Hon. T. B. Sarath, M.P.

Jathika Jana balawegaya (JJB)· Polonnaruwa

Deputy Minister of Housing, Construction and Water Supply

Profession: Politician

Roster profile ↗

Speeches 58 #85 of 225·#40 in party

Attendance 6/8 days present (of recorded)

Speech history

58 speeches

22 May 2026 AI summary Hon. T.B. Sarath stated that the Kantale Water Treatment Plant’s capacity of 54,000 cubic metres per day is insufficient because water consumption in the Trincomalee District has already exceeded that level. He said proposals have been prepared to address the resulting crisis and that the Government is prepared to allocate the necessary funds to meet the need. Oral Question: Provision of drinking water in Trincomalee District (Q.6/2025) Public FinanceInfrastructure Read →
22 May 2026 AI summary Ongoing infrastructure projects are being reviewed nationwide, with a proposed allocation of about Rs. 120 billion in the upcoming Budget. The proposals include measures to provide water to the Trincomalee District, with funding expected to be allocated and projects likely to commence next year. Oral Question: Provision of drinking water in Trincomalee District (Q.6/2025) Public FinanceInfrastructure Read →
22 May 2026 AI summary Deputy Minister T.B. Sarath, responding on behalf of the Minister, stated that 185 of Trincomalee District’s 230 GN Divisions receive NWSDB piped water through several schemes, while Morawewa, Gomarankadawala and Padavi Sri Pura have no NWSDB piped supply. He acknowledged supply gaps in Kuchchaveli, Pudawaikkattu, Thiriyai and Salappeyaru and said plans are being formulated to extend services through ongoing and proposed NWSDB projects, with details to be provided once finalized. Oral Question: Provision of drinking water in Trincomalee District (Q.6/2025) Infrastructure Read →
22 May 2026 AI summary The Deputy Minister stated that the Ministry of Housing, Construction and Water Supply would discuss and arrange the required basic infrastructure. He added that the Ministry would coordinate with other relevant ministries where necessary. Oral Question: Land plots in Omanthai–Veppankulam distributed to public sector employees (Q.3/2025) Infrastructure Read →
22 May 2026 AI summary The Deputy Minister stated that the matter could be examined and acted on accordingly. He said he would visit Vavuniya on 15 June and discuss it with the Divisional Secretary, National Housing Development Authority officials, and the District Secretary. Oral Question: Land plots in Omanthai–Veppankulam distributed to public sector employees (Q.3/2025) Land & Housing Read →
22 May 2026 AI summary The Deputy Minister stated that documents are being prepared to issue deeds to 125 current occupants. He said the eligibility of 169 others remains under inquiry, and any allocations found to be held by non-occupants will be cancelled, while those who have come forward have already been processed for deed issuance. Oral Question: Land plots in Omanthai–Veppankulam distributed to public sector employees (Q.3/2025) Land & Housing Read →
22 May 2026 AI summary The Deputy Minister stated that the Vavuniya housing project began in 2011 for 709 state employees selected by the Divisional Secretary, with NHDA loans and grants, and that only 171 beneficiaries currently reside there while many plots are vacant, rented, occupied by relatives, or incomplete. He said NHDA is identifying the correct current beneficiaries for deed issuance, based on a 2012 Government Valuation Department valuation, and no fresh valuation is required. Since the land was granted to NHDA in 2022, beneficiaries will not be charged land value, but must settle NHDA construction costs; deeds will be issued after the Divisional Secretary confirms the eligible public servants and the NHDA Board approves the papers. Oral Question: Land plots in Omanthai–Veppankulam distributed to public sector employees (Q.3/2025) Land & Housing Read →
10 April 2026 AI summary On behalf of the Minister, the Deputy Minister stated that two housing projects begun in 2018, Gunapala Tissakuttiarachchi Village and Denison Edirisinghe Village, each with 24 houses and Rs. 2.16 million spent, cannot continue because the lands fall within protected wildlife and elephant habitat; the Divisional Secretary has been asked to identify alternative land. In response to supplementary questions on wider housing schemes in Hambantota affected by wildlife lands and human-elephant conflict, he said discussions had been held with district and ministry officials and that 842 habitable houses out of an original 1,200 are to be commenced with Indian assistance. He further said irregularities, including improper allotments to persons from Colombo District, are being investigated by an appointed committee, and action would be taken after the inquiry. Oral Questions: Multiple Questions in First Round (Q.2, Q.3, Q.4 and others) EnvironmentLand & Housing Read →
8 April 2026 AI summary The Deputy Minister defended the Government’s economic and welfare record during the debate on the current political and economic situation, arguing that it inherited a collapsed economy with import restrictions, recruitment freezes, halted salary increases and reduced welfare. He cited Budget measures including public sector salary increases, expanded welfare payments, higher fertilizer and Mahapola subsidies, school and health-related assistance, and increased housing and resettlement grants. He also outlined relief after the “Ditcha” cyclone, including housing reconstruction payments and support for small industries and fishers, and said further assistance would continue amid global economic pressures. He rejected Opposition criticism, contrasting the Government’s relief to low-income and affected communities with previous policies he said benefited large businesses. Adjournment Debate: Mitigate the Impact of Middle Eastern War on Sri Lanka's Economy Public FinanceCost of LivingEmployment Read →
20 March 2026 AI summary The Deputy Minister stated that 40 model villages with 885 houses had been initiated in the Manmunai West/Vavunativu Divisional Secretariat area, with 270 houses completed and the remainder to be finished as funds are allocated. He said two model villages are to be completed in 2026, six approved villages comprising 136 houses are expected to be completed this year, and Treasury funding has been requested to complete the balance in phases over about three years. He also noted that under the North and East resettlement housing scheme, funds have been allocated for 2,500 houses at Rs. 2 million per house, following a Presidential directive to increase the per-house grant. Oral Question: Presidential Vehicle Pool Management (Q.19/2025) Public FinanceLand & Housing Read →
19 March 2026 AI summary Hon. T.B. Sarath raised a concern that unregistered 48 CC-type motorcycles used widely by farmers are being denied fuel at filling stations. He requested that a mechanism be introduced to allow fuel to be issued to these motorcycles, particularly in agricultural districts. Questions under Standing Order 27(2): Economic Challenges and Aviation Sector InfrastructureAgriculture Read →
19 March 2026 AI summary Hon. T.B. Sarath requested a brief opportunity to speak, without raising a substantive issue or making a specific proposal. Questions under Standing Order 27(2): Economic Challenges and Aviation Sector Parliamentary Procedure Read →
19 March 2026 AI summary Hon. T.B. Sarath stated that repossessing loan-funded, unoccupied houses involves legal issues and that any expenses incurred by occupants would need to be settled before reallocation. He said that once these matters are resolved, such houses could be reassigned to those genuinely in need, while the Ministry is currently constructing over 10,000 houses for low-income beneficiaries and plans housing complexes for middle- and low-income groups. Oral Question: Housing Projects in Ihalagama, Kadiyangalla and Manewa GN Divisions (Q.1783/2025) Land & Housing Read →
19 March 2026 AI summary Houses were reportedly allocated in some areas during the 2015–2019 period based on political affiliations, and some recipients have since sold them without approval. A Cabinet Sub-Committee has been appointed to investigate alleged irregularities, corruption, and fraud in those housing allocations, with further details to be provided after its report is received. Oral Question: Housing Projects in Ihalagama, Kadiyangalla and Manewa GN Divisions (Q.1783/2025) Corruption & Governance ReformLand & Housing Read →
19 March 2026 AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Housing, Construction and Water Supply, the Deputy Minister provided details of four 2016 housing projects in Ipalogama and Kekirawa, comprising 90 completed houses funded through loans. He stated the approved allocations were Rs. 6 million for Kadiyangalla and Rs. 10 million each for Swasthigama, Girukiranagama and Dividinugama, with current occupancy ranging from 5 of 15 houses to 23 of 25 houses. He explained that two projects targeted low-income beneficiaries verified through Grama Niladhari and Divisional Secretary certification, while two targeted middle-income employees earning below Rs. 75,000 per month, verified through salary slips. Oral Question: Housing Projects in Ihalagama, Kadiyangalla and Manewa GN Divisions (Q.1783/2025) Public FinanceLand & Housing Read →
9 January 2026 AI summary Following cyclone “Divva,” over 90 percent of water supply systems in affected areas were disrupted, with repairs completed within about 14 days where possible. Government funds have been allocated for full restoration, and work is continuing to complete the remaining repairs. Oral Question: Water Supply in Bandarawela (Q.10) InfrastructurePublic Finance Read →
9 January 2026 AI summary T.B. Sarath stated that the Bambarakanda water project has already commenced and that the Government is making arrangements to complete it and hand it over to the public. Oral Question: Water Supply in Bandarawela (Q.10) Infrastructure Read →
9 January 2026 AI summary The Deputy Minister stated that the Bandarawela water supply system’s 3,000 m³ capacity is inadequate for about 14,000 connections, requiring supply management using Diyatalawa and Ettampitiya sources, with current supply improved from once in 14 days to at least once in seven days. He said water shortages remain in Diyatalawa and Haputale because 6,000 m³ is diverted to Bandarawela, while areas such as Mirahawatte, Dayaraba and Kurukunde will be covered under the integrated Bandarawela–Diyatalawa–Haputale water project. Phases I and II of the project, begun on 16 February 2025, include a 10,000 m³/day treatment plant, reservoirs, mains, about 9,000 new connections and service improvements across several Divisional Secretariat areas, at an estimated cost of Rs. 9,350 million. Supply is expected to commence in January 2028, subject to funding and staffing requirements. Oral Question: Water Supply in Bandarawela (Q.10) InfrastructurePublic Finance Read →
7 January 2026 AI summary The Deputy Minister of Housing, Construction and Water Supply presented a petition from Mrs. G.M.S. Nanayakkara of Hatamuna, Hingurakgoda, for consideration by Parliament. Petitions Parliamentary Procedure Read →
18 December 2025 AI summary T.B. Sarath responded to a reference made by Namal Rajapaksa concerning him and the Polonnaruwa District, clarifying the status of reported damage and compensation payments. He said reports covering tens of thousands of hectares had been received, Rs. 3,610 million had already been disbursed, and the remaining payments would be released as reports are finalized, with about Rs. 1.5 million allocated per hectare. Adjournment Debate: Current Situation of the Country After Disaster Caused by Cyclone Ditwah AgriculturePublic Finance Read →