Hon. Eranga Gunasekara

Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees, these gentlemen have one aim: come to Parliament, utter a few lies, get a couple of their media outlets to amplify it today and splash it in their couple of newspapers tomorrow morning. Whether it is relevant or important is immaterial to them. They just use their time here to sling mud, then tie a political noose to it and swing along. But what has actually happened? The only thing binding the Opposition today is their internal contradictions. A democratic government is now in office and, together with the people, is methodically intervening to rebuild the country. As that happens, the Opposition pecks at anything that comes along like crows swarming a carcass, not knowing to what end. That is why even their own MPs now say the Leader of the Opposition speaks one way in the morning and another at night. Why? Because they are politically orphaned. They clutch at whatever comes to hand, beat the drum for two or three days, then nothing. They rush to get signatures, hold a press conference as soon as they see a camera, and within days it all fizzles out. To the Member who shouted from his seat just now, let me be clear. We act in accordance with the people’s mandate. Their fathers, sons, grandfathers—an entire clan—ruled this country. Some of those fathers are now out in the open and court action is underway. So we tell the son: bring your fathers before the law and help restore the rule of law. They also invoked the Sangha today. Who are these people? The very ones who raced motorbikes and blasted music in front of the most sacred Temple of the Tooth Relic in Kandy now lecture us about protecting Buddhism and speak of “freedom.” I mention this only because it cannot go unanswered. That is their chain of theatrics. Genuine protestors with just demands now understand this as well, Hon. Deputy Chairperson. That is why people tell the President, “Sir, do not weaponize 5895 for various agendas. If there is a real issue, intervene and give us answers.” The people understand. As for their chain, let us see how long they can keep this up. Hon. Deputy Chairperson, I now wish to turn to the Bills under debate today. In particular, the Sri Lanka Real Estate Professionals’ Institute Bill is before the House for Second Reading. Our objective here is clear. When rebuilding a nation, the role, quality, and dignity of professionals must be upheld. The professional’s contribution is indispensable. Accordingly, under the relevant Ministry, we have brought the Sri Lanka Real Estate Professionals’ Institute Bill to the House. Sri Lanka already has many professional bodies—such as the Institution of Engineers, Sri Lanka; the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka; and the Institute of Valuers—among others. In line with their professions, these bodies have advanced the standing, rights, and recognition of their members. Likewise, real estate professionals are increasingly engaged in the evolving economy, and it is right that their profession too receives due recognition, dignity, and necessary facilitation. We recognize that creating new institutes can raise issues. Overlapping professions at similar levels have fine interrelationships; new bodies can spur friction and debate. As a Government and as a Ministry, we do not seek to elevate one profession at the expense of another or cut into anyone’s legitimate rights. Former Minister Anura Karunathilaka led this subject earlier, advancing the case to establish the Sri Lanka Real Estate Professionals’ Institute. Today, we aim to take several related Bills through debate and adopt a set of necessary amendments. Together with these professionals, both I and former Minister Anura Karunathilaka have held many discussions. Out of those, we will move a number of Committee Stage Amendments today. We do not claim every issue can be resolved 100%. Any new institution attracts dialogue. But we must establish this Institute and do so with the agreed amendments. Let me also clarify: a real estate practitioners’ body was registered in 2008 under the Companies Act. In 2017, the then Government took a proposal to Cabinet, recognizing that company registration alone was insufficient and that a statutory framework was required by an Act of Parliament. In 2017, legal drafting instructions identified certain issues—particularly in relation to valuers—that needed changes. Subsequently, the title and several provisions were revised, and the proposal went to Cabinet in 2023. After the new Government took office, Minister Anura Karunathilaka again intervened and resubmitted the proposal to Cabinet in 2025. It is following that, that we bring this Bill for debate today. Once established, this Institute can enhance professional standards, ethics, quality benchmarks, and responsible practice within the real estate sector. It will help society and the economy—particularly in sustainably managing land and other resources—in line with national objectives. Sri Lanka is a small island with a limited land resource. We must engage in planned development. This Institute can assist us in that planning. Consider a simple example: driving along Colombo’s main roads, you see many partially constructed buildings; some already deteriorating. Why? Because proper valuation, economic assessment, planning, and environmental considerations were lacking. The proposed Institute can help address such issues. It can also support deciding long-term, optimal uses of land—whether housing schemes, shopping complexes, or other developments—by assessing values and impacts over 10–15 years, guiding investors accordingly. Ordinary investors often lack awareness about building standards or environmental constraints. An Institute like this can advise them on where to invest and what returns to expect. We also know that absent proper regulation, cartels form. Housing prices can be driven up. Land too is subject to similar distortions. Establishing this Institute will enable timely interventions. With our proposed amendments, we can strengthen the professionalism of real estate practitioners and ensure the public derive maximum benefit. Thank you.