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

Madam Presiding Member, today we hold Second Reading debates on three Bills, and I thank you for the time. When we took office, the country was socially, politically, and economically unstable. We needed to stabilize all three. That required systematization—across Ministries, laws and regulations, and policies. In line with our policy mandate and the targets entrusted to us by the people, we began the necessary legal and administrative work—today’s three Bills are part of that: the Sri Lanka Real Estate Professionals’ Institute Bill; the Container Depot Operators (Licensing) Bill; and the (Amendment) Bill on licensing ship agents, non-vessel operating common carriers, general carriers, and container operators. Sri Lanka has many professionals and scholars whose contribution is essential. They need freedom to practice and clear mechanisms to demonstrate professionalism. Many have statutory bodies; real estate practitioners did not. After long consultations—including with adjacent professions to avoid unfairness—we incorporated their proposals via amendments and now bring a fair framework. We expect this Institute to make a significant contribution to national development. Beyond this, let me address economic stabilization. Although some attempt to drown our achievements in event-based criticisms, the economy has clearly stabilized over the past one and a half years. By end-2025, key indicators improved. Dollar inflows and rupee revenues rose; the economy strengthened. Our foreign reserves recently reached around USD 6.8 billion, even after allowing vehicle imports (costing roughly USD 2 billion). Without that outflow, reserves would have surpassed USD 8 billion. This demonstrates that we are managing the economy with order, targets, and transparency. On coal procurements and the like: unlike the past, we followed international competitive tender procedures with transparency, securing international agreements that allow us to act against supplier defaults or violations. Taking one fragment and spinning horror stories does not make for policy critique; it is event-based rhetoric. They have no scientific, policy-grounded alternatives to offer. Then came the “Michaung” cyclone—the worst natural disaster in recent memory—impacting the economy and people heavily. Yet within about two weeks we stabilized lives and began economic recovery. The Government’s response itself drew little criticism; instead, they seized on minor administrative issues to weave big tales. About 6,000 houses were completely destroyed and nearly 110,000 partially damaged. We announced substantial assistance swiftly. For a fully destroyed house, we decided to grant Rs. 5 million; for partially damaged houses, up to Rs. 2.5 million. No Government has given such amounts before. Our aim is to enable people to rebuild to better standards. Yes, with large sums flows some administrative friction—verifying construction sites, preventing misuse, changes of plans by beneficiaries—leading to a few days’ delay in cashing cheques. The Opposition tried to make that a scandal. I personally visited sites where the President laid foundation stones and cheques were handed; rebuilding has begun—many are raising plinths 4–5 feet, building two-storey homes, adding bedrooms and indoor bathrooms with proper engineering plans and standards. By January 30 we had commenced payments for 136 fully destroyed houses and completed assistance for 1,580 partially damaged ones—around 2,000 families supported so far. Event-based criticism aside, there is no substantive policy critique. To the people we say: we are fulfilling the mandate you entrusted to us. These Bills too are part of that. Thank you.