Hon. Anton Jayakody, M.P.

Jathika Jana balawegaya (JJB)· Puttalam

Deputy Minister of Environment

Profession: Geologist

Roster profile ↗

Speeches 40 #114 of 225·#58 in party

Attendance 5/8 days present (of recorded)

Speech history

40 speeches

19 June 2025 AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Environment, the Deputy Minister stated that the 2011 census recorded 5,879 wild elephants and that the 2012 Red Data Book classified the Sri Lankan elephant as “Threatened,” with relevant documents placed in the Library. He reported that in 2024 human-elephant conflict caused 388 elephant deaths and 155 human deaths, and that Rs. 358.63 million was paid in compensation for human deaths and property damage. Oral Question: Wild Elephant Conservation and Red Data Book Environment Read →
22 May 2025 AI summary The Hon. Anton Jayakody said the Government is studying how sand deposits along the shoreline can be used with minimal environmental harm. He stated that, in coordination with the District Development Committee, the Ministry and the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau, sand permits will be issued in the Eastern Province to help meet national demand and control prices while minimizing environmental damage. Oral Question: Sand Mining Permits and Stray Dog Control (Q.7/2025) InfrastructureEnvironment Read →
22 May 2025 AI summary Hon. Anton Jayakody responded to concerns about forged sand transport permits, stating that the Ministry had discussed raids on clandestinely printed permits and the introduction of more secure permits with the relevant authority, with measures to be announced shortly. He said there is currently no controlled price for sand, but noted that the State levy is Rs. 600 per cubic metre, while the general yard price is around Rs. 8,500, with transport costs varying by distance. He undertook to follow up on the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau’s pending publication of the levy and said a media statement would soon clarify the State levy and yard release price for public awareness. Oral Question: Sand Mining Permits and Stray Dog Control (Q.7/2025) Public FinanceInfrastructure Read →
20 May 2025 AI summary After rainy seasons, road damage has been exacerbated by shortages of machinery operators, drivers, and technical staff. Anton Jayakody stated that adequate drivers will be recruited and a qualified technical officer assigned, with coordination from the Department of Irrigation. He also said the Director General of Wildlife Conservation will be instructed to provide resources, including support through farmer organizations and military facilitation where necessary, and to ensure quick repairs to breakdowns inside the park. Oral Question: Yala National Park - Safari Jeeps and Employee Issues (Q.571/2025) EnvironmentInfrastructure Read →
20 May 2025 AI summary Hon. Anton Jayakody addressed congestion at Yala’s Palatupana entrance to Block 1, noting that visitor pressure exceeds the ecosystem’s carrying capacity and risks environmental degradation. He outlined existing and proposed alternative entry points, including Katagamuwa, Galge, Thanamalwila-Kalupahana, Ginwewa, Angamuwa, and Bembawa, and said officials had inspected these sites. He stated that internet connectivity, adequate staffing, rapid ticketing, and standardized gate improvements would be provided to distribute visitors more evenly and reduce pressure on Block 1. Oral Question: Yala National Park - Safari Jeeps and Employee Issues (Q.571/2025) EnvironmentInfrastructure Read →
20 May 2025 AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Environment, the Deputy Minister stated that 551 safari jeeps are registered for Yala, while 30 registered jeeps did not provide tourist services in 2024 and will have their registrations cancelled. He said replacement jeep registrations have not been initiated because vehicle numbers in Yala Block 1 already exceed carrying capacity and cause congestion. He added that the “Re-awakening Yala” programme is implementing an operational plan to improve tourism activities in Yala National Park Block 1. Oral Question: Yala National Park - Safari Jeeps and Employee Issues (Q.571/2025) Environment Read →
10 April 2025 AI summary Hon. Anton Jayakody said human-elephant conflict cannot be eliminated but is being minimized through multisectoral action involving Wildlife officials, District and Divisional Secretariats, village officers, farmer organizations, local committees, multipurpose workers, and the Civil Security Department. He said fencing alone is insufficient, and that the Government is addressing habitat issues by removing invasive plants such as Indian myrrh and cactus and improving food and water availability for elephants to reduce ranging and crop-raiding. He identified immediate priorities as completing and maintaining fences, strengthening night patrols, augmenting staff, regularizing multipurpose workers, recruiting more officers, and reallocating underused government vehicles for patrol operations. Oral Question 572/2025: Elephant Management Reserves in Hambantota District AgricultureEnvironment Read →
10 April 2025 AI summary About 1,665 km of electric fencing has been built, including 165 km recently, with 85 km remaining and 10 km ready to begin. Hon. Anton Jayakody said the remaining work in Hambantota would be completed quickly with support from civil and farmers’ organizations, CEB concrete poles, and Budget funds. He emphasized that maintenance is essential and said around 3,531 multipurpose workers would be regularized after the elections and deployed through the Department of Wildlife Conservation to maintain and protect the fences. Oral Question 572/2025: Elephant Management Reserves in Hambantota District InfrastructureAgriculture Read →
10 April 2025 AI summary Accepted the establishment of the Elephant Management Reserve on 9 April 2021 and noted that both authorized and unauthorized constructions and cultivations already existed within it at the time. He stated that a comprehensive survey has not yet been completed, but instructions have been issued for a coordinated survey involving the Department of Wildlife Conservation, the District Secretary and relevant agencies. He said legal action will be taken against illegal constructions made after the reserve declaration, while longer-term action will involve discussions with landholding institutions and possible legal proceedings. He also provided Hambantota District figures for 2015 to 28 February 2025, recording 142 elephant deaths and 65 human deaths due to elephant attacks. Oral Question 572/2025: Elephant Management Reserves in Hambantota District Environment Read →
19 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Anton Jayakody stated that deficiencies in relevant offices had been assessed and budgetary and departmental funds would be used to remedy them, including constructing new offices where needed. He said the Government had requested vehicles from institutions including the Presidential Secretariat, and was coordinating with the Police, Pradeshiya Sabhas and Divisional Secretariats to secure vehicles for night mobile operations, with some already in use. Oral Question: Anti-Elephant Electric Fencing (Q.2/2025) Public FinanceInfrastructure Read →
19 March 2025 AI summary Anton Jayakody stated that the Government plans to recruit 3,530 assistants for electric fence protection, while continuing to use Civil Security Department officers and community participation in some areas. He said steps are being considered to confirm long-serving temporary workers, and that qualified graduates from the planned 35,000 graduate recruitment programme will be assigned to the Department of Wildlife Conservation to fill vacancies. He expressed confidence that many cadre and staffing shortages in the sector would be addressed by the end of the year. Oral Question: Anti-Elephant Electric Fencing (Q.2/2025) EmploymentEnvironment Read →
19 March 2025 AI summary The Deputy Minister of Environment stated that 3,530 electric fence maintenance assistants have been identified and that no appointments have yet been made. He explained that recruitment was delayed due to a Supreme Court interim order in SC FR 278/2023, which was discharged on 19 December 2024, and that the recruitment procedure has since been resubmitted to the Public Service Commission for urgent approval. He added that interviews, digitization of appointment lists, PSC follow-up, and collection of bank details for salary payments have been completed or initiated. Oral Question: Anti-Elephant Electric Fencing (Q.2/2025) Employment Read →
17 March 2025 AI summary The Hon. Anton Jayakody stated that the GSMB officer in question had been reinstated by Ranil Wickremesinghe shortly before an election while under interdiction. He said an inquiry is being conducted under the Ministry Secretary and that further action would be taken based on its findings. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate on Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and Ministry of Environment Corruption & Governance Reform Read →
17 March 2025 AI summary Anton Jayakody said the Budget represents the Government’s policy framework and urged the Opposition to contribute constructively to advancing it. He noted that environmental issues concern all sectors of society and expressed disappointment that the Opposition had not offered more substantive critique. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate on Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and Ministry of Environment Public Finance Read →
17 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Anton Jayakody argued that economic planning should be linked with environmental policy, citing demand for Sri Lankan Albizia timber used for cricket bats in South Asia. He referred to the Budget allocation of Rs. 1,000 million for Forest Department reforestation, including Rs. 400 million for timber plantations, and proposed promoting Albizia planting around estates to ensure future supply and market continuity. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate on Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and Ministry of Environment EnvironmentPublic Finance Read →
17 March 2025 AI summary Deputy Minister Anton Jayakody said the Government had consolidated environment-related institutions under the Environment Ministry and aimed to align environmental protection with the economy in line with Sustainable Development Goals. He said the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau would be reformed to prevent political interference, publish geo-mapped licence information, revise mineral pricing, strengthen royalty collection, and curb illegal mining. He also announced Water Resources Board programmes to protect groundwater, aquifers and springs, beginning in Badulla District, citing increased evapotranspiration and water loss. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate on Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and Ministry of Environment EnvironmentCorruption & Governance ReformPublic Finance Read →
11 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Anton Jayakody said the Government has more than doubled research funding and strengthened the Ministries of Science and Technology and Digital Economy with expert advisory support to better harness natural resources, including Eppawala phosphate, Pulmoddai mineral sands, biodiversity, environmental data, and rare-earth elements. He stated that a countrywide rare-earth survey is planned this year to assess their economic potential, particularly in relation to future technologies such as electric vehicles. He also rejected claims that chromium in lime used by the National Water Supply and Drainage Board could endanger drinking water, arguing that the cited figures were misleading and that public confidence in treated water should not be undermined by inaccurate comparisons. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Debate (Heads 186, 196, 227) Public FinanceEnvironmentInfrastructure Read →
11 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Anton Jayakody spoke during the Committee Stage debate on the expenditure heads of the Ministries of Science and Technology and Digital Economy, focusing mainly on the need for research-based development of Sri Lanka’s natural resources. He noted that although the country has significant biodiversity, mineral resources, and gemstones, inadequate research, surveys, and resource management have contributed to underdevelopment and economic crisis. He also stated that the Government had contacted the Italian authorities regarding problems faced by Sri Lankans in Italy over driver’s licences and expected a resolution soon. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Debate (Heads 186, 196, 227) Public FinanceEnvironment Read →
6 February 2025 AI summary A petition from Mr. K.A. Quintus Dias Appuhamy of Dankotuwa, Halpandeniya, Kobbäkaduwa was presented to Parliament by the Deputy Minister of Environment. Petitions Parliamentary Procedure Read →
22 January 2025 AI summary Anton Jayakody defended the Clean Sri Lanka Programme as a broad national initiative covering social, environmental and ethical reform, not merely waste management. He argued it should address past development failures such as Uma Oya, Oluvil Port, coastal erosion and neglected irrigation infrastructure, while supporting agriculture through tank rehabilitation, improved fertilizer use and future domestic fertilizer production. He also linked the programme to “clean politics,” calling for reforms in governance, policing, regulatory institutions and public administration to build a productive economy and better living conditions. Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme (Postponed from 2025-01-21) EnvironmentAgricultureCorruption & Governance Reform Read →