Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe, M.P.

Jathika Jana balawegaya (JJB)· Anuradhapura

Minister of Housing, Construction and Water Supply

Profession: Medical Doctor

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Speeches 183 #22 of 225·#10 in party

Attendance 3/8 days present (of recorded)

Speech history

183 speeches

9 June 2026 AI summary The Minister provided data on National Housing Development Authority housing schemes, stating that most pre-2012 high-rise schemes were built without elevators because regulations at the time did not require them, and that elevator maintenance in newer schemes would be transferred to Management Corporations after deeds are issued. He identified two schemes reported as unsafe or unfit for occupation: Slave Island Wekanda, cited by the National Building Research Institute as hazardous, and Nupewela Resettlement Housing Scheme in Matara, found by the Department of Buildings to be unfit for occupation. Responding to a question on NHDA housing and deeds, he stated that 15,947 units were constructed within Colombo Municipal Council limits and 52,174 islandwide as at 31 December 2025, with further project and district details provided in an annex. Adjournment and Written Answers Public FinanceLand & Housing Read →
9 June 2026 AI summary The Minister provided details on lifts in NHDA housing schemes, stating that most high-rise schemes built before 2012 were five floors or fewer and were not required to have lifts under the regulations at the time. He said lifts have been installed only in Soisapura Phase III and the Marapalla Resettlement Housing Project, with maintenance to be handled by Management Corporations after handover, and confirmed that NHDA does not allocate funds for lift maintenance. He also stated that phased measures have been arranged, while indicating that certain follow-up matters were not applicable. Adjournment and Written Answers Land & HousingInfrastructure Read →
9 June 2026 AI summary Accurate data on the national housing shortage by income group or sector is not currently available, and the Ministry is seeking information from the Department of Census and Statistics. The National Housing Development Authority plans several programmes for 2026-2029, including 70,110 grant-assisted houses for poor and low-income families, Sevana housing villages, loan schemes for low and lower-middle-income families, and housing for middle-income earners, tenants, occupants of uninhabitable houses, and government servants, with costs assessed against inflation, mortgage rates, and construction escalation. Eligibility criteria include low income, lack of a permanent house, female-headed households, disability or chronic illness, large numbers of dependents, need for construction or renovation, and ability to pay in middle-income schemes. The Minister also stated that there is no publicly accessible beneficiary registry and listed recent or planned middle-class housing schemes in Tangalle, Ragama, Wadduwa, Ranpokunagama, Kirulapone, Maligawatta, and Gampaha. Adjournment and Written Answers Land & HousingPublic Finance Read →
7 May 2026 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe stated that although he had inspected the Peraru reservoir, he was not aware of the specific issues raised. He clarified that the reservoir falls under the National Water Supply and Drainage Board, requested the District Coordinating Committee to submit recommendations to the Ministry, and said he would obtain details from the Board on the current status, problems, and actions taken before proceeding swiftly. Oral Question 9: Community Water Supply Schemes in Vavuniya Infrastructure Read →
7 May 2026 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe acknowledged serious difficulties in rural community-managed water schemes, noting that nearly half of the 3,800–4,000 schemes under the National Community Water Department face problems due to the Department’s lack of statutory authority, staffing, and technical capacity. He stated that draft legislation to empower the Department would be brought to Parliament, enabling government intervention in such schemes, and that Cabinet-approved structural reforms are being implemented. He also said an action plan would be prepared within months and committed to revisiting affected districts, including Vavuniya, to develop a programme with local representatives. Oral Question 9: Community Water Supply Schemes in Vavuniya EnvironmentInfrastructure Read →
7 May 2026 AI summary The Minister answered a question on water supply projects in Vavuniya District, stating that 73 projects are being implemented across five Divisional Secretary’s Divisions and that 50 are currently supplying water to the public. He said 23 projects are non-operational, mainly due to unpaid electricity bills, lack of funds for repairs, weak community participation, leaks, falling water levels, aged equipment, and communities shifting to other water sources. He stated that the Government will take steps to reactivate these schemes or provide suitable alternative water supply methods, with action planned within the next two years. Oral Question 9: Community Water Supply Schemes in Vavuniya Public FinanceInfrastructure Read →
6 May 2026 AI summary Water supply shortages were attributed to the expansion of connections under the “Water for All” programme without corresponding increases in water treatment capacity. The Minister said the issue affects Kandy as well as the Western Region and Galle, and stated that priority sites have been identified, financing is being pursued, and treatment plant expansion and improved supply in Kandy District are being planned. Oral Question: Laggala Bus Station Facilities (Q.1/885/2025) InfrastructureLand & Housing Read →
6 May 2026 AI summary The Minister clarified that the water supply disruption was caused by silt and damage to the intake following Cyclone “Ditwah,” not by a coal crisis. He stated that a temporary line has been established and the immediate issue is being addressed, while the Government is expediting a permanent relocation of the intake in response to climate change impacts, though no precise completion date was given. Oral Question: Laggala Bus Station Facilities (Q.1/885/2025) InfrastructureEnvironment Read →
6 May 2026 AI summary The Minister stated that the question was ambiguous because several areas named Udagama exist in the Kandy District, and the answer was prepared on the assumption that it referred to Udagama in the Gangawata Korale Divisional Secretary’s Division. He explained that part of that village is served by the Ampitiya Water Supply Scheme, though higher elevations face reduced supply during dry weather and some areas are not covered. He said a technical feasibility study would be conducted once the exact location is confirmed to assess the possibility of a new water supply scheme. Oral Question: Laggala Bus Station Facilities (Q.1/885/2025) Infrastructure Read →
5 May 2026 AI summary The Minister presented, under Standing Order 120(4), a report on observations and actions taken regarding matters concerning the Construction Industry Development Authority in response to a Committee on Public Enterprises report. He moved that the report be referred to COPE, and the motion was agreed to. Papers: Reports and Regulations Tabled Parliamentary Procedure Read →
17 March 2026 AI summary The Minister of Housing, Construction and Water Supply presented the 2023 Annual Report of the National Water Supply and Drainage Board. He moved that the report be referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Infrastructure and Strategic Development, and the motion was agreed to. Tabling of Reports and Papers Infrastructure Read →
19 February 2026 AI summary The Minister said the relevant Board operates in Ampara, Trincomalee and Batticaloa and that he would examine adding design capacity. He stated that he is visiting districts to discuss water plans, intends to visit Batticaloa soon, and will consider the request raised and take appropriate action. Oral Question: Water Supply to Porativu Pattu DS Division and Araiyampathi (Q.353/2025) HealthcareInfrastructure Read →
19 February 2026 AI summary The Minister said he could not confirm details beyond official National Water Supply and Drainage Board data, noting that national production-demand gaps and low water pressure restrict supply hours. He undertook to discuss whether Ampara water sources could serve the cited areas, review issues regarding the reported absence of applications, and examine the proposed package plant, while noting that similar proposals across the country require significant multi-year funding. Oral Question: Water Supply to Porativu Pattu DS Division and Araiyampathi (Q.353/2025) InfrastructurePublic Finance Read →
19 February 2026 AI summary Confirmed that several villages in Porativu Pattu and Manmunai Pattu DS Divisions already have varying levels of pipe-borne water coverage, while others require extensions or upstream infrastructure upgrades. He stated that Kakkachiveddai’s remaining 3.5 km pipeline and Kirankulam-Dharmapuram’s new supply are proposed under the CEDE Project in 2026, with Kirankulam-Dharmapuram targeted to receive water by the end of the year. For Thikkodai-Dumbalai, he said extension is not technically feasible until pumping and transmission main improvements are designed and implemented. Oral Question: Water Supply to Porativu Pattu DS Division and Araiyampathi (Q.353/2025) Public FinanceInfrastructure Read →
18 February 2026 AI summary The Minister of Housing, Construction and Water Supply requested two weeks to respond to the question. The question was ordered to stand down. Oral Questions: Stood Down (Q.4, Q.5) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
5 February 2026 AI summary The Minister supported the three Bills before the House, stating that they form part of the Government’s broader programme to stabilize institutions, laws, and economic management, including establishing a statutory framework for real estate professionals. He said macroeconomic indicators, including foreign reserves of USD 6.8 billion after vehicle import expenditure, show stabilization, and defended procurement processes such as coal tenders as transparent and competitive. He also outlined the Government’s response to the recent cyclone, including housing assistance of Rs. 500,000 for fully damaged houses and up to Rs. 250,000 for partially damaged houses, noting that payments had begun for 136 fully damaged and 1,580 partially damaged houses while delays were due to verification and rebuilding requirements. Debate: Institute of Real Estate Professionals, Container Depot Operators Licensing, and Shipping Agents Licensing Bills (Second Reading) Public FinanceLand & HousingInfrastructure Read →
5 February 2026 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe moved that Hon. Sagarika Athauda take the Chair during proceedings. The motion was agreed to, after which the Deputy Chairperson left the Chair and Hon. Sagarika Athauda assumed it. Debate: Institute of Real Estate Professionals, Container Depot Operators Licensing, and Shipping Agents Licensing Bills (Second Reading) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
3 February 2026 AI summary Clarified that the cited Rs. 23,000 million allocation is not solely for Kivul Oya drinking water, but covers drinking water, irrigation and other uses. Explained that the relevant supply source is the Valachchenai Water Supply Project, dependent on the Rugam Tank scheme, which in turn requires the Mundeni Aru project; preliminary designs have begun though funding is not yet secured. Stated that, as an interim measure, a 1,000 m³/day package plant is being implemented, with another planned if needed, and funds have been allocated with completion targeted by November. Oral Questions and Ministerial Answers Cost of LivingInfrastructure Read →
3 February 2026 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe clarified water supply coverage figures, stating that the 50 per cent figure applied only to Unnichchai, while Nediyamadhu has 90 per cent coverage with 206 connections and Unnichchai has 217 connections. He noted that Panayaruppan, Pansenai, Vadakkalmadu and Pavatkodichchenai currently have no supply, and that Rs. 30 million has been allocated for a 1,000 m³/day package plant, with the tender awarded on 17 September 2025. He said procurement is ongoing for related works, including the overhead tank, pump house, civil works and pumps, supporting the projected completion date of November 2026. Oral Questions and Ministerial Answers Infrastructure Read →
3 February 2026 AI summary The Minister provided answers on pipe-borne water supply coverage in several areas, stating that Nediyamadhu has about 90 per cent coverage with 206 connections, while Unnichchai has about 50 per cent coverage with 217 connections, with remaining areas constrained by higher elevation. He said Panayaruppan, Pansenai, Vadakkalmadu and Pawatkodichchenai cannot currently receive connections due to low pressure in extended pipelines. The Ministry is taking steps to extend pipelines and procure package treatment plants, with the relevant project expected to be completed by November 2026 to meet remaining needs in Unnichchai. Oral Questions and Ministerial Answers Infrastructure Read →