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

Sitting of Monday, 3 March 2025

10th Parliament· 12 debates· 136 speeches· 54 speakers

Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 1742268353096939 ·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.

  4. 4 Oral question Oral Question: Gem-Mining Permits (Q.1/2025) 6 speeches
    • The Hon. Dinindu Saman

      AI summary Hon. Dinindu Saman asked the Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development for annual data on gem-mining permits issued from 2020 to 2024. He also requested details on licensed gem mines in the Badulla District by Divisional Secretary’s Division, including how many were properly backfilled after operations ended and the identities of those mines.

      Land & Housing Full speech →
    • The Hon. Chathuranga Abeysinghe - Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development JJB

      AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, figures were provided on gem-mining permits issued by the National Gem and Jewellery Authority from 2020 to 2024, rising from 4,665 in 2020 to 7,897 in 2024, with a peak of 8,286 in 2023. For Badulla District, 1,434 licensed gem mines were reported for 2021-2024 across DS Divisions, with the highest numbers in Lunugala, Haldummulla and Passara, and active mines increasing from 181 in 2021 to 434 by end-2024. It was also stated that lists of mines properly closed and backfilled according to standards for 2020-2024, including licensee and site details, have been compiled and are available with the Authority.

      EnvironmentAgriculture Full speech →
    • The Hon. Dinindu Saman

      AI summary Hon. Dinindu Saman raised concerns about licensed and unlicensed mining in Badulla, alleging past political interference, environmental damage, and social tensions in villages. He asked whether the Ministry would establish a proper regulatory process for future mining activities, including recommendations from Divisional Secretaries and better coordination among relevant authorities.

      Corruption & Governance ReformEnvironment Full speech →
    • The Hon. Chathuranga Abeysinghe - Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development JJB

      AI summary Chathuranga Abeysinghe said the gem mining sector faces regulatory, legal, and land rights issues linked to past political interference and varying scales of mining activity. He noted that unpaid security deposits had required the Authority to spend Rs. 11 million in 2024 to close and rehabilitate pits. He said the Government is establishing oversight mechanisms from the District Secretary to Divisional Secretariat level and a legal support team under the Authority to strengthen enforcement and supervision.

      Public FinanceEnvironmentJustice & Human Rights Full speech →
    • The Hon. Dinindu Saman

      AI summary Hon. Dinindu Saman raised concerns that unregulated mining has caused landslides in Lunugala. He asked whether the Ministry is pursuing legal amendments and reforms to regularize and develop the mining industry, and requested the current status of those efforts.

      EnvironmentCorruption & Governance Reform Full speech →
    • The Hon. Chathuranga Abeysinghe - Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development JJB

      AI summary The Deputy Minister said environmental impacts related to industrial activity, including landslide-prone areas, flood plains and flood-prone zones, are being examined jointly by the Environment Ministry, the National Gem and Jewellery Authority and the Industry Ministry. He stated that a national framework is being prepared to update and define standards, enable rapid enforcement against non-compliance, and strengthen permit supervision, with national presentation expected shortly.

      EnvironmentInfrastructure Full speech →