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- 20 May 2025 The Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam ACTC AI summary Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam moved an Adjournment Motion urging the Government to revoke Gazette Notification No. 2430/2025, which issued seven settlement notices covering nearly 6,000 acres in Jaffna, Mullaitivu, Kilinochchi and Mannar. He argued that the notice could convert private and communal lands, including beaches, roads, cemeteries and other traditionally used areas, into State land if title is not proved within three months, despite widespread loss of documents due to war, displacement and the tsunami. He rejected the Government’s reported “suspension” of the process as legally insufficient under the Land Settlement Ordinance and said only withdrawal of the Gazette would prevent the lands being declared State land. He further contended that the action was contrary to the Government’s election commitments on a constitutional settlement and land powers, and called for consultation with Tamil representatives and a people-centred mechanism to regularize land claims. Adjournment Motion: Land Settlement Gazette Notification 2430/2025 (Tamil Lands in North and East) Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam commemorated those killed in the final phase of the war and argued that Tamil people continue to be denied justice, calling for credible domestic or international investigations into alleged wartime crimes. He contrasted Mullivaikkal remembrance on 18 May with the Government’s Victory Day commemoration on 19 May, saying this reflected continuing national division and undermined proposals such as a “Sri Lanka Day.” He also raised current grievances including unresolved human–elephant conflict in Batticaloa and urged the Government to revoke, not merely suspend, a land-related Gazette issued under the Land Development Ordinance, warning it could enable appropriation of lands belonging to war-displaced Tamils. Debate: Order under the Excise (Special Provisions) Act - Electric Vehicle Tax Revision (Continued) Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. K.D. Lal Kantha - Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation JJB AI summary Minister K.D. Lal Kantha stated that the Government’s objective is to regularize land ownership and grant titles to those who can establish valid claims in four northern districts: Jaffna, Mullaitivu, Kilinochchi and Mannar. He said concerns should be raised at the meeting on the 23rd, and that while the relevant Gazette could be suspended if necessary, doing so would delay returning land to people. He assured that lands without established claims would remain with the State, but not for arbitrary acquisition, and that no one’s land would be seized. Standing Order 27(2) Matter: Public Security and Gang Violence; Special Statement on Tamil Genocide Memorial Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan ITAK AI summary Sivagnanam Shritharan raised concerns that in areas such as Pullaaveli, Kattaikadu and Vetrilaikeni, private lands affected by military camps, missing documents, religious structures and past appropriation attempts may be at risk under the new Gazette. He asked whether the Minister would withdraw the Gazette and reissue it only after consultations, to prevent lands without clear legal claims being transferred for settlements or military use. Standing Order 27(2) Matter: Public Security and Gang Violence; Special Statement on Tamil Genocide Memorial Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. K.D. Lal Kantha - Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation JJB AI summary K.D. Lal Kantha stated that the Government’s land process in the North and East is intended to regularize and return unresolved lands from the war period, not to acquire them, and assured that no land would be acquired. He said claimants could prove ownership through documents or attestations, while noting that settlement completion in the North and East lags behind the rest of the country. He proposed a discussion in Parliament with the Prime Minister, Attorney-General and officials to clarify concerns, adding that the Gazette could be paused if necessary but that doing so would delay land regularization for affected constituents. Standing Order 27(2) Matter: Public Security and Gang Violence; Special Statement on Tamil Genocide Memorial Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan ITAK AI summary Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan raised concerns about the 28 March Gazette affecting landowners in Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Mannar, and Mullaitivu, particularly displaced persons whose land records may be missing due to the war. He asked the Minister whether the Gazette, which could result in such lands being deemed State property if title is not proven within the specified timeframe, would be withdrawn. Standing Order 27(2) Matter: Public Security and Gang Violence; Special Statement on Tamil Genocide Memorial Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. K.D. Lal Kantha - Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation JJB AI summary The Minister clarified, in response to a question raised under Standing Order 27(2), that no Gazette had been issued for land acquisition. He stated that the relevant Gazette issued by the Department of Land Settlement concerned land regularization and settlement, and that further questions based on an assumption of acquisition were therefore not applicable. Standing Order 27(2) Matter: Public Security and Gang Violence; Special Statement on Tamil Genocide Memorial Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake tabled a response confirming that the Batticaloa and Chenkalady lagoons divide land into Eluwankarai and Paduwankarai, limiting road connectivity and causing difficulties in accessing health services, markets, and schools. He stated that proposed connectivity improvements require detailed feasibility studies, including economic, environmental, and social assessments, and that no 2025 allocations have been made because the relevant locations fall under local authorities. Oral Questions: Plantation Community Infrastructure and Transport Issues Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe JJB AI summary Most Mahaweli reservations have already been gazetted, but many Irrigation Department reservoir reservations remain ungazetted due to legal ambiguities that are being addressed. The Minister stated that authorities intend to identify and act against occupations or cultivation within reservations, including houses, hotels, swimming pools, and large-scale cultivations allegedly linked to politicians or proxies. He affirmed readiness to investigate such encroachments and protect reservoir reservations under the relevant legal framework. Oral Questions: Irrigation Reservoirs and Land Settlement (Q.578/2025 and Q.3519/2025) Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. Susantha Kumara Nawarathna JJB AI summary Asked whether the Ministry will take steps to identify, demarcate, and gazette reservation areas for major reservoirs, including those in Anuradhapura, where such protections have not yet been formally established. Oral Questions: Irrigation Reservoirs and Land Settlement (Q.578/2025 and Q.3519/2025) Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe JJB AI summary 712 persons have so far been identified within the Nuwara Weva reservation, including both lawful permit or title holders and unlawful occupants, with further surveys expected to identify more. Dr. Susil Ranasinghe said encroachment of reservoir reservations had become an illicit practice, alleging involvement by former ministers and associates, and noted that name lists had been tabled. He proposed that specific cases be reviewed at the District Coordinating Committee with relevant officials to verify deeds and permits, identify any official complicity, and support remedial action against unlawful occupation. Oral Questions: Irrigation Reservoirs and Land Settlement (Q.578/2025 and Q.3519/2025) Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. Susantha Kumara Nawarathna JJB AI summary Hon. Susantha Kumara Nawarathna asked what action would be taken against alleged political acquisition of reservoir reservation lands in Anuradhapura, particularly around Nuwara Weva. He cited specific lands allegedly held under the names of relatives of former Ministers S. M. Chandrasena and Shehan Semasinghe, while noting that many ordinary people still lack clear land titles or face difficulties in obtaining land. Oral Questions: Irrigation Reservoirs and Land Settlement (Q.578/2025 and Q.3519/2025) Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe JJB AI summary On behalf of the Minister, Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe stated that 257 major tanks are under the Department of Irrigation and 22 under the Mahaweli Authority, and explained how reservoir reservation boundaries are determined under the Irrigation Ordinance and Mahaweli regulations. He said Mahaweli reservoir reservations were gazetted in 1986, while Department-managed reservoirs rely on legally enforceable survey and engineering plans rather than separate gazette notifications. He further reported that 712 families have so far been identified within the Nuwara Weva reservation boundary through Bim Saviya surveys, with names and related details tabled in annexes, and noted that the number may increase after remaining surveys are completed. Oral Questions: Irrigation Reservoirs and Land Settlement (Q.578/2025 and Q.3519/2025) Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. Susantha Kumara Nawarathna JJB AI summary Hon. Susantha Kumara Nawarathna asked the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation for details on Sri Lanka’s major irrigation reservoirs, including whether reservation boundaries have been identified and gazetted, and which reservoirs have gazetted boundaries. He also sought specific information on families living within the Nuwara Weva reservation in Anuradhapura District, requesting lists of residents and permit holders, and asking whether land permits had been granted or why not. Oral Questions: Irrigation Reservoirs and Land Settlement (Q.578/2025 and Q.3519/2025) Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. Sujeewa Dissanayake JJB AI summary Hon. Sujeewa Dissanayake asked the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation about the management and development of Irrigation Department lands near Deduru Oya in the Yapahuwa Kingdom. He sought information on renovating deteriorating holiday resorts, providing sanitary facilities for local tourists, improving the Ridibendi Ella anicut area for tourism, and addressing drainage problems from irregular constructions that affect agriculture. Oral Questions: Irrigation Reservoirs and Land Settlement (Q.578/2025 and Q.3519/2025) Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law - Minister of Justice and National Integration JJB AI summary The Minister responded that the challenged decision was made by the Cabinet under President Ranil Wickremesinghe and stated that it was legally valid. He said that if the disputed 60 perches fall within the originally acquired land, the matter could be discussed separately, while noting that providing office space for lawyers is outside his Ministry’s remit. He added that if the land belongs to the Ministry, it would be willing to discuss and facilitate the matter with the Urban Development Authority. Oral Questions: Question Nos. 1-6 Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. Anuradha Jayaratne, Attorney-at-Law NDF AI summary Anuradha Jayaratne stated that the land in question falls within the original 4.5-acre extent and said he could produce the survey blocking-out plan to verify this. He clarified that the request was not for a free grant, but for a fair lease arrangement to enable junior lawyers to afford chambers. Oral Questions: Question Nos. 1-6 Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. Anuradha Jayaratne, Attorney-at-Law NDF AI summary Anuradha Jayaratne raised the issue of a 60-perch land parcel originally acquired in 1990 for a court complex and prison, later allocated to the CEB but now available for expansion of lawyers’ chambers after CEB and UDA agreement. He said the current requirement for junior lawyers to pay Rs. 62 million upfront is impractical, noting comparable lawyers’ complexes elsewhere were not subject to such charges. He asked the Minister to intervene and allow the land to be provided on a fair monthly lease based on government valuation instead of an upfront payment. Oral Questions: Question Nos. 1-6 Read →
- 9 May 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake urged that housing delivery be treated as a non-partisan national priority and implemented through public–private partnerships rather than relying solely on government expenditure. He argued that available funds and land should be used to mobilize the private sector, speed up implementation, revive construction-related industry, and avoid delays from procurement processes. Citing estimates of a housing need of around 900,000 units and 1.5 million landless people, he called for a practical mechanism with clear targets to address housing shortages. Private Members' Motion (P.25/2024): Providing Housing for Every Family in Sri Lanka Read →
- 9 May 2025 The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka JJB AI summary Hon. Anura Karunathilaka outlined planned housing projects across several areas, including schemes supported by Indian assistance in Maduluwawa Sobitha Gama, Mannar and Mullaitivu, and Chinese-assisted apartments in Peliyagoda, Dematagoda, Mannar, Kottawa and elsewhere. He stated that, despite state and donor support, the country remains far from meeting an estimated one million housing need, and said the Ministry, NHDA and Urban Settlement Development Authority will formulate a new integrated national housing policy with new concepts and a more structured approach. Private Members' Motion (P.25/2024): Providing Housing for Every Family in Sri Lanka Read →