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Sri Lanka
10th Parliament· 154 sittings on record · 30,475 speeches · latest 10 June 2026

Sitting of Tuesday, 20 May 2025

10th Parliament· 12 debates· 270 speeches· 72 speakers

Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 1749010823009957 ·English daily/uncorrected Hansard

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Order of business

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

  6. 6 Oral question Oral Questions: Irrigation Reservoirs and Land Settlement (Q.578/2025 and Q.3519/2025) 13 speeches
    • The Hon. Speaker procedural
      Full speech →
    • The Hon. Sujeewa Dissanayake JJB

      AI summary Hon. Sujeewa Dissanayake asked the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation about the management and development of Irrigation Department lands near Deduru Oya in the Yapahuwa Kingdom. He sought information on renovating deteriorating holiday resorts, providing sanitary facilities for local tourists, improving the Ridibendi Ella anicut area for tourism, and addressing drainage problems from irregular constructions that affect agriculture.

      AgricultureInfrastructureLand & Housing Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe - Deputy Minister of Land and Irrigation JJB

      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.

      Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
    • The Hon. Sujeewa Dissanayake JJB

      AI summary Hon. Sujeewa Dissanayake asked whether basic tourism infrastructure would be established around Deduru Oya, noting the presence of irrigation landmarks, reservoirs, and archaeological sites including ancient anicuts, Ridibendi Ella, Deduru Oya reservoir, Nuwarakannda, and Yapahuwa pre-historic cemeteries. He highlighted that the reservoir and surrounding lands fall under the Irrigation Department and sought clarification on re-establishing facilities to support tourism.

      Religion & CultureInfrastructure Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe JJB

      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.

      Infrastructure Full speech →
    • The Hon. Sujeewa Dissanayake JJB

      AI summary Hon. Sujeewa Dissanayake raised concerns that areas in Wariyapola, Yapahuwa, and Nikaweratiya have experienced severe annual flooding since the construction of the Deduru Oya reservoir, damaging vegetable cultivation in Minuwangete and Bolapitiya. He noted proposals to divert excess water through the old Thalagalla canal to Thalagalla wewa and Palugama wewa, and questioned the ineffectiveness of the right bank canal due to lack of drainage. He asked whether the Department would take action to manage flooding and protect agriculture in the affected areas.

      InfrastructureEnvironmentAgriculture Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe JJB

      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.

      InfrastructurePublic Finance Full speech →
    • The Hon. Susantha Kumara Nawarathna JJB

      AI summary Hon. Susantha Kumara Nawarathna asked the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation for details on Sri Lanka’s major irrigation reservoirs, including whether reservation boundaries have been identified and gazetted, and which reservoirs have gazetted boundaries. He also sought specific information on families living within the Nuwara Weva reservation in Anuradhapura District, requesting lists of residents and permit holders, and asking whether land permits had been granted or why not.

      AgricultureLand & Housing Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe JJB

      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.

      InfrastructureAgricultureLand & Housing Full speech →
    • The Hon. Susantha Kumara Nawarathna JJB

      AI summary Hon. Susantha Kumara Nawarathna asked what action would be taken against alleged political acquisition of reservoir reservation lands in Anuradhapura, particularly around Nuwara Weva. He cited specific lands allegedly held under the names of relatives of former Ministers S. M. Chandrasena and Shehan Semasinghe, while noting that many ordinary people still lack clear land titles or face difficulties in obtaining land.

      Land & HousingCorruption & Governance Reform Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe JJB

      AI summary 712 persons have so far been identified within the Nuwara Weva reservation, including both lawful permit or title holders and unlawful occupants, with further surveys expected to identify more. Dr. Susil Ranasinghe said encroachment of reservoir reservations had become an illicit practice, alleging involvement by former ministers and associates, and noted that name lists had been tabled. He proposed that specific cases be reviewed at the District Coordinating Committee with relevant officials to verify deeds and permits, identify any official complicity, and support remedial action against unlawful occupation.

      Corruption & Governance ReformLand & Housing Full speech →
    • The Hon. Susantha Kumara Nawarathna JJB

      AI summary Asked whether the Ministry will take steps to identify, demarcate, and gazette reservation areas for major reservoirs, including those in Anuradhapura, where such protections have not yet been formally established.

      EnvironmentLand & Housing Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe JJB

      AI summary Most Mahaweli reservations have already been gazetted, but many Irrigation Department reservoir reservations remain ungazetted due to legal ambiguities that are being addressed. The Minister stated that authorities intend to identify and act against occupations or cultivation within reservations, including houses, hotels, swimming pools, and large-scale cultivations allegedly linked to politicians or proxies. He affirmed readiness to investigate such encroachments and protect reservoir reservations under the relevant legal framework.

      Land & HousingLaw & OrderCorruption & Governance Reform Full speech →