Sitting of Friday, 7 March 2025
Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 1743066559006904 ·English daily/uncorrected Hansard
Order of business
Speeches load per item. Summaries shown here are AI-generated and labelled; verbatim text is on each speech page.
- 1 Opening Opening: Parliament met 1 speeches
- 2 Papers Papers: Ministerial Reports and Performance Reports 4 speeches
- 3 Petitions Petitions: Citizens' Petitions presented 4 speeches
- 4 Procedural Procedural: Oral Answers to Questions announcement 1 speeches
- 5 Oral question Oral Question: Shortage of Pharmacists and External Pharmacist Examination (Q.492/2025) 8 speeches
- 6 Oral question Oral Question: Thambapavani Wind Power Station (Q.154/2024) 2 speeches
- 7 Oral question Oral Question: Haputale and Haldummulla DS Divisions (Q.253/2024) 2 speeches
- 8 Oral question Oral Question: Base Hospital, Puttalam: Drainage System (Q.292/2024) 2 speeches
- 9 Oral question Oral Question: Sri Lanka Ports Authority Terminals Operations (Q.304/2024) 2 speeches
- 10 Debate Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Heads 117, 123, 306, 307, 309-311, 332, 336) 105 speeches
- The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Chairman procedural
- The Hon. S.M. Marikkar SJB
AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar moved the customary Rs. 10 cut under the relevant expenditure heads and focused on the construction, housing, urban development and ports sectors. He argued that the construction industry is in crisis due to high interest rates, raw material costs, currency pressures and heavy taxation, and called for tax rationalization, public-private housing models, smart city planning, and pilot projects outside the Western Province. He welcomed committee action on flood control in Kolonnawa and Colombo drainage, while urging coordinated implementation. He also asked the Government to regularize title deeds for relocated urban apartment residents, waive unfair penal interest, improve maintenance or allow resident management, and sought progress on the East Container Terminal.
- The Hon. Chairman procedural
- The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation and Leader of the House of Parliament JJB
AI summary The Minister outlined the Ministry’s priorities for transport safety, service quality, and infrastructure under the new Government, citing plans to secure about 400 unsafe level crossings, install traffic-signal countdown timers, review transport safety laws, and introduce measures such as seat belts in public transport. He announced railway service improvements, expansion of rail freight, feasibility and development proposals including the Avissawella–Ratnapura extension and Nanu Oya–Nuwara Eliya tourism line, and initiatives to recruit women into SLTB and railway roles. He also proposed organizing three-wheeler and app-based drivers into cooperatives with social security support, strengthening accident investigations, and developing commercial activity at stations and depots. On ports, he stated that the East Container Terminal would remain fully public while private investment would be sought competitively for other port projects such as West Container Terminal 2 and Colombo North Port.
- The Hon. Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran ITAK
AI summary Hon. Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran raised transport, bridge, housing, and land title issues affecting Ampara District. He requested urgent rehabilitation of Kittangi Bridge and the inclusion of several other bridges in the government bridge rehabilitation programme, citing isolation of residents, student transport difficulties, and economic impacts. He also sought housing, roads, and basic infrastructure for resettled and landless families in Pottuvil–Kanagar Village. Additionally, he called for title deeds, ownership deeds, sewerage facilities, and completion of pending housing schemes in Kalmunai, Tambiluvil, Aalayadivembu, Aligambai, and Thandiyadi.
- The Hon. Chairman procedural
- The Hon. Sunil Kumara Gamage - Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports JJB
AI summary The Minister discussed the National Water Supply and Drainage Board under the Ministry of Urban Development, Construction and Housing, noting that pipe-borne water coverage remains insufficient despite growth in connections since 2014. He said the Board faces heavy financial pressure from legacy debt, delayed capital projects, non-revenue water, staffing costs, and poorly planned procurements, which have contributed to tariff pressures. He identified several long-delayed projects, including Greater Colombo, Jaffna-Kilinochchi, and Laggala, and stated that the 2025 allocation includes over Rs. 49 billion to stabilize the NWSDB, complete delayed works, reduce non-revenue water, and rationalize costs.
- The Hon. J.C. Alawathuwala SJB
AI summary Hon. J.C. Alawathuwala sought clarification from the Minister on the 2025 work plan and budget allocations for several expressway projects. He asked whether work would proceed on the Kurunegala–Dambulla corridor despite no visible allocation, and requested updates on restarting the stalled Kadawatha–Meerigama section, including the role of the Chinese contractor. He also asked for timelines for the Pothuhera–Galagedara section, particularly the Rambukkana–Galagedara stretch, emphasizing its importance for access to Kandy and wider North–South connectivity.
Infrastructure Full speech → - The Hon. Rauff Hakeem, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Hon. Rauff Hakeem raised the issue of recurrent flash flooding in Akurana, citing repeated major floods and attributing them to tributary overflow, riverbank encroachments, loss of flood plains, impervious surfaces, and waste dumping. He requested the allocation of Rs. 22 million to the Sri Lanka Land Reclamation and Development Corporation for a seven-month feasibility study and urged the Urban Development Authority to enforce laws against illegal constructions along river margins. He tabled engineering recommendations, a flooding dossier, and related correspondence, and proposed that relevant engineers, local research, and Peradeniya University studies be used to develop a structured mitigation plan.
- The Hon. Rauff Hakeem, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Hon. Rauff Hakeem urged the Government to improve transport and port infrastructure, including modern passenger facilities at the KKS terminal for the India-Sri Lanka ferry service and corrective works at Oluvil Harbour, where an allegedly defective DANIDA-funded breakwater has blocked access and affected fishermen in the Ampara District. He called for Oluvil to be properly developed as a fishing harbour while addressing coastal erosion concerns, and for the Batticaloa International Airport runway to be upgraded to accommodate commercial aircraft. He also said the Kandy Multimodal Transport Terminal should be supported by bus holding facilities at Katugastota, Peradeniya and Pallekele, along with shuttle or rail-based solutions, to reduce congestion in Kandy.
- The Hon. Chairman procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Prasanna Gunasena - Deputy Minister of Transport and Highways JJB
AI summary Deputy Minister Prasanna Gunasena outlined measures to reduce elephant–train collisions and train cancellations, reporting that 286 trains operated the previous day with only one cancellation. He said the transport sector’s main institutions, particularly SLTB, had deteriorated due to politicization and underinvestment, and proposed rebuilding services through 1,100 new buses, Rs. 3,000 million for low-floor city buses, 200 expressway buses, and the revival of Lakdiva Engineering. He also detailed delays and costs linked to the Kandy Multimodal Transport Terminal, stating that Rs. 7,730 million has been allocated with civil works targeted for completion by May 2027, alongside Rs. 1,500 million for related access and parking facilities to address Kandy congestion.
- The Hon. Chairman procedural
- The Hon. D.V. Chanaka SLPP
AI summary Hon. D.V. Chanaka raised concerns about imported hydrated lime used in drinking water treatment, alleging that recent consignments exceeded the chromium limit and questioning changes to the Sri Lanka Standards specification from 10 mg/kg to 12 mg/kg. He challenged inconsistencies between the Minister’s and NWSDB Chairman’s statements on when the standard was amended, disputed claims about higher international limits, and argued that global drinking water standards have generally tightened due to health risks. He asked why failed stocks remain in stores, whether a new tender with relaxed specifications could permit the same supplier to use them, and called for a transparent investigation, standardized testing, and action against unreliable suppliers or laboratories.
- The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka JJB
AI summary Hon. Anura Karunathilaka stated that the National Water Supply and Drainage Board is not using the hydrated lime stock that failed quality requirements and that the request to raise permissible limits predated the current administration. He said tenders include specified quality parameters, stocks are tested both on receipt and before use, and non-compliant supplies are rejected and must be replaced by suppliers. He assured Parliament that only SLS-compliant hydrated lime is used for water purification.
- The Hon. D.V. Chanaka SLPP
AI summary Asked the Government to specify the exact location where the failed stocks are being stored.
Public Finance Full speech → - The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka JJB
AI summary The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka stated that the relevant items are kept in designated warehouses and, according to procedure, are dispatched only while awaiting required tests. He clarified that any items which fail the tests are not used.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. D.V. Chanaka SLPP
AI summary Hon. D.V. Chanaka questioned why failed stocks remained in the plants after four months. He alleged that a new tender may be called with relaxed specifications, allowing the same company to re-enter the process and reuse the stocks, and raised this as a concern requiring attention.
Corruption & Governance Reform Full speech → - The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka JJB
AI summary Anura Karunathilaka rejected responding to hypothetical issues and said they should be raised only if they arise. He also challenged opponents over their response to past allegations concerning a former Minister and the importation of carcinogenic drugs, cautioning against misleading Parliament and the public through speculation.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Chairman procedural
- The Hon. D.V. Chanaka SLPP
AI summary Hon. D.V. Chanaka notes that the Leader of the Opposition has granted him an additional two minutes to speak. No substantive policy position, question, or proposal is presented in the excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka SJB
AI summary Gayantha Karunathilleka briefly intervened procedurally to allocate two minutes of speaking time to another member.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Chairman procedural
- The Hon. D.V. Chanaka SLPP
AI summary Hon. D.V. Chanaka said that action against Hon. Keheliya Rambukwella occurred under the previous Government, noting that he was impeached and remanded then. He questioned the decision to raise the chromium limit for hydrated lime to 12 mg/kg, arguing that repeated test failures, including foreign tests, and inconsistent laboratory results required standardisation, supplier blacklisting where appropriate, and a thorough investigation. He warned that chromium is carcinogenic and said public safety in water treatment must be safeguarded, while also asking why ministerial and chairman statements differed.
- The Hon. Chairman procedural
- The Hon. Dilip Wedaarachchi SJB
AI summary Dilip Wedaarachchi raised housing, infrastructure, and transport issues in Hambantota District during debate on the relevant expenditure heads. He requested a separate review and completion of stalled “Udagam” housing projects begun in 2015–2019, including provision of water and electricity, highlighting the Agrapahara scheme where most houses remain unoccupied due to lack of water. He also sought restoration of key railway services from Beliatta, including the Ruhunu Kumari and Beliatta–Kandy express, and urged completion of several unfinished bridge projects affecting local transport and agriculture. He further asked that the closed Tangalle building materials supply unit of the National Housing Development Authority be reopened.
- The Hon. Chairman procedural
- The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary The Minister informed Parliament about allegations that an SLTB conductor in the Matugama area had asked schoolchildren to leave a bus. He stated that SLTB policy requires all schoolchildren with season tickets and all passengers to be accepted on SLTB buses, and that the conductor has been removed from duty pending an inquiry and will not be reassigned until investigations are completed.
- The Hon. Chairman procedural
- The Hon. Ruwanthilaka Jayakody JJB
AI summary Hon. Ruwanthilaka Jayakody supported the 2025 Citizens’ Budget, arguing that it lays the foundation for recovery after the economic crisis and contrasting it with past fiscal mismanagement. He detailed allocations and plans under the Urban Development, Construction and Housing Ministry, including funding for Siyath Nagara, Anuradhapura and Jaffna development, urban regeneration housing, provincial master plans, and projects in Colombo, Homagama and Kolonnawa. He alleged past malpractice in urban development projects in Gampaha, including misuse of UDA land, underused buildings, and improper capture of public-purpose land, and said investigations would proceed while inviting voluntary return of such lands. He called for structured, needs-based urban planning to reduce rural–urban disparities and ensure transparent use of public funds.
- The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake raised a procedural concern that ministry officials unable to sit in the officials’ box are placed in the gallery, where phone use is prohibited, limiting their ability to provide timely clarifications during debate. He requested the Secretary-General and the Serjeant-at-Arms to implement an arrangement, from the same day or the following day, to facilitate communication with heads of institutions.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Chairman procedural
- The Hon. Anuradha Jayaratne NDF
AI summary Anuradha Jayaratne argued that the transport sector requires restructuring beyond traditional methods to meet national targets. Citing the Doluwe–Kandy route, he said road infrastructure had improved but bus services remained outdated, and he supported a new model with private participation where the State cannot bear the full burden.
- Hon. Anuradha Jayaratne NDF
AI summary Hon. Anuradha Jayaratne argued that Sri Lanka’s transport and urban development sectors require integrated administration and greater private-sector participation to progress. He urged the Government to revive the proposed BYD-supported monorail/LRT project for Kandy, linking Kadugannawa, Thannekubura and Katugastota, and to actively drive it rather than leave it solely to officials. He also called for major urban and transport development plans to be reviewed, gazetted and institutionalized as long-term frameworks so they are not altered with changes of ministers or governments, citing delays and inconsistencies in projects such as the Gampola road from Sahira College to Nidahas Mawatha.
- Hon. Anuradha Jayaratne NDF
AI summary Hon. Anuradha Jayaratne urged the Government to create a continuing mechanism to implement Cabinet-approved national development projects, noting that land acquisitions under the Land Acquisition Act are often delayed by court cases and administrative inaction, with funds such as the Rs. 678 million allocated for Gampola urban development largely returning to the Treasury. He asked that officials be empowered to proceed with essential urban development works and requested reconsideration of a UDA decision so land in Kandy can be provided to new lawyers for chambers at acquisition cost rather than market value. He also highlighted gaps in pipe-borne water supply in Kandy and Gampola, called for protection of lands acquired for water projects, and proposed reviewing essential water schemes through a committee and exploring new models, including private-sector participation and a basin-based approach.
- The Hon. Chairman procedural
- The Hon. Mujibur Rahman SJB
AI summary Hon. Mujibur Rahman argued that Colombo’s post-2010 resettlement into high-rise housing was poorly planned, disrupted livelihoods, and has left the Government bearing major repair costs, while valuable urban land was freed for commercial development. He urged future housing policy to use mixed-income models, provide affordable units specifically for Colombo renters and lower-income families, and prevent the Urban Development Authority from functioning primarily as a developer for higher-income buyers. He called on the Minister to cancel allegedly irregular allocations and leases of Housing Ministry and NHDA properties made without tender, including common facilities in housing schemes, and questioned whether the proposed Rs. 1 million-per-family housing assistance across GN divisions is adequate. He also raised concern over Colombo Port competitiveness in light of the West Container Terminal arrangement with Adani and the development of Vizhinjam Port in India.
- The Hon. Chairman procedural
- The Hon. Mujibur Rahman SJB
AI summary Mujibur Rahman criticized post-2005 Hambantota development projects undertaken by the Rajapaksas with Chinese loans, describing facilities such as conference halls, wide roads, and the port as “white elephants.” He argued that institutions like the Asian Development Bank and World Bank would not have funded such projects.
- The Hon. Chairman procedural
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson
AI summary The Hon. Deputy Chairperson called on a Member to proceed with their speech at 2.24 p.m.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. (Ms.) Lakmali Hemachandra, Attorney-at-Law JJB
AI summary Hon. Lakmali Hemachandra responded to concerns about a proposed lawyers’ office complex in Kandy, stating that a foundation stone had been laid before the land was officially released by the UDA and that any action must follow lawful procedures. She said the Justice Ministry does not have a mandate to allocate land or build such complexes, though the Government would assist within legal limits. She then outlined work by the Transport Advisory Council’s legal reform subcommittee, emphasizing public transport as a public service with economic, environmental and safety implications. Referring to the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety, she highlighted that 12,240 people had died in road accidents in Sri Lanka over the past five years.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson
AI summary The Deputy Chairperson informed the Member that only two minutes remained for their speech.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. (Ms.) Lakmali Hemachandra, Attorney-at-Law JJB
AI summary Hon. Lakmali Hemachandra highlighted that 12,240 road accident deaths occurred in the past five years, with pedestrians, motorcyclists, and three-wheeler drivers among the main victims. She said recommendations from the 2014 P. Dayaratne Report and parliamentary committees to strengthen transport regulation, including empowering the National Transport Commission to regulate three-wheelers and school transport, had remained largely unimplemented for a decade. She noted that the Government has now submitted a Cabinet paper to amend the NTC Act and is working to reconstitute the National Council for Road Safety as a Commission, calling for coordinated, system-wide action to prioritize road safety.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson
AI summary Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen was called to speak next and was allocated 12 minutes. The Deputy Chairperson noted the time as 2.33 p.m.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen SJB
AI summary Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen raised a series of infrastructure and development requests affecting Ampara, Mannar, Vavuniya, Puttalam and surrounding areas, including rehabilitation of bridges and roads, completion of halted iRoad and RDA works, release of withdrawn repair funds for displaced communities’ camp areas, and additional funding for the Vattuvagal project. He sought the Government’s position on Oluvil Port, urged revival of the Rameswaram–Talaimannar ferry and jetty rehabilitation, and requested action to reopen the Mannar–Puttalam road at least as a motorable gravel route despite pending litigation on carpeting. He also proposed BOT-based expressway links to northern and eastern tourism areas and asked that incomplete housing projects and a partially built cultural hall in Silavathurai be funded regardless of political changes.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson
AI summary The Deputy Chairperson recognized Hon. Imran Maharoof and allotted him 11 minutes to speak, beginning at 2.46 p.m.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Imran Maharoof SJB
AI summary Hon. Imran Maharoof urged greater investment in Trincomalee’s transport, port-linked infrastructure and urban development, including extending the expressway corridor toward Dambulla or Habarana, rehabilitating the Kinniya–Kurinchakerny Bridge, restoring the Trincomalee–Colombo daytime train, and resuming domestic flights from China Bay. He raised land tenure and access concerns involving the Port Authority and Army around Karumalaiyootru Jummah Mosque and nearby long-settled areas, requesting the return or regularization of community, residential and cultivation lands. He also sought action on coastal erosion between Kinniya, Upparu and Muttur, and requested urban improvements in Kinniya, Thoppur and Pulmoddai. He condemned the alleged public assault of a moulavi by a police officer on 23 February and called on the Defence Ministry to prevent such incidents, tabling a related newspaper article for Hansard.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson
AI summary The Deputy Chairperson recognized Hon. Arkam Ilyas to speak next in the debate.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Anuradha Jayaratne NDF
AI summary Anuradha Jayaratne rose to raise a point of order. No substantive issue or argument was recorded in the provided excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Chairperson
AI summary Hon. Anuradha Jayaratne was called upon by the Deputy Chairperson to speak. No substantive remarks or policy points were made in the provided excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Anuradha Jayaratne NDF
AI summary Anuradha Jayaratne rejected claims that he and former Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe laid the foundation stone for the Kandy Lawyers’ Office Complex without approvals. He tabled UDA correspondence, the Kandy Bar Association’s acceptance letter, related documents, and a Cabinet Memorandum to argue that the necessary approvals had been obtained. He urged members not to make unfounded allegations and said any errors should be corrected so that projects such as lawyers’ and court complexes are not delayed by official inaction.
- The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary Funds have been allocated for the Kurinchakerny Bridge, and concerns raised over a Sri Lanka Ports Authority tender for 15 straddle carriers have been referred to the Presidential Investigation Unit, with related matters before court. Bimal Rathnayake said the procurement involved serious irregularities, including alleged manipulation of a Cabinet paper in September 2024, bypassing of procedures, and approvals and award of the tender immediately before the Presidential Election. He stated that the Government has decided to re-tender the procurement and argued this would not cause unusual delay, urging Members to verify facts before making claims.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson
AI summary The Deputy Chairperson called Hon. Arkam Ilyas to speak and allocated him eight minutes.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Arkam Ilyas JJB
AI summary Hon. Arkam Ilyas focused on urban development under the Budget, noting the allocation of about Rs. 98 billion for UDA development activities and arguing that stalled construction projects have tied up valuable land, public funds, and private investments. He cited unfinished projects such as the KRIS building, Grand Hyatt, and Destiny Mall and Residency, and said over 20 high-rise projects in Colombo are abandoned due to poor feasibility, commissions, and politicized decisions. He also highlighted flood-related urban development issues in areas including Dikwella, Beruwala, Wewurukannala, and Akurana, calling for scientific, expedited, and apolitical feasibility studies and solutions through the UDA and SLLRDC.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson
AI summary Hon. Deputy Chairperson called on Hon. Jagath Vithana to speak and informed him that he had 12 minutes.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Jagath Vithana SJB
AI summary Hon. Jagath Vithana highlighted operational shortcomings in the public bus system, particularly in Kalutara, where depots lack basic maintenance facilities such as jacks, washing, servicing, and oil-changing equipment. He argued that SLTB buses lose passengers to private buses because of inferior amenities and called for improvements and additional cash flow to revive the service. He said his comments were intended constructively and acknowledged some positive actions by the current Government.
Infrastructure Full speech → - The Hon. Jagath Vithana SJB
AI summary Hon. Jagath Vithana called for measures to expand long-distance bus services from Matugama to destinations such as Trincomalee, Badulla, Haputale and Ampara, noting that passengers currently have to travel via Colombo and make multiple transfers. He proposed calling tenders or establishing an annual quota mechanism for new routes, and said removing VAT on buses could encourage more operators to enter the sector. He stated that both the private sector and the SLTB could provide these services, offered to pilot improvements in the Kalutara District, and said he would submit further proposals in writing through the Transport Ministry Advisory Committee.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson
AI summary The Deputy Chairperson recognized Hon. Janitha Ruwan Kodithuwakku, Deputy Minister, and allocated him seven minutes to speak.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Janitha Ruwan Kodithuwakku - Deputy Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation JJB
AI summary Hon. Janitha Ruwan Kodithuwakku argued that Sri Lanka’s strategic maritime location should be used to restore its historical role in international trade, with ports and airports serving as gateways to economic growth. He outlined expansion plans for the Port of Colombo, including the West and East Container Terminals, a proposed West Container Terminal 2, and Colombo North Port, targeting total capacity of about 30 million TEUs by 2035. He also said the Government would address congestion and capacity constraints through improved marketing, fuel storage and bunkering arrangements, and an ADB-funded feasibility study for a rail-linked multimodal logistics centre and inland dry port at Bloemendhal.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson
AI summary The Hon. Deputy Chairperson informed the Deputy Minister that their allotted speaking time had expired.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Janitha Ruwan Kodithuwakku JJB
AI summary Janitha Ruwan Kodithuwakku requested an additional two minutes to continue speaking, addressing the Leader of the House.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Janitha Ruwan Kodithuwakku JJB
AI summary Janitha Ruwan Kodithuwakku said the Government will strengthen maritime human resources by empowering the Mahapola Training Centre and implementing the Merchant Shipping Secretariat’s roadmap to increase Sri Lankan seafarers to 50,000 by 2030 with private and State sector collaboration. He stated that the Trincomalee Port master plan will be re-evaluated this year, focusing on oil, cruise and container terminals, including support for restored oil tanks, tourism expansion and transshipment for India’s eastern seaboard. He also announced proposed amendments to aviation law to improve regulation of domestic aviation, aviation tourism activities and agricultural drone use.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson
AI summary The Deputy Chairperson informed the Deputy Minister that the allotted speaking time had ended.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Janitha Ruwan Kodithuwakku JJB
AI summary Hon. Janitha Ruwan Kodithuwakku stated that regulatory bottlenecks in the aviation sector would be addressed while maintaining compliance with national security requirements and ICAO regulations. He noted that Bandaranaike International Airport handled 8.8 million passengers despite being designed for 6 million, and called for expediting Terminal 2 construction, which would add capacity for 9 million passengers annually. He also highlighted air navigation revenue of Rs. 3,200 million in 2024 and said Rs. 3,500 million had been allocated in the Budget for a new building and technology upgrades.
- The Hon. Kathiravelu Shanmugam Kugathasan ITAK
AI summary Hon. Kathiravelu Shanmugam Kugathasan urged greater investment in Trincomalee’s port infrastructure, including development of the Ashraff Jetty, better use of oil tanks for bunkering, possible SLPA management of private jetties, and resolution of land disputes by granting titles to long-standing residents. He called for improvements to public transport in the district, including additional and repaired SLTB buses, staffing, and depot rehabilitation. He also requested urgent bridge projects at Kattaiparichchan, Iralu, Punnaithivu and Kokkilai Lagoon, and raised concern that road development allocations had fallen and remained focused mainly on major RDA roads rather than local and secondary roads.
- The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB
AI summary Dr. Harini Amarasuriya commended the Ministry of Transport and Sri Lanka Railways for establishing improved restroom facilities for women at Colombo Fort Railway Station, framing it as a practical measure to support safer and more dignified public transport use. She argued that inadequate, unsafe, and inaccessible transport limits women’s labour force participation, children’s education, and the inclusion of persons with disabilities, the elderly, pregnant women, and other vulnerable groups. She urged the Ministry to consider transport and road access in relation to schools, teacher deployment, and broader social participation, emphasizing that mobility should enable all citizens to access work, education, culture, and public life.
- The Hon. Jeevan Thondaman UNP
AI summary Jeevan Thondaman raised an incident in Hatton involving schoolchildren from Nuwara Eliya District who were allegedly abused and forcibly removed from a bus by its conductor. Referring to the Prime Minister’s comments on safety in transport, he asked the Prime Minister and Minister Bimal Rathnayake to take note and act against the conductor, warning against any recurrence of discriminatory treatment historically faced by hill-country communities.
- The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake informed the House that the bus conductor involved in the previous day’s Nuwara Eliya incident had been suspended and was subject to a disciplinary inquiry. He said the Ministry regretted and apologised to the affected schoolchildren, noting that a decision was already in place that no passenger, including students using season tickets, should be left behind.
- The Hon. Jeevan Thondaman UNP
AI summary Hon. Jeevan Thondaman urged that disciplinary action referenced by the Leader of the House result in a permanent remedy rather than a temporary suspension. He highlighted road rehabilitation completed in the hill country using profits from the Water Supply Ministry under the previous administration, and asked the Government to increase BSR rates so contractors will undertake remaining difficult roads such as Dayagama, Frotoft and St. Andrew’s Upper. On housing, he argued that land titles for plantation communities are more important than limited state-built housing allocations, noting the scale of housing need and requesting implementation of Cabinet-approved measures to provide land. He also briefly referenced concerns raised about chromium content in water and hydrated lime.
- The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake clarified that his earlier reference was limited to the issue of a Ferrari licence.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Jeevan Thondaman UNP
AI summary Jeevan Thondaman urged cross-party cooperation in response to risks from the global geopolitical and trade environment, including potential inflation and reduced demand for Sri Lankan exports. He proposed establishing an inter-party action committee for parties to meet, discuss issues, and develop solutions for the public.
- The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary Bimal Rathnayake said the National Transport Commission’s “Sisuseriya” school bus service, currently operating 1,500 buses, is expected to expand to 2,000 buses this year, and requested that schools, particularly in difficult areas, be informed of its availability through the Ministry of Education. He also stated that amendments enabling NTC licence ownership transfers have been submitted to Cabinet, with the Gazette being prepared, and that transfers are expected to be possible within the next few months after Parliament passes the Bill.
- The Hon. T. B. Sarath - Deputy Minister of Housing JJB
AI summary Deputy Minister T. B. Sarath argued that housing policy had been driven by politically motivated targets rather than verified need, citing incomplete model village projects, overstated construction figures, unoccupied or rented-out houses, and thousands of units left only at foundation stage. He said the Government has allocated Rs. 2,000 million this year to complete part of the unfinished work and raised concerns over past projects including Ranpokunugama, Yakkala Charalawatta, Marine Town, athlete housing promises, and NHDA recruitment. He also alleged irregular procurement, missing files, political allocation of housing units, and State losses from concessionary apartments given to MPs after the Aragalaya-related attacks.
- The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary Bimal Rathnayake asked the Deputy Minister to clarify whether the group under discussion includes persons who had already received compensation.
Public Finance Full speech → - The Hon. T. B. Sarath JJB
AI summary Hon. T. B. Sarath alleged that some individuals who received compensation and insurance payments for damaged houses, including cases of limited damage, also obtained State apartments, thereby misusing public funds. He said that when such matters are exposed the Opposition becomes agitated, and argued that concerns raised about limestone at the National Water Supply and Drainage Board relate to a cancelled contractor agreement.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. T. B. Sarath JJB
AI summary Rs. 1,360 million has been allocated for repairs to apartments in the Colombo District, while Rs. 3,000 million is set aside nationwide for housing construction. The aim is to build within the year a number of houses equivalent to those built during 2015–2019, with a further Rs. 2,850 million allocated as assistance.
- The Hon. Gamagedara Dissanayake - Deputy Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs JJB
AI summary Asked whether steps will be taken to recover losses incurred by the State.
Religion & Culture Full speech → - The Hon. T. B. Sarath JJB
AI summary T. B. Sarath stated that the Government intends to recover State losses arising from past allocations of State property that had received Cabinet and parliamentary approval. He said further allocations have been stopped, noting that of 76 units requested, 26 had been granted and the remainder halted, and that future action would proceed through lawful policy decisions.
- The Hon. (Dr.) Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana SJB
AI summary Hon. Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana urged legal action on matters tabled in Parliament and raised concern over reported increases in chromium content in a water purification component, arguing it posed public health risks. He called for major reforms in public transport, including digitisation, enforceable timetables, driver testing, better passenger service, safer railway crossings, measures to prevent elephant deaths, improved hygiene, and action against overcrowding, delays and sexual harassment. He also highlighted road accident fatalities, alleged black-market practices in Ella train e-ticketing, and concerns over airport and SriLankan Airlines standards, while asking the Government to address these issues.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Chandana Sooriyaarachchi JJB
AI summary Chandana Sooriyaarachchi said the Government would consider constructive Opposition proposals on transport while arguing that past administrations had weakened the SLTB and Railways through political interference. He outlined ongoing work through the Ministry’s advisory subcommittees, including policy measures to regulate unorganised transport sectors such as three-wheelers, school transport, office transport, and self-employed drivers, with attention to worker welfare and commuter safety. He said the Government would regularise SLTB administration, address recruitment and procurement issues, implement salary revisions under Circular 6/2006, and improve service quality. He also referred to upgrades to Colombo Fort and Maradana railway stations under Clean Sri Lanka, plans to modernise the Railway Department and Ratmalana Railway Training Institute, and the need to address the shortfall between required and operating SLTB buses.
- The Hon. (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam ITAK
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam requested Budget allocations and ministerial action to improve transport safety and connectivity in Vavuniya District, including traffic signals at key junctions and near Vavuniya Tamil Maha Vidyalaya. He called for bridges and a flyover in flood-affected rural areas, highlighted shortages of operational SLTB buses and staff vacancies, and asked that rural bus services be strengthened for farmers and schoolchildren. He also urged the introduction of an integrated SLTB-private bus timetable in the Northern Province and action to ensure buses on the Vavuniya-Mankulam section of the A9 carry school students.
- The Hon. (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathyalinagam ITAK
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathyalinagam urged the Minister to direct the Sri Lanka Transport Board to provide bus transport for schoolchildren and to address safety at railway level crossings, particularly on the Northern line. He requested permanent or improved arrangements for level crossing guards currently paid Rs. 250 per day, or alternative safety measures such as signals where staffing is not possible. He also raised access problems caused by railway works at Omanthai and between Vavuniya and Mankulam, asking that traditional and local paths across the railway be restored or replaced suitably. On housing, he said many houses allocated under earlier schemes in Vavuniya, Mullaitivu and Mannar remain incomplete, leaving beneficiaries in debt, and requested additional funds to complete the projects.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Chathuranga Abeysinghe - Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development JJB
AI summary The Deputy Minister said transport should be treated as an economic service that lowers production, commuting and logistics costs, rather than as a profit centre, and described the Rs. 483 billion allocation as part of a strategy to improve national competitiveness. He outlined proposals to optimize buses, trains, highways and waterways; expand rail freight, courier services, advertising, parking integration and value-added services; and use transport-related land, buildings and workshops as revenue-generating assets. He cited allocations for roads, bridges, railways, ports and airports, and said dry ports such as in the Wathupitiwala/Wayangoda area would be developed with Customs facilities to reduce Colombo Port congestion and support production zones. He invited Opposition and public input, arguing that transport planning must be aligned with production and economic revival.
- The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake responded to concerns about unprotected railway level crossings, stating that official data identifies 429 such locations across several railway lines. He said the Government plans to convert all of them to protected crossings within the year, with support from artists and the private sector. He noted that relying on low-paid gatekeepers is not a sufficient solution and that the Railway Department intends to install electronic and traffic light control systems as the preferred approach.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Thurairasa Ravikaran ITAK
AI summary Thurairasa Ravikaran requested priority for infrastructure and community-related measures in the North and East, including construction of a bridge across Kokkilai Lagoon linking Mullaitivu and Pulmoddai to improve travel and tourism. He asked that former Thuyilum Illam sites such as Mulliyawalai, Alampil, Theravil, and Eechchankulam be released from military control to allow war remembrance activities. He thanked the Government for allocating funds for the Vattuvakal bridge and urged completion within the year, while also calling for the suspended 2018 housing assistance programme for war-affected and vulnerable families to be fully resumed across the North and East.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha - Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development JJB
AI summary Minister Anil Jayantha outlined the Budget allocations for Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation, and Urban Development, Construction and Housing, emphasizing that most funds are directed to capital expenditure for infrastructure development. He detailed major allocations for expressways, national and rural road rehabilitation, bridges including the Vattuvakal Bridge, railways, ports, airports, the Motor Traffic Department, and maritime services, while noting that some capital funds will settle legacy debts. He also highlighted the large capital allocation for urban development, housing, water supply and sanitation, arguing that these expenditure heads prioritize foundational infrastructure and long-term development.
- The Hon. Gnanamuththu Srineshan ITAK
AI summary Hon. Gnanamuththu Srineshan raised transport and infrastructure concerns in Batticaloa, requesting new bus driver appointments, replacement of ageing buses, and permanent appointments for long-serving temporary Road Development Authority workers. He also asked for salary relief for railway level crossing guards reportedly earning about Rs. 6,000 despite many years of service. He highlighted the displacement of around 300 families during the 1985 Valachchenai airport expansion, noting that alternative lands given in 1997 still lack deeds, and requested action to issue ownership documents and improve access by reopening or repairing a road along the airport fence.
- The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake asked for clarification on which authority was responsible for the road closure near Batticaloa Airport, specifically whether it was the Air Force, the Sri Lanka Army, or Airport and Aviation Services.
- The Hon. Gnanamuththu Srineshan ITAK
AI summary Hon. Gnanamuththu Srineshan stated that while the central road within the airport cannot be opened, the road running along the airport fence could be made accessible. He noted that part of it is already open despite obstructions and nearby housing, and requested that instructions be issued to open it fully.
Infrastructure Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha SJB
AI summary Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha defended past housing initiatives by R. Premadasa and Sajith Premadasa, arguing that the Housing Ministry should focus on concrete delivery rather than lists of projects. He urged the Government to deepen cooperation with India, including reviving Palaly Airport, restarting the Talaimannar–Rameswaram ferry, considering land connectivity, and developing Trincomalee Port as a regional economic hub. He also called for scrutiny of major road and expressway contracts, including CEP-3, the Ruwanpura Expressway and Kadawatha–Meerigama, citing concerns over procurement practices, claims, financing delays and the need to follow National Procurement Commission guidelines.
- The Hon. Chairman procedural
- The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka - Minister of Urban Development, Construction and Housing JJB
AI summary The Minister clarified that revisions to hydrated lime standards and the tender process predated the current administration, that a non-compliant consignment was rejected and not used in water purification, and that batch testing accounts for natural variations in limestone-derived products. He outlined the Ministry’s 2025 priorities in sustainable urban and rural planning, noting Rs. 180.9 billion allocated across water, housing, urban development and waste management, with most funds for capital expenditure. He announced city branding initiatives under the Clean Sri Lanka Programme and detailed housing plans, including Rs. 39.2 billion for housing and construction and Rs. 3,054 million through the National Housing Development Authority to support low-income housing and complete some of the 45,117 unfinished houses begun in earlier years.
- The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation and Leader of the House of Parliament JJB
AI summary The Minister addressed concerns raised on several matters, noting that Wildlife officers had acted in the case involving the removal of “Sumedha” the elephant’s tusk and that the lorry driver had been remanded under case B/332/2025. He stated that the East Container Terminal of Colombo Port would not be privatized and outlined a phased completion schedule from March 2025 to full completion in 2026, with oversight by officials, unions, experts and a Steering Committee. He said alternative designs for the port access road would be assessed before a decision, emphasizing the strategic importance of Colombo Port. He also alleged inflated contractor claims in the Ruwanpura Expressway project, saying the Government would investigate, prosecute malpractice, and support legitimate contractors, including through overseas opportunities.
- The Hon. Chairman procedural
- The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary Moved Committee Stage amendments to the Appropriation Bill, 2025, on behalf of the Minister of Finance, revising allocations for the Ministry of Transport, Highways and Civil Aviation. The amendments increase the Ministry’s capital provision to Rs. 435.1 billion, including an additional Rs. 13 billion under Head 117 and Rs. 1.1 billion under Head 306, with allocations linked to specified Budget Proposals.
- The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka JJB
AI summary Anura Karunathilaka, on behalf of the Minister of Finance, moved Committee Stage amendments to the Appropriation Bill, 2025 for the Ministry of Urban Development, Construction and Housing. The amendments increased the Ministry’s total capital allocation to Rs. 101.25 billion and raised Head 123, Programme 02 capital expenditure by Rs. 3.25 billion to Rs. 98.253 billion, incorporating provisions under Budget Proposals Nos. 18, 20, 25 and 30. The related recurrent and capital expenditure votes for Head 123 were put to the Committee and agreed to.