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

Sitting of Tuesday, 6 January 2026

10th Parliament· 21 debates· 256 speeches· 78 speakers

Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 23111 ·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.

  7. 7 Oral question Oral Question: Wildlife and Forest Conservation Lands in Polpithigama DS Division (Q. relating to Mrs. Geetha Herath) 8 speeches
    • The Hon. (Mrs.) Geetha Herath, Attorney-at-Law JJB

      AI summary Hon. Geetha Herath asked the Minister of Environment for details on lands in the Polpithigama Divisional Secretary’s Division gazetted under Notification No. 566/5 of 11 July 1989, including the extents under the Wildlife Conservation and Forest Conservation Departments and whether occupied, residential, or government-grant lands were included. She sought information on surveys and demarcation, including of the Hakwatunawa Reservoir reserve, and asked whether public infrastructure and institutions exist within the gazetted area. She also requested details on legal action by the Forest Conservation Office under the State Lands (Recovery of Possession) Act and whether occupied lands would be transferred to current possessors.

      EnvironmentLand & Housing Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Dr.) Dammika Patabendi - Minister of Environment JJB

      AI summary The Minister of Environment provided details on protected areas in the Polpithigama DS Division, including the extent of the Kahalla–Pallekele Sanctuary and forest reserves, and noted that surveys of some residential lands within the sanctuary have been carried out and will continue. He said demarcation of the Hakwatunawa Reservoir reserve began in 2017, with survey fees paid and most of the remaining boundary provisionally marked. He also stated that public facilities exist within the gazetted area, no Forest Conservation regional office operates at Herathgama for instituting cases, and an inter-agency committee is considering land issues in the Kahalla–Pallekele Sanctuary.

      EnvironmentLand & Housing Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Mrs.) Geetha Herath, Attorney-at-Law JJB

      AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Geetha Herath raised the issue of about 3,500 families in 25 villages in the Polpithigama Divisional Secretariat area who have lived for 60 to 70 years on lands classified under wildlife and forest conservation zones while cultivating coconut. She noted that a long-running local campaign sought to release these lands to residents while strengthening the Kahalla-Pallekele Reserve, and that a Ministry-level special committee, including the Environment Ministry Secretary and the heads of the Wildlife and Forest Conservation Departments, has been appointed and has inspected the area.

      EnvironmentLand & Housing Full speech →
    • The Hon. Speaker procedural
      Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Mrs.) Geetha Herath, Attorney-at-Law JJB

      AI summary Asked what final decision and implementation steps the Ministry will take following the committee’s decision to release lands to the people and strengthen the lower reserve, noting that the matter is at its final stage toward resolution.

      Land & Housing Full speech →
    • The Hon. Dammika Patabendi JJB

      AI summary Pallekelle was identified as a sanctuary containing both State and private lands, with the issue arising from plots held on permits rather than formal title deeds. The Minister stated that the Department of Wildlife Conservation has no objection to granting lawful ownership to eligible permit holders and will not obstruct the process, but any changes to private lands within the sanctuary require the Department’s concurrence. He added that a committee has met and the Department is ready to assist expeditiously.

      EnvironmentLand & Housing Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Mrs.) Geetha Herath, Attorney-at-Law JJB

      AI summary Asked how long it will take for the relevant lands to be released to the people, framing it as a supplementary question seeking a specific timeline from the Government.

      Land & Housing Full speech →
    • The Hon. Dammika Patabendi JJB

      AI summary Issues involving the Ministry of Environment, the Department of Wildlife Conservation, and the Department of Forest Conservation can be addressed through the relevant committee, though no exact timeframe can be given. The Member stated there is no objection to issuing deeds and other facilities to people where needed, provided any changes are made with the concurrence of the Department of Wildlife Conservation.

      Land & HousingEnvironment Full speech →