Hon. (Dr.) Dammika Patabendi, M.P.

Jathika Jana balawegaya (JJB)· Kegalle

Minister of Environment

Profession: Medical Practitioner

Roster profile ↗

Speeches 120 #39 of 225·#20 in party

Attendance 5/8 days present (of recorded)

Speech history

120 speeches

10 June 2026 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Dammika Patabendi stated that land issues in the Kahalla-Pallekelle area have been addressed and specific lands along elephant movement paths have been identified for release and protection as corridors. He outlined measures to reduce human-elephant conflict, including creating fodder belts, rehabilitating tanks and water sources, maintaining grasslands, removing invasive species, and keeping corridors open. He also noted that about 443 km of electric fencing has been completed and that further deployment of Civil Security personnel and consideration of field proposals will continue. Procedural: Points of Order and Oral Question - Human-Elephant Conflict, Kurunegala District (Q.4) EnvironmentLand & Housing Read →
10 June 2026 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Dammika Patabendi stated that the Ministry of Environment and Department of Wildlife Conservation have completed or initiated recruitments to improve wildlife administration and electric fence maintenance. He said examinations have been held for 149 Wildlife Range Assistants and 381 Wildlife Guards, and that new recruits, electric fence assistants, and 5,000 Civil Security personnel will be organized under a specific system to address human-elephant conflict and fence maintenance shortcomings. He also noted procurement of vehicles and equipment, including 100 cabs, 181 bicycles and hand tractors, to address physical resource gaps. Procedural: Points of Order and Oral Question - Human-Elephant Conflict, Kurunegala District (Q.4) EnvironmentEmployment Read →
10 June 2026 AI summary The Minister of Environment reported that Sri Lanka’s wild elephant population was estimated at 7,451 in the 2024 Department of Wildlife Conservation survey, showing an increase from 5,879 in 2011 and 1,967 in 1993. He stated that human-elephant conflict is reported in 17 districts, with Kurunegala recording 25 elephant deaths and 12 human fatalities in 2025. He also confirmed that extensive encroachment in the lowland areas of the Kahalla-Pallekelle Sanctuary has left mainly the hill country area as effective reserve habitat, contributing to continuing conflict around nearby settlements and cultivations. Procedural: Points of Order and Oral Question - Human-Elephant Conflict, Kurunegala District (Q.4) EnvironmentLaw & Order Read →
20 May 2026 AI summary Minister Dammika Patabendi supported the Adjournment Debate on the Central Bank’s Annual Economic Review 2025, stating that 2025 marked a major economic recovery after the 2022 crisis. He cited reduced fiscal deficit, a current account surplus, improved revenue performance, and a shift from a Treasury deficit to surplus as evidence of fiscal discipline under the Government’s 2025 Budgets. He argued that these achievements addressed economic distress, changed public pessimism about state finances, and formed part of a broader political and social renewal following the people’s struggle. Adjournment Debate: Central Bank Annual Economic Review 2025 Cost of LivingPublic Finance Read →
19 May 2026 AI summary Minister Dammika Patabendi said the Environment Ministry is addressing both wild elephant conservation and issues relating to captive elephants used in cultural processions, including by suspending previous Cabinet decisions and appointing a committee. He outlined measures to reduce human-elephant conflict, including strengthening the Department of Wildlife Conservation with staff, vehicles and field support, rehabilitating 5,747 km of electric fences, establishing district coordination committees, creating nutrition zones, declaring 81 new forest reserves, operationalizing the Hambantota Elephant Management Reserve by Gazette, and updating the 2020 expert action plan. He requested parliamentary support to legally secure elephant corridors, including the Polonnaruwa–Batticaloa corridor, and said opposition cooperation was needed for successful implementation. Adjournment Motion: Sustainable Solution for Human-Elephant Conflict EnvironmentLand & Housing Read →
19 May 2026 AI summary The Minister requested details on any issues related to ammunition issuance, stating that irregularities or inadequacies would be investigated and addressed. He said the Ministry is engaging daily with field officers on staff concerns and is working to provide prompt solutions on matters such as allowances and facilities. Oral Questions: Department of Wildlife Conservation and Other Questions Public FinanceSecurity & Defence Read →
19 May 2026 AI summary Minister Dammika Patabendi said the Government recognises the human-elephant conflict as a serious issue causing deaths of both people and elephants, worsened by past political decisions and environmental degradation. He stated that the Department is being strengthened with human and physical resources while daily mitigation continues, including elephant fencing, nutrition sites, and work on elephant corridor declarations. He said the Government will appoint an expert committee to update and implement a scientific action plan, noting that the 2020 plan requires revision and stronger implementation powers, and that the Supreme Court has been informed of the need for such a plan. Oral Questions: Department of Wildlife Conservation and Other Questions Environment Read →
19 May 2026 AI summary The Minister of Environment responded to a question on the Department of Wildlife Conservation’s staffing position, stating that the approved cadre, officers in post, and vacancies as at 31 March 2026 were provided in annexes. He said vacancies had arisen due to recruitment restrictions and retirements, but recruitment action was under way, including examinations for Wildlife Park Rangers and Wildlife Guards, appointments to Storekeeper posts, and the deployment of Electric Fence Maintenance Assistants and Civil Security Department personnel to human-elephant conflict areas. He also stated that vehicle procurement had resumed following a policy change permitting imports, with pickups, tractors and motorcycles being procured for the Department. Oral Questions: Department of Wildlife Conservation and Other Questions Environment Read →
6 May 2026 AI summary The Minister of Environment presented the National Environmental (Amendment) Bill to amend the National Environmental Act, No. 47 of 1980. The Bill was ordered to be printed, scheduled for Second Reading on 20 May 2026, and referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Agriculture and Resource Sustainability. Bills Presented Parliamentary ProcedureEnvironment Read →
3 March 2026 AI summary In response to a complaint about a three-wheeler service station, the Minister stated that the Central Environmental Authority conducted inspections on 28 October 2025, 26 November 2025, and 16 January 2026, the last with both parties present. The inspection found the service station operating near the complainant’s house, with a valid Environmental Protection Licence until 16 January 2027, while the original licence holder had died and a related land case is pending before the Panadura Magistrate’s Court. The Authority has requested the deceased owner’s wife to submit the original licence, death certificate, and current ownership documents within 21 days, and further action will be taken after reviewing those materials. Deferred Questions and Parliament Adjournment Environment Read →
3 March 2026 AI summary The Minister of Environment presented the State Timber Corporation’s Annual Report for 2024. He moved that the report be referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Agriculture and Sustainable Use of Resources, and the motion was agreed to. Papers: Regulations, Reports and Orders Tabled Parliamentary Procedure Read →
17 February 2026 AI summary The Minister of Environment moved that Hon. Sujeewa Dissanayake take the Chair. The motion was agreed to, after which the Deputy Chairperson of Committees left the Chair and Hon. Sujeewa Dissanayake assumed the Chair. Parliamentary Pensions (Repeal) Bill - Second Reading Debate Parliamentary Procedure Read →
3 February 2026 AI summary The Minister of Environment moved the adjournment of Parliament. The motion was formally proposed by the Presiding Member. Adjournment Debate: Muthurajawela Wetland Parliamentary Procedure Read →
23 January 2026 AI summary Minister Dammika Patabendi stated that if specific bottlenecks in approving tourism proposals are identified, the Ministry can intervene to expedite the process while ensuring regulatory compliance. He requested that the relevant proposals and issues be presented for discussion and prompt action. Oral Questions: Heda Oya Irrigation, Thondaman Foundation, Schools, Hydropower, Sugar Factories, Ragama Town, Monaragala Lands, Badulla Cooperatives Environment Read →
23 January 2026 AI summary The Minister acknowledged the complexity of the human-elephant conflict and stated that, once land is transferred to Divisional Secretaries, decisions on its use fall under their authority. He said proposals to create reserves or protective measures in sensitive areas could be considered through due process under the Ministry’s “Green Country” programme, though the process would take time. He added that the Ministry cannot directly intervene in lands already released to Divisional Secretaries but is willing to discuss specific proposals. Oral Questions: Heda Oya Irrigation, Thondaman Foundation, Schools, Hydropower, Sugar Factories, Ragama Town, Monaragala Lands, Badulla Cooperatives EnvironmentLand & Housing Read →
23 January 2026 AI summary The Minister provided statistical details on forest and wildlife lands in Monaragala District, stating that 228,001 hectares are under the Forest Conservation Department and 170,752 hectares under the Wildlife Conservation Department. He said 20,760 hectares were handed over to Divisional Secretaries in 2021, of which 472.082 hectares were released on long-term lease to named parties including the Ceylon Electricity Board and several private entities. He also detailed the extents of Wandama and Demaliya forests under Forest Department administration and the portions released, including 256.248 hectares leased in Buttala and none in Wellawaya. Oral Questions: Heda Oya Irrigation, Thondaman Foundation, Schools, Hydropower, Sugar Factories, Ragama Town, Monaragala Lands, Badulla Cooperatives Land & HousingEnvironment Read →
22 January 2026 AI summary Asked that specific polluted sites and the type of pollution be identified, stating that prompt intervention and action would follow once details are provided. Oral Question: Lonach Dairy Farm - Environmental Compliance and Waste Disposal Environment Read →
22 January 2026 AI summary The member stated that the Environmental Protection Licence has already been withheld and that the Board of Investment has been informed to take action. He noted that enforcement falls within the BOI’s remit, but undertook to personally intervene again to ensure swift action. Oral Question: Lonach Dairy Farm - Environmental Compliance and Waste Disposal Law & Order Read →
22 January 2026 AI summary The Minister stated that the Central Environmental Authority granted Initial Environmental Examination approval for the farm in 2016, while its Environmental Protection Licence is issued by the BOI with CEA concurrence under Gazette No. 2265/18. He said the farm’s licence was last valid from January 2023 to January 2024, but CEA has not concurred in a further licence due to liquid and solid waste disposal issues. Following complaints and a media report alleging discharge into Keselgamu Oya, CEA and BOI agreed on directives, an action plan, joint inspections and water sampling, with possible legal action by BOI if required measures are not implemented. Oral Question: Lonach Dairy Farm - Environmental Compliance and Waste Disposal Environment Read →
21 January 2026 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Dammika Patabendi rejected claims that the Government lacked a clear disaster response programme, citing payment data for household item grants in Yatiyantota and Kegalle and actions taken before and after the disaster. He tabled an interim Environment Ministry report on flood, landslide, coastal erosion, mangrove and forest damage, with a fuller assessment due within six months, and outlined restoration and coastal clean-up measures. He also addressed Ambuluwawe, stating that rebuilding in hazardous areas requires NBRO clearance and that the CEA had halted cable car-related construction pending approvals, while tabling Auditor General observations alleging procurement irregularities and conflicts of interest. He added that national parks, botanical gardens and related facilities were reopened quickly to support the tourism season. Adjournment Debate: Post-Cyclone "Ditwah" Situation (Part 2) Corruption & Governance ReformEnvironmentPublic Finance Read →