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 February 2026 AI summary Kumara Jayakody responded briefly to a Member’s question, noting that it covered multiple subject areas. He indicated he would provide a concise answer rather than address each field in detail. Ministry Statement: Reforms of Ceylon Electricity Board Parliamentary Procedure Read →
17 February 2026 AI summary Minister Kumara Jayakody stated that the Ceylon Electricity Board is being reorganized under the Sri Lanka Electricity Act as amended in 2025, with six fully state-owned subsidiary companies established for generation, distribution, transmission, system operation, residual functions, and employee funds management. He said no policy decision has been taken on time-of-use tariffs or curtailing variable renewable energy, cross-subsidies will not be removed, and VRS costs will not be passed to consumers without PUCSL approval, with Treasury funding expected. He further noted that disrupted power system restoration and rehabilitation will be phased to minimize consumer impact, while transmission development funding is being arranged through ADB, AIIB, the World Bank, and possible regulated public-private participation. Ministry Statement: Reforms of Ceylon Electricity Board InfrastructurePublic Finance Read →
17 February 2026 AI summary Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody stated that the National Electricity Policy had undergone an initial 21-day public comment period and that the revised final draft was again open for comments on the ministry website until 19 February, incorporating many earlier submissions. He said the Government was proceeding with renewable energy integration, including a 160 MW Battery Energy Storage System for solar power, with the Letter of Award process begun, and a further 300 MW BESS tender expected within two months. He identified transmission network limitations as the main constraint and said financing and expansion of the network were being prioritized. Oral Question: Electricity Generated by Solar Panels (Q.2/2025) InfrastructureEnvironment Read →
17 February 2026 AI summary The Minister of Energy stated that the supplementary question was not related to the primary Question. He requested the Member to ask a supplementary question properly connected to the main Question, after which he would respond. Oral Question: Electricity Generated by Solar Panels (Q.2/2025) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
17 February 2026 AI summary The Minister of Energy answered a parliamentary question on solar power, stating that approximately 9 GWh is added daily to the National Grid from solar generation and that current contract tariffs average Rs. 17.168 per kWh, within a range of Rs. 12.73 to Rs. 37.46. He said solar purchase tariffs are set by an inter-agency committee using a cost-reflective formula, with Cabinet approval, and detailed the fixed feed-in tariffs and rooftop solar rates introduced in 2025. He also noted that the Long-Term Generation Expansion Plan 2025–2044 targets 70 per cent renewable energy by 2030 and that Battery Energy Storage Systems are being implemented to manage surplus solar energy for peak demand. Oral Question: Electricity Generated by Solar Panels (Q.2/2025) Public FinanceEnvironment Read →
17 February 2026 AI summary The Minister of Energy presented the 2024 Annual Report of the Ceylon Petroleum Storage Terminals Limited. He moved that the report be referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Infrastructure and Strategic Development, and the motion was agreed to. Papers: Annual Reports and Committee Reports Parliamentary Procedure Read →
6 February 2026 AI summary Hon. Kumara Jayakody moved a procedural motion proposing that Hon. Chanaka Madugoda take the Chair. The House agreed, after which Hon. Sagarika Athuda left the Chair and Hon. Chanaka Madugoda assumed it. Debate: Extension of Emergency Regulations (Cyclone Ditwah) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
6 February 2026 AI summary Kumara Jayakody said environmental reporting should be handled by the Ministry of Environment and relevant agencies, and that any recommendations from them on fly ash would be implemented. He argued that fly ash from the relevant facility is trapped and collected rather than released into the environment, with demand for it from buyers including the Road Development Authority. He also stated that the Government had allocated LKR 39 million in its first year for the referenced social welfare purpose, contrasting this with lower spending under the previous Government in 2015 and 2017. Oral Question: Norochcholai Coal Power Plant Ash Sales (Q.68/2025) EnvironmentPublic Finance Read →
6 February 2026 AI summary The Minister of Energy provided a written-style reply detailing fly ash sale revenues from 2015 to 2024, amounting to Rs. 7.895 billion, with the highest annual revenue of Rs. 2.298 billion recorded in 2024. He stated that fly ash sales were conducted through National Competitive Bidding, listing successive tenders approved by the relevant Cabinet procurement bodies from 2011 through the current 2024–2027 tender. He also reported CSR expenditure funded from fly ash revenue totalling Rs. 91.898 million over the period, including Rs. 39.647 million in 2024, and stated that part (b) was not applicable. Oral Question: Norochcholai Coal Power Plant Ash Sales (Q.68/2025) Public Finance Read →
5 February 2026 AI summary The Hon. Kumara Jayakody stated that the relevant Questions had reached the Ministry around 3.00 p.m. on the 3rd, and that despite efforts, the Ministry had not yet been able to obtain the necessary answer. He requested two weeks’ time to provide the replies. Oral Question: SLEAS Recruitment, Road Development, and Standing Order 27(2) Questions Parliamentary Procedure Read →
5 February 2026 AI summary Hon. Kumara Jayakody stated that the Government is reviewing and addressing shortcomings related to a series of issues, noting that action has been taken up to the sixth point. He rejected references to a worst-case scenario and emphasized that the matter involves 25 shipments, contrasting it with the handling of shipments during the previous Government’s period in 2020 and 2021. Oral Question: Private Electricity Generating Companies (Q.313/2024) Public Finance Read →
5 February 2026 AI summary Hon. Kumara Jayakody stated that the Government’s target is to reduce one in three electricity bills within three years by lowering generation and purchase costs. He said the CEB’s average generation cost had fallen from Rs. 37 to Rs. 29 per unit since the Government assumed office, a 22 percent reduction, and that the target is to bring it down further to Rs. 25 per unit. Oral Question: Private Electricity Generating Companies (Q.313/2024) Cost of LivingPublic Finance Read →
5 February 2026 AI summary The Minister of Energy stated that the annexures to the response were extensive, each running to 9–10 pages, because of the breadth and detail of the question asked. He indicated that he could read them if time permitted and said the length of the material was not his responsibility. Oral Question: Private Electricity Generating Companies (Q.313/2024) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
5 February 2026 AI summary The Minister of Energy stated that the supplementary question was unrelated to the main question concerning CEB generation. He said that if the matter is properly raised under Standing Order 27(2), the Government could provide a structured reply. Oral Question: Private Electricity Generating Companies (Q.313/2024) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
5 February 2026 AI summary In response to a question on electricity generation, the Minister of Energy provided details, with annexes placed in the Library, on generating companies, their capacities, units supplied to the Ceylon Electricity Board, and payments made from 2015 to date. He outlined measures to increase CEB generating capacity under the 2025–2044 Long-Term Generation Expansion Plan, including greater renewable integration, grid expansion, battery and pumped hydro storage, thermal plants where required, and studies to improve existing hydro stations. He stated that most planned additions are renewable, mainly solar and wind, while some thermal capacity is planned for system stability and energy security, and listed projected capacity additions from 2026 to 2030. Oral Question: Private Electricity Generating Companies (Q.313/2024) EnvironmentPublic FinanceInfrastructure Read →
5 February 2026 AI summary The Minister of Energy presented the Ministry’s Observations and Action Taken Report relating to reports of the Committee on Public Accounts, under Standing Order 119(4). He proposed that the report be referred to the Committee on Public Accounts, and the proposal was agreed to. Papers Presented: Government Reports and Annual Reports Parliamentary Procedure Read →
3 February 2026 AI summary Minister Kumara Jayakody rejected allegations that the Government had altered coal tender specifications, stating that any changes were made in 2023 and that the current tender conditions remain unchanged. He said coal quality deviations are governed by contractual adjustment and penalty formulas, noted that six shipments had arrived with notices issued over low GCV in two consignments, and said suppliers are selected through tender boards rather than by Ministers or Cabinet. He also defended possible emergency procurement of 300,000 tons of coal as necessary and usable, and said a previous LNG tender had lapsed by bid validity while its capacity terms would have imposed excessive costs on Sri Lanka. Debate: Regulations under the Sri Lanka Telecommunications Act (continued) Public FinanceInfrastructureCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
23 January 2026 AI summary Hon. Kumara Jayakody stated that if specific information is provided, the Ministry will promptly act on issues related to abandoned sites or projects. He noted that causes may include environmental impacts and reduced water flow, and said the Ministry would coordinate with relevant agencies to take necessary action. Oral Questions: Heda Oya Irrigation, Thondaman Foundation, Schools, Hydropower, Sugar Factories, Ragama Town, Monaragala Lands, Badulla Cooperatives Environment Read →
23 January 2026 AI summary Hon. Kumara Jayakody stated that obligations linked to development projects may arise either from voluntary commitments or from enforceable contractual terms. He said the Government can intervene where contractual obligations are breached, including through environmental authorities, the Irrigation Department, or under Power Purchase Agreements, but requires specific details to do so. He added that no sufficient information has yet been received to justify intervention, while reported matters are being handled by the relevant agencies. Oral Questions: Heda Oya Irrigation, Thondaman Foundation, Schools, Hydropower, Sugar Factories, Ragama Town, Monaragala Lands, Badulla Cooperatives Public FinanceEnvironment Read →
23 January 2026 AI summary The Minister of Energy stated that there are eight power plants in Yatiyantota and five in Bulathkohupitiya, with details of developers, projects, DS Divisions, and capacities provided in an annex. He said grid connection requires a PUCSL generation licence and an SLSEA energy permit, which in turn requires environmental, irrigation, and other agency clearances. He further noted that compliance is monitored by the Central Environmental Authority, SLSEA, and PUCSL, and that relevant agencies take legal action where there is non-compliance. Oral Questions: Heda Oya Irrigation, Thondaman Foundation, Schools, Hydropower, Sugar Factories, Ragama Town, Monaragala Lands, Badulla Cooperatives InfrastructureEnvironmentPublic Finance Read →