Hon. Kumara Jayakody, M.P.

Jathika Jana balawegaya (JJB)· National List

Profession: Engineer

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Speeches 261 #17 of 225·#7 in party

Attendance 8/8 days present (of recorded)

Speech history

261 speeches

24 July 2025 AI summary The Hon. Kumara Jayakody stated that a tender awarded before the current administration took control authorized the clearing of all visible items on the land, including buildings, based on a committee recommendation. He said underground tanks were not included in that authorization, but the contractor unearthed and removed one during the work. He informed Parliament that all further removals under the tender have been suspended until the police investigation is concluded. Oral Question: Petroleum Storage Tanks in Cities (Q.9) Public FinanceJustice & Human RightsCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
24 July 2025 AI summary Kumara Jayakody stated that no tender process has been initiated to award fuel transportation to a single individual. The remark appears to address or deny an allegation regarding the allocation of fuel transport contracts. Oral Question: Petroleum Storage Tanks in Cities (Q.9) Corruption & Governance Reform Read →
24 July 2025 AI summary Hon. Kumara Jayakody stated that a police investigation is currently ongoing and that support is being extended to it. He indicated that further action will be taken depending on the outcome of the investigation. Oral Question: Petroleum Storage Tanks in Cities (Q.9) Law & Order Read →
24 July 2025 AI summary The response states that 82 petroleum tanks are in use by the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation and 169 by Ceylon Petroleum Storage Terminals Ltd., under the Ministry of Energy, with total capacities of 612,611 kilolitres and 625,879 kilolitres respectively. It notes that CPC plans to refurbish and use 24 tanks in Trincomalee, while disused tanks behind several railway stations are to be removed and the related lands considered for return to Sri Lanka Railways through a review process. Tenders have been called and contractors selected for removal and disposal at Kaduruwela, Anuradhapura, Hatton and Matale, with further details referred to in an annex. Oral Question: Petroleum Storage Tanks in Cities (Q.9) Public Finance Read →
24 July 2025 AI summary The Minister of Energy presented the 2023 Annual Report of the Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Regulatory Council to Parliament. 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 →
22 July 2025 AI summary The Hon. Kumara Jayakody stated that information from relevant institutions was required to answer the Question. He requested two weeks to provide the response, and the Question was ordered to stand down. Oral Question: Sugar Demand and Production (Q.10/2024) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
8 July 2025 AI summary Hon. Kumara Jayakody said electricity curtailment of 100 to 150 megawatts on low-demand days and holidays is sometimes necessary to maintain grid stability for about 7 million consumers. He attributed the situation to previous governments adding around 600 megawatts of solar capacity despite a long-term plan allowing for 160 megawatts annually, without making the required infrastructure and system upgrades. He stated that the current government is now taking corrective measures and questioned why former ministers and MPs had not addressed the issue earlier. Leader of Opposition Question Period and Points of Order Public FinanceInfrastructure Read →
8 July 2025 AI summary Kumara Jayakody argued that solar generation and oil-based generation should not be treated as directly comparable because they operate at different times of day. He stated that solar curtailment of up to about 1,500 MW on sunny days is not a system-wide problem and that existing calculations should reflect the approximately 1,300 MW of solar already absorbed during daytime. Leader of Opposition Question Period and Points of Order EnvironmentInfrastructure Read →
8 July 2025 AI summary The Minister rejected claims that daytime electricity is being generated from oil instead of solar, stating that oil generation is used at night and not during daytime since the Government assumed office. He said rooftop solar and renewable energy projects below 10 MW are subject to an annual tariff formula based on market and financial factors, with new tariffs applying only to new entrants and not existing PPAs. He noted that stakeholder consultations were held in January 2025, the tariffs were reviewed by a technical committee and a Cabinet-appointed subcommittee, and no reconsideration is required at present; related finance matters were referred to the Minister of Finance. Leader of Opposition Question Period and Points of Order Public FinanceInfrastructure Read →
30 June 2025 AI summary The Minister of Energy presented the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation Annual Report for 2023. He proposed that the report be referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Infrastructure and Strategic Development, and the motion was agreed to. Papers: Presentation and Tabling of Reports and Annual Reports Public FinanceInfrastructure Read →
20 June 2025 AI summary Hon. Kumara Jayakody stated that the previous Government had tendered and completed legal and payment processes, amounting to about Rs. 1.3 million, for the removal of buildings and tanks before the current Government took office. He said the contractor later found and attempted to remove underground tanks not covered by the inspection board’s estimate, prompting MPs to intervene on behalf of residents. He added that the work has been halted, a Police complaint has been lodged, and investigations have begun into the disposal process, which he said was based on incorrect procedures and data. Oral Question: Ceylon Petroleum Corporation - New Refinery in Trincomalee (Q.Unspecified/2024) Corruption & Governance ReformJustice & Human Rights Read →
20 June 2025 AI summary Kumara Jayakody stated that the requested percentage figures could not be provided accurately at that moment. He advised that the matter be raised as a separate question, after which the relevant data would be supplied. Oral Question: Ceylon Petroleum Corporation - New Refinery in Trincomalee (Q.Unspecified/2024) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
20 June 2025 AI summary The Minister stated that the Cabinet decision of 18 March 2024 to build a new refinery in Trincomalee was superseded by a new Cabinet decision on 9 February 2025 to expand and develop the existing Sapugaskanda Refinery under the CPC. He said the CPC has initiated the Expression of Interest process, appointed the Project Committee and Cabinet Appointed Negotiating Committee, and plans to call for proposals by the end of the month. Oral Question: Ceylon Petroleum Corporation - New Refinery in Trincomalee (Q.Unspecified/2024) Infrastructure Read →
18 June 2025 AI summary The Hon. Kumara Jayakody stated that road maintenance is not within the Ceylon Electricity Board’s mandate and should be referred to the Road Development Authority or the District Secretary. He said the CEB could consider contributing if an estimate is provided, but neither the CEB nor the Ministry can fully resolve the matter, and action would have been taken earlier had the DCC conveyed a specific obligation. Oral Questions: Questions 1–2 (School Projects, Ministers' Answers and Supplementaries) and Q.633/2025 (stood down), Q.636/2025 (Limestone Transport), Q.715/2025 (Kukuleganga Access Road), Q.724/2025 (Suwaseya Ambulance Service), Q.792/2025 (Bus Route Permits), Minuwangoda Shopping Complex, Tea Factories, and Social Media Provisions Infrastructure Read →
18 June 2025 AI summary Kumara Jayakody stated that he was unaware of any prior question regarding fee payments and said such issues should be addressed through the Pradeshiya and District Coordinating Committees. He added that the Road Development Authority, the DDC, and the District Secretary had been reminded 17 times to take over the matter, and that resolution should proceed through those mechanisms. Oral Questions: Questions 1–2 (School Projects, Ministers' Answers and Supplementaries) and Q.633/2025 (stood down), Q.636/2025 (Limestone Transport), Q.715/2025 (Kukuleganga Access Road), Q.724/2025 (Suwaseya Ambulance Service), Q.792/2025 (Bus Route Permits), Minuwangoda Shopping Complex, Tea Factories, and Social Media Provisions InfrastructureParliamentary Procedure Read →
18 June 2025 AI summary In response to a question, the Minister stated that the relevant area dates from January 1995 and covers about 340 hectares. He confirmed the existence of the road from Molkawa Aluth Handiya to the Project Junction on the Matugama–Kalawana road, about 1.25 km in length, and said only the Western Province section had been carpeted under the “100,000 km Road Programme,” while uncleared shoulders make it unsafe. He said the Ceylon Electricity Board lacks capacity to maintain the section and that, despite 17 attempts since 29 July 2005 to vest the public road with a responsible authority, no institution has yet assumed responsibility. Oral Questions: Questions 1–2 (School Projects, Ministers' Answers and Supplementaries) and Q.633/2025 (stood down), Q.636/2025 (Limestone Transport), Q.715/2025 (Kukuleganga Access Road), Q.724/2025 (Suwaseya Ambulance Service), Q.792/2025 (Bus Route Permits), Minuwangoda Shopping Complex, Tea Factories, and Social Media Provisions Infrastructure Read →
17 June 2025 AI summary Hon. Kumara Jayakody rejected the Opposition’s claim that the Government is positioning petroleum-based power against renewable energy. He stated that renewables would not be reduced in favour of petroleum generation and that alternatives would be pursued if oil were unavailable. Procedural: Israel-Iran Conflict Discussion and Ministerial Statement on Energy Environment Read →
17 June 2025 AI summary Hon. Kumara Jayakody clarified that the Government is not reducing renewable energy generation in favour of fuel-based generation. He explained that solar power is available only during the day, while fuel generation may be used to meet minimum night-time demand when necessary. He stated that since taking office, the Government has not curtailed renewables to generate electricity from diesel or petroleum. Procedural: Israel-Iran Conflict Discussion and Ministerial Statement on Energy Environment Read →
17 June 2025 AI summary The Minister of Energy answered Hon. Ravi Karunanayake’s Standing Order 27(2) question by setting out current generation cost ranges by source and stating that large power procurements above 100 MW will use international competitive bidding, with payments made only in local currency. He said domestic competition is currently limited and may be linked, so procurement policy will be reviewed to avoid cartel behaviour and excessive prices. He also stated that the Government will proceed with the previously cancelled LNG project, with supplies planned from 2028, and noted that the CEB’s tariff proposal for June–December 2025 indicates a 15% electricity tariff increase. Procedural: Israel-Iran Conflict Discussion and Ministerial Statement on Energy InfrastructurePublic Finance Read →
17 June 2025 AI summary Hon. Kumara Jayakody stated that although most consumers are aware of the registration process, a small proportion may not respond under any system. He said introducing general outbound reminder calls would require additional call centre staff and incur significant costs, though targeted measures could be considered if specific problems are identified. Oral Question Q.279/2024: SMS Service for Electricity Bills Public Finance Read →