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

Sitting of Saturday, 22 November 2025

10th Parliament· 7 debates· 154 speeches· 66 speakers

Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 22972 ·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.

  3. 3 Oral question Oral Question: Lands Coming Under Buddhist Temporalities Act (Q.1505/2025) 7 speeches
    • The Hon. Dharmapriya Dissanayake JJB

      AI summary Hon. Dharmapriya Dissanayake asked the Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs for details on lands governed by the Buddhist Temporalities (Amendment) Act, No. 34 of 2013, including their extent and the procedure for granting occupancy rights. He sought clarification on whether temple or dewalaya priests and trustees may rent, lease, sell, or otherwise transfer such lands, the legal basis or reasons if not permitted, and whether transferred ownership would revert to the relevant institution. He also requested whether the Government intends to adopt a common policy for these lands and, if so, the details of that policy.

      Land & HousingReligion & Culture Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Dr.) Hiniduma Sunil Senevi - Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs JJB

      AI summary The Minister responded to a question on lands belonging to Buddhist sacred places, stating that the Buddhist Temporalities (Amendment) Act, No. 34 of 2013 does not specify land extents, while such lands are governed under the Viharas and Devalagam Ordinance, No. 19 of 1931. He said information on land extents is held by the relevant chief incumbents and trustees of 12,971 sacred places, and that temple lands may be leased or rented under Section 29(1) but cannot be mortgaged, sold, alienated, or sub-leased contrary to the Ordinance. Any unlawful sale or transfer is invalid, and action would be taken under the provisions of the 1931 Ordinance.

      Religion & CultureLand & Housing Full speech →
    • The Hon. Dharmapriya Dissanayake JJB

      AI summary Dharmapriya Dissanayake raised a supplementary question about difficulties faced by people who purchased temple lands previously granted on a freehold basis. He said the ongoing “Bim Saviya” land titling programme cannot issue titles for some of these plots because the grants were improperly made and are now unlawful. He asked the Minister how the Government intends to resolve the issue, noting that affected persons need titles for school admissions, loans and business activities.

      Land & Housing Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Dr.) Hiniduma Sunil Senevi - Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs JJB

      AI summary Minister Hiniduma Sunil Senevi acknowledged practical difficulties arising from long-standing leases and informal transfers of properties attached to Buddhist sacred places, affecting matters such as school admissions and bank mortgages in districts including Kurunegala and Ratnapura. He stated that the Government is working to amend the Viharas and Devalagam law, particularly Sections 41 and 42, with guidance from the Maha Sangha, and that a draft has been sent to the Legal Draftsman. He added that further solutions would require consultations with religious authorities and local communities, not legal amendments alone.

      Land & HousingReligion & Culture Full speech →
    • The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
      Full speech →
    • The Hon. Dharmapriya Dissanayake JJB

      AI summary Asked whether the Government would introduce proper regulation and documentation of lands owned by devalayas, noting that some administrators are unaware of the full extent of such lands. He said these lands are important for sustaining the institutions but are vulnerable to misuse for private benefit, and urged action with relevant institutions.

      Religion & CultureLand & Housing Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Dr.) Hiniduma Sunil Senevi - Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs JJB

      AI summary The Minister stated that issues relating to devalaya lands are being addressed alongside Buddhist temple lands under the relevant legal framework. He noted that clarifying ownership and title matters, including under the “Bim Saviya” programme, is complex and requires coordination among several ministries and trustees, and said he is involved in the ongoing consultations.

      Religion & CultureLand & Housing Full speech →