Housing Project

Jan 2008 - New Year Update!

2008-01-14T12:30:00.000+05:30

A Very Happy New Year to all our donors, benefactors, friends and prospective others!!

Two members from our club visited our Housing site in Kathankudy, Batticaloa on the 7th and 8th of December 2007. As we informed you in our last write up, we had stalled our construction work due to the unrest in the area which ultimately caused our contractor to abandon this project.

Now, after a lapse of over 8 months, we resumed work with a new contractor and are in the process of completing these houses in stages.

As at now we have completed and handed over 32 houses to selected recipients.

The contractor was in the process of constructing 12 houses in the next batch. When our members visited the site, they were officially handed over the keys to six completed houses. They proceeded to inspect them and the unfinished six and found them to be in good, satisfactory condition. We also noticed a few problems being faced by the contractor and recipients of the land. As such we will request the local government officers to look into them and assist accordingly.

The keys to the completed houses were officially handed over to selected recipients in an informal ceremony at the Club’s weekly general meeting held on 03rd January 2008 at the Galle Face Hotel Colombo.

The keys to the remaining 6 houses will be handed over to us on 10th February 2008, after which we will hand them over chosen recipients.

Thereafter, the contractor will commence work on the next phase.

We will keep you posted in due course.

Thank you,

Housing Committee
RCCR

Housing Recipients - Hosted to Lunch at Regency General Meeting in Colombo

2008-01-14T12:24:00.000+05:30

Housing Recipients - Greeting Regency Rotarians in Katthankudy

2008-01-14T12:18:00.000+05:30

The Kathankudy Housing Project - STATUS REPORT!

2007-05-09T15:16:00.000+05:30

The Kathankudy Housing Project had to temporary suspended operations late last year due to the prevailing unrest and war condition in the North and East of the country. As a consequence of this militant state, traversing to and fro from there to Colombo became exceedingly difficult. Following on from this situation, and due also to the extensive rebuilding operations that took place post Tsunami, the cost of raw material and resources required for construction, including labour charges, increased by almost 45%. In light of all of these circumstances, the original contractor with whom we contracted, stepped down and refused to continue work, specially since all his hired labour were from Colombo.

Given this background, we are now in the process of negotiating with 4 other contractors with whom we want to try and complete this project. We commenced this project when the cost of constructing one house costed approximately LKR 700,000 (exclusive of VAT). However, at present, we have been given estimates for a cost of over LKR 1,000,000 per house. Given the increase in costs and given the funds we have at hand, we may not be in a position to complete all 72 houses as originally planned, unless we are able to obtain more funds.
We will post periodic updates on the blog.

Thank you.

Housing Committee
RCCR

Kalutara Done! Project Report Completed!

2006-10-11T17:56:00.000+05:30

Pictured Above - The Members of the Rotary Club of Colombo Regency after the Opening of the Kalutara - 15 Houses Project for Tsunami Victims.

Please click on below link for the Complete Project Report

(Note - File Size 2.5MB. For fast download, RightClick on link and select 'Save Target As' thereafter, select where you want file to be saved) -

http://www.rotarycregency.org/kalutara_FINALupdate_30Sep2006.pdf

Katthankudy - Status as of 6th October 2006

2006-10-08T00:22:00.000+05:30

At present, 30 houses have been completed and handed over to the Recipients. Please find their List of Names and some photographs taken on site attached for your information and perusal.
The remaining 20 houses of the First Phase of 52 houses have been temporarily suspended on account of the political situation and also due that area being inactive on account of "Idh" fasting, as this area is essentially a Muslim populated area.

We hope to resume work soon after fasting is over by about the 1st week of November, with the same contractor as before (ie. Building and Engineering). However, he will be provided with labour staff from the area, supplied by the Federation Housing Committee of Kathankudy.

We will keep you posted on future goings on, as and when it occurs.

Thank you,
Housing Committee
RCCR

Katthankudy - List of Recipients

2006-10-08T00:20:00.000+05:30

Katthankudy - Housing Recipients

2006-10-08T00:10:00.000+05:30

Kalutara 15 Houses Project COMPLETED!!!

2006-08-24T13:07:00.000+05:30

on Saturday, 5th August 2006 the 15 House Kalutara Housing Project was handed over to the recipients.

As the saying goes - "A picture speaks a thousand words"

Kalutara Housing Project - Update REPORT

2006-08-24T12:55:00.000+05:30

Kalutara Housing Project - Update as of 19th July 2006

http://www.rotarycregency.org/kalutara_proposal_update_19_july_2006_2.pdf

2006-06-23T16:10:00.000+05:30

Tube well being used.

2006-06-23T16:09:00.000+05:30

Dear Readers,

We stated previously that we hope to settle in atleast 30 familes by mid June 2006. There has been a slight delay in this process due to the 30 houses not being fully completed and also due to a delay in obtaining Divisional Secretariat approval for the 30 families chosen. We hope to have everything sorted out, so that the families can be settled in by atleast the first week of July 2006.

As water is a mandatory requirement, the Federation Housing Construction Committee (FHCC) of Kathankudy has initiated the construction of the first Tube Well in one house (pictures attached). As this has come out successfully, they are now in the process of constructing a tube well per house. This also should be ready in time for the settling in of the recipients in July.

We will keep the general readership informed in due course.

Kalutara Housing Project - Report!

2006-06-06T10:48:00.000+05:30

The Following link will take you to an update report on the status of the KALUTARA Housing Project, which is being carried out on the West Coast of Sri Lanka.

http://www.rotarycregency.org/kalutara_proposal_update_24may2006.pdf

Status Report - Katthankudy - May '06

2006-05-26T10:00:00.000+05:30

Just to keep the General Readership informed of the current Status of the Kathankudy Housing Project:

In light of the Current Political clime and ongoing militant disturbances in the North and East, the Kathankudy Housing Committee held an URGENT Conference Call yesterday with the contractor, Mr. Bernard, in order to assess the ground situation.

Mr. Bernard informed us that there had been a claymore attack about 200m from our site last evening killng 4 policemen. There is no imminent danger to his workers, who number about 140 at present. However, they are all obviously nervous and agitated . Therefore, he urged us to try and move in even a few families AS SOON AS POSSIBLE so that the workers would feel more confident and get encouraged, as well as to ensure that the resource material on site would have security.

The Housing Committee has corresponded with the Federation Housing Construction Committee (FHCC) in Kathankudy and asked them to show the List of Recipients in their possession to the DS of the area and obtain his approval to settle atleast 30 families by mid June. The Housing Committee hopes to go for this 'informal' inauguration, IF the security situation permits it. Failing which, we will ask the FHCC to intercede on our behalf and settle the families in.

If the situation worsens and the workmen are forced to leave the site, the Housing Committee has also requested the FHCC to be prepared to take the resource material on site into their custody and safe keeping.

Secretary

Housing Committee

RCCR

CURRENT STATUS QUO: Katthankudy, Batticaloa

2006-05-16T12:54:00.000+05:30

CURRENT STATUS QUO: Katthankudy, Batticaloa as of 16th May 2006

A) 52 Houses - Foundation Complete
B) 02 Houses - Upto Roof Level Complete
C) 04 Houses - Upto Window Level Complete

D) 28 Houses Fully Complete

** We wish to inform all our donors that there has been an unavoidable delay in completing this project, due to the political situation prevalant in the North and East, which has caused great unrest and tension in these areas. The Constractors are working under very difficult circumstances having to contend with constant threats from the LTTE cardars and harassment (on account of constant check ups) from the Army Personnel as well. Our contractors are the only contractors left in the East, as all others have left due to the situation.

As things are we have fixed the following deadlines:

· 31st May 2006 – 30 Houses Complete;
· 30th June 2006 – An aggregate of 52 Houses Complete;
· 30th August 2006 – All 72 Houses Complete

Once we have completed 30 houses as mentioned above, we hope to settle the first batch of Recipients in them, to help alleviate some of the tension in the area. We hope and pray that with the Grace of God, that we may be able to successfully complete this project and hand the completed houses over to our much deserved and patient recipients.

Kalutara Housing Project - Update REPORT

2006-03-27T12:27:00.000+06:00

The below link is a Updated Status Report on the Kalutara Housing Project as of 23rd February 2006.

http://www.rotarycregency.org/kalutara_proposal_update_23feb2006.pdf

Kalutara Housing Project - Project Underway

2006-03-25T19:16:00.000+06:00

Close up of foundations structure. Pictures taken on 25th Feb 2006

Kalutara Housing Project - Project Underway

2006-03-25T19:15:00.000+06:00

More foundations being completed. Pictures taken on 25th Feb 2006

Kalutara Housing Project - Project Underway

2006-03-25T19:14:00.000+06:00

Land cleared and foundation laying started. Pictures taken on 25th Feb 2006

Almost Complete!

2006-03-06T15:39:00.000+06:00

President Shantha and Rtn. Ross soon after inspecting a nearly complete house in Katthankudy, Batticaloa during the site visit in February.

The Housing Comittee

2006-03-06T15:36:00.000+06:00

Members of the Housing Comittee during the site visit in February.

(Rear L-R) Bary, Shantha, Altaf, Nilesh
(Front L-R) Thorsten, Bilal, Prabhu, Dedunie, Ross

Signing of the Trust

2006-03-06T15:35:00.000+06:00

Rtn. Prabhu - Housing Comittee Chairperson (Left) signing the Trust with the Housing Federation Members while Rtn. Bary - Treasurer and Incoming President looks on.

Workforce Mobilised

2006-03-06T15:32:00.000+06:00

Workmen at site, carrying out work on schedule.

Under Construction

2006-03-06T15:31:00.000+06:00

A section of a house nearing completion.

The Brick Machine

2006-03-06T15:30:00.001+06:00

Workmen moulding cement bricks on site at Katthankudy, Batticaloa.

Workforce Mobilised

2006-03-06T15:30:00.000+06:00

Another Foundation being completed by the dedicated workforce in Batticaloa.

Site Visit - February 2006

2006-03-06T15:29:00.000+06:00

Section of the houses nearing completion.

Kalutara Housing Project - Foundation Stone Laying Ceremony

2006-01-25T16:27:00.000+06:00

Rtn. Nilesh de Silva (2nd From Left), President Shantha Warnakulasooriya (Far Right), Rtn. Altaf Ismail (2nd from Right) & Rtn. Harsha de Silva - Project Chairperson for the Kalutara Housing Project (3rd from Right) along with the Clergy, Contractor, Officials of the Divisional Secretariat & Friends of Rotary at the Foundation Stone Laying Ceremony on Wednesday, 25th January 2006.

Kalutara Housing Project - Foundation Stone Laying Ceremony

2006-01-25T16:23:00.000+06:00

Rtn. Harsha de Silva - Project Chairperson for the Kalutara Housing Project at the Foundation Stone Laying Ceremony on Wednesday, 25th January 2006.

Kalutara Housing Project - Foundation Stone Laying Ceremony

2006-01-25T15:29:00.000+06:00

President Shantha Warnakulasooriya laid the Foundation Stone at the Rotary Regency Kalutara Housing Project this morning.

At the auspicious time of 10:51 am, amidst chanting of Pirith by two local buddhist priests and clapping of the few onlookers, President Shantha inaugarated the LKR 10.5 Million 15 house project.

Rotarians Nilesh, Altaf and Harsha were also present at the occasion and particpated in the ceremony.

The Project is expected to finish sometime in April or early May 2006.

Once again, Thank You to everyone who helped on this Project thus far.

Kalutara Housing Project - Ground Breaking

2006-01-24T19:01:00.000+06:00

The Ground Breaking Ceremony & the Foundation Stone Laying Ceremony for the KALUTARA Housing Project has been scheduled for Wednesday 25th January 2006.

NAT Constructions has obtained a "Neketa" (Auspicious Time) to Break Ground at 10.05 am and to lay the Foundation Stone at 10:51 am on Wednesday.

Water Sanitation for Katthankudy

2006-01-20T14:01:00.000+06:00

We have received confirmation for a matching grant of $12,500 from Newtown Club in USA for a Water and Sanitation project for Katthankudy. Their District (7430) will match that grant and the RCCR will have to contribute $100 as well.

This will enable 4 community wells, 12 toliet blocks, 12 overhead water tanks and 12 septic and soakage pits.

The District could committ to 14 toliet blocks, 14 overhead water tanks and 14 septic and soakage pits.

'Ruk Rakaganno' and the Arboretum

2006-01-20T14:00:00.000+06:00

An NGO by the name of “Ruk Rakaganno” (meaning 'Protectors of Trees') who have an Arboretum in the dry zone of Dambulla have indicated to us that they might be able to help us obtain plants to plant in our land, as it is rather barren.

We are currently in the process of liaising with them regarding the possibility of finding donors to sponsor plants for our land.

Katthankudy Status Report as of JAN 2006

2006-01-20T13:53:00.000+06:00

Below is a summary of the work done/ in progress to-date at the Katthankudy Rotary Village:

The Urban Development Authority approval on the Building Plan for the Katthankudy housing construction project having being obtained, work continues steadily.

At present, Foundations for 48 houses have been laid, block walls upto roof level 04 houses have been completed and 2 Model Houses have been completed.

A Site Visit has been tentatively scheduled for the 11th and 12th Weekend in February to monitor progress, interview prospective recipients and generally assess the status quo. The Housing Committee also hopes to meet with the Government Agent of the area in order to obtain a letter of Approval from him.

The said letter, together with other required documentation, have to be tendered to the Finance Ministry to obtain a VAT deferment due to the nature of our project.

We also hope to sign a Trust between the Donor of the land, the Federation Housing Committee and the RCCR, so that the land in question will be held in Trust until such time as the houses are conveyed to the Recipients. There was a delay in signing due to difficulties in obtaining required documentation.

Kalutara Housing Project is Underway!

2006-01-18T17:24:00.000+06:00

The 15 House Kalutara Housing Project, on the west coast of Sri Lanka, south of Colombo has been given the gree light to commence work.

- The proposals from 3 contractors were evaluated and 'NAT Constructions' at a cost of LKR 10,500,000.00 (US$ 105,000.00) was awarded the contract for the 15 houses.

- Foundation stone laying ceremony will take place during the next 14 days.

Formal Approval Received from the UDA

2005-11-22T11:48:00.000+06:00

We have received formal approval Letter for the Kattankudy Tsunami housing Project in Batticaloa, from the Urban Development Authority (UDA).

Although the foundations have been completed getting the formal approval means cutting through some red tape.

Approved plans with the UDA 'chop' are given below.

House Plan Approval

2005-11-22T11:46:00.000+06:00

House Layout Plan Approval with UDA 'chop'

Site Plan Approval

2005-11-22T11:45:00.000+06:00

Site Plan Approval with UDA 'chop'

Kalutara Housing Project

2005-11-16T12:17:00.000+06:00

The land for the 15 Houses Project in Kalutara, South of Colombo has been cleared and the plots been allocated.

Three tenders have been received from the contractors and are currently being evaluated.

Rtn. Harsha of RCCR explaining to Rtn. Bernd Dreesman the land and housing layout while a representative (Left) from the local government office looks on.

48 Foundations Completed!

2005-11-09T18:26:00.000+06:00

It has been one and half months since we laid the foundation stone for this project. We are happy to announce that the work is progressing well despite the terrorist troubles looming in the area. To date 48 foundations of houses have been completed. The pictures below show some of the completed work as well as workmen on site.

We are proceeding with the completion of the balance 24 foundations. We hope to have one house completely built as a model by the end of this month. This will serve as a sign of hope for the recipients.

Keep checking this site for regular updates.

Foundations Complete

2005-11-08T17:12:00.000+06:00

Completed section of the Foundations in the Katthankudy Housing Project in Batticaloa.

Foundations Complete

2005-11-08T17:11:00.000+06:00

Workman attending to the Foundations in the Katthankudy Housing Project in Batticaloa.

Foundations Complete

2005-11-08T17:10:00.000+06:00

Foundations being completed in the Katthankudy Housing Project in Batticaloa.

Foundation Stone Laying Ceremony

2005-10-07T16:22:00.000+06:00

Mr. Shereen, Rtn. Bary (Treasurer), Rtn. Gehan (Secretary), Mr. Mohideen (Donor of the 12.5 Acre Land in Kaththankudy, Batticaloa), Rtn. Ross (Honaoury Member), Rtn. Altaf (Director - Community Service) & Mr. Hanif at the Kaththankudy Housing Site in Batticaloa soon after the foundation stone laying ceremony was complete.

Foundation Stone Laying Ceremony

2005-10-07T16:15:00.000+06:00

Mr. Hanif, friend of Rotary Club of Colombo Regency, who acted as midiator and helped accelerate the aquisition of the land, laying the foundation stone for the Housing Project in Kaththankudy, Batticaloa.

Kaththankudy Housing Project Update

2005-10-06T15:16:00.000+06:00

The most difficult task was selecting a contractor to suit our budget and specific requirements. Tenders were sent out and 3 Tenderers responded. After extensive negotiations, the RCCR decided to appoint “BUILDING AND ENGINEERING SERVICES (PVT.) LTD.” to construct ALL 72 HOUSES, provided that they would construct at the cost of LKR 700,000/= per house aggregating LKR 50,400,000/=. [**The present RCCR coffers indicate that there is a shortage of funds of a sum of LKR 5 or 6 million. We hope that we may raise this amount once work gets underway.]

Subsequent to a Bank Guarantee being obtained by the Contractor, a mobilization advance was given. The Performance Bond will now be signed.

We are also currently in the process of obtaining relevant Government Approvals and Tax (VAT) Deferments.

An MOU was entered into with the RCCR and FHCC, wherein clear roles, responsibilities and duties were laid out. A Trust is to be signed with the Donor of the land, Mr. Al Haj U. L. A. Mohideen, members of the FHCC and members of the RCCR, wherein, the property will be held in Trust till the conclusion of construction and conveyance of Individual Title Deeds to the Recipients.

Details of the Foundation Stone Laying will be posted very shortly.

Kattankudy Housing Project: Housing Committee meets with FHSC Rep

2005-06-09T18:39:00.000+06:00

Pursuant to our previous update, the Housing Committee (HC) met up with Mr. M. Hanif Sattar who will be mediating between the Federation Housing Scheme Committee (FHSC) and the RCCR during the pendency of this project. We had a few clarifications that we needed cleared up, to which end he proved very helpful and provided us with the information we needed to go ahead.

The discussion catered around the ‘pre-construction checklist’ prepared by the HC (details of which were posted previously). Particular emphasis was given to issues relating to the preparation of the survey plan, the contour plan, the individual house plans, overall site layout plan, minimum plot size, cost per house, existing infrastructure, water, electricity, other facilities – ie. related to the ‘village concept’, site supervisor etc.

At present both the Survey and Contour Plans are in the process of being prepared.

Mr. Al Haj U. L. A. Mohideen, the donor of the land in Kathankudy, has agreed to hand over the land to the RCCR, subsequent to individual Title Deeds being given to each recipient.

For more details on the Project click on Kattankudy Housing Project link.

Our 2 Housing Projects

2005-06-09T17:52:00.000+06:00

The Regency club board yesterday decided to accept a further proposal made by Rtn. Harsha to rebuild 15 houses in Kalutara.

With this additional project under housing the total amount of houses will rebuild is 87 ( 72 of which as you all know is in Kathankudy in the east coast). It was decided that we will allocate funds which we have already collected and those which we are in the process of collecting in a proportion of Kathankudy 5 : Kalutara 1 . With this it is possible for both projects to start simaltaneously, however with the need to raise the shortfall.

It was also agreed that an implentation guideline be established by the board so that both housing committees can meet set criteria to ensure proper execution of the project. We also invite interested donors and members to query anything that they feel is necessary, since both these projects will be carried out applying the highest of ethics, professionalism, and transperancy - and I am sure no one expects any less from a Rotarian.

As at now we need to target fundraising for USD 70,000 to finish these 87 houses. At today's club meeting President Mario annoucned that we have received a pledge for USD 7000 and we also received donations through the efforts of honourary member Rtn. Ross amounting to USD 7254.-. So our task has been made a little easier.

We hope that you will take the time to read the following 2 blog posts in which have given links to PDF files of the project proposals for each of the 2 housing projects. What we also hope is that you will spread the word and help us complete our task of giving back homes to 87 families.

Please keep reading this site to find out how we are progressing with our fundraising, and the current status on each of these two projects.

Kattankudy Housing Project

2005-06-09T15:45:00.000+06:00

The Project Proposal for the Sahana Housing Project in Kattankudy (Eastern Coast)

This is a PDF Document http://www.rotarycregency.org/RCCR_SahanaHousingProject-Kattankudy.pdf

Kalutara Housing Project

2005-06-09T15:40:00.000+06:00

The Project Proposal for the Housing Project in Kalutara (South Western Coast)

This is a PDF Document http://www.rotarycregency.org/RCCR_KalutaraHousingProject.pdf

Latest on the Housing Reconstruction Project

2005-06-01T18:24:00.000+06:00

As promised in our last update, we are now able to provide more details on the Kathankudy Housing project. The Housing reconstruction committee has been working on this project, where 72 houses will be built on a block of privately owned land donated for this purpose by a well wisher in Kathankudy, in the Batticaloa district. Our original aim was to construct 100 houses. Since the land extent available at Kathankudy allows us to only build 72 houses, we are committed to build the balance 28 elsewhere, provided we have sufficient funding. In this regard, we already have a project proposal for 15 houses in the South of the country.

Some local businessmen in Kathankudy have formed themselves into a committee called the Federation Housing Scheme Committee (FHSC). Our club will be working/coordinating with this committee in doing the project.

The land donated by this well-wisher will be divided into individual plots and Deeds will be handed over to each individual recipient. The recipients will be selected using the following criteria by our Club and the FHSC:

Widows with young children where the father is missing/unaccounted for;
Orphans with an older brother/sister capable of looking after them;
Families with infants and young children with no means of getting a house through other schemes in the area.

Taking into account the rising cost of construction material, resources etc., currently it is estimated that the construction of a house would cost approximately 6000 USD. This includes cost of construction, utilities, sewerage etc. Based on this costing, the RCCR currently has sufficient funds to construct only 50 houses. Hence, assistance is urgently required in order to enable us to construct the remaining 22 houses.

The main reason why it was decided to construct a large number of houses in one area was because the greatest impact can be created if a ‘Township’ is constructed, which can be named a “Rotary Village”. Furthermore, the construction cost rises higher if a lesser number of houses are constructed, due to quantities of scale.

With the assistance of prospective Rotarian and Director of the firm of Chartered Architects, Kahawita De Silva & Associates (Pvt.) Ltd., Nilesh de Silva [BA (Hons) ARCH (UK); BARCH (UK)], the following ‘pre-construction checklist’ has been compiled to get the project underway.

PRE-CONSTRUCTION CHECKLIST

1) Approvals need to obtained – ie. UDA etc.
2) Survey Plan
3) Contour Plan
4) Site Layout Plan
5) Typical Ground Floor Plan
6) Typical Ground Floor Elevation
7) Typical Rear Elevation
8) Typical Section
9) Sewerage Network Plan
10) Storm Water and Water Supply Network Plan
11) Setting Out Plan
12) Roof Plan
13) Door Window Schedule
14) Electrical Layout
15) Plumbing Line Diagram
16) Schedule of Finishes
17) Foundation Layout and Details

** The above drawings will be submitted with a detailed BOQ and Tender Documents. Subsequent to which, the following will be done:

a) Letters of Intent to be given by interested Contractors;
b) 30% Mobilisation Guarantee Fee to be given prior to commencing construction;
c) Performance Bond signed and commencement of work

We will keep you updated on the progress of construction in due course.

Welcome to the Tsunami Housing Project Site

2005-05-25T11:16:00.000+06:00

All our past posts on the housing project along with other projects can be viewed at www.reliefforsrilanka.blogspot.com - however to streamline the updates we have created separate links within our official club website - www.rotaryCregency.org to have automatic updates by project chairpersons of the various Tsunami projects that our club has undertaken.

The Tsunami Housing Project Committee is as follows;

Rtn. Sundharaja Prabhu ( prabhubabu19@yahoo.com )
Rtn. Dedunie De Silva
Rtn. Altaf Ismail
Rtn. Thilal Nanayakkara
Rtn. Mario Perumal

You can contact Rt. Prabhu, the project chsirperson, direct if you need any specific information or clarification regarding this project.