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

1 December 2025 AI summary Dammika Patabendi moved that the Committee report progress and seek leave to sit again. The motion was agreed to, and the Committee reported progress, with the next sitting scheduled for 03 December 2025. Committee Stage - Appropriation Bill 2026: Ministries of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and Environment Parliamentary Procedure Read →
1 December 2025 AI summary Moved an amendment under Head 291 during the Committee Stage of the Appropriation Bill, 2026. Committee Stage - Appropriation Bill 2026: Ministries of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and Environment Parliamentary Procedure Read →
1 December 2025 AI summary At the Committee Stage of the Appropriation Bill, 2026, an amendment was moved under Head 284. Committee Stage - Appropriation Bill 2026: Ministries of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and Environment Parliamentary Procedure Read →
1 December 2025 AI summary An amendment was moved at the Committee Stage of the Appropriation Bill, 2026, under Head 160, Programme 01. The intervention was procedural and did not include further argument or policy detail. Committee Stage - Appropriation Bill 2026: Ministries of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and Environment Parliamentary Procedure Read →
1 December 2025 AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Finance, the Minister of Environment moved a Committee Stage amendment to the Appropriation Bill, 2026, revising the Ministry of Environment’s allocation. The amendment substitutes the figures on page 29 with Rs. 14.45 billion for recurrent expenditure and Rs. 4.96 billion for capital expenditure. Committee Stage - Appropriation Bill 2026: Ministries of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and Environment Public FinanceParliamentary Procedure Read →
24 November 2025 AI summary Confirmed that the matter under discussion applies to all districts in the Northern and Eastern Provinces. Adjournment Motion: Land Issues in Verugal DS Division, Trincomalee Ethnic Reconciliation & Devolution Read →
24 November 2025 AI summary The Minister explained that sanctuary declarations, including the Seruwila–Allai Sanctuary gazetted in 1970, do not change land ownership but require Wildlife Department approval for any development or alteration within the area. He acknowledged unresolved land issues in war-affected areas, including possible errors from GPS-based demarcation, and noted earlier efforts to identify lands for release. He said a Cabinet decision on 25 August 2025 led to a special inter-ministerial committee and district-level subcommittees to address these matters, and urged affected parties to present their cases through those forums. Adjournment Motion: Land Issues in Verugal DS Division, Trincomalee Ethnic Reconciliation & DevolutionLand & HousingEnvironment Read →
14 November 2025 AI summary Requested two weeks’ time to provide an answer to the question. The question was accordingly ordered to stand down. Oral Questions: Q.1-Q.5 (Questions stood down) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
14 November 2025 AI summary The Hon. (Dr.) Dammika Patabendi requested two weeks to provide an answer to the question. The question was ordered to stand down. Oral Questions: Q.1-Q.5 (Questions stood down) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
14 November 2025 AI summary The Minister of Environment requested two weeks to respond to the question raised. The question was accordingly ordered to stand down. Oral Questions: Q.1-Q.5 (Questions stood down) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
10 November 2025 AI summary Minister Dammika Patabendi defended the 2026 Budget as a strategic economic plan rather than a forum for preferential politics, arguing that the National People’s Power Government had stabilised the economy and improved key indicators including growth, unemployment, exports, remittances, tourism earnings, revenue, and the primary surplus. He said the Budget is based on six pillars, including inclusive growth, export diversification, debt sustainability, rural poverty eradication, strengthening production, and digitalization. He highlighted proposed technology measures such as waiving government e-payment service fees from January 2026, allocating funds for data centres, AI and cloud capacity, broadband vouchers, telecom tower facilitation, an “AGNI” startup fund, and a Virtual Special Economic Zone, alongside energy-related initiatives in electrification, green hydrogen, and green ammonia. Adjourned Debate on Budget Bill – Second Reading EmploymentEnvironmentPublic Finance Read →
8 November 2025 AI summary Minister Dammika Patabendi responded to an adjournment motion by Hon. Kabir Hashim, rejecting allegations that the Governor had improperly suspended 47 rural roads and other projects in Mawanella. He said a committee had been appointed to inquire into the projects and that activities were only temporarily held pending its report, including proposals he claimed may have served private interests. He accused Hashim of undermining the local mandate in Mawanella and urged him not to interfere with governance or mislead Parliament. He also listed ongoing government initiatives in Mawanella, including the bus stand expansion, hospital doctors’ quarters, depot development, stone bridge conservation, drainage improvements, and tourism plans. Adjournment Motion: Suspension of Development Projects Approved by Mawanella Pradeshiya Sabha Corruption & Governance ReformEthnic Reconciliation & DevolutionInfrastructure Read →
8 November 2025 AI summary The Minister of Environment tabled the 2023 Annual Report of the Water Resources Board. He moved that it be referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Agriculture and Sustainable Use of Resources, and the motion was agreed to. Papers Presented: Annual Reports and Committee Reports Parliamentary Procedure Read →
24 October 2025 AI summary On behalf of the Government, condolences were conveyed to the families of seven late former Members, with particular reference to Hon. Y.G. Padmasiri of Ruwanwella. The Minister recalled Padmasiri’s service as a Member of Parliament from 2010, as Deputy Minister of Agriculture from 2013, and as an LSSP Central Committee member committed to left and progressive politics. He highlighted Padmasiri’s modest background, grassroots political work, writings, and stated commitment to building a just and egalitarian society, and extended condolences to his wife and daughter. Votes of Condolence: Seven Former Members of Parliament Parliamentary Procedure Read →
24 October 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Dammika Patabendi stated that environmental authorities can intervene even on private land when damage is significant, with action proportionate to the harm caused. He said the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau should inspect quantities and supervise activities, while Divisional and District Coordinating Committees and other agencies may be involved where there is serious environmental damage or public concern. Oral Question: Mines and Minerals Regulation (Q.2/2025) Environment Read →
24 October 2025 AI summary Existing laws allow intervention against environmentally harmful incidents, and specific cases raised can be acted on where environmental damage and public opposition are evident. Revisions to the legal framework are being discussed, with a view to introducing stronger measures to prevent such harm. Oral Question: Mines and Minerals Regulation (Q.2/2025) Environment Read →
24 October 2025 AI summary Under the Mines and Minerals Act, the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau has authority to license mineral exploration, mining, transport, trading, storage and export, including gravel mining. The Minister said gravel mining approvals require recommendations from relevant bodies such as the Urban Development Authority, Department of Archaeology and Central Environmental Authority, with additional consultations where needed, and that GSMB officers supervise compliance with licence conditions. He also stated that amendments to the Act and revised penalties are being pursued to address unauthorized mining and illegal activities. Oral Question: Mines and Minerals Regulation (Q.2/2025) EnvironmentPublic Finance Read →
10 October 2025 AI summary The Minister of Environment, Hon. (Dr.) Dammika Patabendi, formally moved the motion for Parliament to adjourn. No substantive policy issues, proposals, or questions were raised. Adjournment: Motion on Independence of National Police Commission (SO 19(2)) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
10 October 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Dammika Patabendi moved that Hon. Sanjeewa Ranasinghe take the Chair. The motion was agreed to, after which Hon. Chanaka Madugoda left the Chair and Hon. Sanjeewa Ranasinghe assumed it. Private Members' Motion P.47/2025: Insurance Scheme for Farming Community Parliamentary Procedure Read →
26 September 2025 AI summary The Hon. (Dr.) Dammika Patabendi stated that the air quality portal provides real-time data and one-week forecasts under the national ambient air programme. He said an emergency response plan is in place and that authorities will monitor conditions and take necessary action. Oral Question: Air Quality in Kandy City (Q.2/2025) Environment Read →