The Hon. Ravindra Bandara

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Speaker, we debate the NBRI Bill today. Construction is not merely putting up a building; it is building the future. Many tragic incidents—such as the Aranayake landslide—remind us that unregulated construction leads to hazards. In Haputale, at Kabaragala, a landslide displaced 52 families who had to live in an abandoned tea factory, affecting schooling and livelihoods. The Meeriya Bedda event drew global attention. We must regulate construction to minimize harm. It is regrettable that for about 30 years there was no legal framework after the initial attempts under Hon. Ranasinghe Premadasa; now we are correcting that.

¶ 02 Some people in Kegalle displaced by Aranayake still await solutions. We must provide a stronger legal framework so our children do not inherit such vulnerabilities.

¶ 03 In Halpe in Haldummulla (Kellipanawa village), landslides displaced people still living in temporary housing without electricity due to service extension issues. I raise another topical issue: misinformation around the CEB reforms. The President has clearly stated that 100% ownership of the core entities—generation, transmission, distribution, and system operation—remains with the Government, which is reflected in the Bill. Stories about mass layoffs are untrue; earlier talk of removing 12,000 workers was from the past. No such plan now; redeployments will be by consent with compensation where applicable. Pension and EPF/ETF benefits will not be touched.

¶ 04 We must also enhance transparency and efficiency—ending ad hoc procurements and ensuring proper oversight. Competition matters too. Studies show Sri Lanka’s wind potential is ~50,000 MW, versus a national need around 5,000 MW—surplus potential to export. Smart grids and smart meters are essential to balance the system, especially with distributed rooftop solar, allowing system operators real‑time visibility to manage supply and demand—this is modernization, not a plot to sack meter readers.

¶ 05 Sri Lanka must move forward—embracing AI‑enabled forecasting, integrating renewables, and strengthening institutions like NBRI—to ensure safety, sustainability, and development.