Dearest to my heart,
I set foot in Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte around 9 a.m., and the city was bustling with motorcycles, busy as always. Sri Lanka was officially declared bankrupt in 2022 after it defaulted on its foreign debt, leading to a severe economic collapse caused by massive debt, rising fuel and food prices, and the impact of COVID-19. The tourism industry suffered greatly, and a shortage of foreign exchange made it nearly impossible to import essentials, but by 2024, the country had begun to recover gradually. The government reached agreements with the IMF, China, India and other creditors to restructure debt, stabilise the currency, and rebuild reserves. The construction industry is showing promising signs, expected to grow 7.9% in 2025, with the PMI consistently above 50, indicating expansion.
The construction site is still in its early phase. I came for a site visit to see it myself. I do not place high hopes on fast sales, as I know the economy is still growing slowly. Poverty remains high even though the GDP appears promising. In the first quarter of 2025, real GDP growth was around 4.8% year-on-year, while poverty stood at about 25%. This project targets the low-income group. It is a low-cost housing development, but I have upgraded the design slightly to make it look fresher. I always share my mission with you that I want to build affordable homes at minimum cost. The bank will lend the money, and I am trying to structure the monthly payments so they will not be too tight, even though interest rates can be high. My late mother always advised me to use my knowledge to help people.
Seeing their cheerful faces when they receive their house keys, and some even bowing at my feet, fills me with happiness. That feeling alone is deeply satisfying and joyful. Although low-cost units bring smaller profits compared to medium or luxury segments, the emotion they bring makes me refuse to give up on life. At least I have a purpose. I want to be remembered as someone who turned distant dreams into reality. A home is everyone’s need and dream. If houses are sold only at high prices, many countries will end up like Switzerland, with more rented homes than owned ones. A home is not merely a structure; it is where families create memories, strengthen bonds, heal one another, pray, eat, and read together. It should be the safest place on earth, where every heart feels warmth and love.
Every idea you have shared and every book you have brought me, whether in engineering, architecture, mathematics, physics, landscape, or interior design, has shaped both my mind and my craft. Thank you for constantly investing in me — the brand-new computer, tablets, and phone; the technical pens like Rotring Isograph and Pilot; the mechanical pencils from Pentel and Staedtler with graphite leads 2H and HB, so nostalgic; and the LeRoy set, so iconic in its precision. Even the boots, helmet, bag, and watches, too many to name, each carry a memory. Every item you chose with such care has journeyed with me through long site visits, sleepless nights, and countless blueprints. I am grateful for everything you have done, and I thank Allah SWT for blessing me with you, the most beautiful gift in my life.
Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, Sri Lanka
October 4, 2025 / 11:22 pm