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

23 September 2025 AI summary Minister Anura Karunathilaka stated that the Polgahawela–Pothuhera–Alawwa integrated water supply project is planned to cover 167 Grama Niladhari divisions across five DS divisions in Kurunegala District by 2037, with four GN divisions in Polgahawela excluded on technical grounds and alternative arrangements being considered. He said the 2025 Budget allocation is for settling certified interim bills and completing remaining distribution pipeline works in the Pothuhera and Boyagane zones, but will not immediately resolve supply issues. He added that about 80 per cent of key project components are being taken over by the NWSDB, while reduced distribution scope due to financial constraints and studies for high-elevation areas will guide further implementation once funding is secured. Oral Question Q.10/2025: Alawwa Water Scheme InfrastructurePublic Finance Read →
10 September 2025 AI summary Hon. Anura Karunathilaka stated that the Government has begun resettlement work and allocated funds for it in the first Budget. He said 4,006 people remain to be resettled out of 38,693, and 2,025.80 acres remain to be released out of the original 23,850.72 acres. He added that further land releases are being carried out, subject to security and administrative procedures, with the aim of returning all lands to their original owners. Oral Questions: Jaffna Massacre (Q. 2-117/2024) and Displaced Persons in Valikamam North (Q. 3-1253/2025) Land & Housing Read →
10 September 2025 AI summary The Minister responded to questions on resettlement in Valikamam North, stating that 38,693 of the 42,699 registered displaced persons had been resettled, while 4,006 persons remain. He said 2,583.05 acres of land remain under tri-forces control after 2009, including 2,025.80 acres in Valikamam North, and that 57.39 acres have been released since the Government took office. He outlined the policy of resettling displaced persons on original lands, with further releases subject to consultation, security clearance, administrative requirements, and infrastructure availability, and cited allocations of Rs. 1,259.568 million in 2025 for Jaffna housing and infrastructure projects. Oral Questions: Jaffna Massacre (Q. 2-117/2024) and Displaced Persons in Valikamam North (Q. 3-1253/2025) Security & DefenceInfrastructureLand & Housing Read →
10 September 2025 AI summary Anura Karunathilaka stated that the Gampaha Public Market Complex project began in 2021 and is scheduled for completion in August 2026, with the first phase of temporarily relocating vendors already completed. He said funds allocated in the current Budget have enabled halted UDA projects to restart, and Rs. 107 million has been allocated for this project. He added that tenders have been called and will be opened on the 18th of the month to resume construction. Oral Question: UDA Projects in Gampaha DS Division (Q.4-1254/2025) Public FinanceInfrastructure Read →
10 September 2025 AI summary The Minister provided details of Urban Development Authority projects in the Gampaha Divisional Secretariat Division, with annexes placed in the Library listing major projects from the past decade and planned future developments. He stated that two projects remain incomplete: the Gampaha Public Market Complex, scheduled for completion in August 2026 at an estimated cost of Rs. 634 million, and the Makewita Nelum Wila Walkway, scheduled for completion in 2027 at an estimated cost of Rs. 26.14 million. Planned projects include transport hubs, park-and-ride facilities, pedestrian and bicycle corridors, market and shopping complex development, medium-income housing, bus terminal and rail-parking upgrades, service town development, and urban beautification works. Oral Question: UDA Projects in Gampaha DS Division (Q.4-1254/2025) InfrastructureLand & Housing Read →
9 September 2025 AI summary Anura Karunathilaka stated that questions regarding vehicles reviewed by the former Ministry of Resettlement around 2014 require divisional-level information. He noted that the Resettlement portfolio has since been divided among several ministries, including Defence and Parliamentary Affairs, and requested additional time to obtain the necessary details. Procedural and Standing Order 27(2) Questions Parliamentary Procedure Read →
9 September 2025 AI summary Anura Karunathilaka stated that the National Housing Development Authority does not face cadre shortages but instead has excess staff due to past politically driven recruitments through institutions such as the NHDA and the State Engineering Corporation. He acknowledged problems in promotion procedures and said a clear process is being formulated to manage future promotions. Oral Question: Housing Schemes and NHDA Land Allocation (Q.?/2025) Corruption & Governance ReformPublic Finance Read →
9 September 2025 AI summary Anura Karunathilaka began to address a matter concerning the National Housing Development Authority (NHDA). The available excerpt is incomplete and does not include the substance of his argument, proposal, or question. Oral Question: Housing Schemes and NHDA Land Allocation (Q.?/2025) Public Finance Read →
9 September 2025 AI summary Anura Karunathilaka stated that delays in issuing deeds to housing beneficiaries had accumulated over time and that the Government has planned an expedited programme to address them. He said a Habitat Week declared for World Habitat Day will be used to resolve long-pending issues, including a 6 October programme led by the President to issue deeds to 1,000 beneficiaries, with the main ceremony in Colombo. He added that an accelerated plan is in place to issue deeds for other houses and complete a substantial portion of pending vesting and deed issuance before the end of the year. Oral Question: Housing Schemes and NHDA Land Allocation (Q.?/2025) Land & Housing Read →
9 September 2025 AI summary The Minister stated that several Ampara housing schemes implemented between 1997 and 2006 are on lands belonging to the Ampara Divisional Secretary and have not been vested in the National Housing Development Authority, delaying the issuing of deeds. He said the NHDA has no objection to deeds being issued for the relevant projects, and the Government has decided that Divisional Secretaries should issue the permits or deeds directly rather than vesting the lands in the NHDA first, to avoid further delay. He also tabled annexes detailing housing projects across 14 Divisional Secretary’s Divisions and cited reasons for delays, including unpaid assessed land values, deaths or abandonment by original allottees, and unresolved transfer issues. Oral Question: Housing Schemes and NHDA Land Allocation (Q.?/2025) Land & Housing Read →
9 September 2025 AI summary The Minister of Urban Development, Construction and Housing presented the 2024 Annual Performance Report of the Department of National Physical Planning. He moved that the report be referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Infrastructure and Strategic Development, and the motion was agreed to. Papers Tabled and Committee Reports Parliamentary Procedure Read →
22 August 2025 AI summary The site was allocated to Markop River Restaurant (Pvt) Ltd., whose directors were identified as Mr. Chaminda Prasanga Gunasekara and Ms. Kalpani Bhagya Kumarasiri. The Minister stated that authorities are examining the company’s registration and capacity to carry out the project, and that further action will depend on the outcome of an ongoing inquiry. Oral Questions and Answers (Q.846/2025, Q.1024/2025, Q.1068/2025, Q.1070/2025, Q.1073/2025, Q.1076/2025, Q.1092/2025) Corruption & Governance Reform Read →
22 August 2025 AI summary The matter concerns returning an asset or service to the Municipal Council, but the previous MMC administration reportedly declined to accept it, leading to private operation. With court proceedings still ongoing, the new MMC administration has indicated willingness to take it over for public use, and action is to be taken after the legal process concludes. Oral Questions and Answers (Q.846/2025, Q.1024/2025, Q.1068/2025, Q.1070/2025, Q.1073/2025, Q.1076/2025, Q.1092/2025) Public FinanceCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
22 August 2025 AI summary Minister Anura Karunathilaka answered Question No. 1073/2025 on UDA projects in Matara, stating that 18 projects are being implemented in the district and tabling annexes with project details, expenditures, status, and administrative responsibilities. He said key projects include developments related to the Matara bus stand and Sanath Jayasuriya Stadium, Matara Beach Park, Kotuwegoda Public Market, commercial complexes, parking facilities, and the Nilwala Riverbank Park. Regarding Matara Gangabada Udyana, he said it was intended for recreation and tourism, was not accepted for maintenance by the Matara Municipal Council, was assigned to a private operator, and is now closed under a court order after safety clearance issues; reopening is expected subject to court permission. Oral Questions and Answers (Q.846/2025, Q.1024/2025, Q.1068/2025, Q.1070/2025, Q.1073/2025, Q.1076/2025, Q.1092/2025) InfrastructureLand & Housing Read →
21 August 2025 AI summary The Minister presented Gazette Extraordinary No. 2430/15 under the Construction Industry Development Act, updating criteria and fees for registering adjudicators and contractors, including reducing adjudicator renewal fees and revising contractor grading thresholds to reflect higher project costs. He outlined expanded registration criteria covering renewable electrical installations, financial and technical capacity, safety, quality systems, training, CSR and institutional memberships, alongside revised fees last adjusted in 2018. He also stated that the Government is preparing amendments to the CIDA Act, a National Construction Policy Green Paper by end-October, and procurement guideline reforms to support recovery and governance in the construction sector. Debate: Customs Ordinance Resolution and Related Regulations InfrastructurePublic FinanceLaw & Order Read →
21 August 2025 AI summary Anura Karunathilaka presented the Report of the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Urban Development, Construction and Housing regarding regulations issued under the Construction Industry Development Act, No. 33 of 2014. The regulations, published in Gazette Extraordinary No. 2430/13 of 1 April 2025, had been referred to the Committee and were ordered to lie upon the Table. Papers: Reports and Agreements Tabled Parliamentary Procedure Read →
21 August 2025 AI summary The Minister of Urban Development, Construction and Housing presented the 2019 Annual Report of the State Engineering Corporation of Sri Lanka and the 2023 Annual Report of Ocean View Development Company (Private) Limited. He moved that the reports be referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Infrastructure and Strategic Development, and the motion was agreed to. Papers: Reports and Agreements Tabled Parliamentary Procedure Read →
20 August 2025 AI summary Alternative housing has been arranged under the Urban Regeneration Project for 116 applicants identified for removal, with 111 units allocated because five are dependent sub-households that do not meet minimum eligibility. Of the 24 others initially identified, 15 have left the land and nine remain in unauthorised occupation; eviction orders have been issued by the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court because they do not qualify for housing. The Minister also stated that Cabinet approval will be sought to appoint a committee to consider applications from homeless persons and establish a transparent selection method for future allocations. Oral Questions (Second Round): Various Ministries Land & Housing Read →
6 August 2025 AI summary Anura Karunathilaka formally moved that Hon. Prof. Sena Nanayakkara take the Chair as Presiding Member. The motion was agreed to, after which Hon. Chanaka Madugoda vacated the Chair and Hon. Prof. Sena Nanayakkara assumed it. Debate: Sri Lanka Electricity (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading, Committee and Third Reading Parliamentary Procedure Read →
6 August 2025 AI summary Anura Karunathilaka stated that the matter in question was not destroyed but altered. The remark appears to be a clarification or response to an accusation, without providing further details in the excerpt. Debate: Sri Lanka Electricity (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading, Committee and Third Reading Corruption & Governance Reform Read →