Sitting of Wednesday, 26 November 2025
Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 22993 ·English daily/uncorrected Hansard
Order of business
Speeches load per item. Summaries shown here are AI-generated and labelled; verbatim text is on each speech page.
- 1 Opening Speaker's Announcements: New Methodology on Placing Private Members' Motions for Debate 1 speeches
- 2 Papers Papers Presented: Orders and Regulations 1 speeches
- 3 Petitions Petitions: Acceptance of Petition from K.M. Manawasinghe Bandara 1 speeches
- 4 Oral question Oral Question: Central Bank Bond Scam: Impact on the Government (Q.116/2024) 11 speeches
- 5 Oral question Oral Question: National Schools and Provincial Schools: Vacancies for Labourers (Q.563/2025) 7 speeches
- 6 Oral question Oral Questions: Second Round - Colombo-Mannar Train Service and Related Questions 11 speeches
- 7 Procedural Ministerial Statement: Minimization of Unemployment 4 speeches
- 8 Papers Papers Presented: Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority Bill 1 speeches
- 9 Debate Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2026 - Committee Stage, Sixteenth Allotted Day 157 speeches
- 10 Procedural Committee Report: Amendments Agreed to in Committee 1 speeches
- 11 Adjournment Adjournment Debate: Grant of Freehold Deeds to Occupants of State Lands 18 speeches
- The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development and the Leader of the House of Parliament JJB
AI summary Bimal Rathnayake moved the motion that Parliament adjourn. The motion was formally proposed to the House.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB
AI summary Hon. Ajith P. Perera moved an adjournment motion urging the Government to implement the “Himikama” freehold deed programme in line with the Cabinet-approved Review Committee Report of 21 July 2025, amend Lands Commissioner General’s Circular No. 2025/02, and appoint a Special Task Force to expedite the process. He argued that long-term occupants of State lands under the Land Development Ordinance face economic and legal constraints because they lack absolute title, including difficulties in subdivision, sale, and mortgaging. He also requested immediate distribution of 23,018 freehold deeds prepared under the previous “Urumaya” programme, while clarifying that the proposal applies only to lawfully occupied and developed permit lands, not protected or essential State lands.
- The Hon. K.D. Lal Kantha - Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation JJB
AI summary A Committee Report was presented to the House by the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation. No substantive policy argument, proposal, or debate contribution was made beyond indicating that the report had been submitted.
Agriculture Full speech → - The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB
AI summary Ajith P. Perera urged the Minister to issue 23,018 deeds using the existing signature, stating that the credit would accrue to the Minister and the President. He expressed hope for a positive response from the Minister.
Land & Housing Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara supported the adjournment motion and argued that the Lands Commissioner General’s Circular imposes numerous restrictions that would significantly limit the conversion of permits and grants into freehold title, contrary to the relevant Committee Report. He cited figures showing over 142,000 permits and grants submitted for conversion through the Lands Commissioner General and the Mahaweli Authority, and said evidence suggests very few recipients sell their lands after receiving deeds. He requested that the Circular be reviewed and aligned with the Committee recommendations, and asked the Minister to clarify the practical process for issuing freehold grants to people who have been waiting for nearly two years.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Aravinda Senarath - Deputy Minister of Land and Irrigation JJB
AI summary Aravinda Senarath said the adjournment motion concerns long-standing public demands for secure land ownership and problems in the issuance of deeds. He noted that deed distribution has been a recurring public grievance for decades and has often been politicized during election periods.
- The Hon. Aravinda Senarath JJB
AI summary Hon. Aravinda Senarath said the former Government’s “Urumaya” deed proposal was an election-oriented and insufficiently studied pledge, whereas the current Government is pursuing a structured process to identify permit holders, regularize transfers and grant freehold titles where appropriate. He stated that about 49,402 deeds have already been issued through the Land Commissioner General’s Department and Mahaweli, with prepared deeds sent to District Secretariats for distribution. He emphasized the need for verification due to irregular permits, politically influenced land allocations and encroachments on protected or reserved lands, and said the “Gihimikama” programme uses field inspections before granting ownership. He said the Government aims to accelerate the process and issue the highest number of titles by 2026.
- The Hon. Aravinda Senarath JJB
AI summary Aravinda Senarath stated that the Government intends to issue the highest number of “Himikam” deeds in the coming year. He acknowledged the adjournment motion as democratic and said some concerns raised by the Member warrant consideration, while affirming that the Government is taking steps to deliver land deeds to the public.
Land & Housing Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. K.D. Lal Kantha - Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation JJB
AI summary The Minister stated that the Government agrees in principle with Hon. Ajith P. Perera’s four proposals and will examine whether the circular deviated from the Cabinet decision, noting that any inconsistency would be corrected. He distinguished the new “Gihimikama” deed programme from the former “Urumaya” scheme, saying it requires consent from other household members and is intended to prevent unnecessary land fragmentation while enabling proper transfer of ownership. He said eligibility under the current programme is based on permits issued under the Land Development Ordinance as at the Cabinet approval date of 21 July 2025, with permits issued afterward to be handled separately if necessary. He added that previously signed approvals under the former administration would be honoured and that the Government’s objective is to issue deeds to long-waiting occupants of state land.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB
AI summary Ajith P. Perera urged the Minister to establish a dedicated special task force or unit to handle the programme, arguing that existing officers have other duties and cannot effectively manage additional appeals and grievances. He said that, with such a mechanism and the Minister’s in-principle agreement, the entire programme could be completed within one to two years.
Corruption & Governance Reform Full speech → - The Hon. K.D. Lal Kantha - Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation JJB
AI summary The Minister supported the proposal to appoint a task-oriented working group to expedite the issuance of land deeds. He said deeds already signed by the former President would be issued, while pending cases would be addressed by obtaining letters and consent from co-residents, with a plan to complete the process within six months. He also undertook to review the relevant circular and amend it if it conflicts with the Cabinet decision, noting points raised by Hon. Ajith P. Perera and Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara.
Land & Housing Full speech → - The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara noted that Land Commissioners have been assigned to the provinces and said there is confusion in some cases. He stated that both sides agree the matter requires attention.
Land & Housing Full speech → - The Hon. K.D. Lal Kantha - Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation JJB
AI summary The Minister accepted Hon. Dayasiri’s motion as sincere and constructive, stating that the Government would implement it and consider any further suggestions. The sitting then passed 6.30 p.m., and Parliament was adjourned until 9.00 a.m. on 27 November 2025 in accordance with the earlier resolution.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →