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- 18 December 2024 The Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam ACTC AI summary Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam argued that ethnic-based political identities arose because the idea of “Sri Lankan” had long been equated with Sinhala Buddhist majoritarianism, and that calls for a common national identity must be accompanied by concrete corrective action. He cited the disputed Tissa Viharaya at Thyiddy in Jaffna, alleging that the military illegally built it on six acres of private land under cover of a high security zone despite local objections and a Divisional Secretary’s report stating it lacked authority and permission. He tabled the 22 May 2023 report and demanded that the Government address the alleged illegal occupation and construction as a test of its commitment to equality and a genuine Sri Lankan identity. Debate: Supplementary Estimate – Head 102, Programme 01 (School Supplies Grant) Read →
- 17 December 2024 The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam called for a meeting with Tamil political representatives to address illegal encroachment and related violence against cattle owners, stating that over 280 cattle had been killed and that a court eviction order against encroachers had not been fully implemented. He requested compensation promised to affected cattle owners and raised concerns about unrest in Keviliyamadu, where he alleged unauthorized settlement inside an elephant-fence area. He also asked whether compensation arrangements would be made for Maha-season farmers affected by floods, noting that the registration period had been limited to 1–10 December. Oral Question: Ungazetted Livestock Grasslands in Batticaloa District (Q.64/2024) Read →
- 17 December 2024 The Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe stated that the issue concerning grasslands and cattle access is long-standing and that the Government is continuing existing administrative measures rather than starting anew. He cited demarcation of about 1,300 acres of Mahaweli land in Mailathamadu and temporary permission for cattle to access certain Forest Department lands for fodder pending gazetting. He said discussions through Divisional Secretaries and relevant institutions are continuing alongside necessary legal and administrative steps. Oral Question: Ungazetted Livestock Grasslands in Batticaloa District (Q.64/2024) Read →
- 17 December 2024 The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK AI summary Asked the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation whether he is aware of approximately 600,000 livestock grasslands in Keviliyamadu, Mailaththa Madu and Unnichchei in the Batticaloa District that have not yet been gazetted as “livestock grasslands.” He requested the reasons for the failure to gazette these lands and the steps the Ministry intends to take, or an explanation if no action is planned. Oral Question: Ungazetted Livestock Grasslands in Batticaloa District (Q.64/2024) Read →
- 17 December 2024 The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB AI summary Chaminda Wijesiri invoked Standing Order 91(d) to object to what he described as abusive or improper remarks made against him in the House. He asked the Chair to prevent insults, referring to allegations about a land issue and stating that he had left Parliament previously in good faith and had since been returned by the people of Badulla. Oral Question: Ungazetted Livestock Grasslands in Batticaloa District (Q.64/2024) Read →
- 6 December 2024 The Hon. (Dr.) Elayathamby Srinath ITAK AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Elayathamby Srinath welcomed the new Government’s commitments to honest, non-violent and corruption-free governance, but said it must also provide a clear position on a lasting political solution for the Tamil people, including protection of language rights, land rights, and self-determination. He referred to past discrimination, the effects of the war, and the need for support for female-headed families, persons with disabilities, and those who lost livelihoods. Representing Batticaloa, he called for unbiased development, especially in Paduvankarai, and for action on resource and land issues including alleged encroachment in Mayilathamadu–Madhavanai and ilmenite exploitation in Vakarai. He stated that raising these concerns was not anti-Sinhala or anti-national, and said his party was ready to work with the Government if it gives clear assurances on rights, justice, and development. Debate on Vote on Account for Ministry of Public Administration and Related Matters Read →
- 5 December 2024 The Hon. Kitnan Selvaraj JJB AI summary Hon. Kitnan Selvaraj thanked voters in Badulla District for electing NPP representatives and said the up-country Tamil community, historically deprived of citizenship, land, housing, and labour rights, had strongly supported the NPP. He rejected demands for a separate North–East state, stating that the NPP supports national unity while addressing the welfare and livelihoods of all communities. He called for land and home ownership for estate workers, reform of the daily-wage system, and restructuring of the plantation sector, citing closed tea factories, the 1992 estate leases, and the long history of line-room housing and labour struggles. Debate on Vote on Account for 2025 (continued) Read →
- 5 December 2024 The Hon. Jeevan Thondaman UNP AI summary Hon. Jeevan Thondaman urged government action on housing for estate residents affected in Dunsinane Estate, stating that consent letters from the Indian High Commission and Elpitiya Plantations had been sent to the Ministry but no response had been received. He argued that plantation worker poverty cannot be solved through repeated daily-wage negotiations, and proposed moving to a regulated alternative such as an outgrower or revenue-sharing model. He also called on the Labour Minister to use the Wages Board if the government intends to raise the basic daily wage, while appealing for bipartisan cooperation on up-country issues. Debate on Vote on Account for 2025 (continued) Read →
- 4 December 2024 The Hon. (Ms.) Krishnan Kalaichelvi JJB AI summary Krishnan Kalaichelvi thanked voters in Nuwara Eliya for electing five National People’s Power MPs and used her maiden speech to focus on disaster impacts in the district, particularly among estate Tamil communities. She said recent monsoon rains affected about 1,500 people from 480 families, damaged estate housing and agricultural livelihoods, and prompted NPP MPs, the District Development Committee Chairman and officials to inspect affected areas and coordinate relief. She attributed recurring disaster risks to past governments’ irregular construction, poor drainage and disregard of NBRO landslide warnings, and pledged that the Government would pursue scientific solutions for housing and related facilities. Adjournment Motion: Compensation for Damaged Crops and Victims of Adverse Weather (Cyclone Fengal) Read →
- 4 December 2024 The Hon. Jeevan Thondaman UNP AI summary Hon. Jeevan Thondaman raised the impact of recent extreme weather in Nuwara Eliya, stating that 1,495 people had been affected, with many unable to return to unsafe estate line rooms after rain and landslides. He argued that repeated disaster-related displacement in the plantation sector reflects a systemic problem and called for land rights and permanent housing solutions, including the possible allocation of unoccupied houses in Dunsinane estate to affected families. He urged the Government, the Ministry of Estate Infrastructure, plantation companies, and the new Deputy Minister responsible for plantations to intervene, prevent families from being sent back to high-risk areas, and deliver relief and long-term resettlement solutions. Adjournment Motion: Compensation for Damaged Crops and Victims of Adverse Weather (Cyclone Fengal) Read →
- 4 December 2024 The Hon. Palani Thigambaram SJB AI summary Hon. Palani Thigambaram welcomed the Government’s stated commitments to anti-corruption, poverty alleviation, national unity, efficient public service, and economic development, saying the Opposition would support people-oriented measures while opposing harmful actions. He urged the Government to ensure equal rights for all communities, avoid relying only on the 13th Amendment without deeper reform, and revive or strengthen Hill Country initiatives begun under the Yahapalana Government, including the Plantation Development Plan and Hill Country Development Authority. He specifically requested better facilities for expanded local authorities in Nuwara Eliya, land title reforms, a return to single-house housing for estate communities, expedited Indian-funded housing, and action for over 6,000 high-risk households in disaster-prone areas. Debate: Government Policy Statement - Resumed Adjourned Debate Read →
- 4 December 2024 The Hon. (Ms.) Ambika Samivel JJB AI summary Hon. Ambika Samivel highlighted the long-standing issues faced by Hill Country Tamils, including land rights, housing, wages, health, education, recognition and workplace facilities, arguing that previous governments had provided only temporary political fixes. She said the NPP, including through the 2023 Hatton Declaration and current poverty alleviation programmes, would pursue land titles, titled housing, upgraded estate-area schools, health improvements and support for landslide-affected families in Badulla. She also called for Hill Country Tamils, especially women and children, to be integrated into the national mainstream with equal rights and urged all Members to work together to rebuild the country. Debate: Government Policy Statement - Resumed Adjourned Debate Read →
- 4 December 2024 The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK AI summary Congratulated the NPP Government on its electoral victory while stating that the President’s policy statement did not address key issues affecting Tamils in the North and East. He urged immediate action on the release of Tamil political prisoners, repeal or non-use of the PTA, accountability for enforced disappearances, and a clear Government position on a possible TRC and UNHRC-related processes. He also sought policy responses on land disputes involving the Mahaweli Authority, archaeology and forest demarcation issues, the Kalmunai North Divisional Secretariat, and the withdrawal of remaining military camps from civilian, school, temple, and State lands. Debate: Government Policy Statement - Resumed Adjourned Debate Read →