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- 1 March 2025 The Hon. Anuradha Jayaratne NDF AI summary Anuradha Jayaratne urged that land for a proposed lawyers’ complex in Kandy be provided at acquisition value as agreed with the Urban Development Authority, citing precedents in Matara, Weligama, Ratnapura and Gampola where public land was used for similar facilities. He said the complex would support around 200 new lawyers in the Kandy District and called for further reform legislation. He also thanked ministry officials, the Legal Draftsman’s Department and the Attorney General’s Department for their role in enabling the passage of 36 Acts. Committee of Supply: Ministry of Justice and National Integration (Head 110, Heads 228-236, Head 326) Read →
- 1 March 2025 The Hon. Anuradha Jayaratne NDF AI summary Anuradha Jayaratne urged the justice authorities to continue digitizing court services module by module, noting recent POS machine installation and difficulties faced in obtaining court records. He called for action on draft house arrest legislation to reduce remand congestion and requested a retrospective amendment to the Code of Criminal Procedure so that remand and appeal periods count toward sentences for prisoners sentenced before 1 July, saying it could lead to the release of over 1,900 inmates. He also raised the Kandy Lawyers’ Complex land issue, tabling a related letter and asking that land be made available to junior lawyers at the original 1990 acquisition price. Committee of Supply: Ministry of Justice and National Integration (Head 110, Heads 228-236, Head 326) Read →
- 1 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe raised concern that a valuable 20-perch plot near Homagama, Pitipana had been sold for Rs. 1,000 per perch under provisions of the LRC Act for employee housing and amenities. He said 392 employees had received land and 157 more had letters of intent, but alleged that influential or politically connected groups were obtaining high-value land at low prices. He noted that LRC land disposed of under the Employees’ Welfare Fund can be reacquired for a government purpose, and proposed that the Divisional Coordinating Committee adopt a resolution to enable such reacquisition. Oral Question: LRC Land in Mahenawatta - Pitipana Sale (Q.3/2025) Read →
- 1 March 2025 The Hon. Aruna Panagoda JJB AI summary Hon. Aruna Panagoda raised concern over a 20-perch State land block in Mahenawatta allegedly being sold for Rs. 20,000 despite its high urban value and proximity to several Government institutions. He argued that past failures in proper procedure have harmed State land management and said the area urgently needs land for a police station. He requested that the land be reacquired and allocated to the Police for that purpose. Oral Question: LRC Land in Mahenawatta - Pitipana Sale (Q.3/2025) Read →
- 1 March 2025 The Hon. Aruna Panagoda JJB AI summary Aruna Panagoda asked for clarification on when a particular land was sold and to whom it was sold. Oral Question: LRC Land in Mahenawatta - Pitipana Sale (Q.3/2025) Read →
- 1 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe - Deputy Minister of Land and Irrigation JJB AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation, the Deputy Minister stated that Pitipana Watta, also known as Mahena Watta, had been disposed of to State institutions and through an Employees’ Welfare Fund sale. He specified allocations of 124 acres, 1 rood and 17.87 perches to the Urban Development Authority, 1 rood and 16.85 perches to the Defence Ministry’s Research and Development Centre, and 20 perches sold at Rs. 1,000 per perch, noting that disposals were completed and no valuation was obtained by the Land Reform Commission. He said reacquisition was unnecessary for State-held portions, while the 20-perch welfare fund plot could be acquired for a Government purpose if required. Oral Question: LRC Land in Mahenawatta - Pitipana Sale (Q.3/2025) Read →
- 1 March 2025 The Hon. Aruna Panagoda JJB AI summary Hon. Aruna Panagoda asked the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation to clarify whether land belonging to the Land Reform Commission exists or existed at Mahenawatta, Pitipana. He sought details on whether the land had been sold or is planned for sale, the amount and per-perch value if sold, the rationale for selling to an external party despite Government land needs, and whether steps would be taken to reacquire it. Oral Question: LRC Land in Mahenawatta - Pitipana Sale (Q.3/2025) Read →
- 28 February 2025 The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF AI summary Chamara Sampath Dasanayake questioned the Government’s stated cost of the President’s visits to China, India and Dubai with an 11-member delegation, asking the Prime Minister to explain how the travel could have cost only Rs. 18 million. He also referred to his past support for Aruna Jayasekara’s bid to become Army Commander, saying he had conveyed the relevant letter to former President Maithripala Sirisena. He supported returning lands in the North by removing Army camps, but urged the Government not to relocate those camps to Diyatalawa and other areas in Badulla District, arguing that vegetable farmers and local facilities were being displaced. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate (Defence & Public Security Heads) Read →
- 28 February 2025 The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka JJB AI summary The response states that the listed lands are those expected to be used for projects referred to in the question. It further notes that some project proposals are still being prepared and that requests for proposals are being readied. Oral Question 1 - UDA Lands in Colombo City (Q.258/2024) Read →
- 28 February 2025 The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka JJB AI summary Anura Karunathilaka clarified that the cited 125.9 hectares of UDA-held land was the figure as of 2020 and that additional lands have since been acquired. He said each land parcel is assessed through UDA planning for its suitability for particular projects, citing the Wellawatta Mayura land as designated for a nature area, after which investment proposals are invited and lands are leased on a rental basis. Oral Question 1 - UDA Lands in Colombo City (Q.258/2024) Read →
- 28 February 2025 The Hon. S.M. Marikkar SJB AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar questioned the accuracy of the Urban Development Authority’s reported 125.98 hectares of land within the city and asked for independent verification, stating that he believed the extent was higher. He noted that only 15–20 hectares appeared to be allocated to 20 listed projects and asked what plans existed for the remaining roughly 100 hectares, including whether the Government had prepared or was preparing an overall development plan. Oral Question 1 - UDA Lands in Colombo City (Q.258/2024) Read →
- 28 February 2025 The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka - Minister of Urban Development, Construction and Housing JJB AI summary The Minister stated that, by 2020, approximately 125.9 hectares of land within Colombo City had been acquired or vested in the Urban Development Authority under relevant land acquisition and UDA laws. He tabled an annexure listing 20 identified land parcels intended for investment projects, including proposed mixed developments at Chalmers land in Fort and No. 125, Chatham Street, with details of location, extent and proposed use. He said the remaining part of the question was not applicable. Oral Question 1 - UDA Lands in Colombo City (Q.258/2024) Read →
- 28 February 2025 The Hon. S.M. Marikkar SJB AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar asked the Minister of Urban Development, Construction and Housing whether the Urban Development Authority has identified its land holdings within Colombo city, with details for each parcel. He further requested information on which of those lands are earmarked for investment projects and the specific projects planned for each land, and asked for reasons if such information is not available. Oral Question 1 - UDA Lands in Colombo City (Q.258/2024) Read →
- 27 February 2025 The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam opposed the proposal to relocate the Norwood Divisional Secretariat to Hatton, arguing that a new building should instead be constructed in Norwood to serve over 200,000 residents. He questioned the Government’s priorities in light of railway-related Budget allocations and warned that moving the office would further disadvantage the upcountry community. He also referred to past injustices against estate Tamils, including disenfranchisement and administrative boundary changes, and raised concern over the lack of clarity on estate workers’ wages despite references to a Rs. 1,700 basic salary. Adjournment: Motion on Prevention of Relocation of Norwood Divisional Secretariat to Hatton Read →
- 27 February 2025 The Hon. Mano Ganesan SJB AI summary Hon. Mano Ganesan urged the Government to identify specific individuals accused of wrongdoing rather than generalizing about former MPs, while acknowledging its electoral mandate and the Opposition’s role in making proposals. He raised concerns about alleged discrimination and police abuse against Tamil estate residents in the Southern Province, citing the arrest and alleged assault of a 76-year-old at Sirisily A Estate, and requested senior police officers be instructed to address such practices. He also sought clarification on the Government’s positions on Provincial Council elections, the 13th Amendment, estate housing policy, and whether estate families would receive seven or ten perches of land, linking these issues to devolution and a future constitutional settlement. Debate: Committee Stage of the 2025 Appropriation Bill - Special Expenditure Heads (Heads 1-25) and Amendments Read →
- 27 February 2025 The Hon. Darmapriya Wijesinghe JJB AI summary Hon. Darmapriya Wijesinghe rejected Opposition claims of Government pressure on the Election Commission and asked that any evidence be tabled in Parliament. During the Committee Stage debate on the President’s Head, he argued that public funds had long been spent on excessive Presidential residences despite widespread housing need, and said the Government would retain only the Colombo and Kandy residences for state purposes while reallocating the others for public use. He also cited the former Agriculture Ministry building lease as an example of misuse of public funds and said the Government was taking steps to reduce costs, restore stability after bankruptcy, and implement its Budget commitments. Debate: Committee Stage of the 2025 Appropriation Bill - Special Expenditure Heads (Heads 1-25) and Amendments Read →
- 27 February 2025 The Hon. (Prof.) A.H.M.H. Abayarathna JJB AI summary Records indicate that 10 acres have been allocated for a cemetery and an elephant fence has already been erected around it. Further action on any additional requirements can be taken with the intervention of the Minister of Environment. Oral Questions: Power Generation (Q.153/2024), Human-Elephant Conflict (Q.188/2024), Majma Nagar Cemetery (Q.291/2024), Public Service Commission Uva Province (Q.389/2025) Read →
- 27 February 2025 The Hon. (Prof.) A.H.M.H. Abayarathna JJB AI summary The Minister stated that the land taken for a cemetery is State land that had been informally used for cultivation. He said there is no obstacle to providing alternative land to those affected, as suggested by the Member. Oral Questions: Power Generation (Q.153/2024), Human-Elephant Conflict (Q.188/2024), Majma Nagar Cemetery (Q.291/2024), Public Service Commission Uva Province (Q.389/2025) Read →
- 27 February 2025 The Hon. Rauff Hakeem, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Rauff Hakeem raised concerns about the burial site used for over 3,000 COVID-19 victims, stating that the decision to require burial in deep groundwater areas caused hardship to families seeking dignified last rites. He highlighted the impact on poor residents and cultivation permit holders in Majma Nagar following land acquisition, and asked whether alternate State lands in nearby areas would be provided to about 10 affected permit holders. Oral Questions: Power Generation (Q.153/2024), Human-Elephant Conflict (Q.188/2024), Majma Nagar Cemetery (Q.291/2024), Public Service Commission Uva Province (Q.389/2025) Read →
- 27 February 2025 The Hon. (Prof.) A.H.M.H. Abayarathna – Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government AI summary The Minister answered Question 291/2024 on the “Majma Nagar” Cemetery in Batticaloa, stating that the 10-acre State land is under the Koralaipattu West (Oddamavadi) Pradeshiya Sabha, with a request submitted to vest it formally in the Sabha and acquisition steps to follow. He said no Central Government funds were allocated for its development, while maintenance was met from Pradeshiya Sabha funds and private donations supported burials, construction materials, a multipurpose building, fencing, electricity, and machinery use. He also noted that 3,634 bodies were buried there between 5 March 2021 and 5 March 2022. Oral Questions: Power Generation (Q.153/2024), Human-Elephant Conflict (Q.188/2024), Majma Nagar Cemetery (Q.291/2024), Public Service Commission Uva Province (Q.389/2025) Read →