Politick Parliament. On record. For every citizen.
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
10th Parliament· 154 sittings on record · 30,475 speeches · latest 10 June 2026

Sitting of Thursday, 23 January 2025

10th Parliament· 19 debates· 178 speeches· 51 speakers

Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 1738314169039521 ·English daily/uncorrected Hansard

‹ Previous sitting Next sitting ›

Order of business

Speeches load per item. Summaries shown here are AI-generated and labelled; verbatim text is on each speech page.

  10. 10 Oral question Oral Question: Olcott Mawatha Traders and Floating Market 6 speeches
    • The Hon. Dewananda Suraweera JJB

      AI summary A question was raised to the Minister of Urban Development, Construction and Housing about traders removed from Olcott Mawatha, Colombo 11 and relocated to shops at the Floating Market. It asked whether the Government is aware of poor sales at the new location, whether traders are seeking return to their former premises, whether restoration is possible, and what measures have been taken to improve the Floating Market.

      Land & Housing Full speech →
    • The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka - Minister of Urban Development, Construction and Housing JJB

      AI summary The Minister stated that the UDA relocated about 883 unauthorized stalls from Olcott Mawatha to the Bastian Mawatha Floating Market in 2014, following the Colombo City Beautification Project, and spent Rs. 312 million on construction and Rs. 40 million on renovations. He said the Floating Market has been unsuccessful, with low trader income, rent difficulties, and recurring UDA losses, while the original lands have been reoccupied by others because the Pettah Multimodal Transport Hub and related projects have not proceeded. He indicated that any decision on returning traders or addressing current occupants should follow an updated UDA plan and study, and that alternatives are being considered to reduce losses and provide fair options for existing traders, including a redesigned market concept or other Pettah trading spaces.

      Land & HousingInfrastructure Full speech →
    • The Hon. Dewananda Suraweera JJB

      AI summary Dewananda Suraweera asked the Minister whether urgent relief measures could be taken for traders who were displaced overnight from long-running businesses due to “beautification” activities. He emphasized the severe impact on families and sought action beyond the future measures already outlined by the Minister.

      Cost of Living Full speech →
    • The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka JJB

      AI summary Alternatives are being considered to provide fair relief to traders without placing an undue financial burden on the Urban Development Authority. The matter is still under review, with alternative investors and proposals being sought, and specific timelines will be provided once a final arrangement is reached.

      Public Finance Full speech →
    • The Hon. Dewananda Suraweera JJB

      AI summary Hon. Dewananda Suraweera asked whether the Urban Development Authority plans another operation to remove pavement vendors, noting that some traders were previously removed under beautification efforts while others have since forcibly occupied those spaces. He sought clarification on rumours of a renewed removal campaign.

      EmploymentCorruption & Governance ReformInfrastructure Full speech →
    • The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka JJB

      AI summary Hon. Anura Karunathilaka stated that efforts to bring informal economic activity into the formal sector must protect livelihoods and future security. He said informal vendors or structures should not be removed overnight without providing alternative sites or means of income, and that any such action would be accompanied by plans to integrate affected persons into the formal economy.

      EmploymentCost of LivingPublic Finance Full speech →