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Sri Lanka
10th Parliament· 154 sittings on record · 30,475 speeches · latest 10 June 2026

Sitting of Thursday, 22 May 2025

10th Parliament· 16 debates· 177 speeches· 64 speakers

Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 1750307293077610 ·English daily/uncorrected Hansard

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Order of business

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

  10. 10 Oral question Oral Question: Sand Mining Permits and Stray Dog Control (Q.7/2025) 12 speeches
    • The Hon. E.M. Basnayaka JJB

      AI summary E.M. Basnayaka raised concerns about forged sand mining permits allegedly issued by sand yard owners despite the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau’s official permit system, saying this creates difficulties for tipper drivers during transport. He also said permits are being resold at higher prices by sand sales centres, yards, and intermediaries, increasing costs for transporters and consumers, and asked whether a uniform controlled price for sand could be introduced.

      Law & OrderPublic Finance Full speech →
    • The Hon. Anton Jayakody JJB

      AI summary Hon. Anton Jayakody responded to concerns about forged sand transport permits, stating that the Ministry had discussed raids on clandestinely printed permits and the introduction of more secure permits with the relevant authority, with measures to be announced shortly. He said there is currently no controlled price for sand, but noted that the State levy is Rs. 600 per cubic metre, while the general yard price is around Rs. 8,500, with transport costs varying by distance. He undertook to follow up on the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau’s pending publication of the levy and said a media statement would soon clarify the State levy and yard release price for public awareness.

      InfrastructurePublic Finance Full speech →
    • The Hon. E.M. Basnayaka JJB

      AI summary Hon. E.M. Basnayaka asked the Deputy Minister why sand-mining permits had not been issued for about five months in the Pillumalei, BAC, Muttur and Valikanda areas despite current demand. He sought clarification on what action is being taken and whether permits will be issued for those areas.

      EnvironmentLand & Housing Full speech →
    • The Hon. Anton Jayakody JJB

      AI summary The Hon. Anton Jayakody said the Government is studying how sand deposits along the shoreline can be used with minimal environmental harm. He stated that, in coordination with the District Development Committee, the Ministry and the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau, sand permits will be issued in the Eastern Province to help meet national demand and control prices while minimizing environmental damage.

      EnvironmentInfrastructure Full speech →
    • The Hon. Ajantha Gammeddage JJB

      AI summary Hon. Ajantha Gammeddage raised a supplementary question about the demolition of the century-old Deiyandara Primary School, stating that all 11 buildings had been removed without a plan. He alleged that roofing sheets, timber and iron pipes worth Rs. 40–50 million were unaccounted for and may have been distributed or sold through political associates. He asked whether the Urban Development Authority, which had been entrusted with the land and buildings, would conduct a proper investigation and take action regarding the removal.

      EducationCorruption & Governance Reform Full speech →
    • The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka JJB

      AI summary Agreed that any removal of a school for development, such as a bus stand, must include a proper relocation plan. Referring to a 2016 decision attributed to political intervention, he noted that although four acres had been allocated for rebuilding the old primary school, poor planning meant it had not been constructed. He stated that, in response to the concerns raised, an investigation would be conducted into the disappearance or status of the former school’s physical assets and necessary action would be taken.

      EducationInfrastructure Full speech →
    • The Hon. Ajantha Gammeddage JJB

      AI summary Hon. Ajantha Gammeddage raised a second supplementary question regarding Deiyandara Primary School, stating that after the UDA demolished and removed the school, it had taken over the former school land for carnivals and trade exhibitions while students lacked proper facilities. He asked what intervention would be made by the relevant institution to secure funding and rebuild the school.

      InfrastructureEducation Full speech →
    • The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka JJB

      AI summary The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka stated that the Urban Development Authority’s role was limited to preparing the urban plan and facilitating relevant institutions within its mandate. He said land for the school had been acquired and handed over to the Southern Province Ministry of Education, which is now responsible for constructing the school, and that the UDA has completed its part.

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

      AI summary Prof. L.M. Abeywickrama raised concern that the stray dog population had become an acute crisis, citing incidents in Matara District involving attacks on calves, road accidents, and increased hospital costs from injuries and dog bites. He said earlier measures and proposals, including sterilization programmes, had ceased in 2025 and asked the Deputy Minister whether there is a short-term action plan to expedite control measures.

      AgriculturePublic FinanceLaw & Order Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Dr.) Hansaka Wijemuni JJB

      AI summary Hon. Dr. Hansaka Wijemuni stated that rabies control is a priority for the Ministry of Health, noting that annual deaths in Sri Lanka have fallen from about 300 two decades ago to 20–30 but remain higher than in comparable countries. He said current spending includes about Rs. 280 million on human post-exposure treatment, Rs. 180 million on animal vaccination, and Rs. 200 million on sterilization, and called for a review of the cost-effectiveness and outputs of these programmes. He proposed streamlining vaccination and developing a more systematic national programme for stray dog management that extends beyond the Health Ministry’s remit.

      HealthcarePublic Finance Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Prof.) L.M. Abeywickrama JJB

      AI summary Hon. (Prof.) L.M. Abeywickrama raised concerns about the increase in stray dogs, attributing it to unregulated roaming and abandonment, particularly by low-income households unable to care for sick dogs or provide food. He cited studies indicating that about 70 percent of stray dogs originate from such households and proposed establishing a legal framework through local authorities to register new dogs, asking whether this could be implemented.

      Cost of LivingLaw & Order Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Dr.) Hansaka Wijemuni JJB

      AI summary The Ministry of Health and Mass Media, together with the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation and other stakeholders, has held several meetings in 2025 on dog population control. The member said a committee is expected to prepare a concrete action plan and propose any necessary legal amendments or new regulations, with decisions anticipated in the near term.

      AgricultureHealthcare Full speech →