The Hon. B. Ariyawansha
2026-02-18
Hon. B. Ariyawansha raised concerns about the severe housing conditions faced by over 30,000 Tamil families in the Ratnapura district, many of whom live in temporary huts or centuries-old line room barracks housing multiple families. The member questioned whether the government has a concrete plan to address this housing deficit, including fulfilling election promises to provide 10-perch land plots. He also highlighted a specific housing project at "Aluth Kaella" in Suriya Kanda, funded under an Indian grant, which has stalled due to landslide risk, and called for an expedited solution.
Hon. Speaker, my first supplementary: According to your data, thousands of families in Ratnapura still live in temporary huts or very old line rooms—some 200 years old—with multiple families in two-room barracks. Over 30,000 Tamil families live under such conditions in Ratnapura alone. Do you have a plan to provide housing, including the 10-perch plots promised during the election? Under the Indian grant, a housing project at “Aluth Kaella” in Suriya Kanda was identified but has not started due to landslide risk. What is the plan to provide a speedy solution?