The Hon. Dilip Wedaarachchi

¶ 01 Hon. Chairman, I am pleased to speak on the Heads of Expenditure of two Ministries. Significant funds have been allocated in this Budget to the Ministry of Urban Development, Construction and Housing. In our district there are many housing problems; I raise a few issues seeking support to resolve them.

¶ 02 During 2015–2019, under the “Udagam” concept, construction began on 8,663 houses in 337 villages. Of these, 2,865 houses were completed, while works on 5,798 stalled with the 2020 General Election. Leaders of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna then toured villages promising to complete these houses and secured votes, but today many families live in half-built homes—without electricity or water—under tarpaulins and with brick walls unfinished.

¶ 03 I request the Hon. Minister to conduct a separate review of Udagam projects in Hambantota District, complete the pending houses, and provide water and electricity.

¶ 04 In Agrapahara GN Division (Weerakatiya DS), a 225-house Udagama was built. Only 45 families live there because there is no adequate water supply. Though there is a nearby spring, it is insufficient; families collect rainwater or pay for bowser water. They have written to the National Water Resources Board, the Water Supply Department, the Hon. President and the Hon. Minister. I have copies. The Southern Province Deputy Chief Secretary wrote on 07 August 2024 indicating the facility could be provided and implemented. The Rajapaksa administration halted these works for political reasons. I request that this housing scheme be provided with water and electricity and fully operationalized.

¶ 05 On railways: Minister Mangala Samaraweera ensured the “Ruhunu Kumari” train resumed from Beliatta at 5.25 a.m. Later it was reverted to start from Matara due to local demands. After discussions, from 1 January 2024 the train to Maradana started from Beliatta. After 11 days, on 11 January 2024, following questions raised in Parliament by Hon. Weerasumana Weerasinghe and others representing Matara, it was reverted to start from Matara again. Although the line extends to Beliatta, this reversal has inconvenienced people of Hambantota, Monaragala and Ratnapura who come to Colombo via Beliatta, and disrupted freight movement.

¶ 06 I request: restart the Ruhunu Kumari from Beliatta at 5.25 a.m.; also restart the 12.50 p.m. Beliatta–Kandy express from Beliatta (now starting from Matara). Previously there was a 2.15 a.m. express reaching Colombo at 6.00 a.m.; consider restoring such connectivity to facilitate long-distance connections.

¶ 07 Additionally, many housing units built under Hon. Sajith Premadasa remain without water and electricity for four years under the previous Government. People are living in degrading conditions. Please resolve this.

¶ 08 On bridges in Hambantota District: several projects started but left incomplete—Modarapelessa Bridge (Kirindi Oya, 54 m, 50% complete), Thaligala–Ridiyagama Bridge (82 m, 70%), Bandigangthota–Liyangastota Bridge (95 m, 10%), Ranmudrachcha–Thanamalwila Bridge (36 m, 55%), Medagoda Bridge (40 m, 55%), Thalunna Aludupelena Bridge (28 m, 20%), Agulmaduwa–Aranwela Bridge (278 m, 31%), and Kehelchattakatuwana Bridge where approaches are incomplete, forcing long detours of 8 km by cart track. Produce transport suffers. I have the details and costs and will table them. SD&CC was the contractor under projects initiated by Hon. Sajith Premadasa; these were not corrupt contracts. After 2019, none of these were completed by the Rajapaksa Government. Voters who benefited from housing plots later voted for Pohottuwa, then for you. Now, with your two-thirds mandate, please complete these 13 bridges quickly and resolve the housing utilities.

¶ 09 Further, the National Housing Development Authority established a capped building materials supply entity serving Tangalle, Beliatta and Mulkirigala. The Tangalle unit was closed last month. The Minister and Chairman assured me it would be re-opened within a month after review. Please re-establish it to serve the district.

¶ 10 Another grave issue: on 01 September 2019, 2,511 NHDA workers who had completed 180 days were to be made permanent. The Election Commission halted it due to the election; after the election, the new administration terminated them. They went to courts in their districts; some judgments ordered reinstatement or compensation—e.g., Matale and Matara. Implementation has been uneven; many have not received relief. These youths had bank loans and mortgages and have suffered. I request reinstatement or compensation.

¶ 11 I conclude by requesting the Hon. Minister of Urban Development, Construction and Housing to address these issues for the people of Hambantota. Thank you.