Hon. Aravinda Senarath, M.P.

Jathika Jana balawegaya (JJB)· Hambantota

Deputy Minister of Land and Irrigation

Profession: Teacher

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Speeches 94 #51 of 225·#24 in party

Attendance 2/8 days present (of recorded)

Speech history

94 speeches

20 January 2026 AI summary Legal action and court orders related to the area are not being pursued on an ethnic basis but against any parties linked to unlawful activity, regardless of ethnicity or status. Ministry of Lands officials, including officers of the Land Commissioner General, are conducting site inspections and field studies to gather information and prepare a formal response to the concerns previously raised. Oral Question: Land-Related Actions in Manmunai Pattu and Vakarai Divisions (Q.36/2026) Land & HousingJustice & Human RightsEthnic Reconciliation & Devolution Read →
20 January 2026 AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation, Aravinda Senarath replied to a question by Hon. Dr. M.L.A.M. Hizbullah regarding occupation of State lands in the Manmunai Pattu Divisional Secretary’s Division. He stated that lists of residents without deeds or land permits, and details of 31 persons subject to court-ordered evictions between 2017 and March 2025, were provided in annexes, and said the relevant court orders had been implemented. He further stated that no selective action had been taken, making subsequent parts of the question not applicable. Oral Question: Land-Related Actions in Manmunai Pattu and Vakarai Divisions (Q.36/2026) Land & Housing Read →
20 January 2026 AI summary The Deputy Minister addressed concerns affecting dairy farmers in multiple districts and advised that formal requests be submitted through District or Divisional Coordinating Committees. He stated that the Ministry is already working to identify pasture lands and, upon receiving requests, will survey and release suitable State lands for fodder cultivation. Oral Question: State Lands on Lease in Anuradhapura District (Q.27/2026) AgricultureLand & Housing Read →
20 January 2026 AI summary The Deputy Minister said informal and undocumented allocation of land to politicians and associates has created administrative difficulties and is a longstanding national issue. Regarding Horowpothana, he stated that field inspections are being conducted and the Divisional Secretary has been instructed to submit a report promptly, after which further information will be provided. Oral Question: State Lands on Lease in Anuradhapura District (Q.27/2026) Corruption & Governance ReformLand & Housing Read →
20 January 2026 AI summary Deputy Minister Aravinda Senarath provided an answer on State land leases in Anuradhapura District, listing figures by Divisional Secretariat Division and noting that Thambuttegama lands are vested in the Mahaweli Authority. He stated that no permits, grants or long-term licences have been issued for the relevant lands, while officials are surveying and gathering details on cultivation reportedly carried out since around 2005 by residents, outsiders, and former MP S.M. Chandrasena and his spouse. He also reported that fertilizer subsidy and cash assistance had been provided for limited acreages during recent Maha seasons, with specific payment and fertilizer quantities given. Oral Question: State Lands on Lease in Anuradhapura District (Q.27/2026) AgricultureLand & Housing Read →
7 January 2026 AI summary Aravinda Senarath stated that discussions are underway with the relevant officials regarding the issue raised. He assured Parliament that necessary interventions would be made promptly to resolve it. Questions under Standing Order 27(2) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
7 January 2026 AI summary The Deputy Minister said the Member’s concerns regarding the area are already under discussion with the Land Commissioner General, including matters raised previously. He stated that the Ministry is ready to act promptly on the current issues and proposed coordinating with the Member to develop an appropriate arrangement. Questions under Standing Order 27(2) Land & Housing Read →
18 December 2025 AI summary Aravinda Senarath said the Government had managed the recent crisis in a way that minimized harm to the public and protected major irrigation infrastructure, including the Mahaweli system. He acknowledged some damage to minor irrigation systems in Anuradhapura, attributing it to issues such as the absence of spill gates, and stated that the Government’s decisions over 669 days had aimed to steer the country in the right direction and improve public living conditions. Adjournment Debate: Current Situation of the Country After Disaster Caused by Cyclone Ditwah InfrastructurePublic Finance Read →
18 December 2025 AI summary The Deputy Minister defended the Irrigation Department and Mahaweli Authority’s flood management during the November 2025 disaster, citing reservoir monitoring systems, hydrological gauges, real-time data updates and staff deployment during record rainfall. He rejected opposition criticism and argued that agencies had acted methodically to minimize downstream damage, while noting recurring flood risks in areas such as Colombo and Ampara. He said the Government is preparing long-term flood mitigation plans and that the Lands Ministry will identify safe state lands, including LRC and Mahaweli lands, for resettling people from high-risk areas in Nuwara Eliya, Kandy and Badulla. Adjournment Debate: Current Situation of the Country After Disaster Caused by Cyclone Ditwah EnvironmentLand & HousingInfrastructure Read →
27 November 2025 AI summary Aravinda Senarath outlined increased government allocations for irrigation, from Rs. 74,000 million in 2025 to Rs. 91,000 million in 2026, alongside Rs. 10,000 million for rehabilitating village tanks through the Department of Agrarian Services. Responding to Opposition claims that agriculture had collapsed, he cited current pepper and rubber latex prices and said 2026 plans aim to further raise farmer incomes. He also addressed Weligama disease in coconut palms, stating the Government will provide Rs. 10,000 for each infected tree removed to prevent wider crop damage. Appropriation Bill 2026 - Committee Stage - Eleventh Allotted Day (Heads 118, 281, 282, 285-289, 292, 327, 337) Agriculture Read →
27 November 2025 AI summary Deputy Minister Aravinda Senarath said the Government was addressing the current cyclone and flood threat through district-level disaster preparedness, prior instructions, and allocated funds, while urging continued support for affected people. Responding to Opposition allegations, he rejected claims of ethnic bias or neglect of the North, stating that steps were being taken on land issues in Vavuniya and Mullaitivu and that Mahaweli waters would be taken to the North. He said the Ministry had been reorganized to better integrate land, irrigation, agriculture and livestock functions, with about Rs. 267 billion allocated in the 2026 Budget, including major allocations for irrigation, lands and agrarian development, to support a planned transition from subsistence agriculture to a production economy. Appropriation Bill 2026 - Committee Stage - Eleventh Allotted Day (Heads 118, 281, 282, 285-289, 292, 327, 337) Land & HousingAgricultureEnvironment Read →
26 November 2025 AI summary Aravinda Senarath stated that the Government intends to issue the highest number of “Himikam” deeds in the coming year. He acknowledged the adjournment motion as democratic and said some concerns raised by the Member warrant consideration, while affirming that the Government is taking steps to deliver land deeds to the public. Adjournment Debate: Grant of Freehold Deeds to Occupants of State Lands Land & Housing Read →
26 November 2025 AI summary Hon. Aravinda Senarath said the former Government’s “Urumaya” deed proposal was an election-oriented and insufficiently studied pledge, whereas the current Government is pursuing a structured process to identify permit holders, regularize transfers and grant freehold titles where appropriate. He stated that about 49,402 deeds have already been issued through the Land Commissioner General’s Department and Mahaweli, with prepared deeds sent to District Secretariats for distribution. He emphasized the need for verification due to irregular permits, politically influenced land allocations and encroachments on protected or reserved lands, and said the “Gihimikama” programme uses field inspections before granting ownership. He said the Government aims to accelerate the process and issue the highest number of titles by 2026. Adjournment Debate: Grant of Freehold Deeds to Occupants of State Lands Land & HousingCorruption & Governance ReformPublic Finance Read →
26 November 2025 AI summary Aravinda Senarath said the adjournment motion concerns long-standing public demands for secure land ownership and problems in the issuance of deeds. He noted that deed distribution has been a recurring public grievance for decades and has often been politicized during election periods. Adjournment Debate: Grant of Freehold Deeds to Occupants of State Lands Parliamentary ProcedureLand & Housing Read →
19 November 2025 AI summary Many objectives of establishing the Land Reform Commission have been achieved, according to the tabled answer. The response states that lands declared under the Land Reform Law total 1,418,391 acres, 3 roods and 37 perches under Law No. 1 of 1972, and 418,754 acres, 2 roods and 28 perches under Law No. 39, with some vested lands not yet fully surveyed and mapping being carried out with the Department of Survey. Questions on other government institutions owning State lands and disposals from those lands were marked not applicable. Oral Question: Lands Owned by Land Reform Commission (Q.?) - Procedural Stand Over Land & Housing Read →
12 November 2025 AI summary Aravinda Senarath said the Government had arranged relief measures including a Rs. 14,000 fertilizer subsidy for inter-season cultivation, farmer compensation payments including arrears, Rs. 15,000 per hectare in additional cultivation assistance, a fuel subsidy for fishers, and expanded access to the President’s Fund at village level. He criticized the Opposition over past handling of compensation and welfare funds, and stated that the public servants’ basic salary would rise from Rs. 24,250 to Rs. 40,000, with 30 percent of the increase paid from January 2026. He argued that the 2025 relief measures and the 2026 Budget would support development and change Sri Lanka’s political and economic trajectory. Appropriation Bill, 2026 - Second Reading Debate AgricultureEmploymentPublic Finance Read →
12 November 2025 AI summary Hon. Aravinda Senarath defended the NPP Government’s 2025 record, arguing that since appropriations began only in May, it had used the first months to rebuild public finances while expanding targeted welfare. He listed increases to Aswesuma, CKD, elderly, education, nutrition, scholarship, Mahapola, preschool, vocational, and housing benefits, as well as measures such as banning child labour from 1 July and adding 150 ambulances to Suwaseriya. He also highlighted housing grant increases, title regularization, continued foreign-assisted housing, and a higher fertilizer subsidy, while criticizing previous housing projects built in unsuitable locations such as elephant corridors. Appropriation Bill, 2026 - Second Reading Debate EducationCost of LivingHealthcare Read →
12 November 2025 AI summary The Deputy Minister praised the Government’s second Budget as people-focused and said public reaction across sectors was positive. He argued that the Opposition was divided in its response, with some acknowledging Government achievements while others criticized revenue and growth measures. He also urged Members to avoid personal attacks and uphold the dignity of Parliament as a law-making institution. Appropriation Bill, 2026 - Second Reading Debate Public FinanceParliamentary Procedure Read →
12 November 2025 AI summary Aravinda Senarath acknowledged irregularities in land instruments, including duplicate instruments for the same plot, long-term occupants being bypassed in favour of persons from other districts, and instruments issued without site inspections. He said discussions are under way with Legal Affairs to introduce a standardized instrument and strengthen the legal framework to address about 600 related court cases lawfully and fairly. Oral Question 1289/2025: Lands belonging to Land Reform Commission - Transfer Corruption & Governance ReformLand & HousingJustice & Human Rights Read →
12 November 2025 AI summary Hon. Aravinda Senarath said there is public and administrative uncertainty over land alienations and acquisitions, with records indicating past non-compliance and inadequate audits. He noted allegations that lands had been distributed to associates or relatives under previous political authorities and fragmented for activities such as gem mining. He stated that the Ministry intends to audit, regularize, and strengthen oversight to improve transparency and accountability in land use. Oral Question 1289/2025: Lands belonging to Land Reform Commission - Transfer Land & HousingCorruption & Governance ReformPublic Finance Read →