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

5 March 2025 AI summary The Deputy Minister stated that although the river falls under the Department of Irrigation, the National Water Supply and Drainage Board led the approval and construction of the salinity barrier, with the Department granting construction approval. He acknowledged technical problems causing hardship to local residents and said a technical evaluation report was being delayed. He proposed an urgent meeting involving the Minister, the Water Supply and Drainage Board, and the Department of Irrigation to identify immediate remedial actions, with the Board taking the lead and the Department of Irrigation providing support. Oral Question: Nilwala River Salinity Barrier - Farmer Compensation (Q.5/2025) Public FinanceInfrastructure Read →
4 March 2025 AI summary Deputy Minister Susil Ranasinghe acknowledged severe flooding in Ratnapura, primarily caused by high monsoon flows in the Kalu Ganga, and said existing mitigation and compensation measures are insufficient. He outlined Irrigation Department proposals based on a 2014 study, including dry dams at Malwala and on the Walawe Ganga, water diversion and reservoir options, and rehabilitation of the Kalu Ganga river mouth with a saltwater barrier. He stated that no allocation is available in the current Budget, as priority is being given to resolving stalled irrigation projects, but said these structural flood-control measures, estimated at about USD 250 million, could be considered in future budgets. Adjournment Motion: Flood Mitigation in Ratnapura District Land & HousingEnvironmentInfrastructure Read →
1 March 2025 AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation, a request was made for one week to provide an answer. The question was accordingly ordered to stand down, before proceedings moved to the second round concerning obstacles to planting a Bo sapling in the Galle Port premises. Procedural: Question No. 5 stood down Parliamentary Procedure Read →
1 March 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe raised concern that a valuable 20-perch plot near Homagama, Pitipana had been sold for Rs. 1,000 per perch under provisions of the LRC Act for employee housing and amenities. He said 392 employees had received land and 157 more had letters of intent, but alleged that influential or politically connected groups were obtaining high-value land at low prices. He noted that LRC land disposed of under the Employees’ Welfare Fund can be reacquired for a government purpose, and proposed that the Divisional Coordinating Committee adopt a resolution to enable such reacquisition. Oral Question: LRC Land in Mahenawatta - Pitipana Sale (Q.3/2025) Land & HousingCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
1 March 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe clarified that the figures provided on disposals were as at 31 December 2023. He stated that the specific year had not been supplied because it had not been requested. Oral Question: LRC Land in Mahenawatta - Pitipana Sale (Q.3/2025) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
1 March 2025 AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation, the Deputy Minister stated that Pitipana Watta, also known as Mahena Watta, had been disposed of to State institutions and through an Employees’ Welfare Fund sale. He specified allocations of 124 acres, 1 rood and 17.87 perches to the Urban Development Authority, 1 rood and 16.85 perches to the Defence Ministry’s Research and Development Centre, and 20 perches sold at Rs. 1,000 per perch, noting that disposals were completed and no valuation was obtained by the Land Reform Commission. He said reacquisition was unnecessary for State-held portions, while the 20-perch welfare fund plot could be acquired for a Government purpose if required. Oral Question: LRC Land in Mahenawatta - Pitipana Sale (Q.3/2025) Land & Housing Read →
22 February 2025 AI summary The Deputy Minister stated that 60 acres had been allocated for an industrial estate, with a further 10 acres adjoining it, of which 5 acres were legally released back to the family to enable cultivation. He offered to obtain and submit a detailed brief from the Land Reform Commission if further specifics were required, and noted the LRC Chairman’s appreciation of parliamentary questions as supporting oversight and operational improvements. Oral Questions: STaRR Project (Q.1/2025), KL-2 Project Kalutara (Q.2/2025), Lands - Elpitiya DS (Q.3/2025), Meegahakiula Bus Station (Q.4/2025) Land & Housing Read →
22 February 2025 AI summary In response regarding the Eramulla GN Division, it was stated that 10 acres had been lawfully released to Mrs. Durgadevi Aberathna on a family alternative/return basis after previously acquired land was regularized. The Deputy Minister said the family legally holds the land and that any subdivision of it falls within their legal rights. Oral Questions: STaRR Project (Q.1/2025), KL-2 Project Kalutara (Q.2/2025), Lands - Elpitiya DS (Q.3/2025), Meegahakiula Bus Station (Q.4/2025) Land & Housing Read →
22 February 2025 AI summary On behalf of the Minister, the Deputy Minister provided a written-style response on Land Reform Commission lands in the Elpitiya Divisional Secretariat area. He reported the extent of high land and paddy land, outlined allocations for legal encumbrances, projects, and housing sales between 2016 and 2024, and stated that detailed GN Division breakdowns and grantee information are contained in annexes placed in the Library. Oral Questions: STaRR Project (Q.1/2025), KL-2 Project Kalutara (Q.2/2025), Lands - Elpitiya DS (Q.3/2025), Meegahakiula Bus Station (Q.4/2025) Land & Housing Read →
22 January 2025 AI summary Lands released for housing included four plots reserved for common amenities, which were reported to be currently unoccupied. Dr. Susil Ranasinghe stated that if those plots are being used for non-public purposes, he would refer the matter to the Land Reform Commission for investigation. He added that the LRC has authority to re-acquire reserved common lands if they are being misused and undertook to take appropriate action. Oral Question: Lands Released from Land Reform Commission to Dharmayathana Protection Council (Q.7/2025) Land & Housing Read →
22 January 2025 AI summary In response to concerns raised by Hon. Rohana Bandara, Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe stated that inquiries are being conducted into alleged malpractice involving LRC lands. He indicated that further action is being taken based on those inquiries. Oral Question: Lands Released from Land Reform Commission to Dharmayathana Protection Council (Q.7/2025) Land & HousingJustice & Human Rights Read →
22 January 2025 AI summary On behalf of the Minister, Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe replied to a question regarding land plots, stating that there were 46 residential plots, 15 plots for roads or reservations, and 4 plots for common purposes, with their extents specified. He said the residential plots had been alienated for housing through a public auction in 2000, with additional allocations in 2007 following a request by the Chairmen’s Association of Labour Tribunals, and that valuation reports and the layout plan were tabled as annexes. He further stated that the common plots are currently unused. Oral Question: Lands Released from Land Reform Commission to Dharmayathana Protection Council (Q.7/2025) Land & Housing Read →
22 January 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe stated that the Government is considering a structured process for issuing land titles and lands to all landowners connected to the Land Reform Commission, not only the specific owners under discussion. He emphasized that the process would be carried out in an orderly manner. Oral Question: Lands Owned by Land Reform Commission - Fraudulent Acquisition (Q.4/2025) Land & Housing Read →
22 January 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe said issuance of LRC permits for small residential lots has been paused due to ongoing inquiries into LRC lands, but the investigations concern large project lands rather than ordinary residential titles. He expressed regret to affected applicants and stated that the backlog of individual residential permits would be fast-tracked and released soon. He also said the Urumaya free grant programme has raised concerns because grants issued without conditions may enable misuse, sale, or transfer of land, and that officials have advised considering alternatives. He noted that about 27,000 Urumaya deeds have been issued, many applications remain pending, and expert advice is being taken before further title issuance steps are finalized. Oral Question: Lands Owned by Land Reform Commission - Fraudulent Acquisition (Q.4/2025) Land & HousingPublic Finance Read →
22 January 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe said the Land Reform Commission lacks reliable records on the extent, leasing, and current status of its lands, creating irregularities and requiring institutional regularization. He stated that the failed organic fertilizer project funded through the LRC is under inquiry following Cabinet decisions, though the committee’s work has been slow. He also said a committee is reviewing LRC land grants from 2015 onward, new land alienations have been suspended for three months, and legal action will be considered where wrongdoing is found. Oral Question: Lands Owned by Land Reform Commission - Fraudulent Acquisition (Q.4/2025) Land & HousingCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
22 January 2025 AI summary The Deputy Minister, responding on behalf of the Minister, outlined the establishment and statutory objectives of the Land Reform Commission under the Land Reform Act, No. 1 of 1972, including land ceiling limits of 25 acres for paddy land and 50 acres for other agricultural land. He confirmed that legal action has been initiated in several districts to recover Commission lands allegedly acquired or occupied unlawfully, citing cases in Gampaha, Matara, Kalutara, Kandy and Trincomalee. He added that island-wide action is continuing under the State Lands (Recovery of Possession) Act, with some matters before courts, police, or the Attorney-General. Oral Question: Lands Owned by Land Reform Commission - Fraudulent Acquisition (Q.4/2025) Land & HousingAgriculture Read →
21 January 2025 AI summary A Cabinet-appointed committee is investigating Land Reforms Commission land allocations and use since 2015 and is expected to report within three months, with new LRC allocations temporarily suspended despite impacts on agencies and projects. On flooding in Ampara, heavy rains have caused irrigation tanks to spill and weaknesses in the Gal Oya bund have inundated about 3,000 acres, though water levels are reported to be receding. Relevant irrigation, district coordination, and disaster management authorities are intervening, with further details available from the District Coordinating Committee Chairman if required. Oral Questions (Multiple Questions) Land & HousingEnvironment Read →
21 January 2025 AI summary The Deputy Minister stated that extensive information was needed to answer the question and that the Land Reforms Commission had requested additional time. On behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation, he requested one week, and the question was ordered to stand down. Oral Questions (Multiple Questions) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
18 December 2024 AI summary The Deputy Minister, on behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation, presented the 2021/2022 Annual Report of Colombo Commercial Fertilizers Ltd. and the 2023 Annual Performance Report of the Ministry of Irrigation. He moved that the reports be referred to the relevant Committees, and the House agreed. Papers: Annual Reports of Government Institutions Parliamentary ProcedureAgriculture Read →
17 December 2024 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe said he could not yet provide a definitive answer on compensation, describing the matter as complex, long-standing and sensitive. He stated that the Ministry is working toward sustainable solutions for cattle-rearing and grassland issues, not only in Batticaloa but also in areas such as Hambantota and Anuradhapura, within the Government’s broader policy goal of a production economy with support for the livestock sector. Oral Question: Ungazetted Livestock Grasslands in Batticaloa District (Q.64/2024) AgriculturePublic Finance Read →