The LEI &CDP
project is a major 5-year project to
redevelop the canals and riverbanks in
the Lunawa area to avoid the regular
flooding that occurs there. Due to
redevelopment a large number of families
has to be resettled. NFPO is responsible
for the resettlement component of the
project.
NFPO’s
approach has been community initiated
participatory resettlement where
individual families decide on the site
to resettle with material and financial
support provided by the project. Out of
574 families affected, 278 have opted to
go out of the area and 269 have chosen
to settle on sites adjacent to the
project area. What is unique in this
process is that the families themselves
have been encouraged and given time to
come to terms with their own social and
economic conditions and then decided on
the settlement options. NFPO mobilised
the families by through direct contact
and giving individual attention to each
family.
Construction of the new houses has
started.
The
project is funded by JBIC and is run in
cooperation with Mt Lavinia / Dehiwala
Municipal Council.
