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

22 February 2025 AI summary Minister Kumara Jayakody argued that the 2025 Budget is aimed at broad-based economic growth through modernization of education, health, land use, finance, transport, energy, and import-export systems. He said salary increases and revised tax thresholds are intended to retain professionals and reverse brain drain, citing resignations of engineers from institutions under his Ministry. He highlighted allocations for public transport, rail modernization, domestic production through a motor vehicle and rubber-based industrial zone, and major energy projects including grid upgrades, waste-to-energy, solar installations, island renewable systems, and preparatory work for future nuclear power. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Second Reading Debate (Fifth Allotted Day) EmploymentPublic FinanceInfrastructure Read →
22 February 2025 AI summary Hon. Kumara Jayakody stated that the Government restored electricity within about four hours and would not permit power cuts during A/L examinations, contrasting this with previous periods of prolonged outages. He said the Government, in office for only three months, is studying unresolved issues in the power sector and taking measures, though some actions require time because necessary steps had not been taken earlier. He added that recent threats of Sunday power cuts were managed with low-cost solutions, acknowledged possible customer issues with existing systems, and called for cooperation while denying any “deals” in the sector. Ministerial Statements: Elephant Deaths from Train Collisions and Power Outage InfrastructurePublic Finance Read →
22 February 2025 AI summary The Hon. Kumara Jayakody acknowledged existing issues in energy-related public services, including access and distance difficulties, and said he had raised and discussed them even before the outage. He stated that the Government is pursuing a people-centric energy transition, is gathering information, and needs time to address and resolve many of the problems. Ministerial Statements: Elephant Deaths from Train Collisions and Power Outage InfrastructurePublic Finance Read →
22 February 2025 AI summary Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody replied to Hon. Ravi Karunanayake’s Standing Order 27(2) question on the islandwide power outage, stating that it was triggered by a 33 kV busbar failure at the Panadura Grid Substation, which caused under-frequency tripping at several major hydro plants. He outlined the restoration process, said the full system was restored by 3.45 p.m. via the Mahaweli hydro system, and noted that the CEB is assessing economic losses using grid-substation load data. He said the Ministry proposes an urgent Renewable Energy Desk with battery storage at the National System Control Centre, following an ADB agreement in December 2024, and added that preliminary inquiries found no negligence or sabotage while a further internal inquiry is ongoing. Ministerial Statements: Elephant Deaths from Train Collisions and Power Outage InfrastructurePublic FinanceSecurity & Defence Read →
19 February 2025 AI summary Minister Kumara Jayakody said the Government has minimized oil-based power generation and is using LNG, hydro, and solar to lower average electricity generation costs. He stated that policy will focus on expanding solar capacity, with the aim of stabilizing and sustainably reducing electricity tariffs over three years rather than allowing sharp fluctuations. Oral Question No. 179/2024: CEB Payment of Loans and Staff Emoluments Public FinanceEnvironment Read →
19 February 2025 AI summary The Minister of Energy stated that energy pricing depends on rainfall and weather conditions, particularly as hydropower availability changes. He indicated that there is currently no major issue, but suggested that the coming dry season could affect the next price adjustment. Oral Question No. 179/2024: CEB Payment of Loans and Staff Emoluments Public Finance Read →
19 February 2025 AI summary The Minister of Energy stated that the Government is adhering to a cost-reflective framework. The remark indicates a commitment to aligning energy-related pricing or policy decisions with underlying costs. Oral Question No. 179/2024: CEB Payment of Loans and Staff Emoluments Public Finance Read →
19 February 2025 AI summary The Minister of Energy provided data on the Ceylon Electricity Board in response to a parliamentary question, stating that the CEB was incorporated on 1 November 1969 and that Government equity in it stood at Rs. 991.43 billion as at 30 November 2024. He detailed the CEB’s short- and long-term loan position, reported staff numbers as at 31 December 2024, and stated that total staff-related costs for 2024 amounted to Rs. 53.074 billion. He also stated that the CEB does not pay PAYE tax on behalf of staff and had ceased PAYE deductions and remittances from 1 November 2020. Oral Question No. 179/2024: CEB Payment of Loans and Staff Emoluments Public Finance Read →
19 February 2025 AI summary The Minister of Energy rejected claims that the Government intends to limit, reduce, or stop solar power development, stating that reports of a committee appointed for that purpose are false. He said the Government is instead streamlining processes and remains committed to its policy target of 70 percent renewable energy, including the rapid addition of 2,000 MW of solar capacity. Oral Question No. 152/2024: Waste-to-Energy Power Plant in Kerawalapitiya Environment Read →
19 February 2025 AI summary The Minister of Energy stated that the referenced project falls primarily under the Ministry of Urban Development, Housing and Construction, and that the Ceylon Electricity Board and the Energy Ministry have not yet taken steps to provide electricity for it. He directed that inquiries be made to the Urban Development Authority under the relevant Ministry. Oral Question No. 152/2024: Waste-to-Energy Power Plant in Kerawalapitiya Infrastructure Read →
19 February 2025 AI summary The Minister of Energy provided written answers on the Kerawalapitiya Waste-to-Energy plant, stating that the CEB pays Rs. 36.20 per kWh and receives a Treasury reimbursement of Rs. 13.10 per kWh. He said the plant requires 650–700 metric tons of municipal solid waste daily but received an average of 584 metric tons per day in 2024, mainly from the Colombo Municipal Council with coordination by the Western Province Waste Management Authority when needed. He also stated that around 15,000 metric tons of ash have accumulated at the site and that Environmental Protection Licences were obtained for January–July 2023 and August 2024–August 2025, with management conducted under Central Environmental Authority conditions. Oral Question No. 152/2024: Waste-to-Energy Power Plant in Kerawalapitiya InfrastructureEnvironmentPublic Finance Read →
7 February 2025 AI summary Hon. Kumara Jayakody tabled a written answer on solar power capacity and generation, stating that the Ceylon Electricity Board has 1,266 MW and LECO 259 MW of solar capacity, with 1,161 GWh added to the National Grid up to November 2024. The answer said solar schemes began on 6 September 2016 and included capacity additions under Net Plus, Net Metering and Net Accounting. It outlined measures to promote solar power, including competitive procurement of large-scale plants, streamlined approvals, online clearances, grid and transmission upgrades, energy storage development, public awareness, and support for installations in religious places and state institutions, in line with the 2030 target of 70 per cent renewable electricity generation. Oral Answers to Questions and Second Round Questions Public FinanceInfrastructureEnvironment Read →
7 February 2025 AI summary The Minister of Energy said energy projects have not been arbitrarily halted, but some are delayed because previous approval processes ignored grid capacity, land, environmental constraints, and wildlife considerations, with some permits allegedly traded. He said Cabinet approval has been sought to regularize existing issues and introduce a transparent, structured process while engaging current permit holders to correct deficiencies. He noted that solar power remains important but must be supported by firm generation, and said the Ministry expects progress within two to three months, including clearing unwarranted approvals based on national need. Oral Answers to Questions and Second Round Questions InfrastructureEnvironmentCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
7 February 2025 AI summary The Minister acknowledged shortcomings, mismanagement and politicization in the energy sector and said reforms are being studied with attention to energy security, public interest and industrial productivity. He stated that the Government will not disrupt existing services arbitrarily but will pursue gradual reforms, including addressing overstaffing caused by past political recruitments while managing current staff responsibly. He said that within about six months the reform process is expected to resolve many issues, prioritize least-cost energy and control cost drivers, including salaries. Oral Answers to Questions and Second Round Questions InfrastructurePublic Finance Read →
7 February 2025 AI summary The Minister of Energy provided data on Ceylon Electricity Board staffing, stating that the CEB has 22,135 permanent employees, 150 casual employees, 95 contract employees, 26 NVQ-qualified trainees, and 56 workers deployed through Sri Lanka Energies. He reported that salary, allowance and bonus payments are recorded annually, and that tasks such as line installation, pit digging and disconnections have been outsourced, with contractor payments rising from Rs. 1,643 million in 2015 to Rs. 4,370 million in 2024. He stated that there are no excess employees against the approved cadre and justified outsourcing as more economical for labour-intensive, urgent or short-term work, particularly where using technical staff would exceed the Public Utilities Commission-approved disconnection charge. Oral Answers to Questions and Second Round Questions Public Finance Read →
6 February 2025 AI summary Kumara Jayakody stated that an electricity price reduction of US cents 0.23 per kWh would generate approximately USD 2.5 billion in savings over 20 years and denied that any increase had been made. He challenged critics to substantiate contrary claims, arguing that opposing the reduction was inconsistent with concern for public funds, and said he could table the relevant company correspondence if required. Ministerial Statement: Wind Power Plant Tender Process in Mannar Public Finance Read →
6 February 2025 AI summary Kumara Jayakody stated that the Cabinet sub-committee in question had been established under the previous Government, not the current one. He argued that the relevant issue was whether due procedure was followed, noting that the existence of Appeal Boards in the Guidelines showed that an appeals mechanism was intended and had functioned accordingly. Ministerial Statement: Wind Power Plant Tender Process in Mannar Corruption & Governance ReformParliamentary Procedure Read →
6 February 2025 AI summary Hon. Kumara Jayakody rejected claims of irregularity in a tender process, stating that under the two-envelope system the technical proposal is opened and evaluated before the financial bid. He said the initial rejection was based on technical shortcomings, the CANC first recommended WindForce, and after the Procurement Appeal Board’s directive the TEC opened Hayleys’ financial bid, which was lowest, leading the CANC to revise its recommendation. He maintained that the process complied fully with the 2006 Procurement Guidelines and said any challenge could be taken to court. Ministerial Statement: Wind Power Plant Tender Process in Mannar Parliamentary ProcedurePublic Finance Read →
6 February 2025 AI summary The Minister explained the procurement process for the proposed 50 MW Mannar wind power plant, stating that Hayleys Fentons Limited was initially rejected at technical evaluation but was later allowed to have its financial bid opened following a Procurement Appeal Board ruling. He said Hayleys Fentons quoted the lowest tariff, US cents 4.65 per kWh, after which the Cabinet Appointed Negotiating Committee and Cabinet approved awarding the tender to that company. He stated that this would reduce the tariff by US cents 0.23 per kWh compared with the earlier recommendation to WindForce PLC, producing estimated savings over the 20-year contract, and rejected allegations of improper dealing or delay. Ministerial Statement: Wind Power Plant Tender Process in Mannar InfrastructurePublic Finance Read →
5 February 2025 AI summary Hon. Kumara Jayakody stated that the reasons for rejection by the TEC/PC had been considered by both the Procurement Appeal Board and the CANC. He urged that reports not be quoted selectively, and called for all relevant documents to be read together to understand why the bid was initially rejected and why that decision was later reversed. Debate: Regulations on Imports and Exports (Control) Act and Foreign Exchange Act Public Finance Read →