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- 24 November 2025 The Hon. Kathiravelu Shanmugam Kugathasan ITAK AI summary Kathiravelu Shanmugam Kugathasan raised an Adjournment Motion on land-related restrictions in the Verugal Divisional Secretariat Division of Trincomalee, arguing that overlapping claims by the Wildlife and Forest Departments exceed the division’s total land area and obstruct residents, public institutions and development activities. He stated that long-established villages, schools, religious sites, public offices, pasture lands and irrigation tanks fall within these claimed areas, while approvals for leases, public facilities and cultivation projects are delayed or denied. He specifically requested intervention to release lands or regularize procedures, including approval for rehabilitating a canal at Kallaripu to cultivate about 2,000 acres and relief for cattle herders affected by restrictions on traditional grazing lands. Adjournment Motion: Land Issues in Verugal DS Division, Trincomalee Read →
- 24 November 2025 The Hon. T. B. Sarath - Deputy Minister of Housing, Construction and Water Supply JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister responded to Opposition criticisms during the committee stage debate on the expenditure heads for housing, construction, water supply, transport, highways and urban development. He said labour disputes at the National Housing Development Authority stemmed from earlier recruitments and terminations and must await appellate court decisions, and argued that many past housing schemes were launched without proper planning, creating unfinished or unoccupied units now requiring substantial budgetary allocations. He outlined current allocations for low-income, Colombo-area, resettlement, landslide-risk and partially completed housing projects, emphasizing participatory construction and planned PPPs for middle-income housing, while also noting steps to regularize or retender car park management in Colombo housing schemes. Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Transport, Highways, Ports, Civil Aviation, Urban Development, Construction and Housing Read →
- 24 November 2025 The Hon. Mujibur Rahuman SJB AI summary Hon. Mujibur Rahuman questioned whether the Government remains aligned with the political change expected by the public, and argued that reports of police stations requesting certificates were not merely opposition propaganda, citing public comments on a post by Uvindu Kurukulasuriya and his own complaint to the Minister. He said summoning the journalist involved to the CID risked escalating the issue and affecting media freedom. He also raised concerns under the Urban Development, Construction and Housing Heads about deteriorating housing schemes in Colombo and alleged illegal activities and conversions in some NHDA schemes, requesting ministerial intervention to reclaim, warn, or regularize affected units. Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Transport, Highways, Ports, Civil Aviation, Urban Development, Construction and Housing Read →
- 24 November 2025 The Hon. Mujibur Rahuman SJB AI summary Hon. Mujibur Rahuman criticised the low reported 2025 progress of the Ministry of Urban Development, Construction and Housing, alleging that Budget proposals, housing projects, the UDA National Physical Plan, and waste management allocations had not been effectively implemented. He called for a comprehensive Pettah multi-modal transport hub instead of piecemeal upgrades, and urged action over alleged irregular alienation of National Housing Development Authority lands and misuse of residents’ parking areas in Maligawatta. He also raised concerns about RDA expenditure, engineer shortages and possible trade union action, requested urgent ministerial engagement with engineers, questioned delays in resurfacing Japan Friendship Road, and referred to the unresolved appointment of the Auditor-General. Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Transport, Highways, Ports, Civil Aviation, Urban Development, Construction and Housing Read →
- 24 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Elayathamby Srinath ITAK AI summary Participating in the Committee Stage debate on allocations for the Ministries of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation, and Urban Development, Construction and Housing, the Member raised district-level infrastructure concerns in Batticaloa. He specifically referred to matters relating to the Kiran Bridge and Pondugal Senai, indicating requests or issues to be addressed under the relevant ministry allocations. Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Transport, Highways, Ports, Civil Aviation, Urban Development, Construction and Housing Read →
- 24 November 2025 The Hon. J.C. Alawathuwala SJB AI summary Hon. J.C. Alawathuwala urged the Government to prioritize stalled and delayed transport infrastructure, including the Kadawatha–Mirigama expressway section, the remaining Pothuhera–Galagedara road works, and the Kurunegala–Dambulla corridor, noting prior land acquisition and compensation. He recalled former President Ranasinghe Premadasa’s housing programmes and international recognition of shelter initiatives, while also asking the National Housing Development Authority to comply with a Labour Tribunal order to reinstate employees. He further raised concerns about proposed changes to expressway advertising structures affecting businesses and landowners, and criticized the summoning or harassment of media editors, calling for reporting concerns to be addressed through clarification rather than intimidation. Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Transport, Highways, Ports, Civil Aviation, Urban Development, Construction and Housing Read →
- 24 November 2025 The Hon. Imran Maharoof SJB AI summary Hon. Imran Maharoof raised several Trincomalee District issues, requesting the urgent resumption of the suspended daytime air-conditioned express train between Trincomalee and Colombo and improvements to drinking water distribution from Kuchchaveli to Pulmoddai and within Kinniya. He called for completion of stalled housing projects, upgrading and widening of key roads including the Trincomalee–Batticaloa route through Kinniya, completion of the Thoppur Al-Hamra internal road, and transfer of more local roads to RDD/RDA maintenance. He also asked the Government to address the Muthunagar land and housing issue affecting evicted families and to enhance operations at China Bay airport to support tourism. Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Transport, Highways, Ports, Civil Aviation, Urban Development, Construction and Housing Read →
- 24 November 2025 The Hon. M.A.M. Thahir ACMC AI summary Hon. M.A.M. Thahir addressed the budget allocations for urban development and transport-related ministries, highlighting neglected infrastructure and unfinished projects in Ampara, Kalmunai, Nintavur, Mannar, and Pottuvil. He requested action on replacing the dilapidated Kalmunai NHDA complex, improving the Kalmunai market, strengthening solid waste management, completing the Velavallodai beach park and lagoon tourism development, and allocating Rs. 470 million to finish the Mannar–Silavathurai Cultural Hall. He also called for rail links to Eastern Province tourist destinations and educational institutions, compensation for land damage caused by Oluvil Port-related coastal erosion, rehabilitation of Hidayapuram Road, and restoration of an abandoned park under the Clean Sri Lanka programme. Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Transport, Highways, Ports, Civil Aviation, Urban Development, Construction and Housing Read →
- 24 November 2025 The Hon. Mayilvaganam Jegatheeswaran JJB AI summary Hon. Mayilvaganam Jegatheeswaran supported the budget allocations for transport, highways, ports, civil aviation, and housing, citing ongoing rural road rehabilitation in the Northern Province, including Rs. 2,200 million for Mannar and additional allocations for rural roads. He said reduced political interference and prevention of commission-taking had generated savings that would be redirected to road projects, and noted planned SLTB staff appointments and rehabilitation of bus stands and railway stations under the Clean Sri Lanka programme. He also referred to Northern resettlement housing allocations targeting 2,445 houses with basic facilities, and requested additional support for housing construction in Jaffna islet areas due to higher transport costs for materials. Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Transport, Highways, Ports, Civil Aviation, Urban Development, Construction and Housing Read →
- 24 November 2025 The Hon. Dilip Wedaarachchi SJB AI summary Hon. Dilip Wedaarachchi urged the Government to resume and complete housing projects halted after the Yahapalana period, citing 47,093 incomplete houses nationally and 5,798 in Hambantota District, with residents lacking roofs, water, and electricity. He questioned why only 35 per cent of the 2025 Housing Ministry allocation had been utilized and requested district-level reports and a funding estimate to be presented to Parliament. He proposed extending the current Rs. 1 million housing grant to these incomplete houses and writing off previous Rs. 600,000 housing loans for affected low-income families, with parliamentary support. Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Transport, Highways, Ports, Civil Aviation, Urban Development, Construction and Housing Read →
- 24 November 2025 The Hon. Susil Ranasinghe JJB AI summary Hon. Susil Ranasinghe criticized past “shelter for all” promises made in 2000, 2010 and 2025, arguing that they were not fulfilled and amounted to political falsehoods. He referred to housing projects launched between 2015 and 2019, alleging that assistance such as cement bags and cash was distributed near the 2019 Presidential Election and that, in Trincomalee District, thousands of houses remained incomplete. He stated that his side would not make similar misleading housing promises. Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Transport, Highways, Ports, Civil Aviation, Urban Development, Construction and Housing Read →
- 24 November 2025 The Hon. Rohana Bandara AI summary Hon. Rohana Bandara urged the Housing Minister to maintain clear housing targets, citing past national housing programmes and the Mahaweli project, and requested funding to complete stalled housing projects in Anuradhapura without political discrimination. He asked that unresolved deeds in Ranaviru villages, including Ipalogama, be issued, and proposed an amnesty or legal process for service deserters to either rejoin or be discharged to reduce their involvement in crime. He also called for an inquiry into an allegation that the National Housing Development Authority Chairman summoned District Secretaries to Colombo against the Minister’s instruction, causing unnecessary public expenditure. Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Transport, Highways, Ports, Civil Aviation, Urban Development, Construction and Housing Read →
- 24 November 2025 The Hon. (Ms.) Lakmali Hemachandra, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Lakmali Hemachandra supported Budget allocations for transport and urban development, highlighting CCTV installation in public transport to address harassment of women and children during the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence. She noted planned SLTB investments including depot development, driver rest facilities, recruitment, repairs to buses, engine replacements, additional long-distance buses, and services on unprofitable routes, while requesting attention to non-functioning low-income urban routes in Colombo. She also welcomed new National Transport Commission regulations on roadworthiness and driver drug use, and referred to a forthcoming road safety law. On housing, she cited plans to build 27,000 houses, including over 6,000 in Colombo, and urged speedy and sensitive relocation for unauthorized settlers. Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Transport, Highways, Ports, Civil Aviation, Urban Development, Construction and Housing Read →
- 24 November 2025 The Hon. Manjula Suraweera Arachchi JJB AI summary Manjula Suraweera Arachchi addressed Budget expenditure heads related to transport and urban development, focusing on Nuwara Eliya District’s unmet needs in plantation-linked rural villages and underdeveloped towns. He highlighted inadequate sewerage, toilets, roads, housing and public transport, noting that 24 routes are too degraded for regular bus operations and 20 routes lack buses due to shortages, and said he was tabling a list of affected routes. He cited Rs. 500 million allocated for Hatton town, planned development of several other towns through 2026–2028, and around Rs. 3,000 million in 2025 for carpeting 44 roads, with further Provincial Council and PRDA road works. He urged systematic, ministry-linked development of rural roads and towns and invited the Opposition to support the programme. Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Transport, Highways, Ports, Civil Aviation, Urban Development, Construction and Housing Read →
- 24 November 2025 The Hon. K. Kader Masthan SLLP AI summary Hon. K. Kader Masthan urged the Government to increase housing assistance for over 3,000 families in Mannar, Mullaitivu and Vavuniya from Rs. 750,000 to Rs. 1,000,000, noting that beneficiaries already enrolled in the scheme cannot access other housing programmes. He said many families had demolished huts to begin construction and still could not complete their homes. He also requested a review of eligibility rules so that people married after 2009, persons with disabilities, and those with severe illnesses can be included in the housing grant scheme. Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Transport, Highways, Ports, Civil Aviation, Urban Development, Construction and Housing Read →
- 24 November 2025 The Hon. K. Kader Masthan SLLP AI summary Hon. K. Kader Masthan welcomed allocations for transport, highways, ports, civil aviation and urban development projects in the Northern Province, but noted that many roads and bridges remain only at initial stages and urged completion. He requested practical changes to the Rs. 1 million housing assistance scheme, a properly planned resettlement programme based on accurate data for war-displaced communities, and completion of unfinished schools and cultural halls. He questioned why most revenue from vehicle emission testing goes to private operators, called for reform of the system and use of funds for environmental protection, and asked for action on the Kadawatha–Meerigama Expressway and road connectivity between Puttalam and Mannar. Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Transport, Highways, Ports, Civil Aviation, Urban Development, Construction and Housing Read →
- 24 November 2025 The Hon. Eranga Gunasekara - Deputy Minister of Urban Development JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Eranga Gunasekara said urban development should be integrated with housing, infrastructure, flood control, wetland and land management, mobility, regularization, environmental protection, and controls on unauthorized construction, rather than being used to displace communities or meet political aims. He said many low-income apartment schemes had deteriorated due to poor social management, inadequate maintenance, waste issues, broken lifts, and drug networks, and announced plans to begin upgrades in four schemes in 2026 through resident committees, UDA earnings, and budget funds. He stated that over 50,000 families require housing or regularization, with more than 14,714 already settled, and that the Government aims to build over 7,000 houses in two years, including at least 2,000 next year. He also referred to Rs. 1,300 million allocated for city branding linked to tourism in Kataragama, Anuradhapura, Kandy, and Colombo Fort, and said gazetted urban plans would be expanded to more localities. Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Transport, Highways, Ports, Civil Aviation, Urban Development, Construction and Housing Read →
- 24 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe - Minister of Housing, Construction and Water Supply JJB AI summary The Minister said the Ministry’s Advisory Committee will be opened to receive written proposals from Members on housing policy and invited them to participate in discussions. He also stated that, because multiple ministries implement housing programmes, the Government is considering a steering committee with representatives from all relevant ministries and institutions to coordinate policy, targets, and beneficiary selection under unified oversight. Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Transport, Highways, Ports, Civil Aviation, Urban Development, Construction and Housing Read →
- 24 November 2025 The Hon. Mano Ganesan SJB AI summary Hon. Mano Ganesan called for all housing responsibilities, including those for the North and East, estate/Malayaga communities, the South, and persons with disabilities, to be consolidated under one Ministry through a single National Housing Policy. He urged better land-use planning by locating housing near roads and settlements, and proposed dedicated NHDA segments for different communities’ needs. Referring to Indian-supported estate housing and unmet targets for 6,000 estate houses by year-end, he asked the Government to continue implementation while integrating the estate community into national housing and administrative frameworks. Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Transport, Highways, Ports, Civil Aviation, Urban Development, Construction and Housing Read →
- 24 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe - Minister of Housing, Construction and Water Supply JJB AI summary Minister Susil Ranasinghe outlined Budget 2026 allocations and priorities for housing, water supply, sanitation, construction, and resettlement, including Rs. 70 billion in development capital expenditure and Rs. 10.2 billion for NHDA grants of Rs. 1 million per house for low-income households. He said NWSDB coverage, currently about 52 per cent of households, would be expanded and improved through Rs. 45 billion in funding, completion and commencement of major projects, and Rs. 9 billion for capacity, connections, and quality improvements in districts. He also detailed Rs. 3 billion for rural community water schemes, institutional strengthening of the National Community Water Supply Department, and an increase to Rs. 5 billion for Northern and Eastern resettlement and infrastructure. He noted the construction sector’s contribution to GDP and employment, while indicating that further details on NHDA plans would be provided by the Deputy Minister. Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Transport, Highways, Ports, Civil Aviation, Urban Development, Construction and Housing Read →