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

11 July 2025 AI summary The Deputy Minister said embankments on the southern bank of the Gal Oya had weakened due to paddy cultivation up to the riverbank, contributing to flooding during the last Maha season. He stated that around 250 metres of permanent embankment stabilization using earthworks, with Rs. 111 million allocated, had commenced, and that additional work over about four kilometres near the anicut was also funded and under way in line with technical recommendations. Oral Questions - First Round AgricultureInfrastructureLand & Housing Read →
8 July 2025 AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation, the Deputy Minister provided figures and status details relating to land grant documents, including 64 persons in one list and 60 persons in another, with annexes tabled. He stated that under the previous Government’s e-SLIMS process, free grant documents had been printed for four persons, with two completed and handed to the Divisional Secretary and two still pending. He said the “Urumaya” Programme is under Cabinet review due to legal, social and technical issues, while existing applications continue to be processed for deed grants. Oral Question: Urumaya Freehold Deeds in Manmunai North Division Land & Housing Read →
19 June 2025 AI summary Hon. Susil Ranasinghe stated that if the company regularized under the interim sublease has failed to develop the land in accordance with the lease conditions, steps will be taken to repossess it. He said a committee led by the Divisional Secretary is examining compliance, re-vesting procedures, the related bank mortgage issue, and measures to protect State interests and recover arrears. Oral Question: Re-lease of Land in Mahaweli C Zone to Informatics (Pvt.) Limited (Q.5/2025) Land & Housing Read →
19 June 2025 AI summary Hon. Susil Ranasinghe described alleged irregularities involving a 76-acre LRC land in Kurunegala vested in the Agriculture Ministry in 2000 and later leased to the Hiriyala Farmers’ Company after BOI-funded development. He said lease rents were reduced and revisions halted through presidential directions, payments were not made, the lease was mortgaged to Lankaputra Bank, and unlawful subleasing occurred despite the State receiving no revenue. He stated that a committee has been appointed to examine how the land can be repossessed and that legal steps are being considered to re-vest it in the State. Oral Question: Re-lease of Land in Mahaweli C Zone to Informatics (Pvt.) Limited (Q.5/2025) Corruption & Governance ReformLand & HousingPublic Finance Read →
19 June 2025 AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation, Susil Ranasinghe answered questions on the C/S Hiriyala Farmers’ Company, stating that Rs. 37,621,110 had been paid including compensation and interest, and that the original project was a pilot initiative for processing agricultural produce. He said the land had been leased for 30 years at Rs. 304,000 annually, but had not been properly developed and had been subleased without approval to outside parties, including Raigam (Wayamba) Cereals Ltd. He further stated that action to cancel the lease was being pursued due to breach of conditions, while taking account of the lease being mortgaged to Lankaputra Bank and related loan recovery and court settlement issues. Oral Question: Re-lease of Land in Mahaweli C Zone to Informatics (Pvt.) Limited (Q.5/2025) AgriculturePublic FinanceLand & Housing Read →
19 June 2025 AI summary The revision in question was made under Lands Circular 2017/1 of 4 July 2017 rather than the State Lands Ordinance. The Minister stated that the validity of the circular, possible amendments to it, and whether the revision can be changed will be examined before taking appropriate action. Oral Question: Re-lease of Land in Mahaweli C Zone to Informatics (Pvt.) Limited (Q.5/2025) Land & Housing Read →
19 June 2025 AI summary Deputy Minister Susil Ranasinghe said the Mahaweli Authority leased 1,000 acres in Dehiattakandiya to Informatics Agrotech (Pvt.) Ltd. in 1991 for 30 years, and Cabinet approved a further 30-year lease from 1 January 2021. He stated that the renewed rent was calculated under Lands Circular 2017/01 as the previous final-year rent plus 20%, rather than through a fresh valuation under the State Lands Ordinance. He said the Ministry is examining whether this arrangement can be revisited by amending or rescinding the relevant Lands and Mahaweli Authority circulars. Oral Question: Re-lease of Land in Mahaweli C Zone to Informatics (Pvt.) Limited (Q.5/2025) Land & HousingPublic FinanceLaw & Order Read →
17 June 2025 AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation, an answer was tabled regarding land permits and grants in the Manmunai North Divisional Secretariat Division. It stated that before 1995, permits and grants under the Land Development Ordinance were issued through Land Kachcheri programmes only to eligible low-income persons, but since the area falls within Municipal Council limits, such alienations are now handled under the State Lands Ordinance as long-term leases. Further details were provided through annexures, and some parts of the question were deemed not applicable. Oral Questions Second Round Q.875/2025 and Related Questions Land & Housing Read →
17 June 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe said repeated concerns about LRC lands relate to irregularities involving political actors, some officials, manipulated records, and misuse of LRC funds, including a COPE-revealed loss of about Rs. 350 million on an organic fertilizer project. He also noted excess staff recruitment during election periods and said the Government is investigating complaints, digitizing LRC records, and preparing procedures to regularize operations. He stated that a plan is being developed to use LRC lands for residential, agricultural, and industrial purposes to support the economy and provide proper access and title to the public. Oral Question Q.??/2025: Land Reform Commission Employee Land Grants Land & HousingPublic FinanceCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
17 June 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe stated that a programme has begun to grant LRC land permits and deeds to current occupants using such lands for housing or agriculture, with a target of at least 5,000 land titles in 2025. He added that the Government also plans to allocate at least 500 LRC land parcels for commercial, agricultural, and industrial investment projects in 2025, with the aim of contributing to economic value and growth. Oral Question Q.??/2025: Land Reform Commission Employee Land Grants Public FinanceAgricultureLand & Housing Read →
17 June 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe explained that the Land Reforms Commission’s allocation of housing plots to eligible employees was based on Commission-approved welfare policy, limited to staff with at least five years’ continuous service and no disciplinary action. He stated that plot sizes and charges were determined under prior Commission circulars and legal provisions, and that transfers were made through normal conveyancing processes, making “Sinnakkara” deeded land private property. He noted that issues raised in the 2023 Auditor General’s Report on land allocations would be reviewed and rectified by the current Commission, and tabled the register of employee land beneficiaries as an annexure. Oral Question Q.??/2025: Land Reform Commission Employee Land Grants Land & HousingPublic Finance Read →
17 June 2025 AI summary The Deputy Minister stated that the Land Reform Commission has allocated land lots to serving employees under an employee welfare scheme since 1982, with recoveries made from employees. He said records from 2007 to 11 April 2025 show that deeds have been issued to 395 employees, and that a full report would be presented. He explained that the scheme was implemented under the Land Reform Law, No. 1 of 1972, particularly provisions relating to employee welfare, as an alternative to the costly provision of housing or hostel facilities, with earlier allocations generally around 40 perches per employee. Oral Question Q.??/2025: Land Reform Commission Employee Land Grants Land & HousingPublic Finance Read →
17 June 2025 AI summary Flood-prone rivers have already been studied, and a new flood mitigation programme based on those findings is expected to begin initial steps within about a week to ten days. The programme is intended to coordinate local authorities, relevant institutions, Members of Parliament, and the Department of Irrigation, consolidating existing data and assigning actions, funding sources, and institutional responsibilities for a long-term flood control plan. Oral Question Q.??/2024: Gin River Overflow and Flood Management EnvironmentInfrastructure Read →
17 June 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe stated that the Ministry is reviewing issues in the preparation of studies related to the Gin–Nilwala Project, as well as studies on other flood-prone rivers including the Kelani. He said the Ministry, in consultation with the Department of Irrigation, is preparing a work plan to identify existing studies, assess their findings, and determine the necessary follow-up actions. Oral Question Q.??/2024: Gin River Overflow and Flood Management EnvironmentPublic FinanceInfrastructure Read →
17 June 2025 AI summary The Deputy Minister, replying on behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation, confirmed the existence of CRIP study reports and a Gin–Nilwala Diversion Project report, prepared respectively by Atkins under the World Bank-assisted Climate Resilience Improvement Project and by China CAMC Engineering. He stated that CRIP studied 10 river basins, including the Gin basin, at a cost of USD 14.4 million, while USD 29.98 million had been spent on the Gin–Nilwala project, funded by the Government of Sri Lanka. He also outlined the earlier China-assisted Gin Ganga Flood Control Project implemented from 1976 to 1982 and noted that rehabilitation of its pumping stations, costing Rs. 700 million, was completed in 2021. Oral Question Q.??/2024: Gin River Overflow and Flood Management AgricultureInfrastructure Read →
6 June 2025 AI summary Deputy Minister Susil Ranasinghe outlined a ten-week Mahaweli-related regional programme implemented across ten regions, aimed at improving links between officials, institutions, farmer organizations and communities while reviving Mahaweli operations at low cost. He stated that 1,689 activities were conducted at a cost of Rs. 52.75 million, and that progress is being reviewed through regional reports. Oral Question: Mahaweli Re-awakening Week (Q.619/2025) InfrastructureAgriculture Read →
6 June 2025 AI summary During Mahaweli Re-awakening Week, no dedicated or accelerated programme was conducted to issue land permits to Mahaweli residents, though some steps were taken to address land-related issues. The Deputy Minister acknowledged longstanding shortcomings and delays in issuing deeds and permits to settlers, and stated that changes in the Land Division have led to a 2025 programme to grant permits or deeds to many current occupants of Mahaweli lands. Oral Question: Mahaweli Re-awakening Week (Q.619/2025) Land & Housing Read →
6 June 2025 AI summary The Deputy Minister, responding on behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation to Question No. 619/2025, confirmed that the “Mahaweli Punaruda Sathiya” programme was implemented with objectives including accelerating Mahaweli development, poverty alleviation, infrastructure improvement, community participation, and alignment with the Clean Sri Lanka National Programme. He stated that Rs. 52.758 million was spent and listed activities undertaken, including voluntary work programmes, agricultural, fisheries, livestock, irrigation, road, community, environmental, medical, anti-drug, land development, and staff training initiatives. Oral Question: Mahaweli Re-awakening Week (Q.619/2025) AgricultureInfrastructurePublic Finance Read →
5 June 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe highlighted long-standing documentation problems affecting residents on Mahaweli lands, noting that some have lived there for 30 to 40 years without proof of land rights. He said reforms in the Lands Division and a prepared plan aim to issue deeds or permits confirming ownership to a significant number of residents during 2025, though not necessarily to all. Oral Question: Dehiattakandiya Land Rights (Deputy Minister Agriculture Response) Land & Housing Read →
5 June 2025 AI summary The Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe stated that the Ministry has launched the “Irrigation Pride – Our Heritage” irrigation development project, with Rs. 78,000 million allocated in the Budget and 42 Mahaweli Authority tanks scheduled for rehabilitation this year. He said he could not confirm how many tanks in Dehiattakandiya are included, but indicated that any omitted tanks could be considered for the 2026 Budget and that prioritized proposals could be obtained from the Mahaweli Authority’s “C” Zone Regional Engineer. Oral Question: Dehiattakandiya Land Rights (Deputy Minister Agriculture Response) AgricultureInfrastructurePublic Finance Read →