The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka - Minister of Urban Development, Construction and Housing

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, many decades ago a stage drama “Kelani Palama” portrayed lives affected after Kelani’s floods—showing how old this problem is. With climate change and unplanned urbanization, it is now worse. We need long-term solutions, while pursuing immediate measures.

¶ 02 For Colombo, we operate pumping stations (Ambatale, Nagalagam Street) to return excess water to the sea. In Kaduwela, a feasibility study for Hettiyagoda Oya drainage is complete and will be implemented. On the south bank (Peliyagoda, Wanawasala, Kelaniya, Kiribathgoda, Pethiyagoda, Kohalwila), the Oliyamulla pumping station is under construction and should be completed by year-end. For Wattala, Kadawatha, Horape, and Ragama, a feasibility study to enhance Kelani’s Kalu Oya–linked drainage is complete and will be implemented.

¶ 03 These are short-term. A durable solution requires regulating Kelani’s high water levels. Multiple proposals based on decades of studies exist—even in the Parliamentary Library—but none implemented. The Government has focused on this. A Cabinet-appointed committee initially centered on Kolonnawa has now, by its last meeting, resolved to broaden the scope to the entire Kelani basin.

¶ 04 Accordingly, we will seek Cabinet approval to establish a Task Force under the Hon. Prime Minister, comprising MPs of the affected areas and relevant institutions (Irrigation, District and Divisional Secretaries, etc.). The Task Force will review past proposals and pursue a sustainable, long-term solution. We aim to end this chronic problem within our time, not leave it to the next generation. Thank you.

¶ 05 It being 5.30 p.m., the Hon. Presiding Member adjourned Parliament without Question put.

¶ 06 Parliament adjourned accordingly until 9.30 a.m. on Wednesday, 04th June, 2025.