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

21 January 2026 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Dammika Patabendi moved that Hon. (Mrs.) Sagarika Athawuda take the Chair during the proceedings. The motion was agreed to, after which the Deputy Chairperson of Committees left the Chair and Hon. Athawuda assumed it. Adjournment Debate: Post-Cyclone "Ditwah" Situation (Part 2) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
20 January 2026 AI summary The Minister of Environment stated that the government cannot respond to hypothetical issues and would act only when specific, evidence-based problems are presented and substantiated. Oral Question: Norochcholai Coal Power Plant Environmental Impact (Q.7/2026) Environment Read →
20 January 2026 AI summary The Minister of Environment stated that the question raised had been answered and invited Members to submit any issues affecting the public. He said the Ministry was prepared to address such matters. Oral Question: Norochcholai Coal Power Plant Environmental Impact (Q.7/2026) Environment Read →
20 January 2026 AI summary No recent complaints have been recorded on environmental issues from coal burning at the Norochcholai Coal Power Plant, according to the North Western Provincial Environmental Authority. The Minister stated that the plant operates under an Environmental Protection Licence issued by that Authority, which has the legal mandate for environmental control, with monitoring and mitigation measures including expert reviews, wind barriers, air quality monitoring stations, pollution-control equipment, and studies by relevant agencies. He added that tests on groundwater, emissions, air quality, particulates, noise, and effluent have found results within applicable standards. Oral Question: Norochcholai Coal Power Plant Environmental Impact (Q.7/2026) Environment Read →
7 January 2026 AI summary The Minister of Environment presented the 2022 Annual Report of the Sri Lanka Climate Fund (Private) Limited and the 2023 Annual Report of the Central Environmental Authority. He proposed that both reports be referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Agriculture and Resource Sustainability, and the House agreed. Papers Presented Environment Read →
6 January 2026 AI summary Minister Dammika Patabendi outlined Sri Lanka’s obligations and actions under the UNFCCC and Paris Agreement, including the preparation of successive Nationally Determined Contributions, with NDC 3.0 approved by Cabinet in September 2025 for implementation during 2026–2035. He described planned and ongoing measures such as the Carbon Net Zero Roadmap and Strategic Plan for 2050, expanded sectoral coverage under the updated National Adaptation Plan for 2026–2035, and the need for budgetary allocations, technical assessments, monitoring systems, and institutional capacity building. He also emphasized the role of financial mechanisms for adaptation and mitigation and the involvement of the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change Secretariat, inter-agency task forces, and sectoral committees in implementation and reporting. Questions and Papers (Resumption after Adjournment) AgricultureEnvironmentPublic Finance Read →
6 January 2026 AI summary The Minister stated that Sri Lanka’s Climate Prosperity Plan aims to build climate resilience and move towards net-negative carbon emissions, including increasing renewable energy generation to 70% by 2030, advancing nature-based resilience measures, green financing, and green job creation. He said the updated draft Plan has been finalized, a validation workshop held, and Cabinet approval will be sought after concurrence from relevant ministries, with sectoral projects and potential funding sources already identified. He also outlined steps to enable carbon market access, including preparation of a national carbon trading policy, cooperation under Japan’s Joint Crediting Mechanism and with Singapore, Article 6.4 project approvals, and development of a national carbon registry with UNDP support. Questions and Papers (Resumption after Adjournment) EnvironmentPublic FinanceInfrastructure Read →
6 January 2026 AI summary The Minister outlined Sri Lanka’s international climate commitments under the UNFCCC and Paris Agreement, including the preparation of successive Nationally Determined Contributions, with NDC 3.0 approved by Cabinet in September 2025 for 2026–2035 across mitigation and adaptation sectors. He stated that implementation will be coordinated through the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change Secretariat and inter-agency mechanisms, with budgetary, technology, monitoring and capacity-building needs. He also described the development of a 2050 Carbon Net-Zero Roadmap, the updated National Adaptation Plan for 2026–2035 with province-based costed plans, and Sri Lanka’s engagement with international adaptation and loss-and-damage financing mechanisms such as the Adaptation Fund and the COP28 Loss and Damage Response Fund. Questions and Papers (Resumption after Adjournment) Foreign AffairsPublic FinanceEnvironment Read →
6 January 2026 AI summary The Hon. Dammika Patabendi invoked Standing Order 33(1) to decline answering a supplementary question, stating it was unrelated to the original oral question. He told the Leader of the Opposition to submit the matter separately, indicating it could be answered on another day. Oral Question: Sinharaja Forest World Heritage Site Protection (Q. relating to B. Ariyawansha and points of order) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
6 January 2026 AI summary Dammika Patabendi stated that no new programme is needed for Sinharaja, as it is already protected as a Reserved Forest and World Heritage Site. He said the existing management system is sufficient to safeguard Sinharaja and is the basis for its current protection. Oral Question: Sinharaja Forest World Heritage Site Protection (Q. relating to B. Ariyawansha and points of order) Environment Read →
6 January 2026 AI summary Hon. Dammika Patabendi provided a ministerial answer on the status and conservation of the Sinharaja Forest, stating that it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site on 2 December 1988 and now covers 36,474.93 hectares. He outlined its legal protections under the National Heritage Wilderness Areas Act, its earlier designation as a biosphere reserve, the 2019 boundary expansion, and conservation planning under ESCAMP, including ecotourism regulation and 2025 allocations for the Kudawa and Pitadeniya entrances. He also stated that lands within and around the Sinharaja boundary, including Land Reforms Commission and private forested lands, are being vested with the Forest Department, with future action planned to protect buffer forests and complete boundary demarcation. Oral Question: Sinharaja Forest World Heritage Site Protection (Q. relating to B. Ariyawansha and points of order) EnvironmentLand & Housing Read →
6 January 2026 AI summary Issues involving the Ministry of Environment, the Department of Wildlife Conservation, and the Department of Forest Conservation can be addressed through the relevant committee, though no exact timeframe can be given. The Member stated there is no objection to issuing deeds and other facilities to people where needed, provided any changes are made with the concurrence of the Department of Wildlife Conservation. Oral Question: Wildlife and Forest Conservation Lands in Polpithigama DS Division (Q. relating to Mrs. Geetha Herath) EnvironmentLand & Housing Read →
6 January 2026 AI summary Pallekelle was identified as a sanctuary containing both State and private lands, with the issue arising from plots held on permits rather than formal title deeds. The Minister stated that the Department of Wildlife Conservation has no objection to granting lawful ownership to eligible permit holders and will not obstruct the process, but any changes to private lands within the sanctuary require the Department’s concurrence. He added that a committee has met and the Department is ready to assist expeditiously. Oral Question: Wildlife and Forest Conservation Lands in Polpithigama DS Division (Q. relating to Mrs. Geetha Herath) EnvironmentLand & Housing Read →
6 January 2026 AI summary The Minister of Environment provided details on protected areas in the Polpithigama DS Division, including the extent of the Kahalla–Pallekele Sanctuary and forest reserves, and noted that surveys of some residential lands within the sanctuary have been carried out and will continue. He said demarcation of the Hakwatunawa Reservoir reserve began in 2017, with survey fees paid and most of the remaining boundary provisionally marked. He also stated that public facilities exist within the gazetted area, no Forest Conservation regional office operates at Herathgama for instituting cases, and an inter-agency committee is considering land issues in the Kahalla–Pallekele Sanctuary. Oral Question: Wildlife and Forest Conservation Lands in Polpithigama DS Division (Q. relating to Mrs. Geetha Herath) Land & HousingEnvironment Read →
6 January 2026 AI summary The Hon. (Dr.) Dammika Patabendi stated that two separate programme streams are operating independently, one under the Ministry of Agriculture and another through the Department of National Botanic Gardens, with insufficient coordination between them. He said he could not speak in detail on Agriculture’s procedures but would review shortcomings within his remit and coordinate where necessary. Oral Question: Import of Cut Flowers and Plants - Details (Q.1463/2025) EnvironmentAgriculture Read →
6 January 2026 AI summary The Department of National Botanic Gardens has been reviewing staffing shortages and possible responses, but no final solution was presented. The Member also stated that concerns about eligibility for assistance would be examined and answered, and relevant material was placed in the Library. Oral Question: Import of Cut Flowers and Plants - Details (Q.1463/2025) Environment Read →
6 January 2026 AI summary The Minister of Environment responded to a question on cut flower imports, stating that import data are sourced from Customs and the Plant Quarantine Division, while the Department of National Botanic Gardens issues recommendations for cut flower imports. He said annual expenditure on imported flowers is approximately Rs. 746 million, and identified several imported varieties that can be grown locally, including rose, carnation, gerbera, hydrangea, anthurium, orchids and lilies. He outlined ongoing support to small and medium growers through the “Suwahas Mal” project and tabled a strategic plan proposing technical and financial assistance, grower cooperatives, a national flower auction, and model floriculture parks in Nuwara Eliya and Badulla to develop domestic cut-flower production. Oral Question: Import of Cut Flowers and Plants - Details (Q.1463/2025) EnvironmentAgriculture Read →
18 December 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Dammika Patabendi moved that Hon. Sujeewa Dissanayake take the Chair during proceedings. The motion was agreed to, after which the Deputy Chairperson of Committees left the Chair and Hon. Sujeewa Dissanayake assumed it. Adjournment Debate: Current Situation of the Country After Disaster Caused by Cyclone Ditwah Parliamentary Procedure Read →
18 December 2025 AI summary The Minister described the regional impact of the “Dicha” cyclone and stated that Sri Lanka had comparatively reduced fatalities, established shelters quickly, and restored normalcy in a short period. He linked such disasters to environmental degradation and reported damage to ecosystems, protected wildlife, endemic freshwater fish, national parks, and botanical gardens. He said assessments are underway and that a special committee was appointed on 11 December to evaluate ecosystem damage and guide restoration measures. Adjournment Debate: Current Situation of the Country After Disaster Caused by Cyclone Ditwah Public FinanceEnvironmentSecurity & Defence Read →
18 December 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Dammika Patabendi presented the 2024 Annual Performance Report of the Department of Coast Conservation and Coastal Resource Management. He moved that the report be referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Agriculture and Sustainable Resources, and the motion was agreed to. Papers Tabled: Reports, Supplementary Estimate, Regulations, Orders and Performance Reports Parliamentary ProcedureEnvironment Read →