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

Jathika Jana balawegaya (JJB)· Anuradhapura

Minister of Housing, Construction and Water Supply

Profession: Medical Doctor

Roster profile ↗

Speeches 183 #22 of 225·#10 in party

Attendance 3/8 days present (of recorded)

Speech history

183 speeches

23 January 2026 AI summary In response to a Standing Order 27(2) question, the Minister stated that 107 vehicles were provided to the Manik Farm Welfare Camp, with no ministry records showing allocations to other camps. He said 95 vehicles were identified as taken by government institutions and 12 by UNHCR, which reported them stolen, and concluded that the vehicles had not been misplaced based on available records. He also stated that tractor RB-2639 was not leased or handed to a private party, and that police and court records showed legal action had been taken over its seizure, with three accused pleading guilty in 2020 and being fined Rs. 20,000. The Minister tabled the full reply and annexed documents, including the UNHCR email and Police report. Ministerial Statement: Vehicles for Welfare Centres Law & OrderLand & Housing Read →
23 January 2026 AI summary The Minister tabled a written answer on the National Housing Development Authority’s technical staff, stating that the former unified Technical Officers’ Service was abolished from 1 January 2006 under Management Services Circular No. 30 and that current staff have been restructured accordingly. He said NHDA’s technical workforce stood at 412 as at 30 November 2025, that no per-kilometre travel allowance is paid, and that eligible field-based staff receive a combined allowance for up to five days per month under the latest instructions in Management Services Circular 01/2025. The answer also stated that promotion procedures are being updated according to Department of Management Services guidance, 2026 development allocations total Rs. 17,137.4 million including Rs. 12,128 million from the Treasury, and the number of technical officers is sufficient for those allocations. Procedural Matters and Points of Order Public FinanceParliamentary Procedure Read →
22 January 2026 AI summary Dr. Susil Ranasinghe defended the Government’s education reforms, arguing that opposition parties were using protests, audit references, and claims about Grade 6 Civic Education materials to create fear among parents rather than engaging with the substance of the reforms. He said the reforms are needed to reduce the pressure of an exam-centric system, improve learning methods, infrastructure and human resources, and support broader skills development. He also challenged the Opposition to proceed with threatened no-confidence motions, including against the Prime Minister, and said the Government would continue explaining and implementing the reform programme. Adjournment Debate: Comprehensive Educational Transformation Process Corruption & Governance ReformEducation Read →
22 January 2026 AI summary The Minister said audit reports referred to earlier conditions and should not be used to claim that current reform preparations remain incomplete. He stated that, although the relevant work was not ready at the time covered by the audit, 94 modules are now being printed for the second term, with a further 188 to follow, and urged Members to be cautious in making allegations. Adjournment Debate: Comprehensive Educational Transformation Process Corruption & Governance ReformPublic Finance Read →
22 January 2026 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe said many housing projects, including in Anuradhapura and Hambantota, remain incomplete or unoccupied due to construction in elephant corridors, forest areas, disputed lands, and flawed beneficiary selection. He stated that the National Housing Development Authority faces wider problems, including poor loan recovery, and has been asked to provide full information. He proposed appointing a special committee to develop national recommendations on resolving land overlaps, reallocating completed houses, selecting deserving beneficiaries, and addressing loan recovery issues. Oral Question: Housing Projects Implemented by NHDA - Details and Transparency EnvironmentLand & HousingCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
22 January 2026 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe questioned the implementation of schemes intended for low-income beneficiaries, alleging that selections in some cases were influenced by political favoritism. He stated that associates, relatives, supporters, and campaign workers of the then-MP were chosen instead of genuinely low-income families. Oral Question: Housing Projects Implemented by NHDA - Details and Transparency Public FinanceCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
22 January 2026 AI summary The Minister provided written answers on housing projects, stating that 51 loan-funded and 13 grant-funded projects involved Rs. 470.74 million in loans and Rs. 82.40 million in grants. He said beneficiaries were selected through interviews with Divisional Secretariats and NHDA officials, covering 1,277 loan beneficiaries and 332 grant beneficiaries, with 1,556 houses planned. Of these, 973 houses had been completed and 583 remained incomplete, due to factors including lack of financial provisions, policy changes, beneficiary issues, pending approvals in wildlife or conservation areas, and inadequate road, water, and electricity infrastructure. Oral Question: Housing Projects Implemented by NHDA - Details and Transparency Land & Housing Read →
21 January 2026 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe defended the Government’s disaster response, saying it restored essential services and normalcy within two weeks after severe damage to power, transport, water, housing, agriculture and industry affecting over 600,000 families. He argued that the President and Ministers provided the leadership needed for the State machinery to respond, while acknowledging weaknesses in the existing Disaster Management Act mechanism. He outlined the housing reconstruction programme, reporting about 6,000 fully damaged and 109,000 partially damaged houses, with Rs. 500,000 for fully destroyed homes and initial Rs. 50,000 payments, rising to a maximum of Rs. 250,000 after assessment, for partial damage. He said disbursements had begun for 1,150 families, with the Government prioritizing safe resettlement and restoration of livelihoods. Adjournment Debate: Post-Cyclone "Ditwah" Situation (Part 1) Public FinanceInfrastructureLand & Housing Read →
21 January 2026 AI summary The Minister responded to the Opposition Leader’s reference to a World Bank projection, arguing that the Government’s economic and development programme should be assessed in the context of current national conditions. He linked the discussion to the housing, construction and water supply sectors, emphasizing the Government’s responsibility to continue infrastructure and public service delivery despite economic constraints. Adjournment Debate: Post-Cyclone "Ditwah" Situation (Part 1) Land & HousingPublic Finance Read →
8 January 2026 AI summary The Minister presented two petitions to Parliament: one from Mr. A. M. M. G. Sarath Ananda of Anuradhapura and another from Ms. K. D. N. Perera of Kollupitiya. No details of the petitions’ subject matter were provided. Petitions Presented Parliamentary Procedure Read →
6 January 2026 AI summary The Minister provided details on official vehicles and fuel allowances assigned to a former Minister between 30 September 2015 and 26 October 2018. He stated that three Ministry vehicles were used until 1 March 2016, after which fuel allowances were paid for three private vehicles, with entitlements based on President’s Circular No. CA/1/17/1 of 14 May 2010. He also gave the vehicle numbers, periods of use, monthly fuel entitlements and recorded expenditure, noting that payments ceased after the Cabinet was dissolved by Gazette Extraordinary No. 2094/43 dated 26 October 2018. Questions and Papers (Resumption after Adjournment) Public FinanceCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
18 December 2025 AI summary The Minister reported extensive disruption to water services following Cyclone “Dicha”, with 156 National Water Supply and Drainage Board treatment plants and 622 community water schemes affected, leaving about 600,000 connections without supply. He said most systems were stabilized within five to seven days through coordinated work by water sector staff, other agencies, the armed forces, volunteers, and local communities, including emergency bowser supply to major hospitals. He cited preliminary damage estimates of Rs. 5.6 billion for NWSDB infrastructure and Rs. 600 million for community schemes, and stated that short-, medium-, and long-term resilience programmes would follow immediate restoration efforts. Adjournment Debate: Current Situation of the Country After Disaster Caused by Cyclone Ditwah Security & DefencePublic FinanceInfrastructure Read →
27 November 2025 AI summary The Minister expressed sympathy to disaster-affected communities and outlined major 2026 irrigation allocations, including over Rs. 77,000 million overall and specific funding for the Lower Malwathu Oya, Mundeni Aru, Kivul Oya, and Maduru Oya projects. He argued that irrigation infrastructure must be paired with planned agriculture, noting problems of low farmer incomes, inadequate yields, weak adherence to sowing schedules, and continued dependence on imports for essential crops. He said the Government is seeking to improve paddy yields from about 80 to at least 100 bushels per acre through a technical package and timely cultivation, while coordinating agriculture, trade, and industry through an integrated pilot programme in Anuradhapura District to stabilize production and markets. Appropriation Bill 2026 - Committee Stage - Eleventh Allotted Day (Heads 118, 281, 282, 285-289, 292, 327, 337) AgricultureInfrastructurePublic Finance Read →
24 November 2025 AI summary Hon. Susil Ranasinghe criticized past “shelter for all” promises made in 2000, 2010 and 2025, arguing that they were not fulfilled and amounted to political falsehoods. He referred to housing projects launched between 2015 and 2019, alleging that assistance such as cement bags and cash was distributed near the 2019 Presidential Election and that, in Trincomalee District, thousands of houses remained incomplete. He stated that his side would not make similar misleading housing promises. Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Transport, Highways, Ports, Civil Aviation, Urban Development, Construction and Housing Land & Housing Read →
24 November 2025 AI summary The Minister said the Ministry’s Advisory Committee will be opened to receive written proposals from Members on housing policy and invited them to participate in discussions. He also stated that, because multiple ministries implement housing programmes, the Government is considering a steering committee with representatives from all relevant ministries and institutions to coordinate policy, targets, and beneficiary selection under unified oversight. Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Transport, Highways, Ports, Civil Aviation, Urban Development, Construction and Housing Land & HousingParliamentary Procedure Read →
24 November 2025 AI summary Minister Susil Ranasinghe outlined Budget 2026 allocations and priorities for housing, water supply, sanitation, construction, and resettlement, including Rs. 70 billion in development capital expenditure and Rs. 10.2 billion for NHDA grants of Rs. 1 million per house for low-income households. He said NWSDB coverage, currently about 52 per cent of households, would be expanded and improved through Rs. 45 billion in funding, completion and commencement of major projects, and Rs. 9 billion for capacity, connections, and quality improvements in districts. He also detailed Rs. 3 billion for rural community water schemes, institutional strengthening of the National Community Water Supply Department, and an increase to Rs. 5 billion for Northern and Eastern resettlement and infrastructure. He noted the construction sector’s contribution to GDP and employment, while indicating that further details on NHDA plans would be provided by the Deputy Minister. Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Transport, Highways, Ports, Civil Aviation, Urban Development, Construction and Housing InfrastructurePublic FinanceLand & Housing Read →
15 November 2025 AI summary The Minister of Housing, Construction and Water Supply requested two weeks to respond to a question. The matter was ordered to stand down, after which the proceedings moved to a privilege matter concerning a reference made by Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar. Oral Question: Q.345/2024 (1) - Housing Question (Stand Down) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
13 November 2025 AI summary Minister Susil Ranasinghe responded to Opposition claims about omissions in the Budget, citing allocations for Hindu religious affairs, restoration of Hindu sites, rubber subsidies, small tea smallholders, and cinnamon development from the Budget documents. He argued that the 2025 Budget stabilized an economy in crisis and that the 2026 Budget shifts toward development through support for rural poverty eradication, entrepreneurship, village-level funding mechanisms such as Prajashakthi, and expanded low-income housing grants. He said housing funds would rise from about Rs. 3.5 billion to Rs. 10.2 billion, defended a community-driven construction model, and contrasted it with earlier housing projects he described as incomplete. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Second Reading (Fifth Allotted Day) AgricultureLand & HousingPublic Finance Read →
13 November 2025 AI summary The Minister said potable water supply to the tourism area and the wider public is recognized as essential. He noted that a proposed supply from Senanayake Samudraya would also need to serve communities along the route to Siyambalanduwa and Panama, with the initial phase estimated at about Rs. 12,000 million. He stated that discussions with the World Bank are ongoing to secure support for the project. Oral Question: Heda Oya Water Supply Project Status (1395/2025) Public FinanceInfrastructure Read →
13 November 2025 AI summary The Minister addressed water supply problems in Lahugala and Arugam Bay, noting that hotel water storage in the tourism zone reduces availability for residents. He stated that the National Water Supply and Drainage Board has tested deep wells, but no adequate groundwater source has yet been identified. Ongoing investigations continue, while the proposed long-term solution is to convey water from Senanayake Samudraya over about 60 kilometres. Oral Question: Heda Oya Water Supply Project Status (1395/2025) Public FinanceInfrastructure Read →