Hon. Anura Karunathilaka, M.P.

Jathika Jana balawegaya (JJB)· National List

Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation and Minister of Energy

Profession: Academician

Roster profile ↗

Speeches 215 #20 of 225·#9 in party

Attendance 8/8 days present (of recorded)

Speech history

215 speeches

5 March 2025 AI summary Authority over the matter rests with the District Secretary, and title deeds for NHDA housing projects can only be issued after beneficiaries complete the required payments, which may take up to 30 years. The Minister stated that many deeds are currently being processed, but in the specific case raised, neither the NHDA nor the Ministry can intervene, and recommended that it be discussed and decided at the District Development Committee. Oral Question: Cey-Nor Housing Scheme, Batticaloa (Q.2/2025) InfrastructureLand & Housing Read →
5 March 2025 AI summary NHDA’s role in the project was limited to providing technical support, while implementation fell under the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. It was stated that the matter is outside the Ministry’s purview, and a proposal was made to appoint a committee through the District Secretary and Divisional Secretary to proceed further. Oral Question: Cey-Nor Housing Scheme, Batticaloa (Q.2/2025) Infrastructure Read →
5 March 2025 AI summary The Minister stated that the 8-unit Cey-Nor housing project at Kaluwankeni-2, Eravur Pattu, begun in 1982, was not implemented on land owned by or vested in the National Housing Development Authority. He explained that the project was carried out by the then Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources with Norwegian Government funds, while NHDA only provided technical advice. Consequently, NHDA has no authority to issue title deeds to the beneficiaries because the houses were built on private land. Oral Question: Cey-Nor Housing Scheme, Batticaloa (Q.2/2025) Land & Housing Read →
4 March 2025 AI summary The Minister stated that the National Equipment and Machinery Organization became inactive after staff retired under the voluntary retirement programme from 3 August 2023 and that responsibility now lies with the State Engineering Corporation following its merger. He said the Corporation is in a weak financial position, with about Rs. 10 billion in debt and monthly interest costs of Rs. 20–30 million, limiting its ability to settle old project payments. He added that the equipment is valued in the billions and that feasible next steps will be decided after a structured review. Oral Question 2: National Equipment and Machinery Organization (Q.4838/2025) Land & HousingPublic Finance Read →
4 March 2025 AI summary The Minister explained that NEMO was merged into the State Engineering Corporation by a 2021 Cabinet decision and later inactivated under a 2023 Cabinet decision, with remaining staff placed on voluntary retirement. He said equipment from NEMO projects had been left in various locations and the Ministry is working to identify and return it to SEC custody, despite difficulties including unpaid contractors and local resistance. He added that a review into the causes of the situation is planned, but audit work has not yet begun as information gathering is still underway. Oral Question 2: National Equipment and Machinery Organization (Q.4838/2025) Public FinanceInfrastructure Read →
4 March 2025 AI summary The Minister provided a written answer detailing the succession of line ministries responsible for urban development, construction and housing from 1992 to the present, and the Ministers in charge from 2010 onward. He stated that project details, including names, values and current status under each Minister, were tabled as an annex and placed in the Library. He further noted that four projects listed in the annex were halted midstream, while the remaining 345 had been completed through handover, termination or other decisions. Oral Question 2: National Equipment and Machinery Organization (Q.4838/2025) Public FinanceLand & Housing Read →
3 March 2025 AI summary Anura Karunathilaka referred to prior explanations on approaches linking the Trincomalee and Colombo ports and a refinery initiative. He stated that, if considered carefully, the ten related items had progressed. Committee Stage Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 119 (Ministry of Energy) Infrastructure Read →
3 March 2025 AI summary The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka stated that the ten listed items are at different stages, with some in feasibility assessment and others in initiation. He clarified that all ten have commenced and are progressing. Committee Stage Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 119 (Ministry of Energy) Infrastructure Read →
3 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Anura Karunathilaka outlined progress on several energy-sector commitments in the “Prosperous Country – Beautiful Life” programme, including solar power expansion, wind power market development, refinery modernization, Trincomalee oil tank arrangements, fuel storage and distribution upgrades, sector restructuring, and solar installations for public and religious institutions. He stated that work had begun on 10 of 41 listed items within three months, amounting to 22 per cent progress, and said the remaining commitments would be pursued over the five-year period. He also said recent fuel queues were caused by panic rather than shortages, and that further discussions would continue to reach consensual and public-friendly outcomes. Committee Stage Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 119 (Ministry of Energy) Public FinanceInfrastructureEnvironment Read →
3 March 2025 AI summary Anura Karunathilaka briefly requested three or four minutes to speak. No substantive policy issue, proposal, or question was presented in the provided excerpt. Committee Stage Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 119 (Ministry of Energy) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
3 March 2025 AI summary Anura Karunathilaka stated that 10 actions had been initiated on the matter under discussion. He said he could provide further details if given more time, either in the House or privately. Committee Stage Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 119 (Ministry of Energy) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
3 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Anura Karunathilaka outlined the Government’s energy strategy, emphasizing expansion of wind and solar generation, the need to strengthen grid stability, and the use of Sri Lanka’s location to become a regional energy hub. He said refinery development at Hambantota and Sapugaskanda, Trincomalee tank farm utilization, LNG trading plans, and international storage partnerships are being pursued to support exports, fuel security, and foreign exchange savings. He also linked energy infrastructure to wider economic priorities, including fertilizer production from refinery by-products and improved aviation fuel supply for tourism growth. Committee Stage Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 119 (Ministry of Energy) InfrastructurePublic FinanceEnvironment Read →
3 March 2025 AI summary Minister Anura Karunathilaka placed Sri Lanka’s energy sector in the context of rising global energy demand and the shift toward clean energy and net-zero policies. He noted that international commitments are expected to reduce fossil-fuel use after 2025–2030, citing decisions by several countries to phase out petrol and diesel vehicles, restrict new oil exploration, and limit coal-based power generation. Committee Stage Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 119 (Ministry of Energy) Foreign AffairsEnvironmentPublic Finance Read →
3 March 2025 AI summary The Minister tabled a written answer regarding an Urban Development Authority payment, confirming that while the then Chairman had approved it subject to procurement approval, there was no evidence such approval was obtained. The answer stated that procurement authority lay with the Procurement Committee and that the activity was linked to instructions for attractive opening ceremonies and publicity for leasing commercial constructions in Colombo. It further noted that failure to follow procurement procedures prevented open bidding by state and private entities and the selection of the most beneficial option for the government. Oral Question: TRIAD Company Payment to Urban Development Authority (Q.7-Q.8/2025) Corruption & Governance ReformPublic Finance Read →
3 March 2025 AI summary Anura Karunathilaka asked the Minister of Urban Development, Construction and Housing for details on expenditure for media coverage of the opening ceremony of 42 shops at Bastion Mawatha, Pettah. He sought confirmation of an alleged Rs. 17.64 million advance payment to TRIAD Company out of a total Rs. 19.30 million cost, whether procurement procedures were followed, who authorized the payment, why such expenditure was necessary, and why a government media institution was not used. Oral Question: TRIAD Company Payment to Urban Development Authority (Q.7-Q.8/2025) Public FinanceInfrastructure Read →
3 March 2025 AI summary The Minister of Urban Development, Construction and Housing tabled the Report of the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Urban Development, Construction and Housing. The report covered National Housing Development Authority annual reports for 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022, the Department of Buildings Annual Performance Report for 2023, and the National Community Water Supply Department Annual Performance Report for 2023. Auditor-General's Report and Ministerial Consultative Committee Report Parliamentary Procedure Read →
1 March 2025 AI summary The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka stated that the fuel distribution issue has historical causes and was not created by an administrative decision of the current Government. He said CPC has sufficient stocks, is releasing substantial volumes, and that queues had eased, assuring the public there would be no shortage. He argued that the central issue concerns whether commissions can be paid on publicly collected tax, noting that audit reports and court proceedings indicate commissions on the tax-included final price are improper, and rejected attempts to create panic over fuel availability. Debate: Fuel Supply and Energy Crisis (Discussion under Standing Order 27(2)) Law & OrderPublic Finance Read →
1 March 2025 AI summary Anura Karunathilaka clarified that the referenced project is an extension under Phase I rather than a formally named Phase II, and stated that about 61% of the ongoing works have been completed. He said Budget allocations would enable completion of these works, including benefits for Ratnapura, while further projects would depend on future funding. On Alapatha DS Division, he undertook to obtain details and respond privately, noting that Rs. 2,000 million has been allocated nationally in the Budget for potable water supply across districts. Oral Question: Drinking Water Shortage in Ratnapura District (Q.1/2025) Public FinanceInfrastructure Read →
1 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Anura Karunathilaka stated that community water supply projects, including DN CWS schemes, are required to provide potable water through treatment facilities. He asked for details of the approximately 300 schemes alleged to lack treatment plants and said he would investigate if specific information is provided. Oral Question: Drinking Water Shortage in Ratnapura District (Q.1/2025) InfrastructurePublic Finance Read →
1 March 2025 AI summary The Minister responded to a question on drinking water shortages in Ratnapura District, stating that NWSDB and community schemes together serve about 48% of the district’s drinking water needs, with 12 NWSDB projects and 490 community water projects currently operating. He outlined ongoing and planned interventions, including distribution improvements under “Visal Ratnapura” Phase I, a Rs. 1,528 million project to add about 178 km of pipelines and 7,000 household connections, and 21 projects in areas without NWSDB supply. He said there is no separate “Phase 2” project, but further projects are planned under the NWSDB’s 2025–2029 programme and the “Praja Jala Abhimani” programme, with detailed annexes placed in the Library. Oral Question: Drinking Water Shortage in Ratnapura District (Q.1/2025) InfrastructurePublic Finance Read →