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 August 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) M.L.A.M. Hizbullah SLMC AI summary Hon. (Dr.) M.L.A.M. Hizbullah asked the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation whether the Ministry is aware of settlements on State lands in the Manmunaipattu DS Division of Batticaloa District for which land grants or permits were issued between 1 January 2017 and 31 March 2025. He requested the number, names, and relevant details of such persons, and asked for reasons if the information is not available. Oral Questions: Education, Energy, President's Fund, Western Provincial Council Vehicles, Public Security, Pirivena Education, Hospitals in Matara, Land Settlement, Coastal Patrol, and Marawila Schools Read →
- 24 July 2025 The Hon. Jeevan Thondaman UNP AI summary Hon. Jeevan Thondaman welcomed proposed education reforms but argued that implementation must address the historic exclusion and continuing infrastructure deficits faced by Hill Country Tamil communities, particularly in estate schools. He called for equitable resourcing, stronger provincial delivery, and withdrawal of a National Youth Services Council Gazette limiting youth clubs to one per GN division, saying it would reduce estate community representation. He also argued that housing schemes and renovation of line rooms are insufficient without secure land tenure for estate residents, and asked the Government to ensure transparency so public investment in estates is not misattributed to Regional Plantation Companies. Adjournment Debate: Proposed Educational Reforms (continued) Read →
- 24 July 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe JJB AI summary Agreements have been reached with the Department of Forest Conservation to release significant extents of land in Vavuniya, Mullaitivu and Mannar following discussions on land issues chaired by the District Secretaries. Dr. Susil Ranasinghe said district-level committees should be established to advance the release process, noting that initial discussions have begun and must now be carried forward. Question by Private Notice: Land Issues in Mannar, Mullaitivu and Vavuniya (Q. Private Notice 1) Read →
- 24 July 2025 The Hon. K. Kader Masthan SLLP AI summary Hon. K. Kader Masthan urged the Deputy Minister to provide answers within two weeks on an urgent land-related matter, noting that National Committees had already met. He requested that the relevant lands be released and formally Gazetted without delay. Question by Private Notice: Land Issues in Mannar, Mullaitivu and Vavuniya (Q. Private Notice 1) Read →
- 24 July 2025 The Hon. K. Kader Masthan SLLP AI summary K. Kader Masthan raised a Standing Order 27(2) question to the Minister of Environment regarding alleged arbitrary land gazettes and demarcations by the Departments of Wildlife Conservation and Forests in Vavuniya, Mannar and Mullaitivu since 2009. He sought detailed information on gazetted protected areas, affected private lands and families, demarcations made without gazettes, consultations or surveys conducted, and action taken following a 2025 Vanni coordination meeting that recommended releasing specific extents of land. He urged the Government to expedite the release and gazetting of lands to address impacts on displaced persons, farming, livestock and fishing livelihoods. Question by Private Notice: Land Issues in Mannar, Mullaitivu and Vavuniya (Q. Private Notice 1) Read →
- 24 July 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe - Deputy Minister of Land and Irrigation JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister, responding on behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation, provided details on the Kumbukkan Oya Reservoir Project, stating that its foundation was laid in August 2019 and annual allocations from 2020 to 2023 totalled Rs. 628 million, against an estimated total cost of Rs. 32.397 billion. He said the project is expected to benefit 9,200 farming families, alternative lands and a resettlement plan have been identified, and the Monaragala District Secretary is taking related action. He added that project works were concluded on 31 May 2023, a RAMP Committee had completed its work, and further implementation would depend on future budgetary allocations. Oral Question: Kumbukkan Oya Project (Q.5) Read →
- 23 July 2025 The Hon. Imran Maharoof SJB AI summary During debate on the Companies (Amendment) Bill, Imran Maharoof raised the situation in Muthunagar, Trincomalee, where he said long-standing farming families have been affected by land being allocated to private companies, including for solar-related works. He said over 350 residents and more than 1,000 family members had cultivated the area for decades and cited local institutions as evidence of long-term settlement. He urged the Government to stop attributing the issue to previous administrations and to provide a remedy, proposing compensation, alternative land, or allocation of remaining land for affected cultivators. Debate: Companies (Amendment) Bill – Second Reading Read →
- 23 July 2025 The Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam ACTC AI summary Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam marked Black July, alleging State complicity in the 1983 anti-Tamil violence and urging the Government to officially recognize the day as a national day of mourning rather than recast it as a message of “comradery.” While welcoming Companies Act amendments aimed at money laundering and illicit finance, he cautioned against focusing on terrorism financing without addressing the political grievances and State actions that he said fuel armed resistance. He raised concerns over unreleased lands in Valikamam North and Myliddy, alleging continued military occupation, agricultural use by the forces, and destruction of religious sites, and called on the Government to resolve these issues rather than rely on legislation alone. Debate: Companies (Amendment) Bill – Second Reading Read →
- 23 July 2025 Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa raised concerns over the proposed 33-year lease of state-owned assets and lands in Thambuttegama to a private company, including provisions allowing sub-leasing. He requested that all stakeholders be consulted and that the process be conducted transparently, stating that the issue was raised in good faith to obtain answers and solutions. Debate: Companies (Amendment) Bill – Second Reading Read →
- 23 July 2025 Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe challenged the Opposition to identify when and by whom disputed lands were granted to companies, arguing that earlier governments had allocated them on maps despite long-standing cultivation by farmers and that the current process is constrained by court orders. He said the Government is seeking solutions for affected families, including in the Trincomalee dispute, where he attributed the origins to a previous administration and stated that farmers living there for decades should be protected and compensated if necessary. He also addressed economic centres, saying many of the 18 centres suffer from irregularities, unclear leases, and past payments taken for stalls, and urged the Opposition to read the relevant Cabinet paper before raising questions. He added that proposed Companies Act amendments on beneficial ownership are intended to address theft, black money, and misappropriated assets, not to impose arbitrary limits on companies. Debate: Companies (Amendment) Bill – Second Reading Read →
- 23 July 2025 Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa raised concerns over the eviction of around 1,000 farming families in Trincomalee from 800 acres cultivated since 1972, alleging the lands were handed to solar power ventures without due process and that farmers were intimidated through legal and police action. He requested compensation, permits for remaining lands or alternative fertile land, and an immediate halt to the expropriation, while clarifying that he was not opposing renewable energy. He tabled documents, newspaper reports and photographs, and urged Government MPs and authorities to provide solutions for residents of Taharavettuvan, Maththiyaveli and Muththunagar. He also began raising concerns from traders at the Thambuttegama Economic Centre about the management of economic centres, asking Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe to address them. Debate: Companies (Amendment) Bill – Second Reading Read →
- 23 July 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary While supporting corporate accountability measures, Sajith Premadasa raised concerns about alleged abuse involving land used by about 1,000 farming families in Trincomalee and Kaddaiparichchan since 1972. He said court action and eviction orders since 2024-2025 are being used to remove cultivators from about 800 acres, despite their long-term use of the land and receipt of fertilizer subsidies and cultivation loans. He objected to evictions reportedly linked to a proposed 200-acre solar power project, stating that renewable energy should not come at the expense of long-standing farmers. Debate: Companies (Amendment) Bill – Second Reading Read →
- 23 July 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe JJB AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation, Dr. Susil Ranasinghe tabled an answer regarding State lands in the Manmunai North Divisional Secretary’s Division in Batticaloa. The reply stated that 136 permits under the Land Development Ordinance were issued between 1 January 2017 and 31 March 2025, with details placed in the Library, and that 61 LDO grants were issued during the same period. Oral Question: Second Round Questions (Q.1, 2, 3/2025 – Second Round) Read →
- 23 July 2025 The Hon. Gayantha Karunatilleka (on behalf of the Hon. (Dr.) M.L.A.M. Hizbullah) SJB AI summary A question was raised to the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation regarding State lands in the Manmunai North Divisional Secretary’s Division of the Batticaloa District. It asked whether the Minister is aware of settlements on lands for which grants or land permits were issued between 1 January 2017 and 31 March 2025, and requested the total number of such settlers along with their names and relevant details. Oral Question: Second Round Questions (Q.1, 2, 3/2025 – Second Round) Read →
- 23 July 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe said complaints indicate that some parties obtain land by submitting project proposals but fail to implement the promised industries, effectively misusing land allocations. He stated that committees have been established to facilitate genuine investors, expedite procedures, identify misused lands and “paper” proposals, and reallocate such lands to real investors and viable projects. Oral Question: Grant of LRC Lands for Factory Establishment (Q.10/2025 – 997/2025) Read →
- 23 July 2025 The Hon. Nishantha Perera JJB AI summary Hon. Nishantha Perera raised concerns that allocated project lands are being obtained, allegedly through political connections, and then sub-leased without implementing the intended projects. He asked whether such sub-leasing is permitted and what action would be taken against it. Oral Question: Grant of LRC Lands for Factory Establishment (Q.10/2025 – 997/2025) Read →
- 23 July 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe JJB AI summary LRC lands allocated for projects but not used for the intended purpose or with unpaid lease dues can be repossessed under the relevant agreements. The Minister acknowledged that many such lands across the country are inactive and said district LRC officers have been instructed to identify these cases, prepare documentation, and take steps to repossess and reallocate the lands to suitable operational projects. Oral Question: Grant of LRC Lands for Factory Establishment (Q.10/2025 – 997/2025) Read →
- 23 July 2025 The Hon. Nishantha Perera JJB AI summary Hon. Nishantha Perera raised a supplementary question about state land leased for factories, citing the Betons Group factory in Elpitiya, which he said remains closed despite about Rs. 30 million being allocated in 2019–2020 for refurbishment following a Coordinating Committee decision. He alleged that such leases and reallocations are influenced by political patronage and asked what action would be taken regarding the closed factory and related land allocations. Oral Question: Grant of LRC Lands for Factory Establishment (Q.10/2025 – 997/2025) Read →
- 23 July 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe JJB AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation, it was stated that lands in specified Divisional Secretary’s Divisions had been granted to several private and public entities, including garment, rubber, tea, industrial, and fertilizer-related enterprises. The leases were issued under Section 22(1)(a) of the Land Reform Law No. 1 of 1972, and no further applicable details were provided for part (b) of the question. Oral Question: Grant of LRC Lands for Factory Establishment (Q.10/2025 – 997/2025) Read →
- 23 July 2025 The Hon. Nishantha Perera JJB AI summary Asked the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation whether Land Reform Commission lands have been granted to individuals to establish factories in the Galle District. He requested details on the number of factories established by Divisional Secretary’s Division and the methodology used for granting such lands, or reasons if no such grants were made. Oral Question: Grant of LRC Lands for Factory Establishment (Q.10/2025 – 997/2025) Read →