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

5 February 2025 AI summary Hon. Kumara Jayakody clarified that the procurement in question was not initiated by his side and noted that Cabinet Papers are submitted by Ministers, not Secretaries. He stated that after the financial bids were opened, the lowest price formed the basis for the CANC’s award decision and that the CEB had issued the notification. He rejected allegations of impropriety, saying any claims should be supported with evidence and pursued through the courts. Debate: Regulations on Imports and Exports (Control) Act and Foreign Exchange Act Justice & Human RightsPublic Finance Read →
5 February 2025 AI summary Energy security was described as the Government’s primary priority in drafting the relevant amendments. Kumara Jayakody said the process should avoid past errors caused by rushing, including printing mistakes, and invited any identified shortcomings to be submitted for consideration before completion. Oral Question: Sri Lanka Electricity Act Amendments (Q.293/2024) Public FinanceSecurity & Defence Read →
5 February 2025 AI summary Kumara Jayakody said the Bill was drafted after policy positions were developed through a committee process and incorporates several issues raised by the Member, including a holding company. He stated that the draft seeks to amend an Act already passed by Parliament and invited further amendments within the remaining time, emphasizing openness to Members’ views and guidance. Oral Question: Sri Lanka Electricity Act Amendments (Q.293/2024) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
5 February 2025 AI summary The Minister of Energy stated that the Ministry is preparing amendments to the Sri Lanka Electricity Act, No. 36 of 2024, rather than having already amended it. He outlined that a Cabinet-appointed expert committee reviewed the Act, submitted its report on 20 January 2025, and the proposed amendments were published for public comment, with the deadline extended to 14 February 2025. He added that views are also being obtained from institutions including the Asian Development Bank, World Bank, and JICA, and that the Committee’s Terms of Reference have been placed in the Library. Oral Question: Sri Lanka Electricity Act Amendments (Q.293/2024) InfrastructurePublic Finance Read →
23 January 2025 AI summary The Minister of Energy stated that the answer to the relevant question was tabled. He added that part (b) was not applicable. Oral Question: Fuel Imports (Petrol, Diesel, Kerosene and Crude Oil) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
22 January 2025 AI summary Kumara Jayakody stated that electricity tariffs had been reduced with effect from midnight on 17 January 2025, with revised domestic unit rates across consumption bands to appear in the next bill. He said the average reduction would be 21 per cent for domestic consumers and 31 per cent for industry and hotels. Oral Question: Kinniya CEB Consumer Service Centre - Power Disconnections (Q.5/2025) Cost of Living Read →
22 January 2025 AI summary Kumara Jayakody responded to a concern about electricity service connections, noting that while overhead lines are common, connections from poles to premises are generally made with insulated cables across the country. He said he would inquire into the specific issue raised and take necessary action. Oral Question: Kinniya CEB Consumer Service Centre - Power Disconnections (Q.5/2025) Infrastructure Read →
22 January 2025 AI summary The Minister stated that the CEB assesses supply quality using SAIDI and SAIFI indices rather than only the number and duration of outages, and provided 2023 and 2024 figures for Trincomalee and Kinniya, showing improved interruption duration and frequency in both areas. He explained that outages arise from network failures, weather or accidents, and planned maintenance or construction, with planned outages limited and notified in advance, while alternative supply routes are used to reduce consumer impact in Kinniya. He also said power is not intentionally disconnected during national examinations or special occasions except in emergencies, and confirmed that written billing notes or hang cards will be provided on request where bills are not currently left at premises. Oral Question: Kinniya CEB Consumer Service Centre - Power Disconnections (Q.5/2025) InfrastructurePublic Finance Read →
9 January 2025 AI summary Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody defended the NPP Government’s early economic record, citing negative CCPI inflation in November and December 2024, expanded welfare and subsidy measures, pension and allowance increases, and a raised PAYE tax threshold for professionals. He argued that public confidence and indicators such as the stock market, tourism, and economic stability had improved despite Opposition criticism. On electricity, he said the Government had submitted proposals to the Public Utilities Commission to keep tariffs unchanged during an expected dry period that would raise generation costs, with the State absorbing the burden rather than passing it to consumers. He attributed high tariffs to past corruption, poor planning, and institutional weaknesses, including vacancies at the CEB, and said the Government was implementing corrective measures. Adjournment Debate: Government Performance and Commodity Prices InfrastructurePublic FinanceCost of Living Read →
9 January 2025 AI summary Kumara Jayakody said electricity line losses of about 9 percent in some areas are being reviewed with the aim of reducing them below 7 percent. He stated that LNG-based generation is being pursued as an interim measure, including reviving suspended procurements and expediting LNG infrastructure and gas supply for plants currently running on costlier liquid fuels. He added that diesel use would be minimized, but transmission constraints sometimes require purchases from diesel plants until network upgrades are completed. Oral Questions InfrastructureEnvironmentPublic Finance Read →
9 January 2025 AI summary Kumara Jayakody stated that 49 electricity-sector proposals were received under the EOI process, but that route was later invalidated by amendments to the Electricity Act under the previous administration. He said many proposals involved irregularities and high tariffs, and that Cabinet had approved a committee to regularize the process by recommending unit prices, capacities and related terms for approval. He added that the Government would expedite implementation while addressing the difficulties faced by investors. Oral Questions InfrastructurePublic FinanceCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
9 January 2025 AI summary The State Minister provided data on electricity generation capacity added since 2019, including three CEB-owned plants, 13 private thermal plants, and 110 renewable plants totaling 1,872 MW, with generation performance details tabled in annexes. He outlined planned additions under the Long-Term Generation Expansion Plan 2025–2044 for the next two years, including hydro, wind, solar, biomass, and combined-cycle capacity, as well as 1,138 planned renewable plants. He also stated that preliminary work has begun on a 100 MW/100 MWh battery storage system and renewable energy control centre at Kolonnawa, and that a committee is preparing a 2025–2030 grid integration plan for renewable projects. Oral Questions EnvironmentInfrastructurePublic Finance Read →
9 January 2025 AI summary Minister of Energy Kumara Jayakody stated that the relevant institution is being strengthened to ensure sustainability and that any necessary price revisions will be carried out in a structured manner rather than on an ad hoc basis. He also said the concerns raised during the discussion would be addressed. Oral Questions EnvironmentPublic Finance Read →
9 January 2025 AI summary The Minister stated that Sri Lanka does not yet have sufficient transmission network flexibility in some areas, which constrains renewable energy integration and power evacuation. He said several transmission lines are under construction, priority is being given to regions without such constraints, and support is being sought from non-state and foreign development partners to meet the 70 per cent renewable energy target by 2030. He also noted that end-user tariffs reflect import content, VAT, operation and maintenance costs, staffing shortages and engineer outflows, in addition to solar procurement prices, and said these issues are being addressed. Oral Questions Public FinanceEnvironmentInfrastructure Read →
9 January 2025 AI summary The Minister of Energy stated that the Government intends to expedite a legacy project currently at the implementation stage. He said the developer has requested land vesting acceptable to banks as security in order to facilitate financing, not merely as a land handover. A Cabinet Paper has been submitted, and further action will follow after receiving observations from the Ministry of Finance. Oral Questions Land & HousingPublic FinanceInfrastructure Read →
9 January 2025 AI summary Minister of Energy Kumara Jayakody stated that 343 private power plants are currently in operation, including Yugadanavi and Sobadanavi, and that ownership, energy purchase, and payment details from 2015 onwards have been placed in the Library as annexes. He explained that smaller renewable energy plants operate under standardized power purchase agreements with payments only for energy supplied, while larger renewable projects have more detailed agreements including provisions such as deemed energy payments and minimum supply obligations. He added that LNG plant agreements were secured through competitive bidding, are not unfavourable to the CEB, and include dual-fuel capability due to the current lack of LNG availability. Oral Questions Public FinanceInfrastructure Read →
9 January 2025 AI summary The Minister of Energy rejected claims that the Treasury had absorbed Ceylon Electricity Board debts, stating that the CEB still carries about Rs. 332 billion in debt and that none has been taken over by the Government. He also disputed the reported Rs. 167 billion profit figure, saying the latest proposal refers to about Rs. 41 billion, and requested that any relevant PUCSL document supporting the contrary claims be tabled. Oral Questions Public Finance Read →
9 January 2025 AI summary Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody clarified that the Government’s commitment is to reduce electricity bills, not supply, through a phased three-year plan rather than immediate cuts. He said the CEB faces about Rs. 332 billion in debt and legacy issues including high-cost power purchase agreements, making ad hoc tariff reductions impractical. He stated that while calculations indicated a possible 37 per cent tariff increase, the Government avoided major increases and aims to reduce bills by around 35 per cent by stabilizing costs and moving toward a least-cost regional benchmark. Oral Questions Public FinanceCost of Living Read →
9 January 2025 AI summary The Minister of Energy provided current electricity tariff details as at 20 November 2024, including domestic block tariffs, optional time-of-use rates, and general purpose tariff categories. He stated that no tariff revisions had been made since 21 October 2024, that the Government would accept decisions of the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka, and that there was no intention to dissolve the Commission. He explained that Ceylon Electricity Board tariff proposals are made to cover forecast costs for the relevant period, with rates varying according to factors such as exchange rates, fuel and coal prices, and rainfall. Oral Questions InfrastructurePublic Finance Read →
18 December 2024 AI summary The Minister supported the supplementary estimate, highlighting the Government’s proposal to allocate Rs. 6.5 billion under Aswesuma to provide Rs. 6,000 each for school stationery and books to children from low-income families, citing survey data on the impact of the economic crisis on schoolchildren. He criticised the Opposition for focusing on personal qualifications instead of social issues and called for cross-party support for measures assisting vulnerable families. On energy, he stated that the Ceylon Electricity Board has proposed no tariff increase for the first six months of 2025 despite an estimated Rs. 39 billion shortfall, using prior additional income and management measures while addressing debts of about Rs. 333 billion. He said the Government’s aim is to provide reliable energy at fair prices for households and industry while avoiding future burdens through taxes or tariffs. Debate: Supplementary Estimate – Head 102, Programme 01 (School Supplies Grant) Cost of LivingEducationPublic Finance Read →