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 November 2025 AI summary Approval was sought for Regulations made under the Sri Lanka Electricity Act, No. 36 of 2024, concerning a Voluntary Retirement Scheme, as published in Gazette Extraordinary No. 2451/11 and presented to Parliament on 23 October 2025. The motion noted that Cabinet approval had been obtained, and the Regulations were approved by the House. Regulations: Sri Lanka Electricity Act - Minister of Energy Parliamentary Procedure Read →
20 November 2025 AI summary Moved that the Committee report progress and seek leave to sit again. The motion was put to the House and agreed to. Committee Stage: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Head 119 (Ministry of Energy) Cut Motion and Debate Parliamentary Procedure Read →
20 November 2025 AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Finance, an amendment was moved at the 2026 Committee Stage to revise allocations under Head 119, Ministry of Energy, for operational and development activities. The changes transferred funds from the Department of National Budget to the Energy Ministry and shifted allocations related to the Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Board and Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Regulatory Council to the Ministry of Science and Technology under Gazette Extraordinary No. 2458/65. The revised recurrent and capital expenditure amounts for Programme 01 and Programme 02 were put to the House and agreed to. Committee Stage: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Head 119 (Ministry of Energy) Cut Motion and Debate Public FinanceParliamentary Procedure Read →
20 November 2025 AI summary Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody said CPC’s financial position had been mischaracterised, distinguishing debt from LC/indemnity instruments and noting an estimated Rs. 32 billion profit by October. He outlined progress on the India HVDC interconnection, Trincomalee oil tank farm, and major North-East transmission projects, while stressing that import/export pricing and transmission costs must be carefully assessed. He said the Government rejected the Adani wind proposal because the quoted USD 8.26 cents per kWh excluded unresolved transmission costs and was above competitive benchmarks, and that renewable and grid projects are being accelerated to reduce generation costs. He detailed recent electricity tariff reductions for domestic consumers, said about 70 per cent of customers under 90 units are supplied below cost through cross-subsidy, and argued that Sri Lanka’s household and industrial electricity prices have become comparatively competitive in the region. Committee Stage: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Head 119 (Ministry of Energy) Cut Motion and Debate Cost of LivingForeign AffairsInfrastructure Read →
20 November 2025 AI summary An addendum was presented for tabling. Committee Stage: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Head 119 (Ministry of Energy) Cut Motion and Debate Parliamentary Procedure Read →
20 November 2025 AI summary Kumara Jayakody noted that the document under consideration was not the original version and that an addendum had subsequently been presented. He requested that the addendum be examined. Committee Stage: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Head 119 (Ministry of Energy) Cut Motion and Debate Parliamentary Procedure Read →
20 November 2025 AI summary Hon. Kumara Jayakody clarified that, before opening a bid, an addendum had been issued to all bidders requiring submissions both with and without tax. He stated that bidders were duly notified and action was taken accordingly, but that the relevant part was later removed by the Presiding Member. Committee Stage: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Head 119 (Ministry of Energy) Cut Motion and Debate Parliamentary Procedure Read →
20 November 2025 AI summary Kumara Jayakody contrasted past and current electricity procurement prices, stating that a previous 50 MW project was secured at just over 4 cents while two 50 MW units are now at just over 3 cents. He emphasized the lower current pricing as a point of comparison in the debate. Committee Stage: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Head 119 (Ministry of Energy) Cut Motion and Debate Public Finance Read →
20 November 2025 AI summary Hon. Kumara Jayakody clarified issues raised on LECO vehicle purchases and the LTL Holdings IPO. He said LECO’s vehicle allocation was reduced from Rs. 622 million to Rs. 466 million for 17 vehicles, but procurement had been initiated by officials without the Chairman’s knowledge and would be cancelled after review. He also stated that LTL Holdings had withdrawn its IPO in writing because it no longer required funds. Committee Stage: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Head 119 (Ministry of Energy) Cut Motion and Debate Parliamentary ProcedurePublic Finance Read →
20 November 2025 AI summary Hon. Kumara Jayakody raised a Point of Order. No substantive issue or argument was recorded in the provided excerpt. Committee Stage: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Head 119 (Ministry of Energy) Cut Motion and Debate Parliamentary Procedure Read →
20 November 2025 AI summary Hon. Kumara Jayakody corrected the Leader of the Opposition’s statement on rooftop solar pricing, stating that the Government reduced the unit price from Rs. 27 to Rs. 19. He argued that purchasing electricity at higher rates, such as Rs. 37 per unit, would undermine the supply of cheaper power to low-use consumers, noting that about 70 per cent of consumers receive up to 90 units at Rs. 18.50 per unit. Committee Stage: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Head 119 (Ministry of Energy) Cut Motion and Debate Public FinanceInfrastructure Read →
20 November 2025 AI summary The Minister outlined the 2026 Energy Ministry estimates, stating that recent CEB Act amendments would restructure the electricity sector into four fully state-owned entities while protecting employee rights and avoiding asset sales. He said a National Electricity Policy, fair pricing framework, smart meter rollout, battery storage procurement, and PPP-based competitive investment processes are intended to improve transparency, system stability, renewable generation, and tariffs. He reported progress toward adding 2,000 MW of solar capacity, including about 800 MW added by October 2025, and cited ongoing wind and battery tenders. On petroleum, he noted that the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation had recorded a Rs. 32 billion profit by October. Committee Stage: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Head 119 (Ministry of Energy) Cut Motion and Debate EmploymentInfrastructurePublic Finance Read →
20 November 2025 AI summary Kumara Jayakody stated that the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation had recorded Rs. 32 billion in profits and remitted substantial funds to the Treasury. He argued that changes in CPC’s profit share were due to around 600 CPC-operated fuel sheds being transferred to private and foreign companies under prior agreements, while maintaining that overall profits had increased through other revenue streams. Oral Question No. 2 (Q.812/2025): Sapugaskanda Oil Refinery Expansion and Modernization Project Public Finance Read →
20 November 2025 AI summary Kumara Jayakody addressed concerns about the Sampur power project, saying claims made by another Member were inaccurate and that the required transmission line from Sampur to Kappalthurai has already gone to tender and is under evaluation. He said the solar panel tender was deliberately delayed because prices are falling, while transmission works take longer and should proceed first. He added that substation land-filling is under way, and that expected savings from lower solar costs are planned to be invested in battery storage with the Indian company’s agreement. Oral Question No. 2 (Q.812/2025): Sapugaskanda Oil Refinery Expansion and Modernization Project InfrastructurePublic Finance Read →
20 November 2025 AI summary Cabinet approval was granted on 20 February 2025 for a project to develop and expand the Sapugaskanda Refinery Complex, and the Expression of Interest process was completed on 26 September 2025 with about 20 submissions now under final evaluation. The Minister said the project aims to meet domestic petroleum demand through the CPC, provide bunkering services, promote exports, and position Sri Lanka as a regional petroleum export hub, potentially through modernization or a new refinery under a BOT model. Reported expenditures include Rs. 785.8 million for land acquisition, a Rs. 510 million advance for land acquisition, and USD 600,000 for a 2022 feasibility study, with Requests for Proposals to be called next under government procurement guidelines. Oral Question No. 2 (Q.812/2025): Sapugaskanda Oil Refinery Expansion and Modernization Project Public FinanceInfrastructure Read →
19 November 2025 AI summary Hon. Kumara Jayakody tabled the Report of the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Energy concerning regulations under the Sri Lanka Electricity Act, No. 36 of 2024. The regulations relate to the rules and conditions of the Voluntary Retirement Scheme and were published in Extraordinary Gazette No. 2451/11 of 26 August 2025. Papers: Ministerial Consultative Committee Report on Energy Regulations Parliamentary Procedure Read →
12 November 2025 AI summary Hon. Kumara Jayakody moved that Hon. Upul Kithsiri take the Chair. The motion was agreed to, after which Hon. (Prof.) Sena Nanayakkara vacated the Chair and Hon. Upul Kithsiri assumed it. Appropriation Bill, 2026 - Second Reading Debate Parliamentary Procedure Read →
12 November 2025 AI summary Hon. Kumara Jayakody said street lighting issues should be addressed holistically, with coordination between energy authorities and local bodies on supply, installation, maintenance, and switching practices. He emphasized efficient use of costly electricity, noting that if the Government or CEB-related entities absorb these costs, they may ultimately be passed on to all consumers, including those without nearby street lamps. Oral Question 1477/2025: Use of Street Lighting Lamps by Local Authorities InfrastructurePublic Finance Read →
12 November 2025 AI summary Responsibility for street lamp installation and maintenance lies with local authorities, while the CEB and Ministry only provide electricity connections. Kumara Jayakody noted concerns about unnecessary installations, neglected areas, favoritism, and unpaid electricity bills, including by high-revenue authorities such as the Colombo Municipal Council. He said the Government is considering a comprehensive approach for responsible installation, maintenance, and financing, with efforts to resolve outstanding issues by next year. Oral Question 1477/2025: Use of Street Lighting Lamps by Local Authorities Corruption & Governance ReformPublic FinanceInfrastructure Read →
12 November 2025 AI summary The Minister stated that the Ceylon Electricity Board issues monthly bills for street lighting, but local authorities have not paid them. He said the CEB has instructed that separate accounts be opened for street lamps under each local authority, with charges applied under a Public Utilities Commission-approved tariff. He emphasized that electricity supply costs must be recovered from the relevant consumers, while noting that the Government is discussing a suitable solution. Oral Question 1477/2025: Use of Street Lighting Lamps by Local Authorities Public FinanceInfrastructure Read →