Sitting of Thursday, 24 July 2025

Order of business

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

1. 1 Opening Opening: Parliament met and Privilege notice 1 speeches ▸
2. 2 Papers Papers: Annual Reports and Committee Reports 9 speeches ▸
3. 3 Petitions Petitions: Citizens' petitions presented 5 speeches ▸
4. 4 Oral question Oral Question: Apeksha Hospital Treatment and Medicines (Q.1) 6 speeches ▸
5. 5 Oral question Oral Question: Fisheries Matter (Q.2) and Procedural Remarks 11 speeches ▸
6. 6 Oral question Oral Question: Mount Lavinia Coastal Belt Project (Q.3) 6 speeches ▾
   • The Hon. (Dr.) Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana SJB

     AI summary Asked the Minister of Environment to provide details on the artificial coastal belt project in Mount Lavinia, including its commencement date, objectives, and expenditure to date. He also sought clarification on whether the project has been halted midway and what measures the Ministry plans to take regarding its future activities.

     EnvironmentPublic Finance Full speech →
   • The Hon. Anton Jayakody - Deputy Minister of Environment JJB

     AI summary The Deputy Minister, responding on behalf of the Minister of Environment, stated that artificial sand nourishment for the Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia coastal area began on 16 April 2020 to address intensified erosion following the 2017 opening of the Kelani River mouth sand bar. He said the method was selected due to severe erosion risks identified in the 2018 Coastal Zone Management Plan and the area’s dense population, fisheries, and tourism activities. The project cost Rs. 180 million and has been completed.

     InfrastructureEnvironment Full speech →
   • The Hon. (Dr.) Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana SJB

     AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana thanked the Deputy Minister for the response and highlighted that Sri Lanka’s coastline is environmentally sensitive and important for tourism. He raised concern that small coastal businesses in the south, including coconut sellers and surfing-related livelihoods, are being removed, and requested a programme that balances coastal protection with safeguarding local livelihoods and the tourism economy.

     EnvironmentEmployment Full speech →
   • The Hon. Anton Jayakody JJB

     AI summary Hon. Anton Jayakody stated that clean beaches are central to the Government’s sustainable tourism policy and to improving coastal livelihoods. He said the removal of unauthorized coastal structures is carried out only after extended notice, consultation, and court-based procedures, with efforts to provide alternative livelihood options. He added that the Coast Conservation Department is undertaking a 6–7 month process to improve the coastline for tourism development.

     EnvironmentInfrastructure Full speech →
   • The Hon. (Dr.) Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana SJB

     AI summary (Dr.) Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana raised concern over severe coastal pollution from Mount Lavinia to Negombo, including waste discharge into the sea in a key fishing area. He asked what measures are being taken to protect and clean the coastline, and how the Government is intervening to resolve outstanding issues related to the environmental damage from the X-Press Pearl disaster, while compensating affected fishers.

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

     AI summary Anton Jayakody stated that large volumes of waste wash ashore between Colombo and Negombo, including debris from ships and other countries, and said continuous beach-cleaning is being carried out under the Clean Sri Lanka programme. He noted that compensation already paid to fishers affected by the X-Press Pearl disaster was insufficient, while two ongoing cases seek further compensation to be distributed depending on the outcomes and available funds. He also said pollution from a recent accident in India has affected the coast from Negombo to Jaffna, and that the Coast Conservation Department and MEPA are conducting cleanup operations.

     EnvironmentJustice & Human Rights Full speech →
7. 7 Oral question Oral Question: Environmental Matter (Q.4) - Stand down 3 speeches ▸
8. 8 Oral question Oral Question: Kumbukkan Oya Project (Q.5) 6 speeches ▸
9. 9 Oral question Oral Question: Government Analyst's Department Vacancies and Case Backlogs (Q.6) 8 speeches ▸
10. 10 Oral question Oral Question: Foreign Graduate Appointments (Q.7) 8 speeches ▸
11. 11 Oral question Oral Question: Education Zones for Uhana and Pottuvil (Q.8) 6 speeches ▸
12. 12 Oral question Oral Question: Petroleum Storage Tanks in Cities (Q.9) 11 speeches ▸
13. 13 Oral question Oral Question: Agricultural Matter (Q.10) - Stand down 2 speeches ▸
14. 14 Oral question Question by Private Notice: Land Issues in Mannar, Mullaitivu and Vavuniya (Q. Private Notice 1) 6 speeches ▸
15. 15 Oral question Question by Private Notice: Rajya Osusala Outlet in Mannar Town (Q. Private Notice 2) 3 speeches ▸
16. 16 Procedural Procedural: Member's personal statement and Privilege matter 4 speeches ▸
17. 17 Adjournment Adjournment Debate: Proposed Educational Reforms 16 speeches ▸
18. 18 Adjournment Adjournment Debate: Proposed Educational Reforms (continued) 90 speeches ▸