Hon. Kumara Jayakody, M.P.

Jathika Jana balawegaya (JJB)· National List

Profession: Engineer

Roster profile ↗

Speeches 261 #17 of 225·#7 in party

Attendance 8/8 days present (of recorded)

Speech history

261 speeches

17 June 2025 AI summary No call-based notification system is currently used for arrears, with consumers instead informed by SMS. Disconnections are carried out only after more than 16 days of arrears and after repeated notices, while the SMS-based system is presented as a cost-saving alternative to printed bills. Oral Question Q.279/2024: SMS Service for Electricity Bills Cost of Living Read →
17 June 2025 AI summary The Minister of Energy responded to a question on the electricity bill SMS service, stating that it began about two years ago and is not mandatory. He said 6,964,414 consumers, or about 97.1 per cent of active consumers, had registered by June 2025, while about 204,832 remained unregistered. He added that consumers without mobile phones can receive printed bills on request. Oral Question Q.279/2024: SMS Service for Electricity Bills Public Finance Read →
23 May 2025 AI summary The Minister of Energy presented the Sri Lanka Electricity (Amendment) Bill to amend the Sri Lanka Electricity Act, No. 36 of 2024. The Bill was scheduled for Second Reading on 06 June 2025, ordered to be printed, and referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Infrastructure and Strategic Development. Papers: Sri Lanka Electricity (Amendment) Bill Presented Infrastructure Read →
8 May 2025 AI summary Hon. Kumara Jayakody said the Government’s objective is to supply electricity to households and industries at the lowest possible cost, but tariff reductions depend on lowering procurement costs. He noted that the CEB has not yet submitted finalized calculations and that any tariff decision will follow PUCSL procedures, likely by early next month. He said the Government is seeking cost reductions, expects the coming wet season may help avoid an increase, and aims to reduce or at least maintain current tariffs despite legacy debts and arrears. Oral Question: Prevention of Delay in Ending Civil Court Cases (Q.133/2024) Cost of LivingPublic Finance Read →
8 May 2025 AI summary Kumara Jayakody outlined the status of several planned wind power projects, including ongoing tendering for two 50 MW plants at Mullikulam, preliminary approvals for the 234 MW Mannar expansion, and completed feasibility work for the 250 MW Pooneryn project with transmission arrangements under way. He said tenders are expected for about 400 MW of wind capacity within the year, while other potential sites remain at the feasibility-study stage. Oral Question: Prevention of Delay in Ending Civil Court Cases (Q.133/2024) EnvironmentInfrastructurePublic Finance Read →
8 May 2025 AI summary The Minister provided detailed data on wind power generation in response to a parliamentary question, stating that 19 privately owned wind plants and one CEB-owned plant supply the National Grid. He listed commissioning dates, installed capacities, and energy delivered by each independent power producer from 2022 to 2024, and noted that the CEB’s Mannar wind plant has a capacity of about 103.5 MW and was fully commissioned in April 2021. He also stated that wind power expansion is planned through the CEB’s Long-Term Generation Expansion Plan, subject to grid absorption capability and regulatory approval. Oral Question: Prevention of Delay in Ending Civil Court Cases (Q.133/2024) EnvironmentPublic Finance Read →
8 May 2025 AI summary The Minister of Energy presented the 2021 Annual Report of the Petroleum Resources Development Authority of Sri Lanka. He moved that the report be referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Infrastructure and Strategic Development, and the motion was agreed to. Papers - Tabling of Annual Reports and Documents Parliamentary Procedure Read →
10 April 2025 AI summary Presented the 2021 Annual Report of the Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Board and moved that it be referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Infrastructure and Strategic Development. The motion was agreed to by the House. Papers Presented: Annual Reports and Petitions Parliamentary Procedure Read →
9 April 2025 AI summary Minister Kumara Jayakody outlined ongoing and planned renewable energy projects, including signed and forthcoming solar PPAs, the Siyambalanduwa and Sampur solar projects, and permits for 112 MW of solar and 60 MW of wind power. He said tenders and agreements are progressing for battery storage and frequency control systems, including a Renewable Energy Desk under National System Control to manage real-time solar inflows. He rejected claims that the Government is undermining renewables or reducing existing rooftop solar tariffs, stating that current 20-year contracts will be honoured while future pricing will be adjusted according to economic conditions. He called on the Opposition to engage constructively in reforming the energy system to reduce costs and improve competitiveness. Adjournment Motion: Renewable Energy Policy and Rooftop Solar InfrastructurePublic FinanceEnvironment Read →
9 April 2025 AI summary The Minister of Energy requested an additional five minutes from the Presiding Member to continue his remarks. Adjournment Motion: Renewable Energy Policy and Rooftop Solar Parliamentary Procedure Read →
9 April 2025 AI summary The Minister rejected allegations that the Government had restricted wind power and argued that its energy policy is to lower and stabilize electricity tariffs, targeting an average of 8 US cents per kWh while reducing dependence on expensive fossil-fuel generation. He said renewable energy procurement should be based on competitive pricing rather than tariff formulas for large plants, and explained that falling panel, exchange-rate and financing costs should be passed on to consumers. He maintained that current tariff reductions, including for industry, were justified and said forthcoming Electricity Act amendments would support competitive procurement while preserving, and potentially exceeding, the 70 percent renewable energy target. Adjournment Motion: Renewable Energy Policy and Rooftop Solar EnvironmentPublic FinanceInfrastructure Read →
9 April 2025 AI summary The Minister of Energy clarified that the matter in question had not been tabled before Cabinet and therefore no Cabinet decision or discussion had taken place. He disputed a quoted comparison of solar tariffs, stating that the Rs. 14.46 rate applies to solar projects above 1 MW, which require substantial land area, and should not be compared with rooftop household systems. He said the appropriate comparison was with rooftop systems under 20 kW, which have a higher tariff of Rs. 19.61. Adjournment Motion: Renewable Energy Policy and Rooftop Solar EnvironmentPublic Finance Read →
9 April 2025 AI summary Minister Kumara Jayakody argued that the solar sector, including the “Soorya Bala Sangramaya,” had expanded without adequate regulation, creating system imbalance risks similar to problems in the private bus industry. He said technical safeguards should have been implemented as solar penetration increased and questioned whether earlier decisions had anticipated future grid issues. He rejected claims that a relevant Cabinet Paper had already been submitted, stating only proposals and committee recommendations exist. He also disputed figures cited on rooftop solar tariffs, saying Rs. 14.46 applies to plants above 1 MW and that comparable small rooftop systems are proposed at Rs. 19.61, higher than the Rs. 19.27 ground-mounted rate. Adjournment Motion: Renewable Energy Policy and Rooftop Solar InfrastructurePublic FinanceEnvironment Read →
9 April 2025 AI summary Minister of Energy Kumara Jayakody moved that Hon. (Prof.) Sena Nanayakkara take the Chair. The motion was agreed to, after which the Deputy Speaker left the Chair and Hon. Nanayakkara presided. Adjournment Motion: Renewable Energy Policy and Rooftop Solar Parliamentary Procedure Read →
21 March 2025 AI summary The Minister of Energy objected to a set of six questions containing 32 sub-questions submitted under Standing Order 27(2), arguing that the format exceeded the intended scope of a public importance question. He said the information required involved multiple affiliated institutions and detailed data that could not be collected and verified within the roughly three hours available. He requested the Speaker to ensure the Standing Orders are used appropriately and asked for two weeks to provide answers if the questions are presented under the correct procedure. Question by Private Notice: Power Generation Policy Parliamentary Procedure Read →
20 March 2025 AI summary Moved the approval of the Ceylon Petroleum Storage Terminals Limited annual reports for 2021 and 2022, including the Auditor General’s observations, under the relevant provisions of the Conversion of Public Corporations or Government Owned Business Undertakings into Public Companies Act and the Companies Act. He noted that both reports had been considered by the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Energy and Transport, with its report presented to Parliament on 9 July 2024. Both motions were put to the House and agreed to. Papers Presented: Finance Act Regulation and Annual Reports Public Finance Read →
15 March 2025 AI summary Identification of eligible consumers should be handled by Divisional Secretariats or relevant local authorities. The Hon. Kumara Jayakody clarified that the Ceylon Electricity Board does not proactively canvass consumers, but provides electricity connections based on applications received. Oral Question: Provisions for Electricity to Isolated Villages and Houses (Q.429/2025) Public Finance Read →
15 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Kumara Jayakody stated that an irregularly proceeding project was temporarily halted pending inquiry. He said only essential works needed to provide supply to villagers were later allowed, and assured that politically driven irregular provision of power would not be permitted in future. Oral Question: Provisions for Electricity to Isolated Villages and Houses (Q.429/2025) InfrastructureCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
15 March 2025 AI summary Minister Kumara Jayakody responded to a question on two rural electrification projects, Annaasigala and Unakanda Ambakolaara, explaining their origins from requests made to the President’s Secretariat and to the CEB, and stating that the CEB Board approved implementation on 7 May 2024 after technical review and estimates. He gave the project costs as Rs. 36.64 million and Rs. 36.23 million respectively, noted that Forest Conservation approval for tree removal had been sought but the Department instead instructed construction through surveyed land without removing trees, and said relevant documents were placed in the Library. He stated that both projects had been temporarily suspended due to a contentious situation, with physical progress at 60% and 75% at the time of suspension. Oral Question: Provisions for Electricity to Isolated Villages and Houses (Q.429/2025) InfrastructurePublic Finance Read →
14 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Kumara Jayakody stated that there is a modest staffing shortfall, mainly in higher technical positions such as engineers, while some lower-grade divisions have excess staff. He said the Government is implementing the post-2016 Cabinet decision to discontinue manpower recruitment and therefore does not need external recruitment for lower grades. Applications are currently being called through the relevant website to fill higher-level technical vacancies. Oral Questions and Answers Public FinanceEmployment Read →