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

Sitting of Monday, 24 February 2025

10th Parliament· 13 debates· 174 speeches· 53 speakers

Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 1741236032093385 ·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.

  6. 6 Oral question Oral Question: Question No. 3 - 447/2025 (Forest Conservation) 6 speeches
    • The Hon. Ruwan Wijeweera JJB

      AI summary Hon. Ruwan Wijeweera raised Question 447/2025 to the Minister of Environment, seeking year-by-year data from 2020 to 2024 on the extent of land under the Department of Forest Conservation and the reasons for any changes. He also asked the Minister to state the Department’s primary role and whether its lands may be used for common public purposes, and if not, to explain why.

      Land & HousingEnvironment Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Dr.) Dammika Patabendi - Minister of Environment JJB

      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.

      Environment Full speech →
    • The Hon. Ruwan Wijeweera JJB

      AI summary Ruwan Wijeweera raised a supplementary question on encroachment of Forest Department lands in Monaragala and other areas, alleging that large tracts are being sold to outsiders and fenced with electric barriers. He asked what measures are being taken to prevent such encroachment and address its impact on elephant movement and the human-elephant conflict.

      EnvironmentLand & HousingLaw & Order Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Dr.) Dammika Patabendi JJB

      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.

      Security & DefenceEnvironmentLand & Housing Full speech →
    • The Hon. Ruwan Wijeweera JJB

      AI summary Asked whether the Government has a plan to address reported understaffing among field officers, particularly Forest Range Officers. He also requested clarification on measures to provide adequate fuel and facilities to support their duties.

      EnvironmentPublic Finance Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Dr.) Dammika Patabendi JJB

      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.

      EmploymentPublic Finance Full speech →