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- 21 May 2026 Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa expressed support for proposals to empower hill country communities and criticised the Government for failing to ensure their security, deliver promised cyclone relief, and address estate housing and infrastructure needs. He cited the Hatton Manifesto, the Nilagama Estate assault, Cyclone Ditwa impacts, and unmet relief commitments following the March 2026 declaration with the President. He urged action on land ownership, housing, education, health, nutrition, and social welfare, proposing that estate workers be enabled to become land-owning smallholders while pledging Opposition support for tangible measures. Adjournment Debate: Integration of Malaiyaha People into National Mainstream Read →
- 21 May 2026 Hon. (Ms.) Krishnan Kalaichelvi JJB AI summary Hon. (Ms.) Krishnan Kalaichelvi responded to a Motion under Standing Order 19 on hill country issues, stating that despite past ministerial involvement by current Opposition representatives, unresolved problems remain in housing, land, roads, education, and health. She said the Government is acting under the Hatton Declaration and its policy programme, including steps to provide land deeds to over 500 schools in Nuwara Eliya, bring estate hospitals under the central Government, increase wages through the Budget, and begin housing construction. She highlighted ongoing housing projects for disaster-affected families at Kabaragala and Wolfrend, and called for cooperation in securing land ownership, services, and better prospects for hill country communities. Adjournment Debate: Integration of Malaiyaha People into National Mainstream Read →
- 21 May 2026 Hon. Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan DTNA AI summary Hon. Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan supported the Adjournment Motion on the rights and conditions of Malaiyagam Tamils, stating that his party recognizes them as a national community and will support their struggles. He highlighted landlessness, poverty, and the continuing “line room” housing system, including related problems faced by Malaiyagam Tamils serving as home guards in northern and eastern border areas. He urged the Government to give special attention to ending line-room living, resolving land issues, and improving basic rights and living conditions for the community. Adjournment Debate: Integration of Malaiyaha People into National Mainstream Read →
- 21 May 2026 Hon. Sundaralingam Pradeep JJB AI summary Hon. Sundaralingam Pradeep said legal steps would be taken to incorporate the relevant name appropriately in future. He criticized opposition to a proposed wage increase and called for Government and Opposition cooperation to secure sustainable development for hill country people, while inviting constructive advice and correction. He rejected claims of divisions within the JVP/NPP and said the Government would address hill country issues including land, education, health, and Tamil-language services in administration and Police stations through the appointment of Tamil-speaking officers. Adjournment Debate: Integration of Malaiyaha People into National Mainstream Read →
- 21 May 2026 Hon. Sundaralingam Pradeep - Deputy Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure JJB AI summary Hon. Sundaralingam Pradeep rejected claims that the JVP was hostile to estate workers, citing hill country participation in JVP-led struggles, and argued that the current Government is correcting long-standing neglect in plantation communities. He said the Government has allocated about Rs. 60 billion to complete unfinished Indian housing scheme projects, is taking initial steps to provide land to schools and regularize temple lands in estates, and is addressing estate company violence through decisions taken at a meeting chaired by the Minister of Public Security. He emphasized recognition of “Malaiyagam people,” pledged progress on education, health, economic upliftment, and land ownership, and stated that the NPP Government had already increased wages and would grant land rights to enable dignified living. Adjournment Debate: Integration of Malaiyaha People into National Mainstream Read →
- 21 May 2026 Hon. Mano Ganesan SJB AI summary Hon. Mano Ganesan highlighted the longstanding deprivation of hill country Indian-origin Tamil communities and urged the Government to continue and expand initiatives begun by the Tamil Progressive Alliance, including plantation housing, land allocation, local government restructuring, new Divisional Secretariats and GN divisions, and the Hill Country Authority. He called for completing the remaining Indian-funded houses, increasing land allocations beyond ten perches, expanding Pradeshiya Sabhas and Divisional Secretariats in Nuwara Eliya, and properly funding mechanisms to improve livelihoods and services. He also referred to a recent meeting with the Minister of Public Security, stating that estate companies or others must not take the law into their own hands and that complaints involving hill country people should be handled by the Police. Adjournment Debate: Integration of Malaiyaha People into National Mainstream Read →
- 21 May 2026 Hon. Ravindra Bandara AI summary Hon. Ravindra Bandara said the Government has acted within 18 months to address long-standing housing, land, road, wage, and infrastructure issues affecting hill country estate communities. He cited increased allocations for estate infrastructure, PRDA roads, wage increases, identification of 83 hectares for resettlement, and ongoing transitional and permanent housing for Cyclone “Ditwa” victims and landslide-affected families, including a Cabinet proposal to extend the Rs. 500,000 grant despite land title issues. He also stated that the Government will provide proper addresses, increase land allotments to ten perches, improve Tamil-medium education through smart classrooms and school facilities, and address illicit liquor through security committees and Police. He urged support for continuing these programmes under a systematic approach, while criticising previous political representation for failing to resolve these issues. Adjournment Debate: Integration of Malaiyaha People into National Mainstream Read →
- 21 May 2026 Hon. Manjula Suraweera Arachchi JJB AI summary Hon. Manjula Suraweera Arachchi supported the Adjournment Motion on hill country issues and said the Government is implementing the Hatton Declaration to address long-neglected rights, housing, roads, land, education, and livelihood needs of estate communities. He cited planned measures including gazetting about 800 ungazetted estate roads in Nuwara Eliya, allocating Rs. 3,250 million for the Lindula-Dayagama road, rehabilitating disaster-damaged RDA roads, regularizing land for 968 Central Province schools, and providing Rs. 998 million for the Praja Shakthi programme in Nuwara Eliya. He urged MPs to avoid ethnic or local politicization of grievances, participate in District Coordinating Committees, and work collectively across party lines to deliver development and national unity. Adjournment Debate: Integration of Malaiyaha People into National Mainstream Read →
- 21 May 2026 Hon. Palani Thigambaram SJB AI summary Hon. Palani Thigambaram seconded the Adjournment Motion on land rights for hill country people, arguing that successive governments have failed to resolve the issue despite their contribution to foreign exchange earnings. He cited measures taken during the 2015 “Good Governance” Government, including housing projects, land deeds, expanded Divisional Secretariats and the Hill Country Authority, and urged the current Government to fulfil its Hatton Declaration promise by granting ten perches and land ownership to estate families. He said the Opposition would support any government move to provide land deeds and called on hill country government MPs to press the President to act. Adjournment Debate: Integration of Malaiyaha People into National Mainstream Read →
- 21 May 2026 Hon. (Dr.) V.S. Radhakrishnan SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) V.S. Radhakrishnan moved an Adjournment Motion highlighting deprivation in plantation regions and rising living costs, and argued that earlier initiatives on housing, land ownership, local administration, education, health, and a Hill Country Authority had sought to integrate hill country plantation communities into the national mainstream. He alleged that these programmes had not been continued under the present Government and that estate management intimidation, demolitions, violence, and displacement after Cyclone “Didwa” remained unresolved. He urged immediate Government intervention to stop intimidation and violence in plantation areas and prioritized granting suitable land ownership for housing to plantation families. Adjournment Debate: Integration of Malaiyaha People into National Mainstream Read →
- 21 May 2026 The Hon. Imran Maharoof SJB AI summary Imran Maharoof raised concern over an Air Force roadblock placed on 5 May at Karumalaiyootru in Trincomalee, blocking a coastal road used by fishermen, residents, and tourists. He said assurances from Government representatives that the obstruction would be removed had not been implemented, and that the continued security presence had created fear among locals, particularly in light of past land acquisition concerns in Muthunagar. He urged the Government to remove the roadblock immediately and restore public access, submitting a photograph for the Hansard record. Main Business: Debate on Regulations under Imports and Exports (Control) Act and Appropriation Act Resolutions Read →
- 21 May 2026 The Hon. (Mrs.) Chamindranee Kiriella, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Chamindranee Kiriella raised concerns about delayed and inadequate relief in Kandy District six months after the Divva cyclone, citing official figures showing that only a small proportion of partially damaged houses had received assistance. She highlighted especially low coverage in Minipe, Udapalatha, Doluwa and Delthota, and noted that only 302 of 6,119 people who lost land had received alternative land. She questioned the basis for compensation assessments, referring to a Delthota/Mailapitiya case where a damaged house allegedly received only Rs. 64,000 without technical inspection, and called for fair, non-arbitrary valuation procedures. Main Business: Debate on Regulations under Imports and Exports (Control) Act and Appropriation Act Resolutions Read →
- 21 May 2026 The Hon. M.S. Abthul Wazeeth SLMC AI summary Hon. M.S. Abthul Wazeeth raised concerns over agricultural lands in Pottuvil, Lahugala and surrounding areas that ceased cultivation during the conflict and were later vested in wildlife, forest and related State institutions, questioning why lands identified for release were refused despite Cabinet decisions and earlier committee recommendations. He requested Government site visits and action to release lands, including about 1,900 acres in Lahugala and areas previously recommended for release for paddy cultivation, so farmers can resume cultivation. He also called for urgent filling of 374 Management Service Officer vacancies in the Eastern Provincial Council and for renewal or reconsideration of river sand permits for long-standing local permit holders in Irakkamam. Main Business: Debate on Regulations under Imports and Exports (Control) Act and Appropriation Act Resolutions Read →
- 21 May 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Elayathamby Srinath ITAK AI summary The member requested action to release additional pasture land, asking that the matter be handled compassionately despite what he described as negligence by the Forest Department. He concluded by urging the relevant authorities to address the issue. Main Business: Debate on Regulations under Imports and Exports (Control) Act and Appropriation Act Resolutions Read →
- 21 May 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Upali Pannilage - Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment JJB AI summary The Minister explained that Muruththanai GN Division in Koralaipattu South, Batticaloa, was selected under the 2025 programme to uplift difficult villages following a recommendation by the District Secretary. He cited data showing high multidimensional poverty, repeated war displacement, low incomes, many temporary houses, female-headed households and persons with disabilities, and no residents employed in government, semi-government or formal private sector jobs. He stated that these socio-economic conditions formed the basis for the Ministry’s development interventions in the village. Oral Question Q.1770/2025: Rural Development Bureau Projects in Batticaloa District Read →
- 21 May 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Upali Pannilage - Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment JJB AI summary The Minister stated that development activities in the Muruththanai GN Division of Batticaloa District are being carried out through three departments or agencies under his Ministry. He listed completed or ongoing works including a mobile service for 273 beneficiary families, water supply schemes, sanitation facilities, housing for persons with disabilities, health centre rehabilitation, rural road and causeway improvements, and housing development, with total expenditure of Rs. 51,677,296.34 and most works reported as fully completed. He added that part (b) of the question was not applicable. Oral Question Q.1770/2025: Rural Development Bureau Projects in Batticaloa District Read →
- 20 May 2026 The Hon. Jeevan Thondaman UNP AI summary Hon. Jeevan Thondaman conveyed condolences on the death of journalist D. P. S. Jeyaraj and urged the Government to proceed with a promised meeting involving plantation companies, police, MPs and media to address alleged thuggery and lawlessness on estates. He argued that upcountry housing and service delivery are being obstructed by estate land control mechanisms, calling for habitable plantation areas to be taken over by the Government and for increased allocations beyond the current level. He cited earlier proposals, including a Cabinet paper to allocate land to upcountry families, and asked the Government to implement its programmes and wage commitments for estate workers effectively. Adjournment Debate: Central Bank Annual Economic Review 2025 Read →
- 20 May 2026 The Hon. Aravinda Senarath - Deputy Minister of Land and Irrigation JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister said Sri Lanka has not met its domestic black gram requirement and that plans are being prepared with the Ministry of Agriculture to support increased cultivation. He stated that farmers cultivating encroached lands may be regularized under a planned programme, with the Mahaweli Authority studying suitable areas and extents for formal land grants. He noted that past land alienation had often been influenced by political patronage rather than national objectives. Oral Answers to Questions (Q.1-Q.7) Read →
- 20 May 2026 The Hon. Kins Nelson SJB AI summary Hon. Kins Nelson raised a supplementary question on black gram cultivation, noting that national demand is about 25,000 metric tons, with imports accounting for 15 to 25 per cent. He asked whether the Government would prioritise allocating secure land and providing fertilizer, including the fertilizer subsidy, to farmers currently cultivating on encroached lands in order to reduce imports. Oral Answers to Questions (Q.1-Q.7) Read →
- 19 May 2026 The Hon. K.D. Lal Kantha - Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation JJB AI summary Minister K.D. Lal Kantha provided detailed data on Mahaweli Authority land distribution, stating that 304,290 acres have been alienated to 45,417 beneficiary families without clear title deeds, and that 10,995 acres remain unutilized for efficient economic activity. He said reallocations and action against irregular acquisitions are handled under relevant land laws with approvals from land-use, environmental, wildlife, forest, archaeology, industry and energy authorities, while a digital “e-SLIM Mahaweli” system is used to manage land records and issue permits and deeds. He also stated that long-term occupants may be granted ownership through legal mechanisms such as Land Kachcheri, and presented annual gross economic values from Mahaweli-related paddy, other crops, fisheries and hydropower, rising to Rs. 305,975 million in 2024. Written Answers to Questions Read →