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- 7 February 2025 The Hon. Jeevan Thondaman UNP AI summary Hon. Jeevan Thondaman argued that plantation infrastructure funding is structurally inadequate and that services such as roads, schools, hospitals, and housing should be handled by the relevant line ministries rather than a separate plantation portfolio. He said plantation communities need recognition rather than pity, noted that only a minority are estate workers, and called for increased allocations and simplified procedures, citing plantation company approvals as a major barrier to development. He asked the Government to clarify its housing and land policy for upcountry people, specifically whether it plans apartments, individual houses, land ownership, or evictions, and referred to previous Cabinet papers seeking land ownership for the community. Private Members' Motion 1: Acquisition of Estate Roads to the Government Read →
- 7 February 2025 The Hon. J.C. Alawathuwala SJB AI summary Hon. J.C. Alawathuwala supported Hon. Hesha Withanage’s Private Member’s Motion on estate roads, noting that such roads are now used not only for estate produce but also for daily transport by residents. He said estate companies do not maintain these roads for community needs and urged the Government to give special attention to unmanaged internal estate roads, particularly in areas such as Mawathagama and Dodangaslanda with large Tamil estate populations. Private Members' Motion 1: Acquisition of Estate Roads to the Government Read →
- 7 February 2025 The Hon. Kitnan Selvaraj JJB AI summary Kitnan Selvaraj supported Hesha Withanage’s Private Member’s Motion on hill-country estate roads while criticizing the UNP’s 1992 privatization of plantations and the absence of binding development plans for estate infrastructure. He said estate-connecting and internal roads remain neglected despite the national road network’s classifications, and argued that past governments and allied hill-country Tamil political figures had failed the community. He stated that the NPP Government is studying hill-country issues and is committed to improving education, housing and transport. Private Members' Motion 1: Acquisition of Estate Roads to the Government Read →
- 7 February 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) V.S. Radhakrishnan SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) V.S. Radhakrishnan supported the Private Member’s Motion calling for the Government to take over and develop estate roads, arguing that their unclear ownership leaves them neglected by existing road authorities. He urged the plantation and community infrastructure ministers to assume responsibility, noting that past allocations were insufficient and that the current Government has the parliamentary majority and executive authority to act, including by seeking foreign assistance. He also referred to schools in Ratnapura and Yatiyantota with Advanced Level classes and requested further development of such schools. Private Members' Motion 1: Acquisition of Estate Roads to the Government Read →
- 7 February 2025 The Hon. (Ms.) Ambika Samivel JJB AI summary Hon. Ambika Samivel supported the Private Member’s Motion on acquiring estate roads to the Government, arguing that successive past governments and plantation portfolio holders had failed to improve estate infrastructure and living conditions. She said the NPP Government was implementing programmes to integrate hill-country communities into the national mainstream, including land with secure title, infrastructure, and 5,400 houses, with attention to displaced families in areas such as Kabaragala and Meeriabedda. She also stated that the Clean Sri Lanka programme would cover hill-country communities, including interim renovation of line rooms and provision of roads, bridges, and other facilities. Private Members' Motion 1: Acquisition of Estate Roads to the Government Read →
- 7 February 2025 The Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi SJB AI summary Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi moved a Private Members’ Motion urging the Government to vest under Provincial and Local Authorities estate roads that pass through plantation company lands and serve estate worker settlements. Citing Ratnapura and other plantation areas, he argued that unclear ownership and company control prevent road development and access, and called for discussions with estate companies, resources, and legal changes to empower authorities. He also requested broader measures for plantation communities, including action on line-room housing, equitable allocation of facilities across districts, A/L science education for Tamil students in Ratnapura, and inclusive mechanisms that treat Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim communities equally. Private Members' Motion 1: Acquisition of Estate Roads to the Government Read →
- 7 February 2025 The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka - Minister of Urban Development, Construction and Housing JJB AI summary The Minister stated that the Ministry and the National Water Supply and Drainage Board have a duty to provide accurate information on water quality standards to Parliament and the public. He said allegations about high concentrations of carcinogens could create public anxiety, and emphasized that the response was not to defend any contractor but to clarify the facts. Ministerial Statements on Justice Department, Foreign Employment, and Hydrated Lime Importation Read →
- 7 February 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma - Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning AI summary The Deputy Minister stated that National Savings Bank policy is to promote savings while providing better returns to depositors and public-oriented lending. He noted that NSB offers a large volume of low-interest housing loans and other incentive programmes, and said lending rates are expected to decline further from the recent high-interest period to ease borrowers’ burdens while maintaining the bank’s public service role. Oral Answers to Questions and Second Round Questions Read →
- 7 February 2025 The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam raised a question to the Minister of Urban Development, Construction and Housing regarding the provision of drinking water facilities in the Porativu Pattu and Manmunai Pattu Divisional Secretariat Divisions in Batticaloa. He sought information on the status of water supply arrangements and any planned measures to address drinking water needs in these areas. Oral Answers to Questions and Second Round Questions Read →
- 6 February 2025 The Hon. Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran ITAK AI summary Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran welcomed the debate on regulations under the Intellectual Property Act but focused on agricultural policy, urging the Government to announce guaranteed paddy prices and distribute fertilizer earlier so farmers, particularly in the North and East, can benefit before harvest. He argued that the current paddy prices of Rs. 120, 125 and 130 are insufficient given cultivation costs and requested an increase to Rs. 140. He also asked the relevant Minister to intervene to return two paddy stores in Aalaiyadivembu, formerly managed by the Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society, alleging they are being retained by the Army without proper cooperative or departmental approval. Debate: Intellectual Property Act Regulations (Geographical Indications) Read →
- 6 February 2025 The Hon. Ismail Muththu Mohamed AI summary Hon. Ismail Muththu Mohamed raised several development and administrative issues affecting Vavuniya District during the debate on intellectual property. He welcomed the guaranteed price and procurement scheme for paddy but requested local procurement sub-offices in areas such as Chettikulam and Nedunkerny to avoid farmers incurring transport losses. He urged the release of cultivable lands and tank areas held by the Forest and Wildlife Conservation Departments, the provision of land permits and titles to residents, and faster approvals for tank rehabilitation. He also called for traffic signals near major schools in Vavuniya town and proper village and university signboards to improve safety and access. Debate: Intellectual Property Act Regulations (Geographical Indications) Read →
- 6 February 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) V.S. Radhakrishnan SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) V.S. Radhakrishnan urged the new government to address long-standing grievances of Indian-origin estate workers, citing historical statelessness, lagging education and employment, and current cost-of-living pressures. He called for the promised daily wage increase to Rs. 2,000, land rights with 10 perches per family, and individual housing rather than high-rise schemes in hill-country areas prone to landslides. Referring to the April 2024 parliamentary debate on hill-country issues and the government’s mandate, he asked the relevant plantation and community infrastructure ministers to implement solutions within a reasonable timeframe, and also requested relief for farmers in estate areas, including yam cultivators. Debate: Intellectual Property Act Regulations (Geographical Indications) Read →
- 6 February 2025 The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna - Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure JJB AI summary The Minister responded to remarks about the Uma Oya project, accusing the other member of failing to assist affected constituents while he pursued Supreme Court action to obtain relief including housing grants, water supply, and crop compensation. He alleged that the member had supported the project at Provincial Council level and later sought help to stop protests, and he rejected claims about sinkholes as false. He proposed holding a separate televised debate on the issue. Debate: Intellectual Property Act Regulations (Geographical Indications) Read →
- 6 February 2025 The Hon. Mohamed Sali Naleem AI summary Hon. Mohamed Sali Naleem supported the debate on regulations under the Intellectual Property Act relating to Geographical Indications and urged legal action against those involved in theft, robbery, or fraud. He raised concerns over declining cashew production in Batticaloa due to disease, proposing sapling distribution and Cashew Corporation plans to restore production as an export earner, while also requesting machinery and equipment to support palmyrah and cashew-related livelihoods. He further asked the Government to return land taken from Aligarh National School by the Eravur Police Station and suggested releasing nearby Coconut Cultivation Board land to address space constraints faced by the police station and Magistrate’s Court. Debate: Intellectual Property Act Regulations (Geographical Indications) Read →
- 6 February 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe explained that co-operatives are governed both by the Ministry and by devolved provincial authorities, and said he would examine the member’s concerns and respond. He noted that some co-operatives have not formed general councils even after elections were fully won, and said the Ministry is intervening to strengthen and guide the co-operative movement. He also undertook to look into the issue raised regarding Bingiriya, in the context of the Bingiriya Export Processing Zone factories. Oral Question: Price Control of Rice Read →
- 5 February 2025 The Hon. Thurairasa Ravikaran ITAK AI summary Hon. Thurairasa Ravikaran, speaking during a debate on import and export regulations, called for the release of 55 acres of land in Keppapulavu and Pulakkudiyiruppu, Mullaitivu, still held by the military, stating that 54 displaced families remain unable to return to ancestral livelihood lands used for paddy, coconut and fishing-related sustenance. He linked land displacement to current economic hardship, including high coconut prices, and requested the responsible Ministry to ensure the return of these lands. He also raised concerns about continuing threats to media freedom, citing past killings, disappearances and attacks on journalists and media institutions, and demanded renewed investigations into the disappearance of Prageeth Eknaligoda following recent allegations. He further condemned recent attacks and threats against journalists in Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu, calling for justice and punishment of perpetrators. Debate: Regulations on Imports and Exports (Control) Act and Foreign Exchange Act Read →
- 5 February 2025 The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka JJB AI summary Projects such as Mihindusenpura and Puradora Sewana began in 2013 and 2014, predating President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s tenure, but many residents still lack deeds more than 11 years later; Mihindusenpura has issued 398 deeds out of 830 units, while Puradora Sewana has issued none for its 34 units. On instalment obligations, the Member stated that political statements made at ceremonies do not alter legal requirements unless lawful directions are issued by the competent authority, and that institutions must act within their legal mandate. Oral Question: UDA Housing Units and Deed Distribution (Q.295/2024) Read →
- 5 February 2025 The Hon. S.M. Marikkar SJB AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar questioned the Minister about the limited issuance of deeds, stating that only 167 out of 5,000 had been issued despite an earlier assurance that all would receive deeds. He asked whether Colombo residents who stopped paying housing instalments after former President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s instruction at a deed-giving ceremony are now required to pay the arrears demanded by the Urban Development Authority. Oral Question: UDA Housing Units and Deed Distribution (Q.295/2024) Read →
- 5 February 2025 The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka JJB AI summary Anura Karunathilaka clarified that the Urban Development Authority flat stock totals 3,792 units, while only about 167 deeds have been issued under the programme in question. He cited this figure to assess the programme’s level of implementation and effectiveness. Oral Question: UDA Housing Units and Deed Distribution (Q.295/2024) Read →
- 5 February 2025 The Hon. S.M. Marikkar SJB AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar questioned the Minister on housing delivery and title deeds, noting that only about 5,000 houses had been built over 14 years. He referred to the previous Government’s assurance that deeds would be issued to all, and asked whether it was correct that only around 1,678 units had deeds prepared and only 137 had actually received them. Oral Question: UDA Housing Units and Deed Distribution (Q.295/2024) Read →