Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe - Minister of Housing, Construction and Water Supply

Minister of Housing, Construction and Water Supply Dr. Susil Ranasinghe confirmed that the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) operates on a regional basis, grouping Batticaloa together with Ampara and Trincomalee. He committed to reviewing resource deployment and design capacity for Batticaloa, noting that he has been conducting district-by-district planning discussions, and indicated he would visit Batticaloa shortly to consider the requests raised and take appropriate action.

Minister of Housing, Construction and Water Supply Dr. Susil Ranasinghe acknowledged that nationally, water production falls short of demand, with many areas receiving only intermittent, low-pressure supply for a few hours daily. He stated he would consult with the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) to assess the feasibility of continued water supply from Ampara to identified areas and determine the best technical solution. Regarding a proposed package plant at Mandur in Batticaloa, the Minister noted that numerous similar proposals exist nationwide requiring significant funding, and committed to examining what action is feasible in consultation with the NWSDB.

## Summary Minister of Housing, Construction and Water Supply Dr. Susil Ranasinghe provided a detailed update on pipe-borne water supply coverage across several villages in the Porativu Pattu and Manmunai Pattu DS Divisions. He reported that Vilanthoddam has achieved 100% coverage, while Kakkachiveddai stands at approximately 80% coverage with remaining pipeline work planned under the CEDE Project in 2026. For Thikkodai–Dumbalai, direct pipeline extension is not currently technically feasible without upstream infrastructure upgrades, for which design work is underway, while Kirankulam–Dharmapuram has no existing pipeline but is proposed for extension under the CEDE Project, with the government aiming to complete supply by end of 2026.

Minister of Housing, Construction and Water Supply, Dr. Susil Ranasinghe, made a procedural request to the Speaker for a two-week extension to provide an answer, without specifying the subject matter of the question under consideration.

Minister Ranasinghe presented three Bills at Second Reading — the Sri Lanka Real Estate Professionals' Institute Bill, the Container Depot Operators (Licensing) Bill, and an amendment Bill on licensing ship agents and related operators — framing them as part of the government's broader programme of legal and administrative systematisation following a period of national instability. He highlighted the Real Estate Professionals' Institute Bill as filling a longstanding regulatory gap, noting that extensive consultations with adjacent professions were conducted before finalising the framework. The Minister also defended the government's economic management, citing foreign reserves of approximately USD 6.8 billion, and its disaster response following Cyclone Michaung, under which assistance of up to Rs. 5 million for fully destroyed houses and Rs. 2.5 million for partially damaged ones was announced, with payments commenced for 136 fully destroyed and 1,580 partially damaged properties by 30 January. He dismissed Opposition criticism as event-based rather than substantive policy critique, asserting that coal procurement and other decisions followed transparent international competitive tender procedures.

Minister Susil Ranasinghe moved a procedural motion for Hon. (Mrs.) Sagarika Athauda to take the Chair. The motion was put to the House and agreed to.