Hon. Aravinda Senarath

Deputy Minister Aravinda Senarath responded briefly to a Member's query, indicating that a date would be determined and communicated, and confirming the government's readiness to facilitate participation of all Members of Parliament from the Ampara District in the relevant proceedings or visit.

Deputy Minister Aravinda Senarath responded to a supplementary question regarding paddy purchases, acknowledging that heavy rainfall in the Eastern Province had caused difficulties for farmers. He stated that the Government had taken remedial action by opening Paddy Marketing Board (PMB) stores across eight harvesting districts, including Ampara, and had commenced purchasing operations. He indicated that initial logistical issues arising from the situation were in the process of being resolved.

## Summary The Deputy Minister of Land and Irrigation responded to a parliamentary question regarding damage to a road and low-water crossing reported by the Wellakkal Thottam farmers' organisation. The Head Office directed the Ampara Director of Irrigation in November 2022 to submit cost estimates and include the works in the 2023 Annual Programme, but estimates were never received due to funding shortfalls, staff shortages, and the prioritisation of urgent water delivery infrastructure during Yala and Maha seasons. The Deputy Minister advised that the renovation has since been included in the 2026 priority list with funding expected to be allocated.

Hon. (Dr.) Janaka Senarathna, on behalf of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Science, Technology and Digital Transformation, tabled four performance reports before Parliament: the 2024 Annual Performance Report of the Ministry of Science and Technology, the 2022 Performance Report of the Ministry of Technology, and the 2023 and 2024 Performance Reports of the Department for Registration of Persons. The reports were ordered to lie upon the Table.

Deputy Minister of Land and Irrigation Aravinda Senarath acknowledged a question raised by a Member as important and timely, but indicated that a comprehensive response was required. He formally requested a two-week extension to provide a full reply.

Hon. Aravinda Senarath responded to a supplementary question by outlining the government's plans to allocate state lands for agricultural cultivation, framed within the policy statement "A Prosperous Country – A Beautiful Life." He stated that LRC and other state lands suitable for cultivation are being identified and allocated through lawful procedures, with the process coordinated through Divisional Coordinating Committees. The minister indicated that a systematic land allocation mechanism is being established specifically to support youth entrepreneurs and others wishing to contribute to agricultural production.

The Minister acknowledged longstanding irregularities in the alienation and administration of Land Reform Commission (LRC) lands, attributing these to political patronage and misconduct by institutional officers. He outlined that the Ministry of Lands has launched a programme to regularise permits, grants, and title deeds for LRC and other State lands, with approximately 65,000 title deeds planned for issuance by May of the current year. The Minister assured the House that a separate programme to confer legal status on LRC occupants is also underway and would be concluded within a short period.

## Summary Deputy Minister Senarath responded on behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation to parliamentary questions concerning Land Reform Commission (LRC) lands in the Kalutara District under the Land Reform Law No. 1 of 1972. He provided district-level data on vested lands, comprising approximately 33,243 acres of dry land and 243 acres of paddy land, explaining that records are maintained at district rather than Divisional Secretary Division level across 14 DS divisions. The Deputy Minister noted that title deeds may be issued to permit-holders of non-state-acquired LRC lands, but acknowledged that some deeded lands have been privately sold without subsequent inquiry by the institution, and that no legal provisions exist to re-acquire lands lawfully alienated and used in accordance with the Law. He also advised that initial mapping using "Ilas" survey software is underway to identify encroachments and irregular acquisitions, with findings to be made available at DS Division level once completed.

## Summary Deputy Minister Aravinda Senarath spoke in support of extending the Emergency declaration to coordinate the government's response to the "Ditva" cyclone, arguing that Emergency powers are necessary to align multiple institutions — including Lands, Irrigation, Roads, Disaster Management, Health, and the Tri-Forces — for effective disaster relief and reconstruction. He stated that damage from the cyclone runs into hundreds of billions of rupees, affecting agriculture, irrigation infrastructure, schools, and religious sites across areas including Gampola, Nuwara Eliya, and Badulla, with full assessment still ongoing. Rejecting Opposition criticism, he argued that the current government's use of Emergency is strictly limited to disaster management purposes, contrasting it with what he characterised as the Opposition's historical misuse of Emergency powers to suppress political dissent, protests, and media. He dismissed Opposition objections — including those relating to vehicle leasing and quarry licensing — as politically motivated, and asserted that Sri Lanka has restored near-normal daily life in affected areas within approximately three months of the disaster.

Hon. Aravinda Senarath addressed supplementary questions regarding compensation and paddy purchasing, noting these fell outside the primary irrigation topic. He affirmed that compensation is being disbursed systematically based on officially submitted data, and that the process had already commenced prior to the question being raised. He further indicated that the remaining affected farmers would receive their funds within the coming days.