The Hon. Kumara Jayakody

Jathika Jana balawegaya· National List· 20 November 2025 ·Oral question: Oral Question No. 2 (Q.812/2025): Sapugaskanda Oil Refinery Expansion and Modernization Project

Public FinanceInfrastructure

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Kumara Jayakody addressed concerns about the Sampur power project, saying claims made by another Member were inaccurate and that the required transmission line from Sampur to Kappalthurai has already gone to tender and is under evaluation. He said the solar panel tender was deliberately delayed because prices are falling, while transmission works take longer and should proceed first. He added that substation land-filling is under way, and that expected savings from lower solar costs are planned to be invested in battery storage with the Indian company’s agreement.

Verbatim record (translated)

Machine-translated from Sinhala / Tamil / English

¶ 01 Hon. Speaker, while not directly related to the main question, on Sampur: this issue has been ongoing since 1988/89. The Member’s statement is incorrect. After the agreement was signed, a transmission line from Sampur to Kappalthurai must be constructed; the required tender has been called and is under evaluation. It seems you have not received accurate information.

¶ 02 Regarding the solar panels you expect, we have slightly delayed the tender because prices keep reducing with advancing technology. Transmission infrastructure takes years; we can install panels and build the plant in about 1.5 years, but we should first advance transmission works and then call the tender to capture cost benefits. Even India understands this.

¶ 03 We have prepared everything: land filling for the grid substation is ongoing; I have inspected it. We are proceeding prudently to maximize savings, planning to invest the savings in battery storage, with agreement from the Indian company. Transmission lines are essential to evacuate generated power.

Provenance

Source: Hansard, Thursday, 20 November 2025 ·No. 22934 ·English daily/uncorrected Hansard
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Cite as: The Hon. Kumara Jayakody. 10th Parliament, Parliament of Sri Lanka. Hansard, 20 November 2025. No. 22934. Politick, https://staging.politick.io/lk/speeches/4293