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

20 May 2025 AI summary On behalf of the Minister, Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe stated that 257 major tanks are under the Department of Irrigation and 22 under the Mahaweli Authority, and explained how reservoir reservation boundaries are determined under the Irrigation Ordinance and Mahaweli regulations. He said Mahaweli reservoir reservations were gazetted in 1986, while Department-managed reservoirs rely on legally enforceable survey and engineering plans rather than separate gazette notifications. He further reported that 712 families have so far been identified within the Nuwara Weva reservation boundary through Bim Saviya surveys, with names and related details tabled in annexes, and noted that the number may increase after remaining surveys are completed. Oral Questions: Irrigation Reservoirs and Land Settlement (Q.578/2025 and Q.3519/2025) Land & HousingAgricultureInfrastructure Read →
20 May 2025 AI summary Dr. Susil Ranasinghe stated that encroachments in canal reservations obstruct drainage and increase flood risk, and said the relevant Department is taking action to prevent such obstructions. He invited specific proposals on Ridibendi Ella and Deduru Oya to be submitted to the District Coordinating Committee, where they would be discussed with the Department, funding identified, and necessary flood control works undertaken. Oral Questions: Irrigation Reservoirs and Land Settlement (Q.578/2025 and Q.3519/2025) Public FinanceInfrastructure Read →
20 May 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe stated that while the Irrigation Department can maintain existing sites, its mandate does not cover developing new tourism infrastructure. He noted the tourism potential of department-owned tanks and rest houses and said discussions have begun on their possible use, proposing that the matter be taken up at the District Coordinating Committee with Irrigation Department engineers to prepare proposals. Oral Questions: Irrigation Reservoirs and Land Settlement (Q.578/2025 and Q.3519/2025) Infrastructure Read →
20 May 2025 AI summary On behalf of the Minister, the Deputy Minister of Land and Irrigation answered a parliamentary question regarding a holiday resort. He confirmed several points, stated that the resort is to be renovated as an official residence, and said the remaining part of the question was not applicable in light of those answers. Oral Questions: Irrigation Reservoirs and Land Settlement (Q.578/2025 and Q.3519/2025) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
9 April 2025 AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation, Susil Ranasinghe requested two weeks to provide a detailed answer to the question. The question was ordered to stand down. Oral Questions: Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs; Foreign Employment Parliamentary Procedure Read →
8 April 2025 AI summary The Deputy Minister clarified that permits, deeds, and tax documents remain in effect, and that the issue concerns deeds under the “Urumaya” programme, which converted permits to freehold ownership. He stated that deeds already signed by the President will be issued, while pending cases may either be withdrawn or processed under a new programme beginning in May. Oral Question: Land Deeds for Government Lands Program Land & Housing Read →
8 April 2025 AI summary Applications are currently held either at Divisional Secretariats, the Department of the Land Commissioner General, or, where submitted to the Mahaweli Authority, at its divisional, residential enterprise management, or head offices. The Deputy Minister said documents can be retrieved by submitting an application, while requests for new deeds may be processed under a new programme beginning in May, and assured that the records are safely maintained. Oral Question: Land Deeds for Government Lands Program Land & Housing Read →
8 April 2025 AI summary The Deputy Minister stated that deeds signed by the President are already being issued, while further applications remain under processing. He said applicants who wish to collect their deeds may apply through the relevant Divisional Secretariat or Sri Lanka Mahaweli Authority Division Management Office under the applicable circular, and that others may obtain deeds through a new programme beginning in May. Oral Question: Land Deeds for Government Lands Program Land & Housing Read →
8 April 2025 AI summary The Deputy Minister of Land and Irrigation stated that the new programme for issuing land deeds can begin in May. Oral Question: Land Deeds for Government Lands Program Land & Housing Read →
8 April 2025 AI summary The Deputy Minister stated that the question posed by the Hon. Member was unclear and did not provide a substantive response. Oral Question: Land Deeds for Government Lands Program Parliamentary Procedure Read →
8 April 2025 AI summary Deputy Minister Susil Ranasinghe, answering for the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation, stated that a Cabinet-approved expert committee has been appointed to review the “Urumaya” freehold deeds programme and that Cabinet will decide its future based on the committee’s recommendations. He reported that 22,362 freehold deeds have been issued by the Land Commissioner General’s Department, while the Sri Lanka Mahaweli Authority has prepared 26,968 deeds, of which 8,011 have been distributed and 18,958 remain with local offices for distribution. He also explained that applicants who surrendered old deeds may request their return through the relevant Divisional Secretariat under Circular No. 2023/01-11 dated 21 November 2024, with the same procedure applying under the Mahaweli Authority’s second phase. Oral Question: Land Deeds for Government Lands Program Land & Housing Read →
15 March 2025 AI summary Dr. Susil Ranasinghe stated that there is widespread uncertainty regarding lands administered by the Land Reform Commission across its 18 regional offices, including whether assigned projects are operating and whether lands have been encroached upon. He said discussions have been held with the LRC and a programme is being prepared to verify land status, assess project activity, identify encroachments, and regularize the relevant matters. Oral Question: Projects Planned on Land of Walahanduwa Estate, Galle (Q.255/2024) Land & HousingCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
15 March 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe stated that five acres had been allocated for LRC staff housing and that 42 requests from state institutions and projects could not be approved based on reports. He clarified that the official answer did not record any unauthorized occupations, but said he would inquire and take action if the Member provided specific details. Oral Question: Projects Planned on Land of Walahanduwa Estate, Galle (Q.255/2024) Land & HousingPublic Finance Read →
15 March 2025 AI summary On behalf of the Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation Minister, the Deputy Minister detailed past sales and leases from Walahanduwa Estate in Galle, including allocations to Land Reforms Commission employees, the Akmeemana Multi-purpose Cooperative Society and one long-term leaseholder. He said proposed allocations to the Central Cultural Fund and the Walahanduwa Samurdhi Community Based Bank had been surveyed and valued but not completed, while no alienation had been made to the Tea Small Holdings Development Authority. He stated that Gazette Extraordinary No. 2271/25 of 15 March 2022 vested 401 hectares of the estate in the State Plantation Corporation, creating overlapping requests and leaving related land acquisition processes under the Land Acquisition Act still in progress with no payments made to date. Oral Question: Projects Planned on Land of Walahanduwa Estate, Galle (Q.255/2024) AgricultureLand & Housing Read →
12 March 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe said the allocation of unused Kantale Sugar Factory lands followed a presidential policy decision to provide such lands to farmers, including regularizing some previously unauthorized cultivation. He stated that applications were called through the Divisional Secretariat, land was surveyed, and allocations were made on an annual rental basis, with about 1,300 farmers having received land so far and further applications pending. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation Land & Housing Read →
12 March 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe said public opposition to the project reflects past experiences where similar initiatives burdened communities, and stated that the Government is proceeding cautiously through public engagement. He said environmental studies are being re-examined in consultation with the Department of Wildlife Conservation and the Forest Department, and that further discussions with affected people will be held before proceeding. He assured that no multi-purpose or other project would be implemented if it harms people or the environment. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation InfrastructureEnvironment Read →
12 March 2025 AI summary Dr. Susil Ranasinghe said the Government intends to address bottlenecks in irrigation projects, including the Wee Oya Reservoir project and other stalled projects nationwide. He stated that while environmental concerns and public opposition would be considered, the Government would proceed through discussions with affected communities, provide relief, and ensure fair treatment and justice in any necessary relocation. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation InfrastructureAgricultureEnvironment Read →
12 March 2025 AI summary Dr. Susil Ranasinghe noted that Hon. Kabir Hashim and another Member had raised the issue of the Wee Oya Reservoir. He sought clarification on whether the Member supported the reservoir’s construction and was requesting the Government to proceed with its implementation. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation Infrastructure Read →
12 March 2025 AI summary Deputy Minister Susil Ranasinghe responded to issues raised on the Mundeni Aru project and Mayilathamadu grazing lands. He stated that Rs. 100 million has been allocated in the Budget for land acquisition and related work on Mundeni Aru, while discussions with AFD on prospective loan funding are ongoing. He denied that Opposition MPs had been excluded, saying they would be involved once AFD confirms funding readiness, and added that the Government is addressing the Mayilathamadu grazing lands issue sensitively. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation Public FinanceLand & Housing Read →
5 March 2025 AI summary Clarified that compensation matters fall under the National Water Supply and Drainage Board rather than the Department of Irrigation, and suggested inquiries be directed to the NWSDB. Proposed convening a joint discussion with all relevant parties to resolve the issue. Oral Question: Nilwala River Salinity Barrier - Farmer Compensation (Q.5/2025) InfrastructureLand & Housing Read →