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

6 June 2025 AI summary Minister Dammika Patabendi paid tribute to the late MP Kosala Nuwan Jayawira of Kegalle, noting his brief parliamentary service after being elected in November 2024 and his work on COPE. He highlighted Jayawira’s background in student activism, local government service in Dehiowita, anti-corruption work, environmental campaigns against harmful projects including oil palm cultivation, and support for estate workers’ wage demands. He said Jayawira’s death at 38 was a loss to Parliament, the NPP, Kegalle District, and the country, and conveyed condolences to his family and supporters. Debate: Votes of Condolence for Four Former MPs Parliamentary Procedure Read →
10 April 2025 AI summary A petition from Mr. K.A.K. Saman Dharmasiri of Andiramada, Hiriwadunna, Muru Oya Road was presented to Parliament by the Minister of Environment. Papers Presented: Annual Reports and Petitions Parliamentary Procedure Read →
20 March 2025 AI summary The Minister of Environment presented the Annual Reports of Sri Lanka Climate Fund (Pvt) Ltd. for 2020 and 2021. He proposed that the reports be referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Agriculture and Sustainable Resource Management, and the House agreed. Papers Presented: Annual Reports and Regulations Parliamentary ProcedureEnvironment Read →
17 March 2025 AI summary The Minister responded to issues raised during the Committee Stage debate on the Environment Ministry’s expenditure, stating that the Forest Conservation Department is already taking steps to identify and resolve disputes over tanks and paddy lands in Batticaloa, with a view to applying solutions island-wide. He reported the shooting death of the tusker “Unicorn” in Minneriya National Park and said a full investigation is under way, while outlining planned measures and allocations to address the human-elephant conflict, including wildlife funding, water retention systems, grassland development and research. He said plastics are currently regulated under the National Environmental Act, single-use plastics are banned, and amendments are being pursued to introduce Extended Producer Responsibility. He also stated that the absorption of 3,530 Multi-Purpose Development Task Force workers has been submitted to the Public Service Commission and appointments will be issued once approval is received. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate on Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and Ministry of Environment EnvironmentPublic FinanceLaw & Order Read →
17 March 2025 AI summary The Minister said the Environment Ministry’s institutions have been consolidated under one ministry for the first time, bringing 12 agencies under a framework intended to improve coordination, engage environmentalists through ten thematic committees, and support both conservation and economic activity. He said the 2025 Budget allocates Rs. 16,040 million to the Ministry, including plans to modernize the Environment Act after 24 years, introduce air quality monitoring and public alerts, and digitize Environmental Protection Licence processes. He also stated that Cabinet has approved 144 recruitments to the Central Environmental Authority and that 3,530 appointments for multipurpose development officers attached to the Department of Wildlife Conservation will be issued once Public Service Commission approval is received. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate on Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and Ministry of Environment Public FinanceEnvironmentCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
14 March 2025 AI summary The Minister of Environment presented the 2022 Annual Report of the Marine Environment Protection Authority and moved that it be referred to the relevant Sectoral Oversight Committee. The motion was agreed to. Tabling of Annual Reports Parliamentary ProcedureEnvironment Read →
11 March 2025 AI summary The Minister tabled a written answer regarding Regidale Estate in Kahapola, stating that 72 of its 77 acres are vested in the Department of National Zoological Gardens and 5 acres in the Ministry of Buddhasasana, with deeds, Cabinet memoranda, and a layout plan placed in the Library. He said the Department is using part of the land for fodder and farm cultivation to supply animal feed, with plans to expand production to meet the Dehiwala Zoo’s full fodder requirement. He also noted that a coordinated programme has been prepared jointly with the Ministry of Buddhasasana. Oral Questions: Moulavi Certificate and Regidale Estate EmploymentLand & Housing Read →
8 March 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Dammika Patabendi, Minister of Environment, formally accepted a petition from A.A.D. Nihal Kitsiri of Avissawella and presented it to Parliament. Papers Presented Parliamentary Procedure Read →
7 March 2025 AI summary The Minister of Environment presented the Report of the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Environment covering several 2022 annual reports and 2023 performance reports of environment-related institutions, including the Central Environmental Authority, Geological Survey and Mines Bureau, Department of Wildlife Conservation, Forest Department, and Department of Coast Conservation and Coastal Resource Management. The report was ordered to lie upon the Table. Papers: Ministerial Reports and Performance Reports Environment Read →
3 March 2025 AI summary The Minister of Environment tabled a detailed answer on the human-elephant conflict, citing the 2011 survey figure of 5,879 elephants and providing data on elephant and tusker deaths for 2020-2024. The response identified land-use practices, chena cultivation, cattle encroachment, illegal forest entry, crop proximity to protected areas, and paddy storage in houses as key drivers, noting that about half of annual human fatalities are linked to negligence. Measures outlined included expansion and maintenance of electric fencing, deployment of Civil Security personnel and development assistants, use of elephant crackers, compensation payments, GPS collaring, corridor protection, removal of problem elephants, community awareness, and habitat management. The Minister also listed pilot technologies such as locally produced energizers, acoustic and smoke repellents, drones, bee-sound systems, and improved fence designs to assess their effectiveness in reducing conflict. Oral Question: Wild Elephants and HEC Deaths (Q.6/2025) Environment Read →
27 February 2025 AI summary Assured that the Ministry and Department are consulting affected-area MPs, environmental experts, and local communities to address the issue under discussion. He said the Government expects to reduce the conflict significantly in a short period and is prepared to incorporate Members’ proposals into its interventions. Oral Questions: Power Generation (Q.153/2024), Human-Elephant Conflict (Q.188/2024), Majma Nagar Cemetery (Q.291/2024), Public Service Commission Uva Province (Q.389/2025) EnvironmentCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
27 February 2025 AI summary Additional budgetary provisions have been allocated to strengthen staffing and address vacancies in the Department of Wildlife Conservation. Necessary follow-up measures will be taken to implement these staffing improvements. Oral Questions: Power Generation (Q.153/2024), Human-Elephant Conflict (Q.188/2024), Majma Nagar Cemetery (Q.291/2024), Public Service Commission Uva Province (Q.389/2025) EnvironmentPublic Finance Read →
25 February 2025 AI summary The Minister of Environment moved that Hon. (Prof.) Sena Nanayakkara take the Chair during the sitting. The motion was agreed to, after which Hon. (Mrs.) Rohini Kumari Wijerathna vacated the Chair and Hon. (Prof.) Sena Nanayakkara assumed it. Second Reading Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 (Continuation Day 7) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
25 February 2025 AI summary The Minister tabled a written answer stating that a Geological Survey and Mines Bureau inspection found only small-scale tractor-based sand mining on the relevant coastal belt, which ceased after local opposition, with no clear evidence of large-scale illegal ilmenite mining or supply to processing facilities. He noted that two mineral sand mining licences had been issued to a private company for the Vakarai area but no mining occurred under them and they expired on 8 December 2024. The answer further stated that no current health, livelihood, or drinking-water impacts had been observed, and that any future licensed activity would be subject to recommendations from relevant authorities, while illegal mineral activities are addressed under the Mines and Minerals Act through enforcement by Police, the STF, and other forces as needed. Oral Question: Investigations into Damaging Buddha Statues in Mawanella (Q.6/2024) EnvironmentLaw & Order Read →
24 February 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Dammika Patabendi stated that the human resource shortage has been identified as a critical operational issue. He said the number of vacancies and additional staffing needs have been discussed with the Government and recruitment will proceed once approval is granted. He also indicated that officers’ allowances and other difficulties will be reviewed with a view to providing relief measures. Oral Question: Question No. 3 - 447/2025 (Forest Conservation) Public FinanceEmployment Read →
24 February 2025 AI summary Illegal encroachments on Forest Department lands have increased, contributing to forest loss and worsening the human-elephant conflict. The Government is taking legal action to repossess such lands, carry out reforestation, and identify and preserve elephant corridors as priority measures to reduce the conflict. Oral Question: Question No. 3 - 447/2025 (Forest Conservation) Security & DefenceLand & HousingEnvironment Read →
24 February 2025 AI summary The Minister provided written answers on forest cover and forest conservation, stating that forest enumerations are conducted every five years and that no enumeration was carried out between 2020 and 2024. He reported that the 2020 enumeration recorded 1,704,279.928 hectares under the Department of Forest Conservation, including natural forests, low-scrub lands and forest plantations. He said changes in forest extent are linked to population pressures, development needs and government land allocations, and outlined the Department’s responsibilities under the National Forest Policy and Forest Ordinance, including conservation, sustainable management, research, community participation, eco-tourism and private sector involvement. Oral Question: Question No. 3 - 447/2025 (Forest Conservation) Environment Read →
21 February 2025 AI summary Minister Dammika Patabendi addressed the recent deaths of seven elephants struck by a train between Minneriya and Gal Oya, outlining immediate and long-term measures to prevent similar incidents. He said budget allocations totalling about Rs. 640 million cover human-elephant conflict, wildlife conservation, and capacity upgrades, and that officials will inspect high-risk railway sections, clear vegetation, identify affected GN Divisions, and coordinate with local communities. He also announced plans for a special committee to accelerate technology-based solutions such as sensors and train alerts, in coordination with the Railways, Wildlife Conservation, and Digital Economy authorities. Adjournment Motion: Elephant Deaths Due to Train Collisions EnvironmentLaw & Order Read →
21 February 2025 AI summary The Minister of Environment responded briefly to an Hon. Member, stating that the Ministry would intervene as appropriate. No further details, proposals, or policy measures were specified. Oral Question: Compensation for Natural Disaster Damages (Q. First Round) Environment Read →
21 February 2025 AI summary The Minister responded that additional Budget funds have been allocated to address the human-elephant conflict, emphasizing the need to protect both people’s lives and property and Sri Lanka’s protected elephant population. He said approaches used for other species in other countries are not applicable to elephants in Sri Lanka, and noted that ongoing interventions in Ampara and Batticaloa would continue with Members’ support toward a sustainable, scientific solution. Oral Question: Compensation for Natural Disaster Damages (Q. First Round) Public FinanceEnvironment Read →