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

Sitting of Tuesday, 3 June 2025

10th Parliament· 23 debates· 181 speeches· 56 speakers

Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 1750149440002739 ·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.

  22. 22 Adjournment Adjournment Motion: Sustainable Solution for Flood Control in Kelani Valley 8 speeches
    • The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka - Minister of Urban Development, Construction and Housing JJB

      AI summary Anura Karunathilaka, as Minister of Urban Development, Construction and Housing, formally moved the adjournment of Parliament. The Chair then proposed the question and called on Hon. Asitha Niroshana Egoda Vithana to speak for three minutes.

      Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
    • The Hon. Asitha Niroshana Egoda Vithana JJB

      AI summary Hon. Asitha Niroshana Egoda Vithana moved an Adjournment Motion calling for a sustainable flood control programme for the Kelani Valley, citing repeated flooding in areas including Kolonnawa, Kaduwela, Homagama, Awissawella, Kelaniya, Biyagama and Dompe. He argued that climate change and intensified monsoon rainfall have increased flood frequency and imposed major social, economic and fiscal costs, including Rs. 53.5 billion in relief expenditure after the 2016 floods. He proposed a coordinated mechanism involving relevant State agencies, experts and people’s representatives to move beyond ad hoc relief towards permanent flood mitigation solutions.

      EnvironmentInfrastructure Full speech →
    • The Hon. Asoka Sapumal Ranwala JJB

      AI summary Hon. Asoka Sapumal Ranwala seconded the motion, stating that the monsoon made the debate timely and noting the recurring flood risk in low-lying, densely populated areas around the Kelani, Kalu and Gin rivers, particularly in Gampaha and Colombo. He argued that annual relief measures are insufficient and called for long-term flood mitigation, including possible embankments with pumping systems or diversion of excess water to less vulnerable areas. He urged Members and residents to work together to implement existing proposals, including past studies on the Kelani and Kalu Ganga.

      InfrastructureEnvironmentPublic Finance Full speech →
    • The Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC SJB

      AI summary Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper argued that flooding should be addressed as part of broader climate-change-induced disaster management rather than as a problem limited to the Western Province or a single river basin. He called for scientific planning based on long-term rainfall and hydrological data, including possible measures such as improved outfalls, embankments, repumping retained water, and hydropower use where feasible. He proposed establishing a dedicated Parliamentary Oversight Committee to coordinate with officials and experts, align with UN Sustainable Development frameworks, and seek international funding for disaster risk reduction.

      EnvironmentInfrastructureParliamentary Procedure Full speech →
    • The Hon. Major General (Rtd.) Aruna Jayasekera - Deputy Minister of Defence JJB

      AI summary Major General (Rtd.) Aruna Jayasekera supported the motion and said the Ministry of Defence is developing a strategic, long-term disaster management approach in consultation with MPs, experts, and relevant line agencies. He stated that Rs. 95 million has been allocated for immediate short-term relief projects on the south bank of the Kelani Valley, with implementation to begin soon. He also said the National Council on Disaster Management, chaired by the President, would be convened to appoint expert committees to address disaster situations across the country.

      Security & DefenceInfrastructure Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna

      AI summary Dr. Ramanathan Archchuna supported the adjournment motion on flooding while arguing that recurrent flooding and water-management failures should be addressed islandwide rather than by locality. He cited flooding in Colombo South, displacement near the Iranamadu tank in Kilinochchi, alleged failures in the ADB-funded Iranamadu water project, and inadequate drainage in Nallur as examples. He also referred to a bribery inquiry concerning alleged diversion of cancer-related funds at Tellippalai Base Hospital to illustrate broader governance concerns, and endorsed the proposal to establish a special committee to study and address these issues nationally.

      InfrastructureCorruption & Governance ReformEnvironment Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe - Deputy Minister of Land and Irrigation JJB

      AI summary The Deputy Minister outlined the Irrigation Department’s approach to flood control, noting repeated crop losses since November due to extreme rainfall and identifying 24 flood-prone river and stream basins. He said effective management requires better meteorological forecasting, early warning systems, and data-driven infrastructure such as diversions, reservoirs, and flood-management works. Referring to the World Bank-supported CResMPA project studying 22 high-risk basins and proposed works for the Kelani basin, he argued that fragmented institutional responsibility is the main obstacle and called for a unified coordination mechanism involving relevant central, provincial, and local authorities.

      InfrastructureEnvironmentCorruption & Governance Reform Full speech →
    • The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka - Minister of Urban Development, Construction and Housing JJB

      AI summary Minister Anura Karunathilaka said flooding in the Kelani basin is a long-standing problem worsened by climate change and unplanned urbanization, requiring both immediate drainage measures and a long-term solution. He outlined ongoing or planned works including pumping stations for Colombo, the Hettiyagoda Oya drainage project in Kaduwela, the Oliyamulla pumping station, and drainage improvements linked to Kalu Oya for Wattala, Kadawatha, Horape and Ragama. He stated that the Government would seek Cabinet approval to establish a Task Force under the Prime Minister, with relevant MPs and institutions, to review past proposals and develop a sustainable basin-wide solution.

      InfrastructureEnvironment Full speech →