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

Sitting of Tuesday, 7 October 2025

10th Parliament· 18 debates· 193 speeches· 61 speakers

Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 22573 ·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.

  9. 9 Oral question Oral Questions: Irrigation Department Tanks and Land Reform Commission Lands - Kalutara District 9 speeches
    • The Hon. Susil Ranasinghe - Deputy Minister of Land and Irrigation JJB

      AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation, the Deputy Minister provided data on 700 tanks and 103 rivers registered with the Irrigation Department, including classifications by size and region, and details on tanks, rivers, canals and irrigation works in the Matara District. He stated that reservations under the Nilwala Project have been demarcated, 13 legal cases over unauthorized occupation are ongoing, one has concluded, and 42 more cases are being prepared. He also said approximately 10.5523 hectares in Nadugala had been acquired with compensation records held by the Divisional Secretariat, and that while the original French-funded Nilwala Project abandoned in 1988/89 may not be implementable as designed, flood control and irrigation activities are continuing with possible future implementation subject to economic stabilization.

      AgricultureLand & Housing Full speech →
    • The Hon. Ajantha Gammeddage JJB

      AI summary Hon. Ajantha Gammeddage asked the Deputy Minister about people occupying and cultivating lands originally acquired for the Nilwala Project, particularly along the river reservation, after resale by original owners. He noted that many have lived there for 25 to 30 years and are now being asked by the Irrigation Department to vacate, and requested that a fair solution be provided for them.

      Land & HousingInfrastructure Full speech →
    • The Hon. Susil Ranasinghe JJB

      AI summary Hon. Susil Ranasinghe acknowledged concerns that acquired lands had been unlawfully sold and described the matter as a long-standing issue not fully resolved despite steps by the Irrigation Department. He stated that action would be taken, with the assistance of Members representing the Matara District, to prepare measures to regularize the process.

      Land & HousingCorruption & Governance Reform Full speech →
    • The Hon. Danushka Ranganath JJB

      AI summary Hon. Danushka Ranganath asked the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation for details on Land Reform Commission lands in the Kalutara District, including whether they have been separately identified and which unused lands are available under the Land Reform Law No. 1 of 1972. He sought information by Divisional Secretary’s Division on ownership status, title deeds, survey plans, validity periods, and planned action for such lands. He also asked whether LRC lands can be released to landless or resettled persons, the applicable procedure, and whether leased LRC lands can be repossessed if not used for the intended purpose.

      Land & HousingAgriculture Full speech →
    • The Hon. Susil Ranasinghe JJB

      AI summary On behalf of the Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation Minister, Susil Ranasinghe stated that many lands vested under the Land Reform Commission Law No. 1 of 1972 were not properly surveyed at the time and therefore remain imprecisely identified. He said action would be taken under the LRC Law and relevant circulars, noting issues such as pending surveys, unauthorized cultivation, litigation, and verification of occupancy. He clarified that the Commission does not issue permits, but alienates land conditionally under Section 22 or grants 30-year leases, with possible disposition through the Land Kachcheri process to eligible beneficiaries.

      Land & Housing Full speech →
    • The Hon. Danushka Ranganath JJB

      AI summary Danushka Ranganath referred to the Land Reform Commission Law No. 1 of 1972 and noted that LRC land allocation and documentation programmes could be used to bring non-productive lands into productive use. He asked whether the LRC has, or has begun, an appraisal-based mechanism to allocate its lands to vetted MSME and entrepreneur business proposals.

      Land & HousingEmployment Full speech →
    • The Hon. Susil Ranasinghe JJB

      AI summary Hon. Susil Ranasinghe explained the two current processes for allocating Land Reform Commission lands to projects: investor-identified lands with project reports and approvals, or Commission-identified lands offered to proponents without a specific site. He noted that the Commission is mapping suitable project types for identified lands and seeking investors, while addressing the absence of complete consolidated land records. He also stated that agricultural use of LRC lands without proper leases is being regularized.

      Land & HousingAgriculture Full speech →
    • The Hon. Danushka Ranganath JJB

      AI summary Hon. Danushka Ranganath referred to the 2024 audit report on the Land Reform Commission, noting recommendations concerning rent collection on leased State lands. He asked whether progress has been made in collecting outstanding lease rentals and cautioned that unresolved issues would recur.

      Land & Housing Full speech →
    • The Hon. Susil Ranasinghe JJB

      AI summary Hon. Susil Ranasinghe stated that the Land Reform Commission is facing significant arrears due to poor collection of lease rentals on LRC lands, citing past inefficiencies and lack of proper systems. He said non-paying lands and reasons for arrears have been identified, and a district-wise programme has been launched to regularize and expedite rental recovery to prevent a financial crisis in the LRC fund.

      Land & HousingPublic Finance Full speech →