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- 5 December 2025 The Hon. Champika Hettiarachchi JJB AI summary Condemning the loss of life from the floods, Champika Hettiarachchi said cooperatives had been used effectively in relief efforts and argued that the disaster debate had overtaken the scheduled discussion on trade, food security and cooperatives. He rejected Opposition claims that adequate early warnings had been issued, comparing current casualties in Gampaha with those in 2016 and 2017 and attributing heightened risk partly to past land distribution, encroachment and unauthorized construction. He defended the Government’s Treasury reserves as enabling rapid disaster response, criticized past unfulfilled housing pledges by the current Leader of the Opposition, and called for non-partisan cooperation in rebuilding. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Budget Debate on Disaster Response and Government Allocations Read →
- 5 December 2025 The Hon. R. G. Wijerathna JJB AI summary Hon. R. G. Wijerathna described severe disaster impacts in Nuwara Eliya District, including 71 deaths, 35 missing persons, about 40,000 affected people, and 24,000 people in 185 safe centres, while noting progress in restoring roads, electricity, and water supplies. He thanked district officials, armed forces, Indian helicopter support, utility agencies, and volunteers, including a group from Kalutara assisting in Nuwara Eliya town. He argued that past politically driven land allocations, forest clearance, and unsafe construction worsened landslide vulnerability, and said timely evacuations helped minimize the death toll despite extensive destruction. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Budget Debate on Disaster Response and Government Allocations Read →
- 5 December 2025 The Hon. Sundaralingam Pradeep - Deputy Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure JJB AI summary Condolences were offered to those killed by the cyclone, with thanks to the Police, public officials, Tri-Forces, foreign countries, and NGOs assisting relief efforts. The Deputy Minister said hill-country and plantation communities were especially vulnerable because multiple families often live in one house and lack safe places to evacuate, and called for permanent solutions such as safe housing or land allocation in plantation areas. He stated that the Ministry would implement housing and infrastructure projects in the coming year and urged cooperation in recovery efforts rather than politicization of the disaster. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Budget Debate on Disaster Response and Government Allocations Read →
- 5 December 2025 The Hon. Jagath Vithana SJB AI summary Hon. Jagath Vithana described relief work he undertook after the disaster and criticized the delayed presence of state officials in several affected villages. He urged a systematic land-use policy to gazette residential, agricultural, and commercial zones, relocate people from high-risk areas to safer state lands, and provide support for restoring agricultural livelihoods. He called for reallocating public funds from celebrations and vehicle imports to disaster relief, and argued that Sri Lanka’s damage far exceeds IMF support. He also proposed reinstating regulated oil palm cultivation, raising concerns about losses in tea cultivation, fertilizer costs, and declining agricultural productivity. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Budget Debate on Disaster Response and Government Allocations Read →
- 5 December 2025 The Hon. B. Ariyawansha SJB AI summary B. Ariyawansha addressed the impact of the “Dissha” cyclone, floods and landslides, expressing condolences and commending the tri-forces, officials, police, MPs and media outlets for relief efforts. He rejected criticism of Opposition and media interventions, stating that in many affected villages government representation was limited while Opposition members and local officials assisted residents. Referring to Ratnapura District and specific displaced communities, he said government assistance such as Rs. 3,100 weekly payments and seven-perch land allocations was inadequate, and called for sufficient relief, safer land or housing programmes, including possible multi-storey housing. He also requested higher compensation, proposing at least Rs. 2.5 million for fully damaged houses and increased grants for partial damage. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Budget Debate on Disaster Response and Government Allocations Read →
- 5 December 2025 The Hon. Rauff Hakeem, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Rauff Hakeem compared the scale of the current climate disaster with the tsunami, estimating asset losses of USD 6–7 billion, and urged the Government to treat Opposition proposals constructively. He called on the President to immediately convene an international donor conference, engage key world leaders and former Presidents, seek USD 2–3 billion in urgent support, and negotiate debt-service deferral with the IMF and bilateral creditors if needed. He highlighted severe flooding, landslides, road closures and displacement in areas including Kandy, Gampola, Akurana, Delthota and Pattiyagama, and proposed using LRC, JEDB and SPC lands for relocation subject to NBRO safety certification. He also urged mobilising university engineering faculties and experienced former officials to assist with geotechnical assessments, reconstruction planning and fundraising. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Budget Debate on Disaster Response and Government Allocations Read →
- 27 November 2025 The Hon. K. D. Lal Kantha - Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation JJB AI summary Minister K. D. Lal Kantha said the Government’s Food Security Committee is functioning effectively, noting that no Opposition member had cited shortages of staple foods or excessive prices during the debate. He emphasized that the Government’s priorities are ensuring food security and improving farmers’ incomes, while proceeding with measures to relocate unauthorised settlers from tank reservations, floodplains, forest reserves and elephant corridors by providing alternative land, grants and facilities. He acknowledged proposals from Members regarding land, irrigation and water losses, thanked parliamentary and ministry staff, and noted cross-party agreement to forgo a division so Members could return to districts affected by disasters. Appropriation Bill 2026 - Committee Stage - Eleventh Allotted Day (Heads 118, 281, 282, 285-289, 292, 327, 337) Read →
- 27 November 2025 The Hon. Aravinda Senarath - Deputy Minister of Land and Irrigation JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Aravinda Senarath said the Government was addressing the current cyclone and flood threat through district-level disaster preparedness, prior instructions, and allocated funds, while urging continued support for affected people. Responding to Opposition allegations, he rejected claims of ethnic bias or neglect of the North, stating that steps were being taken on land issues in Vavuniya and Mullaitivu and that Mahaweli waters would be taken to the North. He said the Ministry had been reorganized to better integrate land, irrigation, agriculture and livestock functions, with about Rs. 267 billion allocated in the 2026 Budget, including major allocations for irrigation, lands and agrarian development, to support a planned transition from subsistence agriculture to a production economy. Appropriation Bill 2026 - Committee Stage - Eleventh Allotted Day (Heads 118, 281, 282, 285-289, 292, 327, 337) Read →
- 27 November 2025 The Hon. Ismail Muththu Mohamed AI summary Hon. Ismail Muththu Mohamed raised concerns about agricultural hardship in Vavuniya, Mannar and Mullaitivu, including high input costs, poor access to guaranteed-price paddy purchasing, lack of compensation for flood-affected black gram farmers, and inadequate marketing facilities. He requested rehabilitation of specified tanks, action on about 180 abandoned minor tanks in Vavuniya, and attention to linking Iluppaikulam and Velappar Puliyankulam to expand cultivation and livelihoods. He also urged the Government to address longstanding land issues caused by forest and wildlife gazettes over former agricultural areas, including through land kachcheries and allocation of land to affected farmers. Appropriation Bill 2026 - Committee Stage - Eleventh Allotted Day (Heads 118, 281, 282, 285-289, 292, 327, 337) Read →
- 27 November 2025 The Hon. Dilip Wedaarachchi SJB AI summary Condolences were expressed for those affected by recent disasters, and urgent relief was requested for flooded paddy lands, damaged canals, and bunds following earlier unrest among potato and onion farmers. Attention was drawn to Ambalantota residents in Liyanagastota and Punchi Heneyagama who face removal due to new Irrigation Department surveys beyond the earlier 66-foot reservoir contour, with a petition to be submitted seeking intervention. The speech also requested action on a disease affecting thousands of coconut trees in Matara and Hambantota, rehabilitation of Lunugamwehera canals, and additional pasture land near Lunugamwehera reservoir to support Hambantota dairy farmers and preserve the “Ruhuna milk” industry. Appropriation Bill 2026 - Committee Stage - Eleventh Allotted Day (Heads 118, 281, 282, 285-289, 292, 327, 337) Read →
- 27 November 2025 The Hon. M.S. Abthul Wazeeth SLMC AI summary Hon. M.S. Abthul Wazeeth noted that the Kalmunai Police Station is currently located on Municipal Council land, while alternative land is available at the Rest House premises. He proposed relocating the police station there so the Municipal Council land can be used for revenue-generating projects. Appropriation Bill 2026 - Committee Stage - Eleventh Allotted Day (Heads 118, 281, 282, 285-289, 292, 327, 337) Read →
- 27 November 2025 The Hon. M.S. Abthul Wazeeth SLMC AI summary Called for land titles and basic facilities, including housing, electricity, drinking water, and transport, to be provided to affected residents. Also requested the establishment of a permanent drainage system in Kalmunai to enable quicker discharge of floodwater, while acknowledging local individuals involved in the issue. Appropriation Bill 2026 - Committee Stage - Eleventh Allotted Day (Heads 118, 281, 282, 285-289, 292, 327, 337) Read →
- 27 November 2025 The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK AI summary Hon. Rasamanickam marked Maaveerar Naal by acknowledging the Government’s current allowance of commemorations in the North and East, while urging that participants not later face arrests or harassment under laws such as the PTA. In the Committee Stage debate on Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation, he argued that state-backed irrigation and Mahaweli-related schemes had contributed to demographic change and land alienation in the North and East, linking this to the origins of the conflict and the need for a political solution. He criticized the Mahaweli Authority’s role in land allocation, citing Batticaloa’s Mayilathamadu–Mathavani pasture issue and the need for at least 7,000 acres for livestock farmers, as well as concerns over settlement and projects in Trincomalee, Mullaitivu, Vavuniya and Kivul Oya. Appropriation Bill 2026 - Committee Stage - Eleventh Allotted Day (Heads 118, 281, 282, 285-289, 292, 327, 337) Read →
- 27 November 2025 The Hon. W.H.M. Dharmasena SJB AI summary Hon. W.H.M. Dharmasena raised urgent flood-related concerns in Moneragala, including submerged areas, trapped residents, blocked roads and the risk of collapse of the Kumbukkan Oya and Nakkala anicuts, and requested immediate intervention by the Irrigation Department and verification of relief arrangements. He urged expedited compensation for affected farmers and residents, noting shortages of Agricultural Research and Production Assistants and asking that reports be accepted from officers covering vacant divisions. He also called for faster issuance or return of land permits and deeds, including documents taken under the “Urumaya” programme, and proposed land kachcheris to reduce disputes. On livestock, he requested a pasture-land allocation programme using suitable reservoir reservations and open shrub lands, and asked that budget allocations for milk production be used to support traditional dairy farmers. Appropriation Bill 2026 - Committee Stage - Eleventh Allotted Day (Heads 118, 281, 282, 285-289, 292, 327, 337) Read →
- 27 November 2025 The Hon. K. Kader Masthan SLLP AI summary Hon. K. Kader Masthan expressed condolences for recent weather-related losses and urged the Government to strengthen measures to reduce disaster impacts. He welcomed the increased allocation to the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock Resources, Lands and Irrigation, but called for action on land distribution in the North and East, including stopping unnecessary forest gazetting and resolving disputes over tanks, pastures and farmlands. He asked that paddy prices be fixed by January 1 and procurement carried out through the Paddy Marketing Board, while also addressing staff shortages, transport allowances for agricultural instructors, and vacancies in district agricultural director posts. He further requested the resumption of livelihood programmes such as black gram, green gram and goat distribution, and the urgent issuance of pending land deeds. Appropriation Bill 2026 - Committee Stage - Eleventh Allotted Day (Heads 118, 281, 282, 285-289, 292, 327, 337) Read →
- 27 November 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Deepthi Wasalage JJB AI summary During the debate on the 2026 Expenditure Head of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation, Deepthi Wasalage raised unresolved land-title and housing issues in the Rattota electorate, including uncertainty over land ownership, unremitted housing loan deductions by estates, and an abandoned housing project in Matale with beneficiaries living in incomplete houses. She highlighted Rattota’s vulnerability to natural disasters and argued that livelihood support must be linked to climate resilience and ecosystem protection. She outlined the “Dumbara Green Empowerment Project” funded through the Green Climate Fund and Government allocations, noting activities in Matale such as invasive-plant-based paper production, home-garden support, and assistance to tea smallholders and farmers in sloping areas. Appropriation Bill 2026 - Committee Stage - Eleventh Allotted Day (Heads 118, 281, 282, 285-289, 292, 327, 337) Read →
- 27 November 2025 The Hon. M.A.M. Thahir ACMC AI summary Hon. M.A.M. Thahir urged priority action on flood-related infrastructure in the East, particularly the Mavadippalli and Kittangip bridges, citing repeated tragedies and recent loss of life during heavy rains. He called for the release of lands gazetted as forests after the conflict period so they can be used for cultivation, and proposed using vacant state lands for livestock development to reduce milk powder imports and create employment. He also requested resolution of the Vattamadu pasture dispute, faster completion of land deed distribution under the “Himikama” programme, better use of idle land and rainwater, and public safety awareness in light of disaster risks including tsunami alerts. Appropriation Bill 2026 - Committee Stage - Eleventh Allotted Day (Heads 118, 281, 282, 285-289, 292, 327, 337) Read →
- 27 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Sellaththamby Thilaganathan JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Sellaththamby Thilaganathan supported the 2026 Budget allocation for the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock Resources, Lands and Irrigation, highlighting planned irrigation and water supply projects in the Vanni, including the Paliyaaru reservoir, Lower Malwathu Oya, and Kivul Oya projects. He said these projects would address drinking water scarcity, irrigation needs, flooding, pasture shortages, and kidney disease-related groundwater issues, while also noting tank rehabilitation and the release of lands previously brought under the Forest Department or Mahaweli system back to farmers and livestock rearers. He outlined livestock and dairy measures, including Milco’s reported profit, profit-sharing with dairy farmers, district-level dairy development support, funding for NLDB farms, and the phased release of pasture land at Mayilathamadu–Mathavani. Appropriation Bill 2026 - Committee Stage - Eleventh Allotted Day (Heads 118, 281, 282, 285-289, 292, 327, 337) Read →
- 27 November 2025 The Hon. Waruna Liyanage SJB AI summary Hon. Waruna Liyanage raised district-level agriculture, livestock, land and irrigation issues in Ratnapura, including delays in fertilizer subsidies for paddy farmers and lack of compensation for pepper farmers after crop failure. He urged strengthening the Cinnamon Development Department, providing land for dairy sheds and fodder cultivation through coordination with the LRC, Mahaweli and Plantation authorities, and addressing restrictions faced by estate-adjacent dairy farmers. He also called for early passage of amendments to the Irrigation Ordinance, feasibility work on a proposed dry dam for Ratnapura flood control, support for the Ellewewa reservoir, and an interim mechanism to prevent children on LRC lands losing school admission marks due to unresolved title deed issues. Appropriation Bill 2026 - Committee Stage - Eleventh Allotted Day (Heads 118, 281, 282, 285-289, 292, 327, 337) Read →
- 27 November 2025 The Hon. Rauff Hakeem, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Rauff Hakeem raised urgent disaster-related concerns, including flooding risks at the Murapola Ela irrigation channel near Ududeniya, and called for investigation of nearby quarry blasting and an assessment by the National Building Research Organization. He urged the Government to resolve long-standing land title issues in Kalugamuwa, LRC lands in Puttalam, and other areas through land kachcheris and agency intervention, and to examine complaints about the dismantling or diversion of pipelines under the Puttalam-South Water Supply Project. He proposed establishing a National River Basin Conservation Authority to coordinate floodplain, irrigation and potable water planning for major rivers, while welcoming the decision not to immediately abolish the Mahaweli Authority. He also sought clarity and action on major water and irrigation projects including Lower Malwathu Oya, Kumbukkan Oya, Heda Oya, Yan Oya and Mundeni Aru, particularly for the Eastern Province. Appropriation Bill 2026 - Committee Stage - Eleventh Allotted Day (Heads 118, 281, 282, 285-289, 292, 327, 337) Read →