Hon. Anura Karunathilaka, M.P.

Jathika Jana balawegaya (JJB)· National List

Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation and Minister of Energy

Profession: Academician

Roster profile ↗

Speeches 215 #20 of 225·#9 in party

Attendance 8/8 days present (of recorded)

Speech history

215 speeches

5 February 2025 AI summary Anura Karunathilaka provided figures on deed issuance under several housing projects, noting that deeds have so far been granted for Metrohomes, Mihindusenpura, and Sirisara Uyana only. He stated that 94 deeds were issued for Metrohomes, 398 for Mihindusenpura, and 34 for Sirisara Uyana, while other listed projects remain pending under programmes scheduled for 2025 to 2027. Detailed project-wise information, including unit totals, divisional secretariat areas, and planned deed programme years, was tabled in an annex. Oral Question: UDA Housing Units and Deed Distribution (Q.295/2024) Land & Housing Read →
5 February 2025 AI summary Anura Karunathilaka provided the figure that there are 24 flat projects in total. No further policy position, proposal, or question was included in the excerpt. Oral Question: UDA Housing Units and Deed Distribution (Q.295/2024) Land & Housing Read →
5 February 2025 AI summary The Minister stated that since 2010 the Urban Development Authority has completed 24 flat projects in the Colombo District in relation to the question on granting deeds to residents. He indicated that detailed project information is extensive, implying it would be provided separately or in fuller form as part of the answer. Oral Question: UDA Housing Units and Deed Distribution (Q.295/2024) Land & Housing Read →
23 January 2025 AI summary Hon. Anura Karunathilaka stated that efforts to bring informal economic activity into the formal sector must protect livelihoods and future security. He said informal vendors or structures should not be removed overnight without providing alternative sites or means of income, and that any such action would be accompanied by plans to integrate affected persons into the formal economy. Oral Question: Olcott Mawatha Traders and Floating Market Cost of LivingEmploymentPublic Finance Read →
23 January 2025 AI summary Alternatives are being considered to provide fair relief to traders without placing an undue financial burden on the Urban Development Authority. The matter is still under review, with alternative investors and proposals being sought, and specific timelines will be provided once a final arrangement is reached. Oral Question: Olcott Mawatha Traders and Floating Market Public Finance Read →
23 January 2025 AI summary The Minister stated that the UDA relocated about 883 unauthorized stalls from Olcott Mawatha to the Bastian Mawatha Floating Market in 2014, following the Colombo City Beautification Project, and spent Rs. 312 million on construction and Rs. 40 million on renovations. He said the Floating Market has been unsuccessful, with low trader income, rent difficulties, and recurring UDA losses, while the original lands have been reoccupied by others because the Pettah Multimodal Transport Hub and related projects have not proceeded. He indicated that any decision on returning traders or addressing current occupants should follow an updated UDA plan and study, and that alternatives are being considered to reduce losses and provide fair options for existing traders, including a redesigned market concept or other Pettah trading spaces. Oral Question: Olcott Mawatha Traders and Floating Market InfrastructureLand & Housing Read →
22 January 2025 AI summary The Minister said the Weliampitiya/Kolonnawa residents near the Meethotamulla dump had been surveyed for relocation, but 20 applicants were found ineligible in 2023 after appeals due to issues such as duplicate claims, inadequate proof of residence, and occupation by non-relatives. He stated that eviction action follows a court order identifying the occupants as unauthorized, not merely an internal UDA decision. He added that the Government would still consider the cases compassionately and, with the NHDA, seek to allocate available vacant housing units according to legal eligibility and availability. Oral Question: Housing Scheme Non-Completion in Vavunativu (Q.3/2025) Land & HousingJustice & Human Rights Read →
22 January 2025 AI summary The Minister stated that around 48,000 NHDA-related housing units remain incomplete nationwide, including in Batticaloa, leaving some beneficiaries with loans but unfinished homes. He said the Ministry and NHDA are preparing a phased completion plan subject to budget allocations, considering renewed State bank loan support, and directing part of NHDA’s annual allocations to these schemes. He said a fixed completion date cannot be given due to the scale of funding required and the need to prioritize within available resources. Oral Question: Housing Scheme Non-Completion in Vavunativu (Q.3/2025) Public FinanceLand & Housing Read →
22 January 2025 AI summary The Minister stated that the relevant housing projects have been recognized and that Cabinet approval has been obtained to seek the necessary allocations for their completion. He said work would proceed once Treasury funds are received, while related information has been included in the District Secretariat’s five-year plan. He also noted that UNDP-funded construction is underway for 20 houses in Komathalamadu, 25 in Thumpalacholai/Koppaveli-II, and five in Ollimadu, but no firm completion timeframe can be given until allocations are received. Oral Question: Housing Scheme Non-Completion in Vavunativu (Q.3/2025) Public FinanceLand & Housing Read →
21 January 2025 AI summary Anura Karunathilaka stated that although the original question concerned the Kolonnawa plan, he would examine the broader issues raised due to their public importance. He affirmed that land or areas reserved for public use would not be allowed to be diverted to other purposes. Oral Questions (Multiple Questions) Public FinanceLand & Housing Read →
21 January 2025 AI summary Hon. Anura Karunathilaka acknowledged concerns about public and religious opposition to a single plan covering two local authority areas. He indicated that public views could be obtained before proceeding with any joint plan, and that the member’s proposals would be taken into account. Oral Questions (Multiple Questions) Religion & CultureLand & Housing Read →
21 January 2025 AI summary Anura Karunathilaka responded on urban development planning for the Kolonnawa Divisional Secretary’s Division, noting that it includes the Kotikawatta–Mulleriyawa Pradeshiya Sabha and Kolonnawa Municipal Council. He stated that the UDA’s 2023–2033 development plan for Kotikawatta–Mulleriyawa is nearing gazettement after final review, while a 2024–2034 plan for Kolonnawa MC and updated regulations for the fuel storage safety zone are being drafted for gazettement in 2025. He said such plans identify residential, industrial, mixed-use, road, and recreational zones, and that implementation will depend on budgetary allocations. Oral Questions (Multiple Questions) InfrastructureLand & Housing Read →
8 January 2025 AI summary The Minister of Urban Development, Construction and Housing presented the National Housing Development Authority’s Annual Reports for 2020 and 2022. He moved that the reports be referred to the relevant Committee, and the motion was agreed to. Papers Presented Land & Housing Read →
6 December 2024 AI summary The Minister of Urban Development, Construction and Housing tabled the Annual Reports of the National Housing Development Authority for 2019 and 2021, and the 2023 Annual Performance Report of the Department of Buildings. He moved that the reports be referred to the relevant Committee, and the motion was agreed to. Papers Presented Parliamentary Procedure Read →
3 December 2024 AI summary Minister Anura Karunathilaka described the 10th Parliament as carrying public expectations for political and social change across ethnic, religious, and regional lines, citing electoral outcomes in Matara as evidence of voters rejecting divisive politics. He said the Government and National People’s Power would oppose attempts to inflame ethnic or religious tensions and would not use repressive laws against democratic voices of progressive parties, professional bodies, trade unions, civil organizations, or individuals. He called for cooperation despite ideological differences and portrayed the new parliamentary group as motivated by public service rather than privileges. Debate: President's Policy Statement (Continuation with Maiden Speeches and Responses) Corruption & Governance ReformEthnic Reconciliation & Devolution Read →