Topic
Land & Housing
1,053 speeches · 220 speakers
Party share
By the speaker's party · counts only, no scoring. "Unattributed" = speeches not resolved to an MP.
Most active on this topic
| # | Member | Speeches |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe, M.P. JJB | 106 |
| 2 | Hon. Anura Karunathilaka, M.P. JJB | 43 |
| 3 | Hon. Aravinda Senarath, M.P. JJB | 39 |
| 4 | Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam, M.P. ITAK | 26 |
| 5 | Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna, M.P. JJB | 24 |
| 6 | Hon. Jeevan Thondaman, M.P. UNP | 22 |
| 7 | Hon. Bimal Rathnayake, M.P. JJB | 22 |
| 8 | Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan, M.P. ITAK | 20 |
| 9 | Hon. Mano Ganesan, M.P. SJB | 18 |
| 10 | Hon. Thurairasa Ravikaran, M.P. ITAK | 18 |
Speeches
1,053 on this topic- 10 June 2026 The Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam ACTC AI summary Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam raised concerns over government actions in Mullaitivu, alleging that permanent housing for 244 seasonal fishing families from Negombo in Kokkilai would alter local demographics and should be halted. He also objected to the Mahaweli Authority’s allocation of land in Kokku Thoduvai–Kunjukkalvelai to a southern trader, claiming it involved privately owned freehold land and further encroachment into mangroves, grazing land, and forest reserves. He requested intervention to stop both the housing project and the land allocation, and to restore the disputed land to its original private owner. Debate: Central Bank Rules on Export Proceeds Repatriation and Essential Public Services Resolution Read →
- 10 June 2026 Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna JJB AI summary Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna said State lands from plantation companies and the LRC have been allocated for public needs, including disaster-related resettlement, through District Coordinating Committees chaired by the President. He stated that lands belonging to Kurunegala and Chilaw Plantations had previously been released unlawfully to politicians and associates, and that legal action is underway to recover them, including 1,604.39 hectares from Kurunegala Plantations. He also said the Government had improved the profitability of both companies and would continue to manage them properly while reclaiming misused lands. Oral Question: Chilaw Plantations Limited and Hospital Infrastructure (Q.5-6) Read →
- 10 June 2026 Hon. (Dr.) Dammika Patabendi JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Dammika Patabendi stated that land issues in the Kahalla-Pallekelle area have been addressed and specific lands along elephant movement paths have been identified for release and protection as corridors. He outlined measures to reduce human-elephant conflict, including creating fodder belts, rehabilitating tanks and water sources, maintaining grasslands, removing invasive species, and keeping corridors open. He also noted that about 443 km of electric fencing has been completed and that further deployment of Civil Security personnel and consideration of field proposals will continue. Procedural: Points of Order and Oral Question - Human-Elephant Conflict, Kurunegala District (Q.4) Read →
- 9 June 2026 Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake provided details on the status of development and zoning plans for several local authority areas, including Ja-Ela, Minuwangoda, Katana, Negombo, and Gampaha. He stated that draft zoning plans are being implemented in Ja-Ela and Minuwangoda pending formal development plans, while the Negombo and Gampaha plans have been gazetted and are in legal operation. He noted that the Katana Development Plan (2024-2033) has received Urban Development Authority committee approval and has been referred to relevant local authorities and the Divisional Coordinating Committee for observations, with plans and annexes available through official websites or placed in the Library. Adjournment and Written Answers Read →
- 9 June 2026 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development and the Leader of the House of Parliament JJB AI summary The Minister responded to a question on development plans for local government institutions in the Ja-Ela, Minuwangoda, Katunayake-Seeduwa, Negombo and Gampaha electorates. He stated that a Ja-Ela Development Plan is being prepared for the Ja-Ela Urban Council and Ja-Ela Dandugamperuwa Pradeshiya Sabha areas, and that the Ja-Ela Interim Zoning Plan approved by the Urban Development Authority Director General on 18 December 2021 remains in force until the new plan takes effect. Adjournment and Written Answers Read →
- 9 June 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe - Minister of Housing, Construction and Water Supply JJB AI summary The Minister provided data on National Housing Development Authority housing schemes, stating that most pre-2012 high-rise schemes were built without elevators because regulations at the time did not require them, and that elevator maintenance in newer schemes would be transferred to Management Corporations after deeds are issued. He identified two schemes reported as unsafe or unfit for occupation: Slave Island Wekanda, cited by the National Building Research Institute as hazardous, and Nupewela Resettlement Housing Scheme in Matara, found by the Department of Buildings to be unfit for occupation. Responding to a question on NHDA housing and deeds, he stated that 15,947 units were constructed within Colombo Municipal Council limits and 52,174 islandwide as at 31 December 2025, with further project and district details provided in an annex. Adjournment and Written Answers Read →
- 9 June 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe - Minister of Housing, Construction and Water Supply JJB AI summary The Minister provided details on lifts in NHDA housing schemes, stating that most high-rise schemes built before 2012 were five floors or fewer and were not required to have lifts under the regulations at the time. He said lifts have been installed only in Soisapura Phase III and the Marapalla Resettlement Housing Project, with maintenance to be handled by Management Corporations after handover, and confirmed that NHDA does not allocate funds for lift maintenance. He also stated that phased measures have been arranged, while indicating that certain follow-up matters were not applicable. Adjournment and Written Answers Read →
- 9 June 2026 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake asked the Minister of Housing, Construction and Water Supply for detailed information on occupied Government-built high-rise housing complexes under the NHDA and urban regeneration programmes. He sought data on installed and inoperative lifts, 2025 lift downtime, maintenance allocations and spending for 2024 and 2025, procurement and performance of maintenance contracts, structural and fire-safety audits since 2023 and whether their findings would be tabled. He also asked about contingency arrangements for elderly and disabled residents during lift outages, and whether any buildings had been declared unsafe, partially condemned, or requiring urgent capital rehabilitation. Adjournment and Written Answers Read →
- 9 June 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe - Minister of Housing, Construction and Water Supply JJB AI summary Accurate data on the national housing shortage by income group or sector is not currently available, and the Ministry is seeking information from the Department of Census and Statistics. The National Housing Development Authority plans several programmes for 2026-2029, including 70,110 grant-assisted houses for poor and low-income families, Sevana housing villages, loan schemes for low and lower-middle-income families, and housing for middle-income earners, tenants, occupants of uninhabitable houses, and government servants, with costs assessed against inflation, mortgage rates, and construction escalation. Eligibility criteria include low income, lack of a permanent house, female-headed households, disability or chronic illness, large numbers of dependents, need for construction or renovation, and ability to pay in middle-income schemes. The Minister also stated that there is no publicly accessible beneficiary registry and listed recent or planned middle-class housing schemes in Tangalle, Ragama, Wadduwa, Ranpokunagama, Kirulapone, Maligawatta, and Gampaha. Adjournment and Written Answers Read →
- 9 June 2026 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake asked the Minister of Housing, Construction and Water Supply for detailed information on the national housing deficit as of 2026, disaggregated by income and settlement categories, and on delivery targets, unit costs, affordability benchmarks, and beneficiary income levels for 2026-2029. He requested details on eligibility criteria, digital verification, appeals or cancellations due to irregularities, and whether a public beneficiary registry exists to prevent politicization and duplication. He also asked whether a middle-class housing scheme is being implemented, including its location and expected completion date, and if not, the reasons. Adjournment and Written Answers Read →
- 9 June 2026 The Hon. Major General (Rtd.) Aruna Jayasekera - Deputy Minister of Defence JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister supported extending the State of Emergency under the Public Security Ordinance, stating that emergency powers were needed to coordinate recovery and rehabilitation after Cyclone “Ditva” and to appoint a Commissioner General for Essential Services. He said the Government, public service, civil institutions, and Tri-Forces were working on infrastructure restoration, compensation, and resettlement, including construction of 1,000 temporary houses across affected districts. He noted continuing issues over land, legal title, NBRO assessments, and safe resettlement, especially where over 6,000 houses were destroyed in Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, and Badulla. He also said the Government’s objective was to depoliticize the Armed Forces and handle investigations into suspects properly. Debate on Public Security Ordinance: Extension of State of Emergency Read →
- 9 June 2026 The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna JJB AI summary Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna responded to criticisms about the treatment of estate workers, stating that the Government is addressing issues raised in selective external reports. He outlined recent measures, including wage increases, expanded housing programmes, land title grants, and an increase in allocated land from 7 to 10 perches, while noting challenges in identifying safe land and releasing plantation lands. He said housing construction is progressing with Indian assistance and that post-disaster needs are being addressed through District Coordinating Committees and presidential visits to affected districts. Oral Questions 1-10 Read →
- 9 June 2026 The Hon. Jeevan Thondaman UNP AI summary Hon. Jeevan Thondaman urged the Government to respond to grievances in Wevenden following the Ditwah cyclone, stating that residents were protesting over unanswered letters and needed practical solutions rather than political intervention. He called for implementation of Cabinet-approved land rights for hill-country people and asked that plantation wage issues be addressed through the Wages Board so companies could not avoid compliance. He also requested the President’s intervention to resolve the Wevenden concerns. Oral Questions 1-10 Read →
- 9 June 2026 The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna JJB AI summary K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna said the long-standing land issue, dating back to colonial times, would not be allowed to continue unresolved. He stated that lands had already been identified with companies for those affected by “Ditwah,” while some sites were awaiting final approvals, including from the National Building Research Organisation. He added that, following the Cabinet decision of 6 April, preliminary work was being expedited with the commitment of the President and Government. Oral Questions 1-10 Read →
- 9 June 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) V.S. Radhakrishnan SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) V.S. Radhakrishnan said compensation for fully damaged estate houses had not reached workers because they lack land ownership, and urged the Government to address this long-standing issue by granting land rights to estate workers. He requested the establishment of a Special Task Force to finalize land ownership within the Government’s remaining term, even if housing construction is delayed. Oral Questions 1-10 Read →
- 9 June 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) V.S. Radhakrishnan SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) V.S. Radhakrishnan provided district-wise data showing 10,310 estate families affected by Cyclone “Ditwah,” with 431 estate houses or line rooms completely damaged and 2,152 partially damaged. He stated that the Cabinet decided on 06.04.2026 to extend equal compensation to line-room residents without land or house ownership, including Rs. 5 million and 10 perches of Government land for completely destroyed houses, and Rs. 0.5–2.5 million for partial damage as assessed through the relevant authorities. He added that houses deemed beyond repair by the Disaster Management Committee would also qualify for full reconstruction support, with current plans to rebuild 431 houses and repair 2,152, subject to updated data. Oral Questions 1-10 Read →
- 9 June 2026 The Hon. Eranga Gunasekara JJB AI summary Eranga Gunasekara acknowledged concerns about past resettlement practices and said the Ministry is reviewing conditions in 27 high-rise housing complexes in the Colombo District, which he described as uninhabitable. He stated that two complexes are expected to be completed this year and 11 more within the next two years, benefiting over 7,000 people, while also considering social needs affecting families and children. He added that the Urban Development Authority is developing a new policy with national baseline criteria for resettling low-income earners, to be presented to Parliament. Oral Questions 1-10 Read →
- 9 June 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva corrected the figure for residential constructions to 87 and asked that it be checked. He proposed converting the 2018 National Policy on Involuntary Resettlement into law, noting that current application varies by funding source and is often enforced only under ADB or World Bank projects. He argued that legislation would better protect resettled communities by addressing schooling, employment access, housing conditions, and multi-ethnic coexistence. Oral Questions 1-10 Read →
- 9 June 2026 The Hon. Eranga Gunasekara JJB AI summary Of 93 constructions being regularized, 82 have been identified as residential and 10 as non-residential. The Minister stated that the affected identified persons are expected to be resettled in the Chinese-assisted housing complex under construction in Maharagama before the end of the year. Oral Questions 1-10 Read →
- 9 June 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva welcomed the Deputy Minister’s efforts to conclude a long-standing resettlement matter but sought to correct the stated figures, saying the total should be 87 rather than 83 when approved residential constructions and pending appeals are counted. He asked within what timeframe the resettlement process would be completed once the corrected figure is taken into account. Oral Questions 1-10 Read →