Politick Parliament. On record. For every citizen.
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
10th Parliament· 154 sittings on record · 30,475 speeches · latest 10 June 2026

Sitting of Tuesday, 20 January 2026

10th Parliament· 23 debates· 219 speeches· 59 speakers

Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 23200 ·English daily/uncorrected Hansard

‹ Previous sitting Next sitting ›

Order of business

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

  5. 5 Oral question Oral Question: Norochcholai Coal Power Plant Environmental Impact (Q.7/2026) 6 speeches
    • The Hon. Hector Appuhamy SJB

      AI summary Hector Appuhamy asked the Minister of Environment whether the Government is aware of environmental problems faced by residents in villages surrounding the Norochcholai Coal Power Plant due to coal burning. He requested details of the measures to be taken to address those issues, or an explanation if no action is planned.

      Environment Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Dr.) Dammika Patabendi - Minister of Environment JJB

      AI summary No recent complaints have been recorded on environmental issues from coal burning at the Norochcholai Coal Power Plant, according to the North Western Provincial Environmental Authority. The Minister stated that the plant operates under an Environmental Protection Licence issued by that Authority, which has the legal mandate for environmental control, with monitoring and mitigation measures including expert reviews, wind barriers, air quality monitoring stations, pollution-control equipment, and studies by relevant agencies. He added that tests on groundwater, emissions, air quality, particulates, noise, and effluent have found results within applicable standards.

      Environment Full speech →
    • The Hon. Hector Appuhamy SJB

      AI summary Hon. Hector Appuhamy questioned whether the reports referred to in the response had been received and requested that they be tabled. He raised concerns about ash affecting cultivation and livelihoods, frequent power outages around Kalpitiya, and restrictions on fisherfolk due to vessel movements. He asked what practical measures would be taken to restore local livelihoods and requested that the current Environmental Protection Licence be tabled, citing doubts about its issuance and the suitability of the plant’s location near human settlements.

      AgricultureEnvironment Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Dr.) Dammika Patabendi - Minister of Environment JJB

      AI summary The Minister of Environment stated that the question raised had been answered and invited Members to submit any issues affecting the public. He said the Ministry was prepared to address such matters.

      Environment Full speech →
    • The Hon. Hector Appuhamy SJB

      AI summary Hon. Hector Appuhamy questioned whether the use of smaller coal sizes has made the resulting ash more hazardous. He asked the Government to state what measures are being taken to address acknowledged issues relating to coal use.

      Environment Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Dr.) Dammika Patabendi - Minister of Environment JJB

      AI summary The Minister of Environment stated that the government cannot respond to hypothetical issues and would act only when specific, evidence-based problems are presented and substantiated.

      Environment Full speech →