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 January 2025 The Hon. Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran ITAK AI summary Hon. Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran urged the Government to use presidential authority and legal or administrative measures to prevent the reopening of a liquor outlet in a residential area, citing harm to residents and students and public disappointment despite support given to the ruling party. He also raised the alleged forcible takeover by the Sri Lanka Army of Aalaiyadivembu Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society properties, stating that they were long-held cooperative assets used for paddy processing, rice distribution and employment. He requested that the properties be returned to the cooperative, referring to earlier Defence Ministry and Army instructions to restore them, and called for protection of farmers’ interests and lost livelihoods. Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme Read →
- 21 January 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe JJB AI summary A Cabinet-appointed committee is investigating Land Reforms Commission land allocations and use since 2015 and is expected to report within three months, with new LRC allocations temporarily suspended despite impacts on agencies and projects. On flooding in Ampara, heavy rains have caused irrigation tanks to spill and weaknesses in the Gal Oya bund have inundated about 3,000 acres, though water levels are reported to be receding. Relevant irrigation, district coordination, and disaster management authorities are intervening, with further details available from the District Coordinating Committee Chairman if required. Oral Questions (Multiple Questions) Read →
- 21 January 2025 The Hon. Ravindra Bandara AI summary Ravindra Bandara raised an urgent question on reported damage to paddy fields in Ampara following water releases from the Senanayake Samudraya during recent adverse weather, asking what action had been taken. He also sought relief for traditional cultivators farming State, LRC and Forest Department lands without permits, noting their exclusion from fertilizer subsidies, loans and crop insurance. He further asked whether the Government is investigating large politically allocated landholdings that remain uncultivated and what action will follow. Oral Questions (Multiple Questions) Read →
- 21 January 2025 The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka JJB AI summary Anura Karunathilaka stated that although the original question concerned the Kolonnawa plan, he would examine the broader issues raised due to their public importance. He affirmed that land or areas reserved for public use would not be allowed to be diverted to other purposes. Oral Questions (Multiple Questions) Read →
- 21 January 2025 The Hon. Mujibur Rahman SJB AI summary Hon. Mujibur Rahman asked the Minister to urgently intervene in the Maligawatta Housing Scheme, where he said a residents’ car park in the Ramya area had been leased to a private party between 2020 and 2024 and was being used for warehouse construction. He said the scheme’s courtyards, trees, play areas, and car parks were intended for residents, and also raised concern that the Araliya Uyana playground may be leased. He requested action to protect these spaces and restore the car parks for residents’ use. Oral Questions (Multiple Questions) Read →
- 21 January 2025 The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka JJB AI summary Hon. Anura Karunathilaka acknowledged concerns about public and religious opposition to a single plan covering two local authority areas. He indicated that public views could be obtained before proceeding with any joint plan, and that the member’s proposals would be taken into account. Oral Questions (Multiple Questions) Read →
- 21 January 2025 The Hon. S.M. Marikkar SJB AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar proposed that, instead of preparing separate development plans for two local authorities within the same Divisional Secretariat Division, the Urban Development Authority should prepare a single integrated plan for the entire area. Referring to earlier opposition to a 2013-era plan that led to its division, he asked that the approach be reconsidered and also raised whether Kolonnawa Petroleum Corporation lands should be reclassified as commercial in light of an oil refinery proposal. Oral Questions (Multiple Questions) Read →
- 21 January 2025 The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka - Minister of Urban Development, Construction and Housing JJB AI summary Anura Karunathilaka responded on urban development planning for the Kolonnawa Divisional Secretary’s Division, noting that it includes the Kotikawatta–Mulleriyawa Pradeshiya Sabha and Kolonnawa Municipal Council. He stated that the UDA’s 2023–2033 development plan for Kotikawatta–Mulleriyawa is nearing gazettement after final review, while a 2024–2034 plan for Kolonnawa MC and updated regulations for the fuel storage safety zone are being drafted for gazettement in 2025. He said such plans identify residential, industrial, mixed-use, road, and recreational zones, and that implementation will depend on budgetary allocations. Oral Questions (Multiple Questions) Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Mano Ganesan SJB AI summary Mano Ganesan argued that hill country plantation communities remain among Sri Lanka’s most disadvantaged groups, citing lack of land, housing, education, basic facilities, and findings by FAO, WFP and Red Cross bodies. He urged the government, ahead of the March Budget, to set the basic daily wage of estate workers at Rs. 2,000 and called on plantation trade unions, including the All Ceylon Estate Workers’ Union, to act jointly on this demand. He also proposed imposing a cess on tea exports and using targeted support for value-added exporters to help fund wage increases, while noting that the Sri Lanka Tea Board lacks worker representation despite its mandate referring to plantation community development. Adjournment Debate: Government Performance and Commodity Prices Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan ITAK AI summary Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan raised concerns about displaced Tamil families, citing expulsions from Anuradhapura, the hill country, and other areas, and argued that resettlement still requires government approval. He called for Tamils from Anuradhapura, Trincomalee, Ampara, and estate communities to be allowed to return to their lands, including the Kanagaratnam community in Trincomalee, describing such resettlement as a democratic requirement. Adjournment Debate: Government Performance and Commodity Prices Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan ITAK AI summary Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan called for a review of welfare schemes, stating that deserving families in several districts are being excluded while ineligible persons receive benefits. He supported efforts to raise plantation workers’ wages and urged government action to provide land and housing for hill-country Tamils living in line rooms. He also demanded the proper payment of resettlement and damage grants to displaced families in the North and East, citing Kilinochchi figures and asking that applications be processed through local officials. He raised concern over an alleged assault and sexual harassment incident at Periyaneelavanai Police Station and warned against actions or rhetoric affecting Tamil land and settlement issues. Adjournment Debate: Government Performance and Commodity Prices Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Kathiravelu Shanmugam Kugathasan ITAK AI summary Hon. Kathiravelu Shanmugam Kugathasan argued that rising rice prices are partly linked to the loss of cultivated paddy lands in Trincomalee due to acquisitions or restrictions imposed by state agencies, especially the Department of Archaeology. He cited several areas where hundreds or thousands of acres of long-cultivated land, including temple-linked agricultural lands, have been gazetted, boundary-marked, or taken over as archaeological sites, preventing farmers from cultivating. He also said the Defence Ministry, Forest Department, and Port Authority are restricting agricultural land use, and urged the Government to provide redress. Adjournment Debate: Government Performance and Commodity Prices Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody - Minister of Energy JJB AI summary The Minister of Energy stated that the Government intends to expedite a legacy project currently at the implementation stage. He said the developer has requested land vesting acceptable to banks as security in order to facilitate financing, not merely as a land handover. A Cabinet Paper has been submitted, and further action will follow after receiving observations from the Ministry of Finance. Oral Questions Read →
- 8 January 2025 The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka - Minister of Urban Development, Construction and Housing JJB AI summary The Minister of Urban Development, Construction and Housing presented the National Housing Development Authority’s Annual Reports for 2020 and 2022. He moved that the reports be referred to the relevant Committee, and the motion was agreed to. Papers Presented Read →
- 7 January 2025 The Hon. Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan DTNA AI summary Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan argued that repealing the Prevention of Terrorism Act is necessary to build confidence among diaspora investors and support economic recovery. He requested Budget allocations for a proposed Vavuniya University campus in Mannar, urged the release of civilian lands held by the military, Forest Department and Department of Archaeology in the North and East, and called for action on Indian trawler incursions affecting fisheries. He also asked the Government to correct exclusions from relief schemes for families with one public servant spouse, and urged the Foreign Ministry to facilitate the return of Sri Lankan refugees from Indian camps, including through the proposed Kankesanthurai-Tuticorin ferry. Adjournment Debate: 2024 Mid-Year Fiscal Position Report Read →
- 7 January 2025 The Hon. Ravindra Bandara AI summary Ravindra Bandara alleged that state lands are being illegally misused with political patronage and requested information from the Lands Ministry on such cases. He welcomed the proposed increases in housing-related grants but asked whether compensation for deaths caused by recent incidents such as elephant attacks and landslides has also been increased. Oral Question: Landslide Risk Districts and Disaster Compensation (Q.235/2024) Read →
- 7 January 2025 The Hon. Ravindra Bandara AI summary Ravindra Bandara highlighted prolonged displacement in landslide-prone areas of Haputale, including families from Kabaragala and Kalifana living in temporary accommodation for one to two years. He asked the Deputy Minister to address delays caused by NBRO clearance requirements and proposed pre-identifying suitable state or LRC lands in advance, with prior technical assessments, to expedite resettlement after future disasters. Oral Question: Landslide Risk Districts and Disaster Compensation (Q.235/2024) Read →
- 7 January 2025 The Hon. Major General (Rtd.) Aruna Jayasekera - Deputy Minister of Defence JJB AI summary From 2019 to 23 December 2023, 3,154 families were identified across 14 landslide-risk districts, with Badulla, Nuwara Eliya and Kegalle most affected; 264 families remain in temporary housing, including 128 staying with relatives or friends. The Deputy Minister cited legal, socio-economic, land availability, tenure, programme and funding constraints as reasons for delays in providing alternative housing or land. He stated that amendments to the Disaster Management Act are being prepared, grants for land and housing are proposed to be increased subject to Cabinet approval, and Rs. 79 million was allocated in 2024 for infrastructure on state lands. He also outlined plans to strengthen early warning, coordinated disaster management mechanisms, restrictions on future development in high-risk zones, and action against activities contributing to landslide risk. Oral Question: Landslide Risk Districts and Disaster Compensation (Q.235/2024) Read →
- 7 January 2025 The Hon. (Prof.) Anil Jayantha JJB AI summary Hon. (Prof.) Anil Jayantha said the Government is working with Treasury officials to manage state finances while prioritizing increased production and growth. He stated that a 2025 programme would expand micro, small and medium industries, with further steps toward 2026 to be set out through the forthcoming Appropriation Bill and related measures. He emphasized that growth should reduce inequality and said support programmes would aim to connect people to the economic process rather than function as mere handouts. Oral Question: Economic Projections and Key Development Sectors (Q.234/2024) Read →
- 18 December 2024 The Hon. Jeevan Thondaman UNP AI summary Hon. Jeevan Thondaman welcomed the President’s visit to India and said the 2024 India-Sri Lanka statement could complement the 2023 Vision Statement, particularly on energy, infrastructure, and connectivity. He argued that delays and inequities in estate housing and welfare delivery stem largely from plantation company control over beneficiary selection, especially disadvantaging non-worker and informal-sector estate families. He urged the Government to ensure Aswesuma education grants include all deserving estate children, reintroduce free breakfast support for remaining child development centres, and use its mandate to fulfil promises on essential goods while working cooperatively to address the economic crisis. Debate: Supplementary Estimate – Head 102, Programme 01 (School Supplies Grant) Read →