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- 3 February 2026 The Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC SJB AI summary M. Nizam Kariapper referred to Parliament’s power to legislate in response to judicial interpretations, citing a past example involving revocation of parental gifts to children. He requested Members’ support for the Nurachcholai Housing Project (Special Provisions) Bill he had submitted, and concluded after noting he had strayed beyond the immediate debate topic. Debate: Regulations under the Sri Lanka Telecommunications Act (continued) Read →
- 3 February 2026 The Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC SJB AI summary Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper said the Deputy Secretary-General’s approach to CIABOC should be treated as a matter for investigation and justice. He informed Parliament that he had submitted his first Private Member’s Bill, the Nurachcholai Housing Project (Special Provisions) Bill, intended to enable the Housing Minister to allocate long-stalled Saudi-funded tsunami houses in the Eastern Province to those actually affected, notwithstanding prior court outcomes. He said the project had been blocked for about 14 years following litigation over beneficiary allocation, and argued that Parliament has the legislative authority to resolve the issue. Debate: Regulations under the Sri Lanka Telecommunications Act (continued) Read →
- 3 February 2026 The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake criticized the handling of the removal of the Deputy Secretary-General of Parliament, arguing that procedural issues involving officials should be addressed appropriately rather than brought before Parliament in a punitive manner. He warned that proposed rent legislation was creating fear among tenants and landlords, particularly in Badulla after cyclone-related displacement, and urged the Government to explain the law to the public before proceeding. He also raised concerns about remarks and actions attributed to a Deputy Solicitor General in relation to former Presidential Secretary Saman Ekanayake, questioned the extension of the Department of Motor Traffic Commissioner-General’s tenure despite an audit query, and asked why imported barley for Thriposha remained unreleased at the port despite approvals. Debate: Regulations under the Sri Lanka Telecommunications Act (continued) Read →
- 3 February 2026 The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF AI summary Chamara Sampath Dasanayake addressed the Minister of Justice regarding the Bill under discussion, noting that rental evictions in Badulla had occurred after Cyclone “Michaung” even before the Bill was introduced, including from houses rented for Rs. 25,000. He urged the Minister to reconsider aspects of the Bill where necessary rather than assuming all measures are correct. Debate: Regulations under the Sri Lanka Telecommunications Act (continued) Read →
- 3 February 2026 The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law - Minister of Justice and National Integration JJB AI summary The Minister said the Tenant Protection Bill is intended to prevent unlawful “self-help” evictions, such as cutting utilities or blocking access, and does not stop landlords from evicting tenants after a lease ends or after lawful notice under a contract. He rejected claims that the Bill would undermine the rental market, stating that it protects only tenants facing illegal pressure without a court order. He noted that the Bill was gazetted in September 2025, public submissions were invited, the Bar Association’s proposals are being considered, and the Government will allow another month for input before proceeding to the Second Reading and correcting any technical issues. Debate: Regulations under the Sri Lanka Telecommunications Act (continued) Read →
- 3 February 2026 The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam raised Question No. 345/2024 to the Minister of Housing, Construction and Water Supply regarding drinking water facilities in the Vavunativu Divisional Secretariat Division. The question sought information or action from the Ministry on the provision and improvement of safe drinking water in that area. Oral Questions and Ministerial Answers Read →
- 3 February 2026 Ministerial Consultative Committee on Housing, Construction and Water Supply AI summary The Ministerial Consultative Committee on Housing, Construction and Water Supply met under the chairmanship of Hon. (Dr.) Sushil Ranasinghe, with the participation of Members from government and opposition parties. The proceedings related to matters within the housing, construction and water supply portfolio, providing a forum for Members to raise sectoral issues and for the Committee to consider administrative and policy matters under the Ministry. Opening and Parliamentary Announcements Read →
- 23 January 2026 The Hon. Mano Ganesan SJB AI summary Hon. Mano Ganesan raised urgent concerns about post-“Titva” storm relief in the up-country areas, stating that only about 30–40 per cent of affected people in districts such as Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Badulla, Matale and Kegalle had received promised assistance. He argued that hill-country estate communities, especially those in unsafe line-rooms and temporary shelters, require land rights and housing support, and questioned why the Government’s proposed alternate land and Rs. 5 million housing assistance were not being applied equally to them. He urged the Prime Minister and Government to create a special mechanism to allocate state plantation land for affected estate residents and ensure they receive the same disaster relief as other areas. Debate: Universities (Amendment) Bill - Second and Third Reading Read →
- 23 January 2026 The Hon. Jeevan Thondaman UNP AI summary Hon. Jeevan Thondaman challenged claims about plantation wage increases, arguing that higher daily wages have been offset by increased plucking targets and asking the Labour Minister to investigate and issue a Gazette to prevent such practices. He defended the Saumyamoorthi Thondaman Memorial Foundation, citing its establishment in 2005 and comparing it with other memorial institutions, while rejecting criticism of its naming and family involvement. He also questioned government relief commitments to cyclone-affected hill country communities, especially landless and homeless people, and requested that Hansard correct a reference to “Mulloya Govindan.” Debate: Universities (Amendment) Bill - Second and Third Reading Read →
- 23 January 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe - Minister of Housing, Construction and Water Supply JJB AI summary In response to a Standing Order 27(2) question, the Minister stated that 107 vehicles were provided to the Manik Farm Welfare Camp, with no ministry records showing allocations to other camps. He said 95 vehicles were identified as taken by government institutions and 12 by UNHCR, which reported them stolen, and concluded that the vehicles had not been misplaced based on available records. He also stated that tractor RB-2639 was not leased or handed to a private party, and that police and court records showed legal action had been taken over its seizure, with three accused pleading guilty in 2020 and being fined Rs. 20,000. The Minister tabled the full reply and annexed documents, including the UNHCR email and Police report. Ministerial Statement: Vehicles for Welfare Centres Read →
- 23 January 2026 The Hon. Dammika Patabendi - Minister of Environment JJB AI summary The Minister acknowledged the complexity of the human-elephant conflict and stated that, once land is transferred to Divisional Secretaries, decisions on its use fall under their authority. He said proposals to create reserves or protective measures in sensitive areas could be considered through due process under the Ministry’s “Green Country” programme, though the process would take time. He added that the Ministry cannot directly intervene in lands already released to Divisional Secretaries but is willing to discuss specific proposals. Oral Questions: Heda Oya Irrigation, Thondaman Foundation, Schools, Hydropower, Sugar Factories, Ragama Town, Monaragala Lands, Badulla Cooperatives Read →
- 23 January 2026 The Hon. Ruwan Wijeweera JJB AI summary Ruwan Wijeweera raised concerns about unauthorized occupation of lands transferred to Divisional Secretaries in the Wandama–Demaliya area of Buttala DS since 2021. He noted that traditional chena cultivation has been affected by increased elephant encroachment and that large areas are being fenced off with elephant fences, and asked what measures the Forest Department will take to address the situation. Oral Questions: Heda Oya Irrigation, Thondaman Foundation, Schools, Hydropower, Sugar Factories, Ragama Town, Monaragala Lands, Badulla Cooperatives Read →
- 23 January 2026 The Hon. Dammika Patabendi - Minister of Environment JJB AI summary The Minister provided statistical details on forest and wildlife lands in Monaragala District, stating that 228,001 hectares are under the Forest Conservation Department and 170,752 hectares under the Wildlife Conservation Department. He said 20,760 hectares were handed over to Divisional Secretaries in 2021, of which 472.082 hectares were released on long-term lease to named parties including the Ceylon Electricity Board and several private entities. He also detailed the extents of Wandama and Demaliya forests under Forest Department administration and the portions released, including 256.248 hectares leased in Buttala and none in Wellawaya. Oral Questions: Heda Oya Irrigation, Thondaman Foundation, Schools, Hydropower, Sugar Factories, Ragama Town, Monaragala Lands, Badulla Cooperatives Read →
- 23 January 2026 The Hon. Stepni Fernando JJB AI summary Hon. Stepni Fernando asked whether UDA-owned buildings and vacant plots behind the land in question had been properly allocated and, if not, whether any UDA project was planned for the area. She urged prompt action, warning that otherwise the sites could be occupied informally for various needs. Oral Questions: Heda Oya Irrigation, Thondaman Foundation, Schools, Hydropower, Sugar Factories, Ragama Town, Monaragala Lands, Badulla Cooperatives Read →
- 23 January 2026 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Bimal Rathnayake reported that the UDA owns 1.74908 hectares in Ragama Town and that unauthorized constructions have been identified along the main road, including six businesses on leased UDA land in front of the Colombo North Teaching Hospital. He said shops around the Police Post near the flyover had been inspected, notices were issued in December 2025 and January 2026 requiring removal or approved plans, and no response had been received. He stated that the UDA Review Committee had decided to pursue legal demolition action if the final notice was ignored, and that removal had not yet occurred but preliminary steps had begun. Oral Questions: Heda Oya Irrigation, Thondaman Foundation, Schools, Hydropower, Sugar Factories, Ragama Town, Monaragala Lands, Badulla Cooperatives Read →
- 23 January 2026 The Hon. M.S. Abthul Wazeeth SLMC AI summary Hon. M.S. Abthul Wazeeth raised a supplementary question regarding Vegamam farm lands in Pottuvil, originally permitted to middle-class farmers in 1950 but later abandoned due to terrorism and gazetted under the Department of Wildlife Conservation. He asked whether the Minister would ensure the release of the 186.4 hectares already identified for release under the new Cabinet committee’s land release process. Oral Questions: Heda Oya Irrigation, Thondaman Foundation, Schools, Hydropower, Sugar Factories, Ragama Town, Monaragala Lands, Badulla Cooperatives Read →
- 23 January 2026 The Hon. M.S. Abthul Wazeeth SLMC AI summary Hon. M.S. Abthul Wazeeth raised concerns that long-cultivated agricultural lands in several locations in the Pottuvil DS Division have been identified as Forest Department lands, leading to court cases against cultivators. He asked whether the Minister would use Cabinet Paper No. 25/1560/626/020 dated 04.09.2025 to withdraw pending cases and include such continuously cultivated lands in the list for release from Forest Department or Wildlife conservation designation. Oral Questions: Heda Oya Irrigation, Thondaman Foundation, Schools, Hydropower, Sugar Factories, Ragama Town, Monaragala Lands, Badulla Cooperatives Read →
- 23 January 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa stated that the proposed Heda Oya Project is intended to provide irrigation water to farmers in the Pottuvil and Lahugala Divisional Secretaries’ Divisions in Ampara District. He reported that no expenditure was incurred in 2018, while Rs. 3,784,014 was spent in 2019 and Rs. 999,928.74 in 2020. He added that only preliminary investigative work has been carried out, no implementation is currently proceeding, and the project has been delayed due to public protests over houses and lands that would be submerged by the reservoir. Oral Questions: Heda Oya Irrigation, Thondaman Foundation, Schools, Hydropower, Sugar Factories, Ragama Town, Monaragala Lands, Badulla Cooperatives Read →
- 22 January 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa tabled a written answer on land extents in the Vavuniya District, including DS Division totals amounting to 5,989 acres, 3 roods and 22 perches. He stated that GN Division-wise land details, information on lands transferred to second parties, and particulars on housing schemes, beneficiary allocations and documentation status were provided in the annex. Oral Question: Land Provided for Middle-Income Housing Programme Read →
- 22 January 2026 The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka (on behalf of the Hon. K. Kader Masthan) SJB AI summary The member asked the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation for details on lands allocated under a programme for middle-class residents in the four Divisional Secretary Divisions of Vavuniya District, including total acreage, distribution by Grama Niladhari Division, and any allocations made to second parties. He further requested the names of those second parties, the basis of allocation, and information on whether housing schemes were implemented on such lands during the previous Government. He also asked whether the lands with houses had been properly transferred to beneficiaries and, if so, why relevant documentation had not yet been provided. Oral Question: Land Provided for Middle-Income Housing Programme Read →