Sitting of Wednesday, 9 April 2025
Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 1747807095041246 ·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 1 speeches
- 2 Papers Papers Presented: Customs Resolution, Ministry Reports, Annual Reports 7 speeches
- 3 Committee report Committee Report: Committee on Public Finance (VAT and Aswesuma) 2 speeches
- 4 Petitions Petitions Presented 2 speeches
- 5 Oral question Oral Question: Hon. Prime Minister on University Development and Conflict Resolution 16 speeches
- 6 Oral question Oral Questions: Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs; Foreign Employment 17 speeches
- 7 Oral question Ministerial Statement: SO 27(2) Question to Minister of Foreign Affairs and Procedural Matters 11 speeches
- 8 Procedural Ministerial Statement and Privilege Question; Procedural Motions 9 speeches
- 9 Debate Debate: Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading (Morning Session) 42 speeches
- 10 Debate Debate: Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading (Afternoon Session and Reported Business) 77 speeches
- 11 Adjournment Adjournment Motion: Renewable Energy Policy and Rooftop Solar 44 speeches
- The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary Bimal Rathnayake formally moved the adjournment of Parliament. The Deputy Speaker then proposed the question for the House’s consideration.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB
AI summary Hon. Ajith P. Perera moved an adjournment motion urging the Government to promote renewable energy, particularly solar power, and to suspend measures that discourage solar additions to the grid. He argued that rooftop and ground-mounted solar have added about 1,700 MW through substantial private investment, but alleged that CEB, LECO, and Cabinet Paper No. 36/2025/8 are slowing approvals and reducing incentives using grid imbalance concerns as justification. He called for technical solutions such as grid upgrades, storage, improved controls, accelerated ADB-supported transmission enhancements, and resolution of delays in projects such as the 100 MW Siyambalanduwa solar plant, while warning of risks to investor confidence and about 40,000 sector jobs.
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara seconded the motion and argued that government actions and CEB decisions risk undermining the stated target of 70 per cent renewable energy and the promised addition of 2,000 MW. He called for accountability and recovery of losses over the 9 February 2025 islandwide blackout, citing ignored warnings, estimated losses of Rs. 8,463 million, and legal precedents under the public trust doctrine. He criticized a CEB circular restricting Net Plus Plus rooftop solar connections and reports of solar shutdown instructions, saying these would stifle rooftop generation. He urged a clear plan for storage, including utility-scale batteries or pumped storage, and questioned moves toward LNG and coal projects while renewable integration and financing remain unresolved.
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara urged the Government and private sector to prioritize energy storage and the expansion of renewable energy. He warned that delays or restrictions on renewables would increase dependence on fuel and coal, raising costs and creating future energy crises.
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Chathuranga Abeysinghe - Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development JJB
AI summary The Deputy Minister said the Government’s renewable energy policy aims to reduce electricity unit costs from about USD 0.13 to USD 0.08 by expanding solar and wind to 70 per cent, while not discouraging rooftop solar. He stated that the Industry Ministry is supporting rooftop solar through “E-Friends” loans, advancing battery storage policy, and seeking to localize manufacturing of panels, cables and inputs. He argued that past grid-planning failures created current constraints, defended tariff-setting as formula-based and challengeable, and said policies such as “Net Plus Plus” must be managed fairly to avoid overloading transformers and restricting access for other users. He also cited ongoing ground-mounted solar projects, SPPA approvals, and Indian-assisted solar provision to religious institutions as part of the broader renewable strategy.
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Kumara Jayakody - Minister of Energy JJB
AI summary Minister of Energy Kumara Jayakody moved that Hon. (Prof.) Sena Nanayakkara take the Chair. The motion was agreed to, after which the Deputy Speaker left the Chair and Hon. Nanayakkara presided.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Chathuranga Abeysinghe JJB
AI summary Chathuranga Abeysinghe supported continued development of rooftop solar while arguing that tariff returns should be adjusted fairly in line with the fall in interest rates and capital costs. He said individuals may install rooftop solar but should not monopolize transformer capacity at the expense of neighbours, and stated that the Government aims to reach 70 per cent renewable generation by 2030 through rooftop, ground-mounted solar and wind while reducing electricity costs. He invited the Opposition to assist in refining the policy framework.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Ravindra Bandara
AI summary Hon. Ravindra Bandara rejected claims that the Government intends to discourage rooftop solar, raise electricity tariffs, or remove solar from the grid, stating that tariffs have been reduced and that the Government plans to add 2,000 MW of renewables. He said current grid instability is due to unplanned past additions and limited forecasting of distributed solar, and outlined measures including smart grids, smart meters, storage, AI-assisted forecasting, temporary curtailment of ground-mounted generation at high-risk periods, and incentives for daytime industrial use. He referred to advancing a 600 MW pumped-storage project at Maha Oya, promoting household batteries and utility-scale storage, resolving past procurement issues through a committee, and pursuing power exchange frameworks with India to enable future renewable exports.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF
AI summary Ravi Karunanayake supported the motion by recalling the 2016 “Soorya Bala Sangramaya” solar initiative and the zero-duty regime for renewable energy equipment, arguing that renewable energy development should be operationalized systematically. He cited CEB capacity figures, recent losses and profits, IMF-linked cost-reflective pricing pressures, and a CEB letter directing curtailment of larger Net Plus and Net Plus Plus solar producers during a low-demand period, saying the issue concerns system stability and national electricity policy rather than political agitation. He questioned the shift toward large tenders and the handling of feed-in tariffs, while warning that tariff reductions must be reconciled with generation costs and CEB financial sustainability.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF
AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake argued that Sri Lanka should accelerate the shift from imported fuel-based thermal power to renewable energy to stabilize and reduce electricity costs. He questioned the use of a 7 percent cost of capital in pricing formulas, compared renewable generation costs with diesel and oil-fired generation, and said renewables would retain more value locally while supporting domestic investment. He also noted that battery storage and proper integration could help firm renewable supply, while hydro remained seasonal.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF
AI summary Ravi Karunanayake argued that as the renewable energy share rises toward 50–60 percent, fuel costs could increase unless the transition is properly managed and renewables are effectively leveraged. He urged the Government not to manipulate the feed-in tariff and asserted that, despite current statements, it would proceed with signing the Adani agreement.
- The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF
AI summary Ravi Karunanayake argued that if firm renewable generation could be supplied at about 8 cents per kWh, Sri Lanka could reduce fuel costs and avoid major capital burdens. He said domestic use should be prioritized before considering exports, while noting that battery storage or transmission links, including from Mannar to India, may be required to support such power trade.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF
AI summary Ravi Karunanayake warned that without timely energy-sector measures, Sri Lanka could face renewed power cuts. He urged the Government to deploy battery energy storage systems to stabilize renewable power, reflect lower fuel costs accurately in pricing, and use targeted safety nets rather than ad hoc tariff changes. He also noted that under the IMF agreement the Government is required to move toward cost-reflective electricity tariffs.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF
AI summary Ravi Karunanayake urged the Government to implement cost-reflective policies with proper preparation and to consider Opposition proposals constructively. Citing the former Auditor-General’s remarks on corruption among government officials, he called for cross-party cooperation to address national issues, including taxation concerns and renewable energy policy, in the context of the Adjournment Motion moved by Hon. Ajith P. Perera.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Roshan Akmeemana JJB
AI summary Hon. Roshan Akmeemana argued that Sri Lanka’s renewable energy transition should be viewed as a political and social issue tied to energy sovereignty, not only as a technical matter. He said dependence on imported fuel and coal exposes the country to foreign exchange crises and geopolitical pressure, and urged expansion of solar and wind resources, particularly in Trincomalee, Mannar, Puttalam and the Eastern Province. He proposed developing a Green Energy Tourism Zone along the Eastern coastline, with incentives for tourism investors using renewable energy. He also emphasized “energy democracy,” including wider grassroots access, collective ownership, and state participation such as retaining a 50 percent stake in the Sampur Solar Park.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC SJB
AI summary Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper supported the Adjournment Motion opposing proposed reductions to rooftop solar feed-in tariffs, arguing that lower payments would discourage solar adoption and undermine the 2030 renewable energy target. He urged the Government to incentivize net metering and regulate household access so wealthier consumers cannot monopolize grid capacity for solar generation. He also cautioned against relying on battery storage and proposed pumped hydropower using secondary dams, including a pilot project at Gal Oya and Senanayake Samudraya, to store and reuse water while supporting renewable energy generation.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC SJB
AI summary Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper urged the Government to promote net metering, particularly in congested urban areas where daytime air-conditioning demand could be met directly through solar power, reducing reliance on fossil-fuel-based electricity generation. He thanked Hon. Ajith P. Perera for bringing the Motion and called for household solar incentives to be adopted as Government policy rather than treated as an Opposition proposal.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Kumara Jayakody - Minister of Energy JJB
AI summary Minister Kumara Jayakody argued that the solar sector, including the “Soorya Bala Sangramaya,” had expanded without adequate regulation, creating system imbalance risks similar to problems in the private bus industry. He said technical safeguards should have been implemented as solar penetration increased and questioned whether earlier decisions had anticipated future grid issues. He rejected claims that a relevant Cabinet Paper had already been submitted, stating only proposals and committee recommendations exist. He also disputed figures cited on rooftop solar tariffs, saying Rs. 14.46 applies to plants above 1 MW and that comparable small rooftop systems are proposed at Rs. 19.61, higher than the Rs. 19.27 ground-mounted rate.
- The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB
AI summary Hon. Ajith P. Perera rose on a Point of Order. No substantive argument, question, or proposal is contained in the recorded speech.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB
AI summary Ajith P. Perera disputed the Minister’s claim that he had presented an incorrect Cabinet Paper, citing Confidential Cabinet Memorandum No. 25/0472/825/030 dated 18 March 2025. He stated that he had obtained and tabled the document, and said he would take responsibility if it proved to be wrong, while maintaining that the memorandum had been sent by the Ministry.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Kumara Jayakody - Minister of Energy JJB
AI summary The Minister of Energy clarified that the matter in question had not been tabled before Cabinet and therefore no Cabinet decision or discussion had taken place. He disputed a quoted comparison of solar tariffs, stating that the Rs. 14.46 rate applies to solar projects above 1 MW, which require substantial land area, and should not be compared with rooftop household systems. He said the appropriate comparison was with rooftop systems under 20 kW, which have a higher tariff of Rs. 19.61.
- The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB
AI summary With the Minister’s leave, Ajith P. Perera noted that rooftop solar capacity is not limited to residential houses but also includes large industrial premises. He cited factories such as Brandix and MAS Holdings, where rooftop installations can exceed 1 MW individually and reach around 50 MW across multiple facilities.
- The Hon. Kumara Jayakody - Minister of Energy JJB
AI summary The Minister rejected allegations that the Government had restricted wind power and argued that its energy policy is to lower and stabilize electricity tariffs, targeting an average of 8 US cents per kWh while reducing dependence on expensive fossil-fuel generation. He said renewable energy procurement should be based on competitive pricing rather than tariff formulas for large plants, and explained that falling panel, exchange-rate and financing costs should be passed on to consumers. He maintained that current tariff reductions, including for industry, were justified and said forthcoming Electricity Act amendments would support competitive procurement while preserving, and potentially exceeding, the 70 percent renewable energy target.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Kumara Jayakody - Minister of Energy JJB
AI summary The Minister of Energy requested an additional five minutes from the Presiding Member to continue his remarks.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Kumara Jayakody - Minister of Energy JJB
AI summary Minister Kumara Jayakody outlined ongoing and planned renewable energy projects, including signed and forthcoming solar PPAs, the Siyambalanduwa and Sampur solar projects, and permits for 112 MW of solar and 60 MW of wind power. He said tenders and agreements are progressing for battery storage and frequency control systems, including a Renewable Energy Desk under National System Control to manage real-time solar inflows. He rejected claims that the Government is undermining renewables or reducing existing rooftop solar tariffs, stating that current 20-year contracts will be honoured while future pricing will be adjusted according to economic conditions. He called on the Opposition to engage constructively in reforming the energy system to reduce costs and improve competitiveness.