constructing and renovating damaged school buildings, pre-schools and health centers.
• Directing the clearance process of mines and explosives according to the international standard and releasing lands for resettlement of displaced families and for development purposes.
• Coordinating local and foreign non-governmental organizations which facilitate resettlement activities.
• Implementing livelihood programmes for uplifting the living conditions of displaced persons.