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10th Parliament· 154 sittings on record · 30,475 speeches · latest 10 June 2026

Sitting of Wednesday, 19 February 2025

10th Parliament· 10 debates· 157 speeches· 62 speakers

Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 1740397565032971 ·English daily/uncorrected Hansard

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Order of business

Speeches load per item. Summaries shown here are AI-generated and labelled; verbatim text is on each speech page.

  7. 7 Oral question Oral Questions: Holuwagoda Development Project and Sports Facilities 9 speeches
    • The Hon. (Dr.) Nishantha Samaraweera JJB

      AI summary Dr. Nishantha Samaraweera asked the Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure to report on the current status of the Holuwagoda Development Project. He sought details on the extent of agricultural land expected to be developed, obstacles preventing its agricultural use, and whether the project’s benefits have materialized in proportion to the expenditure incurred.

      InfrastructureAgriculturePublic Finance Full speech →
    • The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna - Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure JJB

      AI summary Construction of the Holuwagoda Project was completed on 20 December 2023, and the Holuwagoda Wetland Park was opened to the public on 13 March 2024, with management handed over to the Ruhunu Tourism Bureau. The Minister stated that the project’s expected benefits include flood mitigation through drainage, recreational facilities, marketplace support for local economic and plantation activities, city beautification, tourism promotion, walkways, and a children’s play area, and that these benefits are considered to have been achieved.

      EnvironmentInfrastructure Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Dr.) Nishantha Samaraweera JJB

      AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nishantha Samaraweera raised concerns that the objectives of the Holuwagoda initiative have not been fully achieved, noting that about 4,000 acres have become heavily waterlogged, including paddy lands now unsuitable for other cultivation. He said the new Government is planning measures to reduce accumulated water, but requested a proper review of the project, particularly as expected tourism benefits have not materialized due to low foreign arrivals.

      AgricultureInfrastructure Full speech →
    • The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna - Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure JJB

      AI summary About 18.89 acres were allocated for the project, with the Ministry only facilitating land acquisition while the Urban Development Authority handled planning and spent approximately Rs. 222.1 million. The Minister said the Ministry would examine any remaining waterlogged paddy lands and cultivation difficulties and take necessary action.

      Land & HousingInfrastructure Full speech →
    • Hon. (Dr.) Nishantha Samaraweera JJB

      AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nishantha Samaraweera raised a supplementary question about activities at a park said to fall under the Ruhunu Tourism Bureau, alleging that recent actions had taken place without the Bureau’s knowledge or coordination. He asked the Minister to intervene and examine whether the responsibilities assigned to the Ruhunu Tourism Bureau were being properly carried out, noting concerns about briefings to local residents and resulting public protests.

      Parliamentary ProcedureCorruption & Governance Reform Full speech →
    • Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna JJB

      AI summary Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna stated that the Ministry would examine the second supplementary question, while clarifying that the matter falls under the Ruhunu Tourism Bureau rather than his Ministry. He explained that the relevant Ministries were involved only in land acquisition, and that future administration had been handed over to the Southern Province Ruhunu Tourism Bureau, which would be informed to address the issues raised.

      Public FinanceInfrastructure Full speech →
    • Hon. Sunil Kumara Gamage - Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports JJB

      AI summary Hon. Sunil Kumara Gamage stated that the Bandarawela Public Playground was renovated by the Department of Sports Development, including drainage, and handed over to the Bandarawela Municipal Council on 19 January 2022, making the Council responsible for maintenance thereafter. He said the ground is intended for athletics rather than cricket, and departmental expenditure on the renovation was Rs. 16.4 million in 2019, Rs. 41.7 million in 2020 and Rs. 1.7 million in 2021. He added that no 2025 departmental allocations have been made because the ground belongs to the Municipal Council, though the Ministry would look into the matter and take necessary steps if maintenance is not being carried out.

      Public FinanceInfrastructure Full speech →
    • Hon. Ravindra Bandara

      AI summary Hon. Ravindra Bandara raised a supplementary question on the condition of the Bandarawela ground, stating that drainage lines within the boundary and poor water management make it unsafe and unsuitable for cricket or athletics. He noted that major matches have been moved to Suriyawewa and linked the issue to broader unplanned development in Bandarawela, including the loss of an alternative route after market and commercial centre developments. He asked whether the Government has a plan to provide a developed alternative sports ground for Bandarawela, suggesting sites such as Kabilla sports ground, Bandarawela Central College ground, or the Teachers’ College ground.

      InfrastructureEducation Full speech →
    • Hon. Sunil Kumara Gamage JJB

      AI summary Hon. Sunil Kumara Gamage said the Bandarawela ground had been developed through unplanned, ad hoc processes, resulting in safety risks such as a steel-lined drain close to the cricket boundary. He stated that those responsible for the development should be held accountable and said the Ministry would discuss with the Municipal Council either to reconfigure the ground for cricket or, if that is not feasible, to develop a new ground for the area.

      Infrastructure Full speech →