Sitting of Thursday, 19 March 2026
Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 23381 ·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 Parliament Opening 1 speeches
- 2 Papers Papers and Petitions 5 speeches
- 3 Oral question Oral Question: Banana Cultivators in Ratnapura District: Issues (Q.1502/2025) 6 speeches
- 4 Oral question Oral Question: Proposed Vee-Oya Project: Details (Q.1544/2025) 5 speeches
- The Hon. Aravinda Senarath - Deputy Minister of Land and Irrigation JJB
AI summary Deputy Minister Aravinda Senarath, answering on behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation, said the proposed Vee Oya reservoir near Yatiyantota is intended to support potable water supply, Kelani River flood mitigation, dry-season flow regulation for Colombo and surrounding areas, and possible hydropower generation. He stated that detailed design is underway under the CResMPA project, with implementation envisaged in 2027 subject to Cabinet approval, completed assessments, and World Bank support. He further said EIA and SIA reports are being prepared, preliminary studies identify 203 housing losses and 13 business losses, and landslide-risk studies by the National Building Research Organisation will inform design measures.
- The Hon. (Dr.) Nandana Millagala JJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nandana Millagala stated that the project has been under study since around 2016 and noted confusion among the agencies involved. He requested clarification from the Ministry on its operational plan and on which agency is responsible for implementation.
Corruption & Governance Reform Full speech → - The Hon. Aravinda Senarath JJB
AI summary The Department of Irrigation will lead planning and implementation of the project, with studies and reporting already carried out by officials. Delays were attributed to fiscal constraints and limited prior attention, but an operational plan is now being progressed in stages with a target to commence in 2027.
Infrastructure Full speech → - The Hon. (Dr.) Nandana Millagala JJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nandana Millagala raised concerns about residents who may be affected by a forthcoming project, particularly regarding housing and livelihoods linked to tea, rubber, and related agriculture. He asked whether measures to address these issues would be implemented before the project begins.
- The Hon. Aravinda Senarath JJB
AI summary Aravinda Senarath stated that the matter would proceed only with transparency and community agreement, with efforts to minimise harm. He said resettlement, compensation, and livelihood restoration for affected persons would be handled through institutional coordination and a careful operational plan to ensure fairness.
- 5 Oral question Oral Question: Arabic Colleges: Upgrading (Q.1551/2025) 8 speeches
- 6 Oral question Oral Question: Demarcation of Local Authority Areas and Wards: Trincomalee District (Q.1558/2025) 5 speeches
- 7 Oral question Oral Question: Deferred Question (Q.1716/2025) 3 speeches
- 8 Oral question Oral Question: Housing Projects in Ihalagama, Kadiyangalla and Manewa GN Divisions (Q.1783/2025) 7 speeches
- 9 Oral question Oral Question: Department of Motor Traffic: Registration of Vehicles (Q.1822/2026) 7 speeches
- 10 Oral question Oral Question: Schools in Monaragala District: Auditoriums (Q.1860/2026) 5 speeches
- 11 Oral question Oral Question: Multi-Purpose Service Centres in Mannar District (Q.1455/2025) 4 speeches
- 12 Oral question Questions under Standing Order 27(2): Economic Challenges and Aviation Sector 13 speeches
- 13 Procedural Procedural Motion: Time of Sitting 1 speeches
- 14 Debate Debate: Colombo Port City Economic Commission Act Regulations Approval 32 speeches
- 15 Adjournment Adjournment Debate: Current Economic and Security Crisis 59 speeches
- 16 Procedural Written Answers to Questions 1 speeches