The Hon. T. B. Sarath - Deputy Minister of Housing

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Chairperson, when discussing the Ministry of Urban Development, Housing and Construction, many in the Opposition said previous Ministers did not manage housing scientifically. Hon. Mujibur Rahuman also said so.

¶ 02 For long, especially after 1977, this Ministry was run on “Presidential dreams,” but the housing needs of a large majority remain unmet. People still dream of a house because we managed this Ministry for 30–40 years on dreams. Earlier, there was some scientific management under Peter Keneman for Colombo urban housing. In recent history, during 2015–2019, 4,313 houses were built in 313 model villages, but 779 of those remain unoccupied—meaning houses were not given to those in need. Over 1,000–1,500 of them are rented out even now.

¶ 03 Although it was claimed that 343,769 houses would be built in 2015–2019 with Rs. 58,712 million allocated, the actual constructions were counted even when only 10 or 20 bags of cement were given, or a Rs. 20,000 cheque issued—treating that as a “house built.” Of those, 91,459 are only at foundation level, with walls not even raised.

¶ 04 During that period, Rs. 15,444 million was allocated to build 45,117 houses, but as of 2024-06-18, accurate statistics are lacking. In Hambantota alone, 68,097 houses were to be built; only 30,840 had cement distributed, and 37,257 not built. That is why today Hon. Dilip Wedaarachchi asked to restart properly—because such statistics are not realities on the ground.

¶ 05 In 2019 and after, political authorities spent State funds without transparency in housing, leading to this disaster. There were 45,117 mere foundations alone during 2015–2019—foundations laid everywhere in the name of housing due to “Presidential dreams.” Now we are challenged with how to complete them. Our Government has allocated Rs. 2,000 million this year to complete a portion.

¶ 06 In 2019, it was publicised that champion athletes would be given apartments from Angulana, Sayurupura and “Thilina” schemes free of charge, under the then Housing Minister—today’s Leader of the Opposition. But he submitted a Cabinet paper to charge those athletes for those units. That is how things were done.

¶ 07 Taking projects from previous Governments: Ranpokunugama New Housing Project’s estimate was Rs. 259 million; only 28 per cent of work completed, yet 50 per cent of funds spent—Rs. 96.7 million. For Yakkala Charalawatta Project, Rs. 1,331 million allocated; only six per cent completed, with Rs. 173 million spent. It began as a 12-storey scheme without even an initial urban planning approval from the UDA. Procurement processes were bypassed, and large sums routed through the IESL to subcontractors; at that time, State Minister Indika Anuruddha allegedly misappropriated funds. Even now, less than six per cent is built, and some files are missing.

¶ 08 Under the “Marine Town” scheme, many units were given free to political associates; there is even one in the name of Mahinda Rajapaksa, with only a nominal payment made.

¶ 09 Further, during Sajith Premadasa’s tenure, 2,336 excess employees were recruited to the NHDA, burdening it. Of them, 1,432 were later terminated by the previous Government, and the NHDA has spent over Rs. 15 million in litigation costs on related cases.

¶ 10 Apartments at Veera Mawatha (Viyathpura) were given to MPs after several MPs’ houses were torched during the Aragalaya. Seventy-six MPs requested housing; 26 were given units from the 13th Block (101 units), reserving 76 for MPs. The pricing basis: if construction cost at inception was Rs. 10 million, and post-completion valuation was Rs. 20 million, the combined Rs. 30 million would be apportioned—25 per cent payable within one year, the balance over 15 years. Ordinary buyers must pay the initial amount within a year.

¶ 11 Those MPs and payments include: Prasanna Ranatunga paid Rs. 9.9 million—loss to State Rs. 11 million; Mohamed Muzammil paid Rs. 3.3 million—State loss Rs. 10 million; Nimal Piyatissa paid Rs. 3.3 million—State loss Rs. 9.8 million; Gamini Jayasundara Waleboda paid Rs. 3.3 million—State loss Rs. 9 million; Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena paid Rs. 5.3 million—State loss Rs. 10 million; Gamini Kulawansa Lokuge paid Rs. 4 million—State loss Rs. 12 million; Kumarasiri Rathnayake paid Rs. 3.3 million—State loss Rs. 9.98 million; Ajith Nishantha Rajapaksa paid Rs. 4.28 million—State loss Rs. 12.6 million; Chinthaka Amal Mayadunna paid Rs. 4.28 million—State loss Rs. 12 million; Milan Sajith Jayatilaka paid Rs. 4.6 million—State loss Rs. 13 million; Thisakutti Arachchi Chaminda Janaka paid Rs. 4.1 million—State loss Rs. 12 million; Weerasinghe Devage Weerasinghe paid Rs. 4.2 million—State loss Rs. 12 million; Asanka Samithajeewa Navarathna paid Rs. 3.3 million—State loss Rs. 9.9 million; Bandara Herath paid Rs. 4.2 million—State loss Rs. 12 million; S. M. Chandrasena paid Rs. 4.6 million—State loss Rs. 13 million; Devage Priyantha Ashoka paid Rs. 4.18 million—State loss Rs. 12 million; Attorney-at-Law Premnath C. Dolawatte paid Rs. 4.1 million—State loss Rs. 12 million; former State Minister of Finance S. A. Semasinghe paid Rs. 4.6 million—State loss Rs. 13.8 million; and Shantha Bandara paid Rs. 4.1 million—State loss Rs. 12.5 million.

¶ 12 I am tabling the list of the 26 MPs who obtained apartments and related details.

¶ 13 • Placed in the Library.