Sitting of Wednesday, 12 March 2025
Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 1744106534050382 ·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 and Papers Presented 3 speeches
- 2 Petitions Petitions Presented 3 speeches
- 3 Oral question Oral Question: Mass Media (Q.74/2024(1)) - Postponed 4 speeches
- 4 Oral question Oral Question: Prison Guard Vacancies (Q.125/2024) 7 speeches
- 5 Oral question Oral Question: Provincial Commissioner of Revenue - Uva (Q.392/2025) 6 speeches
- 6 Oral question Oral Question: Scarcity of Coconuts and Archaeological Site Protection (Q.92/2024, Q.210/2024) 4 speeches
- 7 Oral question Question by Private Notice: Reopening of Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka 3 speeches
- 8 Opening Speaker's Announcements and Welcome 2 speeches
- 9 Procedural Ministerial Statements 5 speeches
- 10 Debate Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation 120 speeches
- 11 Papers Papers on Annual Reports - MILCO and Land Reform Commission 5 speeches
- 12 Adjournment Adjournment Motion: Mitigation of Floods Caused by Nilwala Salinity Barrier 8 speeches
- The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB
AI summary Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa moved the motion that Parliament do now adjourn. The motion was then proposed by the Chair.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. (Prof.) L.M. Abeywickrama JJB
AI summary Hon. (Prof.) L.M. Abeywickrama raised an Adjournment Matter on the salinity barrier constructed in 2022 in the lower reaches of the Nilwala River in Matara, stating that it has worsened flooding and disrupted livelihoods, transport, paddy cultivation and other activities across six downstream Divisional Secretary’s Divisions. He said the project had disregarded EIA and technical recommendations, reduced the river cross-section, and led to costly temporary measures, including over Rs. 100 million spent on pumping water. He called for an immediate joint process involving the Department of Irrigation, the National Water Supply and Drainage Board, the Institution of Engineers, Sri Lanka, and farmer organizations to agree and implement corrective measures.
- The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Arkam Ilyas JJB
AI summary Hon. Arkam Ilyas seconded the Adjournment Motion on recurrent flooding in the Nilwala River basin, noting severe impacts on several Matara District divisional areas, paddy lands, public property, and towns. He questioned the effectiveness of the downstream salinity barrier and past incomplete river development projects, and proposed an expert committee including state agencies, engineers, and affected communities to identify solutions. He also suggested short-term relief measures such as partial removal of sheet piles near the salinity barrier and widening a temporary canal, while calling for speedy and sustainable flood, drinking water, and irrigation solutions.
- The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. T.B. Sarath - Deputy Minister of Housing JJB
AI summary The Deputy Minister said the Nilwala salinity barrier, built as part of a Rs. 3,000 million water supply project intended to serve about 800,000 people, has caused serious post-construction flooding impacts, damaging more than 20,000 acres of farmland. He outlined immediate measures including widening openings, removing a temporary sandbag barrier, and clearing river obstructions, while a University of Peradeniya team will conduct a comprehensive study with input from engineers, farmers and the public. He said the Government will convene a broader discussion with Matara District MPs and allocate funds for a durable, scientifically based solution.
- The Hon. Speaker procedural
- 13 Papers Written Answers to Questions 1 speeches