The Hon. T.B. Sarath - Deputy Minister of Housing, Construction and Water Supply

¶ 01 Hon. Speaker, on behalf of the Minister:

¶ 02 (a) (i) Yes. (ii) Two projects. (iii) 1. Gunapala Tissakuttiarachchi Village 2. Denison Edirisinghe Village

¶ 03 (iv) - Gunapala Tissakuttiarachchi Village: Houses: 24 Year commenced: 2018 Expenditure: Rs. 2.16 million Current status: Rs. 90,000 was given per beneficiary to lay foundations; however, the area is now overgrown by thicket about 10–15 feet high.

¶ 04 - Denison Edirisinghe Village: Houses: 24 Year commenced: 2018 Expenditure: Rs. 2.16 million Current status: Same—foundations laid with Rs. 90,000 per beneficiary; now overgrown by 10–15 foot thicket.

¶ 05 (v) Yes. (vi) The lands used are under the Department of Wildlife Conservation. At the time of initiation, the sites were within elephant and wildlife habitat and constituted protected areas. The Department has informed that construction cannot continue within such protected lands. Therefore, continuation is not possible. The Lunugamwehera Divisional Secretary has been requested to explore availability of alternative lands for the beneficiaries of both villages.

¶ 06 (b) Does not arise.

¶ 07 Supplementary by Hon. Sandaruwan Madarasinghe: From 2017–2018, of 25 villages, 7 are on Wildlife lands; from 2019–2021, of 26 villages, 7 are on Wildlife lands. Given Hambantota’s intense human-elephant conflict, what measures for other villages?

¶ 08 Reply by The Hon. T.B. Sarath: Discussions have been held with the District Secretary and ministry officials. Identified villages can proceed. Though 1,200 houses were planned, about 842 are presently suitable for habitation. Funds have been allocated to commence construction of these 842 houses under Indian assistance.

¶ 09 Further supplementary by Hon. Sandaruwan Madarasinghe: Of 576 foundations (2017–2018, 25 villages), only about 111 houses are completed; of 600 foundations (2019, 26 villages), only about 32 houses are completed. Considerable funds were spent and projects named after then Ministers, yet few are completed. What action?

¶ 10 Reply by The Hon. T.B. Sarath: Irregularities are being investigated. Some allottees are from Colombo District, which is improper. A committee has been appointed to inquire. Although name lists exist for about 842 houses, people have not settled due to elephant and wildlife issues. These projects began in 2017–2019 when the present Leader of the Opposition was the Minister of Housing; despite his current criticisms, plans were not made then to resolve these issues. The Government is now examining irregularities and will take action.