Sitting of Tuesday, 4 March 2025

Order of business

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

1. 1 Papers Papers presented 3 speeches ▸
2. 2 Petitions Petitions presented 5 speeches ▸
3. 3 Oral question Oral Question 1: Shakya Kingdom replica at Kahapola (Q.481/2025) 5 speeches ▸
4. 4 Oral question Oral Question 2: National Equipment and Machinery Organization (Q.4838/2025) 6 speeches ▸
5. 5 Oral question Oral Question 3: Gemstone mining licences in Wellawaya (Q.489/2025) 6 speeches ▸
6. 6 Oral question Oral Question 4: Arabic schools curriculum (Q.481/2025) 2 speeches ▸
7. 7 Procedural Ministerial Statement: Online Safety Act and tax on export services 20 speeches ▸
8. 8 Procedural Ministerial Statements and Points of Order 76 speeches ▸
9. 9 Procedural Ministerial Statement: Salary increases for doctors (Budget 2025) 1 speeches ▸
10. 10 Procedural Personal Explanations 5 speeches ▸
11. 11 Procedural Notices of Motions: Privilege matter 2 speeches ▸
12. 12 Debate Appropriation Bill 2025 — Twelfth Allotted Day — Committee Stage 103 speeches ▸
13. 13 Adjournment Adjournment Motion: Flood Mitigation in Ratnapura District 10 speeches ▾
    • The Hon. (Dr.) Upali Pannilage - Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment JJB

      AI summary The Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment moved the adjournment of Parliament. The motion “That Parliament do now adjourn” was then proposed.

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    • The Hon. Speaker procedural
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    • The Hon. Waruna Liyanage SJB

      AI summary Hon. Waruna Liyanage moved an Adjournment Motion calling for the Ministry of Irrigation to formulate a systematic programme to address recurrent flooding in Ratnapura District, where several Divisional Secretary’s Divisions are inundated multiple times annually. He requested that future Budget allocations include measures to protect lives and property, while also making better use of Kalu Ganga water that currently flows to the sea. He proposed options including diverting water through Kuda-oya toward Udawalawe and Hambantota to support cultivation, and exploring “dry dam” projects on Kalu Ganga tributaries for flood control and possible small-scale hydropower generation.

      InfrastructureAgricultureEnvironment Full speech →
    • The Hon. Speaker procedural
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    • The Hon. B. Ariyawansha SJB

      AI summary Hon. B. Ariyawansha seconded the Adjournment Motion and highlighted repeated flooding in Ratnapura District, especially along the Kalu Ganga in Ratnapura and Ayagama, calling for renewed action on the earlier Kalu Ganga reservoir proposal at Gilimale/Malwala and smaller flood-control measures such as cross canals and tanks. He requested future Budget allocations for such works and criticized the inadequacy of compensation for flood and landslide damage. He also urged action on long-delayed land, housing, and school restoration needs for landslide-affected communities in Suriyakanda, Panana, Sapugaskanda, and the closed Lankaberiya school area.

      InfrastructureEnvironmentLand & Housing Full speech →
    • The Hon. Speaker procedural
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    • The Hon. Shantha Pathma Kumara Subasingha JJB

      AI summary Hon. Shantha Pathma Kumara Subasingha supported the Adjournment Motion on flood impacts in Ratnapura and Kalutara, arguing that relief after disasters is insufficient and that sustainable, scientifically planned mitigation is needed. He cited proposals including dry dams in areas such as Malwala, widening the Kalu Ganga river mouth near Kalutara, improving riverbanks, and considering measures linked to Udawalawe Reservoir and the Walawe and Kuru Rivers. He urged the Government to begin at least one intervention this year and said Government MPs would support efforts to find a long-term solution.

      Parliamentary ProcedureInfrastructureEnvironment Full speech →
    • The Hon. Speaker procedural
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    • The Hon. Upul Kithsiri JJB

      AI summary Hon. Upul Kithsiri supported the Adjournment Motion on recurrent flooding in Ratnapura District, noting that annual floods affect low-lying areas including Ratnapura, Kuruwita, Ayagama, Kalawana, Nivithigala and Eheliyagoda. He said previous technical assessments and proposals had been made, and urged the Government, with the Deputy Minister of Lands and Irrigation, to prepare and implement a sustainable plan using multiple measures to reduce the flood threat.

      EnvironmentParliamentary Procedure Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe - Deputy Minister of Land and Irrigation JJB

      AI summary Deputy Minister Susil Ranasinghe acknowledged severe flooding in Ratnapura, primarily caused by high monsoon flows in the Kalu Ganga, and said existing mitigation and compensation measures are insufficient. He outlined Irrigation Department proposals based on a 2014 study, including dry dams at Malwala and on the Walawe Ganga, water diversion and reservoir options, and rehabilitation of the Kalu Ganga river mouth with a saltwater barrier. He stated that no allocation is available in the current Budget, as priority is being given to resolving stalled irrigation projects, but said these structural flood-control measures, estimated at about USD 250 million, could be considered in future budgets.

      EnvironmentLand & HousingInfrastructure Full speech →
14. 14 Procedural Adjournment of Parliament 2 speeches ▸