A clarification regarding the upcoming amendment to the Rent Act

Attorney Harsha Nanayakkara, Minister of Justice and National Integration, stated in Parliament that the period given for public comments on the Bill to repeal the Rent Act and the proposed Residents Protection Bill has been extended for another month, effective from yesterday (03). The Minister emphasized that the new Act, which will replace the existing Rent Act, will not cause any prejudice to individuals who rent out houses or any party that operates house renting as a business.

Mr. Harsha Nanayakkara pointed out that these two draft bills, prepared according to a formal methodology by an expert committee, were published in the Gazette on September 18, 2025, and subsequently, public comments were sought for several months by publishing advertisements in newspapers and on websites in all three languages. He further stated that since the Bar Association of Sri Lanka made a written request on January 29, asking for time to study these draft bills and present their views, the government is not attempting to secretly pass bills, and considering that request, the period for public comments has been extended for one month starting from today.

Meanwhile, Cabinet Spokesperson Minister Nalinda Jayatissa also stated to the media that the primary objective of this new draft bill is to protect the rights of both parties by strengthening the legal agreement between the homeowner and the tenant. The Minister pointed out that since there are many instances where homeowners are helpless before the law, as well as instances where tenants are subjected to injustice, the government's aim is to protect both parties.

Minister Nalinda Jayatissa stated that this Act will not allow any party to harass tenants, especially by disconnecting water or electricity with the intention of evicting them during the contractual period, and in such instances, tenants can seek justice through this Act. The Cabinet Spokesperson further clarified that this Act will be enforced only based on the written agreement between the two parties, and general law will apply to regulate matters occurring outside the agreement.