Sitting of Wednesday, 19 February 2025
Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 1740397565032971 ·English daily/uncorrected Hansard
Order of business
Speeches load per item. Summaries shown here are AI-generated and labelled; verbatim text is on each speech page.
- 1 Opening Speaker's Announcements: Opposition Representation in Parliamentary Committees 11 speeches
- 2 Papers Papers Presented: Annual Reports and Ministry Statements 9 speeches
- 3 Petitions Petitions Presented by Members 7 speeches
- 4 Oral question Oral Question No. 152/2024: Waste-to-Energy Power Plant in Kerawalapitiya 6 speeches
- 5 Oral question Oral Question No. 179/2024: CEB Payment of Loans and Staff Emoluments 8 speeches
- The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF
AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake asked the Minister of Energy to provide details on the Ceylon Electricity Board’s incorporation date, government capital investment, and its short- and long-term loan liabilities. He also requested information on CEB staffing numbers and monthly expenditure in 2024 on salaries, overtime, allowances, bonuses, transport and other emoluments, and asked whether CEB pays PAYE tax for its staff and, if not, when and why it stopped.
- The Hon. Kumara Jayakody - Minister of Energy JJB
AI summary The Minister of Energy provided data on the Ceylon Electricity Board in response to a parliamentary question, stating that the CEB was incorporated on 1 November 1969 and that Government equity in it stood at Rs. 991.43 billion as at 30 November 2024. He detailed the CEB’s short- and long-term loan position, reported staff numbers as at 31 December 2024, and stated that total staff-related costs for 2024 amounted to Rs. 53.074 billion. He also stated that the CEB does not pay PAYE tax on behalf of staff and had ceased PAYE deductions and remittances from 1 November 2020.
Public Finance Full speech → - The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF
AI summary Ravi Karunanayake referred to an accumulated loss of Rs. 288 billion and annual staff-related cash outflows of about Rs. 6 billion, asking whether pricing is being set on a cost-reflective basis. He questioned the current selling price methodology and whether it complies with IMF requirements for cost-reflective pricing.
Public Finance Full speech → - The Hon. Kumara Jayakody - Minister of Energy JJB
AI summary The Minister of Energy stated that the Government is adhering to a cost-reflective framework. The remark indicates a commitment to aligning energy-related pricing or policy decisions with underlying costs.
Public Finance Full speech → - The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF
AI summary The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake asked for clarification on whether electricity tariffs would be increased, noting that the average selling price of Rs. 28–29 is below the production cost of Rs. 39.30. He stressed the need to balance the financial viability of the utility with avoiding excessive burdens on consumers.
Public Finance Full speech → - The Hon. Kumara Jayakody - Minister of Energy JJB
AI summary The Minister of Energy stated that energy pricing depends on rainfall and weather conditions, particularly as hydropower availability changes. He indicated that there is currently no major issue, but suggested that the coming dry season could affect the next price adjustment.
Public Finance Full speech → - The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF
AI summary Ravi Karunanayake noted that hydropower can meet only about 35 percent of electricity needs, while thermal generation costs significantly more. He argued that selling electricity below production cost creates losses and cautioned against using hydropower pricing as the basis for overall tariffs. He called for a responsible pricing approach that avoids financial losses while protecting consumers.
- The Hon. Kumara Jayakody - Minister of Energy JJB
AI summary Minister Kumara Jayakody said the Government has minimized oil-based power generation and is using LNG, hydro, and solar to lower average electricity generation costs. He stated that policy will focus on expanding solar capacity, with the aim of stabilizing and sustainably reducing electricity tariffs over three years rather than allowing sharp fluctuations.
- 6 Procedural Procedural: Question No. 3 Deferred 1 speeches
- 7 Oral question Oral Questions: Holuwagoda Development Project and Sports Facilities 9 speeches
- 8 Oral question Oral Question (Second Round): Flood Control in Kolonnawa DS Division 3 speeches
- 9 Oral question Question by Private Notice (Standing Order 27(2)): Data on Poverty, Aswesuma Programme and Law and Order 13 speeches
- 10 Debate Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Second Reading 90 speeches