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 January 2026 AI summary Assured the House that the matter raised would be examined and that necessary action would be taken. Question under Standing Order 27(2): Coal Supply Tender Process Parliamentary Procedure Read →
20 January 2026 AI summary Hon. Kumara Jayakody stated that the matter had been addressed in his response to Question 3 and explained that the procurement was a prequalification tender in which 20 entities were prequalified and 10 submitted bids. He said the procurement committee vetted the criteria on coal supply experience and volume, and that any dissatisfied bidder could have appealed to the Appeal Board, but none did. He requested that any evidence of irregularity be presented, noting that even the previous long-time supplier, Potencia FZ LLC, had not challenged the process. Question under Standing Order 27(2): Coal Supply Tender Process Public Finance Read →
20 January 2026 AI summary Kumara Jayakody briefly stated that the alleged shortcoming was unclear, seeking clarification on the matter before the House. Question under Standing Order 27(2): Coal Supply Tender Process Parliamentary Procedure Read →
20 January 2026 AI summary Kumara Jayakody asked the Leader of the Opposition to clarify what “shortcoming” had been acknowledged, noting that he and others had not been able to participate in the relevant event or discussion and were unaware of the details. Question under Standing Order 27(2): Coal Supply Tender Process Parliamentary Procedure Read →
20 January 2026 AI summary The Minister of Energy responded to questions on the 2025–2026 coal procurement, stating that the tender followed limited competitive bidding among prequalified suppliers, with NPC consent to a shortened timeline later extended to 28 days, and that no bidder had appealed. He said technical and financial criteria were unchanged from the previous tender, ten bids were received, and the selected supplier was registered and qualified to supply Norochcholai, while rejecting allegations of governance failure or risk to energy security. He noted that the first shipment failed to meet the required Gross Calorific Value and would attract double penalties of about USD 2.08 million, while subsequent testing and enforcement were proceeding, and announced steps to establish an accredited coal-testing laboratory in Sri Lanka through SLSI. Question under Standing Order 27(2): Coal Supply Tender Process InfrastructureCorruption & Governance ReformPublic Finance Read →
9 January 2026 AI summary Hon. Kumara Jayakody moved that Hon. Sanjeewa Ranasingha take the Chair. The motion was agreed to, after which Hon. Imran Maharoof left the Chair and Hon. Sanjeewa Ranasingha assumed it. Debate: Imports and Exports (Control) Act Regulations Parliamentary Procedure Read →
8 January 2026 AI summary Kumara Jayakody said street lighting responsibilities are shared among local authorities, the CEB, Lanka Electricity Company and the RDA, and asked for specific details to clarify the issue raised. On solar panel sets provided to kovils and other religious sites, he said some were procured under Indian credit lines before the current Government and about 200 of 5,000 imported sets remain unusable because of grid capacity constraints. He stated that the panels could be connected after grid capacity is improved or relocated to areas with available capacity, and requested detailed information to examine individual cases. Oral Questions to Ministers (Q.1664/2025 through Q.1719/2025) InfrastructurePublic Finance Read →
8 January 2026 AI summary Kumara Jayakody stated that the transmission network has a significant capacity deficit and that upgrades are being planned with financial support sought from international donors and banks. He said the Government expects to restore adequate capacity by 2028 or 2029, with priority attention to the Northern and Eastern areas. Oral Questions to Ministers (Q.1664/2025 through Q.1719/2025) InfrastructurePublic Finance Read →
8 January 2026 AI summary Minister Kumara Jayakody stated that 7,259 rooftop solar grid-connection applications had been received in the Jaffna District since 2020, with 4,448 connections provided and four pending due to incomplete construction or local protests and District Coordination Committee decisions. He said new approvals in Jaffna have been suspended since 12 August 2024 because the Chunnakam grid substation has exceeded its renewable integration capacity. Addressing allegations over CEB approvals, he said complaints had been investigated through established CEB, PUCSL and disciplinary procedures, with escalation mechanisms available under the Supply Services Code. He added that renewable energy capacity has exceeded 2025 targets under the Long-Term Generation Plan, two solar plants have been contracted in Mannar, and there is no formal CEB-ADB-local authority coordination programme for rooftop solar connections. Oral Questions to Ministers (Q.1664/2025 through Q.1719/2025) EnvironmentPublic FinanceInfrastructure Read →
7 January 2026 AI summary Minister Kumara Jayakody responded to claims that a recent coal shipment to the Lakvijaya Power Plant was substandard, stating that loading-port certificates for the 60,000 metric ton shipment from South Africa met the tender specifications. He said final payment would depend on the accredited discharge-port quality report from Cotecna Inspection India, and that contractual penalties or double penalties would apply if quality parameters fall below specified or reject ranges. He noted that preliminary in-house tests showed lower GCV values but were not contractually binding, and said the Ministry would act only on the accredited report while also objecting to unauthorized use of new stock and publicizing of unverified results. Ministerial Statements and Points of Order InfrastructurePublic Finance Read →
6 January 2026 AI summary The Minister defended the Government’s electricity and fuel pricing policy, stating that past failures to revise prices, service debts, and pay generators were now being addressed. He said the average electricity price had been reduced from Rs. 37 in July 2024 to Rs. 29, and argued that further reductions depend on lowering power purchase costs, including renewable energy purchase prices. On petroleum pricing, he said landed cost alone cannot determine prices because distribution and other costs must be included, and stated that the Government had recently absorbed losses rather than increasing fuel prices. Oral Question under Standing Order 27(2): National Electricity Policy (Hon. Sajith Premadasa) Cost of LivingPublic FinanceEnvironment Read →
6 January 2026 AI summary Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody said the CEB has proposed to the PUCSL an 11.57 per cent electricity tariff increase for January–March 2026 to cover a projected Rs. 13,094 million net deficit, while noting that no assessment has been made of impacts on low- and middle-income households, small businesses, or public institutions. He stated that the Government remains committed to reducing the average unit cost from Rs. 37 to Rs. 25 over three years through competitive procurement, including recent lower-cost wind and battery storage tenders. He said consultations on the National Electricity Policy and tariff methodology are under way, with comments open until 09 January, and that the Government is moving toward cost-reflective tariffs while maintaining support for vulnerable consumers. He also defended draft changes to rooftop solar pricing and future procurement, saying new capacity should be obtained competitively and curtailment would occur only for genuine technical reasons. Oral Question under Standing Order 27(2): National Electricity Policy (Hon. Sajith Premadasa) Public FinanceInfrastructure Read →
6 January 2026 AI summary Hon. Kumara Jayakody stated that the Government’s policy statement includes a pledge to reduce the relevant matter by 30 percent within three years. He urged members not to rush the process and asked for patience while the commitment is implemented. Oral Question: Batticaloa Suwa Seriya Ambulance Service Operations (Q. relating to Kanthasamy Prabu) Public Finance Read →
6 January 2026 AI summary Kumara Jayakody stated that applicants seeking three-phase electricity supply must ensure their internal electrical installations comply with required regulations and obtain certification from an accredited Chartered Electrical Engineer. He explained that CEB and Lanka Electricity Company are legally unable to work within private premises, so safety checks and certification are mandatory rather than a formality. Oral Question: CEB Transformer and Chartered Engineer Requirements for Electricity Supply (Q. relating to W.H.M. Dharmasena) Infrastructure Read →
6 January 2026 AI summary Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody stated that CEB determines transformer requirements based on requested supply capacity, with customers required to bear transformer installation costs only when demand exceeds 100 kVA. For supplies up to 99 kVA, customers are charged PUCSL-approved standard construction costs and capacity charges, while any required transformer is installed at CEB expense. He added that estimates are prepared under PUCSL-approved rates and supply is provided after payment, and said part (b) was not applicable. Oral Question: CEB Transformer and Chartered Engineer Requirements for Electricity Supply (Q. relating to W.H.M. Dharmasena) InfrastructurePublic Finance Read →
19 December 2025 AI summary Hon. Kumara Jayakody stated that the power sector transition should be managed smoothly and stably. He emphasized the need to protect consumer interests while maintaining reliability in the electricity system. Ministerial Statements and Points of Order Infrastructure Read →
19 December 2025 AI summary Hon. Kumara Jayakody stated that the Government is pursuing cost control in the electricity sector through lower purchase prices and competitive tenders, while planning to review exchange rate-related conditions early next year to prevent losses or windfalls. He said rooftop solar tariff formulas are being corrected to reflect faster capital recovery, and that battery energy storage tenders have extended guarantees from 10 to 15 years while balancing investor returns, consumer interests and grid stability. He also noted that the CEB bore significant emergency restoration costs after Cyclone “Ditwah” and deployed crews rapidly without external assistance. Ministerial Statements and Points of Order Public FinanceInfrastructureEnvironment Read →
19 December 2025 AI summary Minister Kumara Jayakody said the CEB recorded an adjusted operating profit of Rs. 106,601 million in 2024, of which Rs. 96,264 million was used for debt servicing, including bank interest and principal payments. He stated that electricity tariff decisions are made independently by the PUCSL, noting a 20.08% tariff reduction in January 2025 through a clawback, a subsequent 15% increase in June 2025 following CEB losses, and PUCSL’s later decision to maintain prevailing tariffs for July–December 2025. He said renewable energy capacity has exceeded targets under the 2025–2044 generation plan and outlined the quarterly tariff-setting method for NCRE projects and recent changes to Battery Energy Storage System terms, including a 15-year operating cycle and import duty waiver for qualifying systems. Ministerial Statements and Points of Order InfrastructurePublic FinanceEnvironment Read →
18 December 2025 AI summary Hon. Kumara Jayakody moved that Hon. Upul Kithsiri take the Chair. The motion was agreed to, after which Hon. Sujeewa Dissanayake left the Chair and Hon. Upul Kithsiri assumed it. Adjournment Debate: Current Situation of the Country After Disaster Caused by Cyclone Ditwah Parliamentary Procedure Read →
3 December 2025 AI summary Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody outlined cyclone-related damage to Sri Lanka’s electricity and petroleum supply systems, reporting 132,000 power breakdowns with 62,447 restored and further restoration targeted in the coming days. He detailed major transmission and substation failures, including on the Rantambe–Mahiyanganaya and Ukuwela–Bowatanna lines, with temporary towers targeted for completion by 10 December and interim supply measures such as back-feeding and generators. He said water supply disruptions were linked to flooded treatment and pumping facilities and power failures, and urged households affected by flooding to have internal wiring repaired by certified technicians. On petroleum, he stated that affected filling stations had fallen from 38 to 24, supply routes were being maintained, and rumours of fuel scarcity were false. Debate: Continued Committee Stage of Appropriation Bill 2026 (Ministry Expenditure Heads - Multiple Speakers) InfrastructurePublic Finance Read →