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

8 July 2025 AI summary Minister Anura Karunathilaka stated that 106 Grama Niladhari Divisions were covered under the project, with work completed in 97 and 9 remaining. He said Phase 2 financing from Korea’s Economic Development Cooperation Fund was not finalized due to Sri Lanka’s economic crisis, but discussions with Korea Eximbank have secured preliminary concurrence for an estimated USD 27 million to complete the remaining work once a final agreement is concluded. Oral Question: Drinking Water Supply Projects and Deduru Oya Reservoir (Q. 793/2025) Public FinanceInfrastructure Read →
8 July 2025 AI summary The Minister of Urban Development, Construction and Housing presented the 2023 Annual Report of the Urban Settlement Development Authority and the 2024 Annual Performance Report of the Ministry. He proposed that both reports be referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Infrastructure and Strategic Development, which the House agreed to. Announcements and Papers Parliamentary Procedure Read →
20 June 2025 AI summary An update was provided on resettlement connected to the elevated highway, noting that displaced persons have not yet been resettled despite 349 housing units being allocated. It was stated that UDA housing projects mainly target unauthorized occupants, including those on estates, and that no project is currently proposed specifically for the Kolonnawa Divisional Secretariat Division, though it may be considered in future. Oral Question: Homeless Families in Kolonnawa DS Division - Provision of Houses (Q.280/2024) Land & HousingInfrastructure Read →
20 June 2025 AI summary The Minister clarified that “Laksanda Sevana” and “Sanhinda Sevana” were cited as completed housing examples, not new allocations. He said proposals under the Kolonnawa flood control project are still under discussion and no dates can yet be provided. Regarding the 3,000-house programme, he stated that exact Kolonnawa allocations were not immediately available, though around 40–50 units may be expected subject to confirmation. Oral Question: Homeless Families in Kolonnawa DS Division - Provision of Houses (Q.280/2024) Land & HousingInfrastructure Read →
20 June 2025 AI summary In response to a question on housing needs in Kolonnawa, the Minister stated that 1,035 homeless families had been identified and that the National Housing Development Authority is implementing a nationwide programme to provide 3,000 houses to low-income families in 2025, including eligible families in the Kolonnawa DS Division. He outlined existing loan and assistance schemes, including “Sevabhimani,” “Semata Nivahana,” and phased grants of up to Rs. 3 million for the poorest households, and noted that flats under “Sanhinda Sevana” and “Laksanda Sevana” have already been occupied by estate-related communities. He also said discussions are ongoing under the Kolonnawa Flood Mitigation Project, chaired by the Prime Minister, to provide housing for flood-affected families. Oral Question: Homeless Families in Kolonnawa DS Division - Provision of Houses (Q.280/2024) Land & Housing Read →
3 June 2025 AI summary Minister Anura Karunathilaka said flooding in the Kelani basin is a long-standing problem worsened by climate change and unplanned urbanization, requiring both immediate drainage measures and a long-term solution. He outlined ongoing or planned works including pumping stations for Colombo, the Hettiyagoda Oya drainage project in Kaduwela, the Oliyamulla pumping station, and drainage improvements linked to Kalu Oya for Wattala, Kadawatha, Horape and Ragama. He stated that the Government would seek Cabinet approval to establish a Task Force under the Prime Minister, with relevant MPs and institutions, to review past proposals and develop a sustainable basin-wide solution. Adjournment Motion: Sustainable Solution for Flood Control in Kelani Valley EnvironmentInfrastructure Read →
3 June 2025 AI summary Anura Karunathilaka, as Minister of Urban Development, Construction and Housing, formally moved the adjournment of Parliament. The Chair then proposed the question and called on Hon. Asitha Niroshana Egoda Vithana to speak for three minutes. Adjournment Motion: Sustainable Solution for Flood Control in Kelani Valley Parliamentary Procedure Read →
3 June 2025 AI summary Moved that the Personal Data Protection (Amendment) Bill be referred to a Committee of the whole Parliament, with the Third Reading to be taken on a future date. The motion was agreed to, and the Committee Stage was adjourned accordingly. Debate: Personal Data Protection (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading Parliamentary Procedure Read →
3 June 2025 AI summary The Minister moved the Second Reading of amendments to Sri Lanka’s Personal Data Protection Act on behalf of the Minister of Digital Economy, citing the growing economic and privacy significance of personal data and international models such as the GDPR. He said the amendments address implementation needs before full commencement, including review rights for automated decisions, appeals against refusal of access, withdrawal of consent, and clearer rules for cross-border data flows. He argued the changes would strengthen privacy protections while supporting legal certainty, regulatory readiness, innovation, investment, and international trust. Debate: Personal Data Protection (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading InfrastructureLaw & OrderPublic Finance Read →
23 May 2025 AI summary Anura Karunathilaka challenged the basis of claims about utility price increases, noting a prior prediction of a 35 per cent electricity tariff hike that resulted in an 18 per cent increase. He clarified that the current discussion concerned water and stated that there was no Ministry-level discussion to increase potable water tariffs, adding that he believed such an increase was unnecessary. Questions under Standing Order 27(2): Procedural Matters and Opposition Questions Public FinanceCost of Living Read →
23 May 2025 AI summary The Minister of Urban Development, Construction and Housing responded to the Leader of the Opposition’s claim that water tariffs would be increased, noting that water charges fall under his Ministry. He asked the Opposition Leader to identify the source and basis of the information behind the claim. Questions under Standing Order 27(2): Procedural Matters and Opposition Questions Parliamentary Procedure Read →
22 May 2025 AI summary The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka stated that the Urban Development Authority’s role was limited to preparing the urban plan and facilitating relevant institutions within its mandate. He said land for the school had been acquired and handed over to the Southern Province Ministry of Education, which is now responsible for constructing the school, and that the UDA has completed its part. Oral Question: Sand Mining Permits and Stray Dog Control (Q.7/2025) InfrastructureEducation Read →
22 May 2025 AI summary Agreed that any removal of a school for development, such as a bus stand, must include a proper relocation plan. Referring to a 2016 decision attributed to political intervention, he noted that although four acres had been allocated for rebuilding the old primary school, poor planning meant it had not been constructed. He stated that, in response to the concerns raised, an investigation would be conducted into the disappearance or status of the former school’s physical assets and necessary action would be taken. Oral Question: Sand Mining Permits and Stray Dog Control (Q.7/2025) EducationInfrastructure Read →
22 May 2025 AI summary Anura Karunathilaka stated that the investigation report had not been received by the expected date and that the relevant Ministry Secretary was handling the matter. He said he had again instructed the Secretary to expedite the report, after which further action would be taken based on its recommendations. Oral Question: Takeover of Community Water Supply Centres by NWSDB (Q.6/2025) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
22 May 2025 AI summary A takeover conducted under the Ministry’s EHO charters was initially considered procedurally proper, but beneficiaries have since complained that it was not carried out correctly. An investigation has been initiated, and further action will depend on its findings. Oral Question: Takeover of Community Water Supply Centres by NWSDB (Q.6/2025) Corruption & Governance Reform Read →
22 May 2025 AI summary The Minister stated that Community Water Supply Centres are not automatically taken over by the NWSDB, but procedures exist for taking over problematic or inactive centres once NWSDB coverage begins. He said takeovers require majority agreement from the relevant community-based organization, field inspection, and approvals from the Ministry Secretary and NWSDB Board, with only necessary assets transferred. Regarding a specific centre, he said steps had been taken to hand it over, but complaints about improper handover are under investigation, with the relevant guidelines placed in the Library. Oral Question: Takeover of Community Water Supply Centres by NWSDB (Q.6/2025) Infrastructure Read →
20 May 2025 AI summary The Minister objected to a Member’s intervention, stating that a point of order under Standing Order 92(2)(a) is limited to one minute and must raise a valid procedural issue. He urged the Chair not to allow parliamentary time to be wasted and said unsubstantiated allegations against the Leader of the House or any Member should not be permitted without evidence. Standing Order 27(2) Matter: Public Security and Gang Violence; Special Statement on Tamil Genocide Memorial Parliamentary Procedure Read →
9 May 2025 AI summary Anura Karunathilaka formally moved the adjournment of Parliament. The motion “That Parliament do now adjourn” was proposed for consideration. Adjournment Debate: Law and Order and Crime Prevention Parliamentary Procedure Read →
9 May 2025 AI summary Hon. Anura Karunathilaka outlined planned housing projects across several areas, including schemes supported by Indian assistance in Maduluwawa Sobitha Gama, Mannar and Mullaitivu, and Chinese-assisted apartments in Peliyagoda, Dematagoda, Mannar, Kottawa and elsewhere. He stated that, despite state and donor support, the country remains far from meeting an estimated one million housing need, and said the Ministry, NHDA and Urban Settlement Development Authority will formulate a new integrated national housing policy with new concepts and a more structured approach. Private Members' Motion (P.25/2024): Providing Housing for Every Family in Sri Lanka InfrastructureLand & Housing Read →
9 May 2025 AI summary Minister Anura Karunathilaka said Sri Lanka faces a housing need of about 937,678 units, with nearly 495,520 existing houses requiring upgrading or reconstruction, and argued that past housing projects often failed due to poor planning and weak implementation frameworks. He cited incomplete NHDA projects from 2017–2018 and failed housing villages in Hambantota as examples of unsustainable planning. He stated that the Government’s policy is to ensure a safe home for all, with the Ministry’s agencies supporting 1,764 houses this year, increasing the grant from Rs. 600,000 to Rs. 1,000,000, and planning to hand over urban regeneration units in Colombo, including at Kirulapone and Stadium Gama, later in the year. Private Members' Motion (P.25/2024): Providing Housing for Every Family in Sri Lanka Public FinanceInfrastructureLand & Housing Read →