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

20 March 2026 AI summary The Minister of Energy said the Israel-US strikes on Iran had created a global energy crisis affecting Sri Lanka while it was still recovering from economic bankruptcy and the “Dithwa” cyclone. He outlined government measures to manage fuel and LPG supplies, including public stock assurances, reintroduction of QR-based controls, increased fuel releases above normal consumption, changes to LPG procurement, and covering private supply shortfalls through the State. He said storage and berthing constraints limited stockpiling but that supplies were being maximized, with arrangements for industry, tourism and agriculture, and assured uninterrupted fuel and power through the festive season while calling for Opposition cooperation. Adjournment Debate (Continuation): Effects of Current Global Situation on Our Economy Public FinanceCost of LivingSecurity & Defence Read →
20 March 2026 AI summary Minister of Energy Kumara Jayakody moved that Hon. (Mrs.) Thushari Jayasingha take the Chair. The House agreed to the motion, after which the Deputy Speaker left the Chair and Hon. Jayasingha assumed it. Adjournment Debate (Continuation): Effects of Current Global Situation on Our Economy Parliamentary Procedure Read →
17 March 2026 AI summary Minister Kumara Jayakody said the Government has secured fuel stocks, tenders, and orders sufficient until August despite global oil price and logistics pressures linked to instability affecting supply routes. He stated that electricity cuts have been avoided so far, though load shedding may be necessary if conditions worsen, with priority given to public relief and keeping industry operating. He added that Sri Lanka currently has only about 22 days of storage capacity and is beginning projects to expand this to 45 days, while emphasizing that no special fuel quotas are given to MPs or Ministers. Clarification on Country's Energy Security under Standing Order 27(2) Public FinanceInfrastructure Read →
17 March 2026 AI summary Minister Kumara Jayakody responded to a Standing Order 27(2) question on fuel supply, stating that daily risk assessments are being conducted and discussions are underway with contracted, alternative, and oil-producing country suppliers, including under a Cabinet-approved mechanism for non-registered suppliers. He outlined current fuel sufficiency dates for diesel and petrol grades, said there is no separate emergency petroleum stock, and noted that a committee has been appointed for emergency procurements and prioritised quota allocations to essential institutions. He said crude tenders for WTI, Saharan Blend, and Miri Light were to be opened that day, QR quotas would not be generally revised except for scientifically assessed special cases, and discussions on Russian supplies and access to IEA releases were continuing. The Minister attributed uncertainty to global logistical constraints linked to the war, including insurance and shipping difficulties, and said the Government was managing supplies daily to avoid prolonged power cuts while acknowledging possible cost increases. Clarification on Country's Energy Security under Standing Order 27(2) InfrastructurePublic Finance Read →
17 March 2026 AI summary Hon. Kumara Jayakody declined to answer the supplementary question, stating that it was not relevant to the principal question before the House. Oral Answers to Questions (Q.1 to Q.7 and Standing Order 27(2) questions) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
17 March 2026 AI summary Kumara Jayakody rejected implications that current issues were tied to his tenure, stating that the first supplementary question related to events from 10–11 years earlier, before he became Minister. He undertook to submit the outstanding data to the House and asked that proceedings move to the second supplementary question. Oral Answers to Questions (Q.1 to Q.7 and Standing Order 27(2) questions) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
17 March 2026 AI summary The Minister of Energy provided annual Lak Vijaya coal power plant generation figures by unit for 2020-2025 and tabled annexes detailing planned and unplanned shutdowns, including dates, frequency, and reasons. He stated that some outages resulted from external system failures, transmission faults, or System Control Centre instructions during low demand. Comprehensive system-wide disruption data was not immediately available due to CEB restructuring, and he requested two weeks to submit it. He also outlined measures to reduce future tripping and prolonged outages, including control logic and protection-setting improvements and steps to prevent turbine diaphragm failures. Oral Answers to Questions (Q.1 to Q.7 and Standing Order 27(2) questions) Infrastructure Read →
6 March 2026 AI summary The Minister of Energy stated that he had not yet received the information needed to answer the question and requested two weeks to respond. The question was ordered to stand down. Oral Question: Energy (Q.107/2024) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
3 March 2026 AI summary Kumara Jayakody stated that the Trincomalee oil tanks require rehabilitation before they can be used, noting that 24 tanks remain with the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation while others had previously been transferred to India. He said rehabilitation has begun on four of the 24 tanks, with two completed and pipeline installation underway, and emphasized that storage can only begin after this work is finished. On Norochcholai coal plant environmental concerns, he said relevant agencies would report any damage and the Government would take appropriate action. Oral Question: Generators Facilitating Cooling at Norochcholai Power Plant (Q.68/2025) Public FinanceEnvironmentInfrastructure Read →
3 March 2026 AI summary Hon. Kumara Jayakody stated that the Government is ensuring uninterrupted coal-based power generation and that petroleum supplies are not facing disruption. He said existing Ceylon Petroleum Corporation storage tanks are being used at maximum capacity and that construction has begun on nine new tanks. He emphasized the Government’s commitment to maintaining energy security despite external risks such as global conflict. Oral Question: Generators Facilitating Cooling at Norochcholai Power Plant (Q.68/2025) Public FinanceInfrastructure Read →
3 March 2026 AI summary No generator was purchased for Norochcholai’s cooling system; two generator units donated by China in 2015 were handed to the Ceylon Electricity Board and allocated to the Lakvijaya Power Plant. The Minister stated that the plant normally uses auxiliary power from its own units or the national grid, and that engineers, the construction company and the design institute are testing whether the donated generators can supply the cooling system during a total blackout, after which required modifications and deployment will be undertaken. Oral Question: Generators Facilitating Cooling at Norochcholai Power Plant (Q.68/2025) Infrastructure Read →
20 February 2026 AI summary Kumara Jayakody stated that a 21-day notice period had already been provided earlier through newspapers and the website. He clarified that the website posting on the 12th related to a second stage, not the initial notice. Adjournment Motion: Issues Relating to the Power Sector (Coal Procurement for Norochcholai) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
20 February 2026 AI summary Hon. Kumara Jayakody moved that Hon. Sanjeewa Ranasingha take the Chair. The motion was agreed to, after which the Deputy Chairperson of Committees left the Chair and Hon. Ranasingha presided. Adjournment Motion: Issues Relating to the Power Sector (Coal Procurement for Norochcholai) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
20 February 2026 AI summary Hon. Kumara Jayakody argued that current coal deliveries to the Norochcholai power plant are proceeding continuously and that delays arose from earlier procurement and stockpiling constraints, not from the present arrangements. He said plant data and monitoring show no evidence so far of turbine damage, boiler tube failures, FGD problems, or deterioration in ambient air quality from the disputed coal shipments, while acknowledging that longer-term effects would require detailed technical assessment. He also stated that inquiries are ongoing, enhanced testing has been instructed through the Ministry Secretary, and past procurement practices, including reliance on load port reports and uncollected penalties, need further examination. Adjournment Motion: Issues Relating to the Power Sector (Coal Procurement for Norochcholai) Public FinanceEnvironmentInfrastructure Read →
20 February 2026 AI summary Hon. Kumara Jayakody asks the Chair not to allow another Member to speak immediately, requesting that the Member be permitted only after he finishes his own speech. Adjournment Motion: Issues Relating to the Power Sector (Coal Procurement for Norochcholai) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
20 February 2026 AI summary By April, 11 ships were expected from suppliers selected through what was described as a corrupt procurement process. However, the deliveries were delayed, with the ships beginning to arrive only between September and December. Adjournment Motion: Issues Relating to the Power Sector (Coal Procurement for Norochcholai) Corruption & Governance Reform Read →
20 February 2026 AI summary Kumara Jayakody stated that under the 2024/2025 contract, the supplier had failed by April to deliver the scheduled quantity. He framed this as part of concerns over alleged falsehoods, postponements, and delays in the relevant procurement or supply arrangement. Adjournment Motion: Issues Relating to the Power Sector (Coal Procurement for Norochcholai) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
20 February 2026 AI summary Minister Kumara Jayakody rejected the Motion’s claims about coal procurement for Lakvijaya, stating that the cited requirement of 12.32 million MT for 2025–2026 was incorrect and that annual needs are far lower. He argued that the Auditor General’s 2022 report was quoted out of context, saying it recommended reasonably relaxing supplier registration criteria while safeguarding basic requirements, which had been reflected in procurement changes since 2022/2023. He stated that the 2025/2026 procurement used an open online tender, attracted 26 registrations and 10 valid bids, and included an extended bidding period to increase competition. Adjournment Motion: Issues Relating to the Power Sector (Coal Procurement for Norochcholai) Corruption & Governance ReformPublic Finance Read →
17 February 2026 AI summary Hon. Kumara Jayakody said the Rs. 10 billion required for the CEB voluntary retirement scheme would be paid by the Treasury and not included in electricity tariffs, and that other costs such as cyclone losses and coal-related losses were also not in the CEB’s tariff note from 1 April. He rejected claims of an impending 20 per cent tariff increase, stating that the PUCSL would determine any adjustment, and argued that the Government was acting to avoid burdening consumers. He also said the Government was addressing alleged vested interests in the energy sector and had awarded 160 MW of battery energy storage systems, with a further 300 MW planned for the year. Ministry Statement: Reforms of Ceylon Electricity Board Public FinanceEnvironmentCost of Living Read →
17 February 2026 AI summary Kumara Jayakody requested about ten minutes of speaking time, stating that he could use it to answer all the questions raised. Ministry Statement: Reforms of Ceylon Electricity Board Parliamentary Procedure Read →