Sitting of Wednesday, 5 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 Opening Parliament Opening 1 speeches ▸
2. 2 Papers Papers Presented: Annual Reports and Committee Reports 5 speeches ▸
3. 3 Petitions Petitions Presented by Members 5 speeches ▸
4. 4 Oral question Oral Question: Madunagala Tourist Project (Q.1/2025) 6 speeches ▸
5. 5 Oral question Oral Question: Cey-Nor Housing Scheme, Batticaloa (Q.2/2025) 6 speeches ▸
6. 6 Oral question Oral Question: Substandard Coconut Oil (Q.3/2025) 6 speeches ▸
7. 7 Oral question Oral Question: Shops Leased Out in Polonnaruwa City Center (Q.4/2025) 6 speeches ▸
8. 8 Oral question Oral Question: Nilwala River Salinity Barrier - Farmer Compensation (Q.5/2025) 4 speeches ▾
   • The Hon. (Prof.) L.M. Abeywickrama JJB

     AI summary Prof. L.M. Abeywickrama raised concerns over prolonged flooding in the Matara District, which he attributed to the design and location of a salinity barrier built across the Nilwala River between 2018 and 2022. He said the barrier obstructed river flow, caused siltation, damaged crops and trees, created socio-economic hardship, and led to high diesel costs for pumping floodwater. He also questioned the handling of technical studies, alleging a conflict of interest and delays despite earlier university reports, and asked the Deputy Minister of Irrigation to intervene urgently to resolve the issue.

     InfrastructureEnvironmentPublic Finance Full speech →
   • The Hon. Susil Ranasinghe - Deputy Minister of Land and Irrigation JJB

     AI summary The Deputy Minister stated that although the river falls under the Department of Irrigation, the National Water Supply and Drainage Board led the approval and construction of the salinity barrier, with the Department granting construction approval. He acknowledged technical problems causing hardship to local residents and said a technical evaluation report was being delayed. He proposed an urgent meeting involving the Minister, the Water Supply and Drainage Board, and the Department of Irrigation to identify immediate remedial actions, with the Board taking the lead and the Department of Irrigation providing support.

     Public FinanceInfrastructure Full speech →
   • The Hon. (Prof.) L.M. Abeywickrama JJB

     AI summary (Prof.) L.M. Abeywickrama stated that farmers affected by construction-related non-cultivation had been promised compensation, with a list prepared, but no payments had been made despite repeated assurances. He requested intervention to ensure the compensation is paid and proposed appointing a Parliamentary Committee or taking other measures to examine the matter.

     AgriculturePublic Finance Full speech →
   • The Hon. Susil Ranasinghe - Deputy Minister of Land and Irrigation JJB

     AI summary Clarified that compensation matters fall under the National Water Supply and Drainage Board rather than the Department of Irrigation, and suggested inquiries be directed to the NWSDB. Proposed convening a joint discussion with all relevant parties to resolve the issue.

     Land & HousingInfrastructure Full speech →
9. 9 Oral question Oral Question: Fire Service Units in Mannar (Q.27(2)/2025) 3 speeches ▸
10. 10 Debate Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage: Heads 124, 216, 331, 151 and 290 27 speeches ▸
11. 11 Debate Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Continued: Heads 124, 151, 331 133 speeches ▸
12. 12 Procedural Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage: Final Amendments and Progress Report 18 speeches ▸
13. 13 Adjournment Adjournment Motion: Jaffna - Social Impact of Drug Addiction Among Youth 17 speeches ▸