Topic
Environment
980 speeches · 242 speakers
Party share
By the speaker's party · counts only, no scoring. "Unattributed" = speeches not resolved to an MP.
Most active on this topic
| # | Member | Speeches |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hon. (Dr.) Dammika Patabendi, M.P. JJB | 78 |
| 2 | Hon. Kumara Jayakody, M.P. JJB | 48 |
| 3 | Hon. Sajith Premadasa, M.P. SJB | 41 |
| 4 | Hon. Ravi Karunanayake, M.P. NDF | 28 |
| 5 | Hon. Anton Jayakody, M.P. JJB | 28 |
| 6 | Hon. Ajith P. Perera, M.P. SJB | 22 |
| 7 | Hon. Hector Appuhamy, M.P. SJB | 19 |
| 8 | Hon. Thurairasa Ravikaran, M.P. ITAK | 15 |
| 9 | Hon. Bimal Rathnayake, M.P. JJB | 14 |
| 10 | Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe, M.P. JJB | 13 |
Speeches
980 on this topic- 21 January 2026 The Hon. Major General (Retd.) Aruna Jayasekera - Deputy Minister of Defence JJB AI summary Deputy Minister of Defence Aruna Jayasekera defended the Government’s post-“Ditcha” cyclone response, saying relief and recovery are being implemented through the National Council for Disaster Management and a Post-Disaster Needs Assessment process involving relevant state agencies and international-standard methodologies. He attributed the scale of damage partly to long-term environmental and governance failures, and said the current Government has appointed subject specialists to manage recovery across sectors such as environment, agriculture, irrigation, highways and urban development. He stated that compensation for deaths, property damage, livelihoods and infrastructure is being handled systematically, while acknowledging possible delays and shortcomings. He also said the NBRO had completed inspections of 24,930 fully damaged houses in landslide-affected areas within seven weeks despite limited staff, including with university support. Adjournment Debate: Post-Cyclone "Ditwah" Situation (Part 2) Read →
- 21 January 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Madhura Senevirathna - Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Madhura Senevirathna said the 8561 cyclone affected over 2.2 million people and identified poor land-use planning, settlements on steep slopes and blocked natural water flows as key causes of landslide risk, pledging that resettlement and rebuilding would follow proper land-use plans. He stated that the Government had a Rs. 500 billion disaster recovery cash buffer and outlined education-sector impacts, including 1,682 affected schools, 822,000 students and 48,700 staff, with measures such as student grants, temporary learning arrangements, relaxed uniform rules, digital lessons through e-Thaksalawa and revised academic schedules. He said longer-term plans include reconstruction of 101 schools, intensive development of 36 severely damaged schools, repairs to 30 TVET institutions and assistance to higher education facilities, including the University of Peradeniya. He also noted student contributions to relief and cleanup efforts and said the Examinations Department ensured examination materials were protected and exams continued without incident. Adjournment Debate: Post-Cyclone "Ditwah" Situation (Part 2) Read →
- 21 January 2026 The Hon. Fasmin Sharif JJB AI summary Hon. Fasmin Sharif thanked communities, religious institutions and NGOs for assistance after Cyclone “Ditva” affected Kandy District, particularly Gampola, and rejected allegations that he and the Government had failed to respond. He disputed Opposition claims on relief payments, stating that most Rs. 25,000 and Rs. 50,000 payments had been made, with additional support planned for damaged houses, lost livestock and businesses. He also said Gampola town waste clearance was about 90 per cent complete, defended plans to bring Ambuluwawa under State control for development, and urged MPs to use accurate information when speaking about disaster relief. Adjournment Debate: Post-Cyclone "Ditwah" Situation (Part 2) Read →
- 21 January 2026 The Hon. Rohana Bandara AI summary Rohana Bandara argued that post-cyclone relief was undermined by mismanagement, including alleged failures to act on Met Department warnings, reservoir release decisions, and delays in issuing circulars needed for compensation payments. He demanded that procedural obstacles be resolved and affected people paid promptly, while criticizing reductions in promised housing assistance. He also defended media coverage and Opposition relief efforts, including rescues and hospital support programmes, and rejected government accusations over education reforms, claiming delays in Grade 6 materials resulted from the government’s handling of the reform modules. Adjournment Debate: Post-Cyclone "Ditwah" Situation (Part 2) Read →
- 21 January 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Sellaththamby Thilaganathan JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Sellaththamby Thilaganathan referred to the damage caused by the “Ditva” cyclone, thanked government officials and the armed forces for rescue work, and noted the deaths of five Navy personnel during rescue operations near Mullaitivu. He said the Northern Province continues to face long-standing challenges and focused on the deterioration of education standards, alleging poor administration and inequitable distribution of resources despite support from the President and Prime Minister. He criticized teacher transfer arrangements in the Vanni, stating that many replacement teachers failed to report and that vulnerable students were affected, and called for responsible officials to be removed and competent officials appointed to improve education and economic development in the North. Adjournment Debate: Post-Cyclone "Ditwah" Situation (Part 2) Read →
- 21 January 2026 Hon. B. Ariyawansha SJB AI summary Hon. B. Ariyawansha referred to the damage from Cyclone Michaung, including loss of life, damage to paddy lands and businesses, and significant impacts in Ratnapura District. He cited specific figures for affected families, people, GN divisions, and landslides, and highlighted the Kaelikanda landslide in Kolonna DS. He urged authorities not to limit action to the three houses classified as high risk by the NBRO, but to undertake broader mitigation and resettlement planning for vulnerable clusters where a larger slope failure could endanger many homes. Adjournment Debate: Post-Cyclone "Ditwah" Situation (Part 2) Read →
- 21 January 2026 Hon. (Dr.) Dammika Patabendi - Minister of Environment JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Dammika Patabendi rejected claims that the Government lacked a clear disaster response programme, citing payment data for household item grants in Yatiyantota and Kegalle and actions taken before and after the disaster. He tabled an interim Environment Ministry report on flood, landslide, coastal erosion, mangrove and forest damage, with a fuller assessment due within six months, and outlined restoration and coastal clean-up measures. He also addressed Ambuluwawe, stating that rebuilding in hazardous areas requires NBRO clearance and that the CEA had halted cable car-related construction pending approvals, while tabling Auditor General observations alleging procurement irregularities and conflicts of interest. He added that national parks, botanical gardens and related facilities were reopened quickly to support the tourism season. Adjournment Debate: Post-Cyclone "Ditwah" Situation (Part 2) Read →
- 21 January 2026 Hon. Ajith Gihan JJB AI summary Hon. Ajith Gihan said the Government had responded to Cyclone Michaung through staged relief measures, including food assistance, cash grants for cleaning and household items, and plans for house reconstruction. He highlighted land identification challenges for resettlement, citing alleged illegal occupation of state land in Puttalam, and said 100 acres had been reserved for permanent housing for families affected by flooding in Sinnanaguwillu. He detailed the scale of damage in Puttalam District, including affected families, destroyed and damaged houses, schoolchildren needing assistance, and fisheries losses, and outlined compensation allocations and payment rates for damaged boats and fishing gear. He also stated that damaged rail infrastructure had been restored, procedures were being set for housing payments, and called for the recovery process to proceed without politicisation, fraud, or waste. Adjournment Debate: Post-Cyclone "Ditwah" Situation (Part 2) Read →
- 21 January 2026 Hon. (Mrs.) Anushka Thilakarathne, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary As of 21 January 2026, Rs. 45.7 billion had been released through District Secretariats to Divisional Secretariats for disaster relief, contradicting claims that no funds were released. Hon. Anushka Thilakarathne detailed relief measures in Nuwara Eliya, including compensation for 55 deaths, cleaning grants, item replacement assistance, and school support, and said temporary shelter and 212 acres for resettlement were being arranged. She rejected allegations concerning the Kotmale reservoir and political appointments, challenged critics to file cases if evidence exists, and urged that the disaster response not be politicised. Adjournment Debate: Post-Cyclone "Ditwah" Situation (Part 2) Read →
- 21 January 2026 Hon. (Mrs.) Chamindranee Kiriella, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Chamindranee Kiriella welcomed the Adjournment Motion on Cyclone Michaung relief and questioned the adequacy and fairness of government assistance in the Kandy District. Citing District Secretariat data, she said only 65 per cent of the Rs. 25,000 cleaning grant had been paid, with significant shortfalls also in payments for household items and schoolchildren, and tabled related documents. She alleged politicisation in the distribution process in some areas, called for expedited NBRO assessments for affected families, and urged that CEB losses from the cyclone not be passed on to electricity consumers. Adjournment Debate: Post-Cyclone "Ditwah" Situation (Part 2) Read →
- 21 January 2026 Hon. Ruwanthilaka Jayakody JJB AI summary Hon. Ruwanthilaka Jayakody said Cyclone “Michaung” caused severe damage and loss of life, and that the Government mobilised administrative officials and relevant agencies for the response. He rejected claims of inadequate warnings, explaining that the cyclone formed close to Sri Lanka, moved slowly across the island, and was monitored through the Department of Meteorology, the Irrigation Department, and regional systems including the RSMC in New Delhi. He argued that Sri Lanka should strengthen disaster preparedness through investment in equipment, data and technical capacity, noting that climate change is intensifying extreme weather and that rebuilding livelihoods remains a priority. Adjournment Debate: Post-Cyclone "Ditwah" Situation (Part 2) Read →
- 21 January 2026 The Hon. Rauff Hakeem, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Rauff Hakeem urged that post-cyclone reconstruction be made resilient to future disasters, highlighting severe coastal erosion in Ampara and the Eastern Province affecting burial grounds, fisheries infrastructure, and heritage mosques, and calling for increased funding, permanent revetments, groynes, and alternative burial land. He cited damage to irrigation bunds, roads, and paddy fields in Batticaloa and requested urgent repairs, particularly to the breached Kaluwamadu bund. He also raised delays and confusion in compensation schemes in Mutur and Kandy, including ambiguity over housing damage categories, kitchen repair payments, and small-business grants, and asked the Government to clarify circulars so officials can disburse assistance promptly. Adjournment Debate: Post-Cyclone "Ditwah" Situation (Part 2) Read →
- 21 January 2026 The Hon. Sundaralingam Pradeep - Deputy Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Sundaralingam Pradeep defended the Government’s response to the recent “Hour” cyclone, stating that relief efforts were carried out swiftly with support from officials, public representatives, NGOs, the diaspora and foreign leaders, while accusing the Opposition of politicizing shortcomings. He said plantation workers would receive a daily wage of Rs. 1,750 from 10 February and criticized Opposition members over their stance on wage increases. He also announced that, following NBRO guidance, safe land would be identified for affected Hill Country residents and that 7,000 houses with 10 perches of land would be built and handed over in 2026 as the first phase of assistance. Adjournment Debate: Post-Cyclone "Ditwah" Situation (Part 1) Read →
- 21 January 2026 The Hon. Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran ITAK AI summary Hon. Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran said communities in several parts of Ampara District were severely affected by Cyclone Ditva, with prolonged loss of electricity, transport and communications preventing timely reporting of damage, and urged that reporting deadlines be extended and compensation granted for damaged homes and lost livestock as in other areas. He also called for urgent coastal protection measures, including rock revetments, in Thirukkovil, Karaitivu and Maligaikadu, citing erosion that threatens livelihoods, places of worship and cemeteries. He further requested the Government to present a plan to Parliament for national preparedness amid possible global conflict, including protection of the economy, essential supplies, fuel stocks and domestic production. Adjournment Debate: Post-Cyclone "Ditwah" Situation (Part 1) Read →
- 21 January 2026 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa said the Opposition cooperated in disaster relief but criticised delays in housing, land allocation, compensation and resettlement, questioning why the Government had not invoked Sections 11 and 12 of the Disaster Management Act to declare a state of disaster and mobilize resources. He sought clarity on promised compensation, renter support, safe relocation, and implementation circulars, and called for NBRO-led scientific interventions, stronger regulations, a dedicated disaster management Cabinet ministry, better equipment for relevant agencies, expedited Doppler radar installation, and an international donor conference. He also proposed Opposition support for any IMF renegotiation to ease programme conditions, urged relief for MSMEs affected by debt and CRIB blacklisting, and called for more respectful terminology and land grants for the estate community. Adjournment Debate: Post-Cyclone "Ditwah" Situation (Part 1) Read →
- 21 January 2026 The Hon. (Mrs.) Rohini Kumari Wijerathna SJB AI summary Hon. Rohini Kumari Wijerathna warned that the disaster had caused 474 deaths and said the Government would bear responsibility for further loss of life or damage if adequate preventive action was not taken. Citing NBRO risk reports for Matale, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Badulla and Kegalle, she called for advance preparedness, a ten-year Central Highlands Conservation and Development Programme overseen by experts to manage river outflows and reduce flooding, and an all-party, expert-led national disaster management plan with relief for affected people. Adjournment Debate: Post-Cyclone "Ditwah" Situation (Part 1) Read →
- 21 January 2026 The Hon. (Mrs.) Rohini Kumari Wijerathna SJB AI summary Hon. Rohini Kumari Wijerathna stressed the need for accurate, district-level data on damage from Cyclone “Ditwah” to guide relief and future disaster planning, noting that such information had still not been properly provided to Parliament nearly a month later. Citing UN, ILO, World Bank and Disaster Management Centre figures, she outlined extensive deaths, missing persons, displacement, damage to infrastructure, hospitals, livelihoods and economic losses, including specific impacts in Matale and Laggala. She criticised the Government’s preparedness, response and post-disaster relief management, and questioned delays and practical obstacles in delivering promised compensation, housing support, rent assistance and aid to affected families. Adjournment Debate: Post-Cyclone "Ditwah" Situation (Part 1) Read →
- 20 January 2026 The Hon. Major General (Rtd.) Aruna Jayasekera - Deputy Minister of Defence JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister said relief measures following the recent cyclone are being implemented under Disaster Management Centre procedures, with compensation for fully and partially damaged houses governed by Budget Circular No. 08/2025 and Defence Ministry guidelines issued in January 2025. He stated that funds have been released to District Secretaries for rental support and reconstruction assistance, with land identification, valuation, agreements, and NBRO technical oversight forming part of the process. He also outlined a Rs. 10,000 million working capital loan scheme at 3 percent interest through State banks for affected MSMEs and larger enterprises, subject to local administrative certification, and noted Central Bank-directed loan moratoria of three to six months for affected borrowers. Adjournment Debate - "8960" Cyclone Relief Measures and Constitutional Point of Order Read →
- 20 January 2026 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa stated that the Opposition was ready to debate both the Government’s handling of the “8960” cyclone and the proposed education reforms. He requested that parliamentary sessions be arranged during the current and following week to take up these debates. Procedural - No-Confidence Motion and Business Scheduling Discussion Read →
- 20 January 2026 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. Oral Question: Norochcholai Coal Power Plant Environmental Impact (Q.7/2026) Read →