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- 19 November 2025 The Hon. Ruwanthilaka Jayakody JJB AI summary Ruwanthilaka Jayakody asked the Prime Minister and Minister of Education whether she was aware of the history and current status of land donated in 2003 to the Reggie Ranatunga Educational Scholarship Fund, including the establishment and closure of a vocational training institute and alleged attempts in 2023 to take the land into private possession. He requested information on what steps could be taken to transfer the land to a suitable government institution for public use. Oral Question: Land Donated to Reggie Ranatunga Educational Scholarship Fund (Q.5/2025) Read →
- 18 November 2025 The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam questioned the continued scale of defence allocations nearly 16 years after the war, arguing that funds should be redirected toward education, vocational training, elderly care and war-affected communities, and urging reconsideration of defence spending in the 2027 Budget. He called for further release of military-occupied private lands and camps in the North and East, citing Batticaloa locations and Valikamam North, and said recent road openings did not amount to meaningful land release. He also challenged Government claims about the limited extent of Army-run civilian businesses and criticized Government MPs for not, in his view, advocating sufficiently for Tamil land release issues. Committee Stage Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Defence and Public Security Expenditure Heads Read →
- 18 November 2025 The Hon. Major General (Rtd.) Aruna Jayasekera JJB AI summary Maj. Gen. (Rtd.) Aruna Jayasekera denied allegations by Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam that the Tri-forces were involved in criminal activities in the North and East, asking for specific incidents and individuals so action could be taken, while stating that identified cases had already been addressed. He said the Tri-forces remain disciplined and committed to national security, including in those regions. He also acknowledged that some lands remain under military use for strategic and security reasons, but noted that figures on released lands had been tabled and that further releasable lands had been identified for release in coming months and by the following year. Committee Stage Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Defence and Public Security Expenditure Heads Read →
- 18 November 2025 The Hon. Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan DTNA AI summary Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan welcomed some Budget measures but questioned the scale of Defence allocations, alleging that the military continues to occupy private lands in the North, use them for commercial activity, and operate businesses without transparent accounting. He urged the Government and President to release all civilian lands held by the forces, move a Mannar checkpoint to allow public development, reduce defence expenditure, and provide accounts for military-generated revenue. He welcomed more equal policing and anti-drug efforts but requested urgent repairs to the Mannar police station and action against online financial scams affecting rural people. He also called for repeal of the Prevention of Terrorism Act and cautioned against using archaeology or religious claims to create ethnic or religious tensions. Committee Stage Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Defence and Public Security Expenditure Heads Read →
- 18 November 2025 The Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha SJB AI summary Nalin Bandara Jayamaha urged the Government to implement its promises on returning lands in the North only after identifying areas needed for national security, with alternative land or adequate compensation for affected owners where necessary. He said decisions should not be driven solely by election pledges and compared such sacrifices to past development projects involving displacement. He also questioned whether promises to serving and retired soldiers had been fulfilled, criticized remarks at the Ilmaha Viru Samaruma as diminishing war heroes, and raised concerns about police procurement allegations involving the IGP, including how evidence submitted to CIABOC allegedly reached the CID and the IGP. Committee Stage Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Defence and Public Security Expenditure Heads Read →
- 18 November 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Bimal Rathnayake stated that security professionals are already addressing the relevant tasks, while acknowledging the concern that they may not be carried out properly. He asked the Member, as someone who had been in government, to provide a basic or substantial list of identified lands so they could be referred to security experts. He also requested that the relevant circular be sent to him and to the Minister of Defence. Committee Stage Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Defence and Public Security Expenditure Heads Read →
- 18 November 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake challenged the Opposition to present a general policy proposal on which categories of land should remain under State ownership, noting that their side had governed for a longer period. The intervention sought clarification of the Opposition’s policy position on State land retention. Committee Stage Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Defence and Public Security Expenditure Heads Read →
- 18 November 2025 The Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha SJB AI summary Moved the customary Rs. 10 reduction under the Committee Stage of the Appropriation Bill 2026 for the relevant expenditure heads, including Defence. He argued that national security is closely linked to the economy and warned against weakening defence considerations in pursuit of election promises. Referring to the post-war context and strategic areas such as Elephant Pass, Pooneryn and Mullaitivu, he urged that land decisions in the North and East prioritize national security, with alternative land or compensation offered instead of releasing lands considered vital for defence. Committee Stage Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Defence and Public Security Expenditure Heads Read →
- 18 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa tabled an answer providing figures and annexed name lists for persons falling under several queried categories: 422 in Annexure A, 778 in Annexure B, and 345 in Annexure C. The response confirmed the relevant sub-questions and stated that the granting of deeds under the Urumaya Programme has been temporarily suspended. It further noted that part (b) of the question was not applicable. Oral Question No. 880/2025: Grant of Urumaya Freehold Deeds - Manmunaipattu DS Division Read →
- 18 November 2025 The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka (on behalf of the Hon. (Dr.) M.L.A.M. Hizbullah) SJB AI summary Asked the Government to provide details on applications for “Urumaya” freehold deeds in the Manmunaipattu Divisional Secretariat Division between 1 January 2019 and 31 March 2025. The question seeks the numbers and names of applicants, those granted deeds under the then Government’s special programme, those still not granted deeds, and the reasons for any non-issuance. Oral Question No. 880/2025: Grant of Urumaya Freehold Deeds - Manmunaipattu DS Division Read →
- 17 November 2025 The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF AI summary Chamara Sampath Dasanayake urged that the houses in question not be left closed for extended periods while awaiting recommendations, warning that further delay would cause deterioration. He requested that they be repaired and allocated either to generate revenue or for another appropriate use. Oral Questions and Supplementaries (Q.1-Q.4 and Standing Order 27(2) Question) Read →
- 17 November 2025 The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF AI summary Supported the arrangement under discussion, noting that the relevant facilities or items could be obtained by paying rent. Oral Questions and Supplementaries (Q.1-Q.4 and Standing Order 27(2) Question) Read →
- 17 November 2025 The Hon. (Prof.) A.H.M.H. Abayarathna - Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government JJB AI summary The Minister clarified that no houses have been allocated to Ministers, and that allocations are being made in line with Cabinet approval granted on 9 December 2024 and subsequent committee recommendations. He said six houses have been temporarily allocated on nominal rent, further institutional requests are under consideration, and requests from Opposition Members could also be considered for allocation where appropriate. Oral Questions and Supplementaries (Q.1-Q.4 and Standing Order 27(2) Question) Read →
- 17 November 2025 The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF AI summary Chamara Sampath Dasanayake questioned the Government’s policy on Ministerial official residences, noting that although it had earlier said Ministers would not use such houses, eight residences had been allocated to the Speaker and Deputy Ministers with rent deducted from salaries. He argued that if residences are being treated as rentable property, the same procedure should apply equally to Opposition Members who request them. He urged the Government to establish a clear policy and either use, rent, repair, or repurpose the houses to generate revenue, warning that keeping them closed would lead to deterioration. Oral Questions and Supplementaries (Q.1-Q.4 and Standing Order 27(2) Question) Read →
- 15 November 2025 The Hon. Gnanamuththu Srineshan ITAK AI summary Welcoming assurances on minority inclusion, the Member warned against establishing religious sites in areas where the relevant community does not reside, citing plans for a Buddhist worship site and vihara at Nediyakalmalai near Batticaloa border villages as a source of local suspicion and potential conflict. He alleged that related road works, Forest Department land releases, and confiscation of Tamil farmlands were undermining reconciliation. He said his side abstained on the Budget because, despite some positive measures, it did not address the national question and maintained high Defence allocations in peacetime. He urged the Government to include a just political solution and development of war-affected areas in the next Budget, noting a forthcoming meeting with the President. Debate: Committee Stage - Appropriation Bill 2026, Special Spending Units (Heads 1, 2, 4-11, 13, 16-25) Read →
- 15 November 2025 The Hon. Rohana Bandara AI summary Rohana Bandara questioned the continued reliance on old ledgers to calculate railway land acreages and noted that technological modernization is needed across the railway system. He asked whether land records would be updated using modern technology to address the issues he raised. Oral Question: Q.562/2025 - Lands Belonging to Sri Lanka Railways: Lease Read →
- 15 November 2025 The Hon. Rohana Bandara AI summary Hon. Rohana Bandara acknowledged the Minister’s efforts to uplift the railway sector and drew attention to underutilized railway lands in towns such as Anuradhapura, Ratmalana and Mahawa. He said dilapidated railway quarters in Anuradhapura, located near the market and tourist access points, were being misused despite demand for holiday accommodation. He asked whether steps would be taken to develop these assets, either by the Department or through private sector involvement, to improve urban areas and generate benefits for the State and the Department. Oral Question: Q.562/2025 - Lands Belonging to Sri Lanka Railways: Lease Read →
- 15 November 2025 The Hon. Rohana Bandara AI summary Hon. Rohana Bandara asked the Minister to clarify whether 14,183 acres is the current official figure, noting that some references cite 16,000 acres. He sought confirmation of the present status of the acreage figure. Oral Question: Q.562/2025 - Lands Belonging to Sri Lanka Railways: Lease Read →
- 15 November 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development and the Leader of the House of Parliament JJB AI summary The Minister answered a question on Sri Lanka Railways land, stating that the Department owns 5,739.85 hectares, with a district-wise schedule to be placed in the Library. He said about 520 acres, or around 10 per cent, is currently leased for up to five years, generating Rs. 882.56 million from 2020 to 30 June 2025. He added that a detailed plan is being prepared to identify unauthorized occupations, with action to be taken under State Lands recovery laws and through Fiscal’s Orders where necessary, while future leases will follow ministry circulars, valuation assessments and railway land disposal procedures. Oral Question: Q.562/2025 - Lands Belonging to Sri Lanka Railways: Lease Read →
- 15 November 2025 The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB AI summary Chaminda Wijesiri sought permission to raise a further question relating to Question No. 562/2025 on lands belonging to Sri Lanka Railways. The question asked the Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development to provide details on the total extent of railway land, lands leased to private parties, lease income from 2020 onward, encroachments by unauthorized settlers, planned eviction measures, and steps to make productive use of railway lands under departmental control. Oral Question: Q.562/2025 - Lands Belonging to Sri Lanka Railways: Lease Read →