Sri Lanka, Jan. 21 -- 'Prices of many essential commodities reduced'

Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe told Parliament yesterday that the Government has decided to build 16,000 houses countrywide for Aswesuma beneficiaries to uplift their living standards.

"A pilot project specifically targeting 16,000 Aswesuma beneficiary families will be implemented to move them out of poverty through economic, social, and mental empowerment.

These houses are being built as housing complexes for those living in Colombo and its suburbs.

The Government is implementing a number of projects this year to provide benefits especially to low-income earners," the Minister said.

"The Government has also...