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- 20 January 2026 The Hon. Hector Appuhamy SJB AI summary Hon. Hector Appuhamy questioned whether the use of smaller coal sizes has made the resulting ash more hazardous. He asked the Government to state what measures are being taken to address acknowledged issues relating to coal use. Oral Question: Norochcholai Coal Power Plant Environmental Impact (Q.7/2026) Read →
- 20 January 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Dammika Patabendi - Minister of Environment JJB AI summary The Minister of Environment stated that the question raised had been answered and invited Members to submit any issues affecting the public. He said the Ministry was prepared to address such matters. Oral Question: Norochcholai Coal Power Plant Environmental Impact (Q.7/2026) Read →
- 20 January 2026 The Hon. Hector Appuhamy SJB AI summary Hon. Hector Appuhamy questioned whether the reports referred to in the response had been received and requested that they be tabled. He raised concerns about ash affecting cultivation and livelihoods, frequent power outages around Kalpitiya, and restrictions on fisherfolk due to vessel movements. He asked what practical measures would be taken to restore local livelihoods and requested that the current Environmental Protection Licence be tabled, citing doubts about its issuance and the suitability of the plant’s location near human settlements. Oral Question: Norochcholai Coal Power Plant Environmental Impact (Q.7/2026) Read →
- 20 January 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Dammika Patabendi - Minister of Environment JJB AI summary No recent complaints have been recorded on environmental issues from coal burning at the Norochcholai Coal Power Plant, according to the North Western Provincial Environmental Authority. The Minister stated that the plant operates under an Environmental Protection Licence issued by that Authority, which has the legal mandate for environmental control, with monitoring and mitigation measures including expert reviews, wind barriers, air quality monitoring stations, pollution-control equipment, and studies by relevant agencies. He added that tests on groundwater, emissions, air quality, particulates, noise, and effluent have found results within applicable standards. Oral Question: Norochcholai Coal Power Plant Environmental Impact (Q.7/2026) Read →
- 20 January 2026 The Hon. Hector Appuhamy SJB AI summary Hector Appuhamy asked the Minister of Environment whether the Government is aware of environmental problems faced by residents in villages surrounding the Norochcholai Coal Power Plant due to coal burning. He requested details of the measures to be taken to address those issues, or an explanation if no action is planned. Oral Question: Norochcholai Coal Power Plant Environmental Impact (Q.7/2026) Read →
- 9 January 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam ITAK AI summary Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam supported the import regulation amendments facilitating disaster relief goods through the Disaster Management Centre, but urged safeguards to prevent abuse and unsuitable donations, citing problems experienced during the 2004 tsunami. He cautioned against concentrating authority in the Controller of Imports and Exports to waive standards, and called for wider legal reforms affecting land administration, local authority revenue, and outdated fees. He also proposed reflective ear tags for livestock in the North and East to reduce night-time road accidents. Debate: Imports and Exports (Control) Act Regulations Read →
- 9 January 2026 The Hon. Riyas Farook JJB AI summary Hon. Riyas Farook supported the amended regulations under the Import and Export (Control) Act, stating that they were needed to expedite Customs clearance of donated goods and equipment following Cyclone “Dicha”. He detailed housing damage in Kandy District and said reconstruction was under way, with land identification for rebuilding continuing there alongside programmes begun in other districts. He also disputed claims about relief work in areas such as Deltota, Akurana and Rambukeella, crediting government MPs, officials, the Police, Army and other agencies for restoring access, and called for machinery such as JCBs, trucks, bowsers and chainsaws to accelerate rebuilding and resettlement. Debate: Imports and Exports (Control) Act Regulations Read →
- 9 January 2026 The Hon. Ravindra Bandara AI summary Ravindra Bandara asked whether the previously proposed DOD project for the Bambarakanda–Haputale–Haldummulla tourism belt has begun under the current Government or is scheduled to begin this year. He noted acute water issues in Haldummulla, Harankahawa and Kalupahana and linked the project to tourism development in the area. Oral Question: Water Supply in Bandarawela (Q.10) Read →
- 9 January 2026 The Hon. Major General (Rtd.) Aruna Jayasekera - Deputy Minister of Defence JJB AI summary Major General (Rtd.) Aruna Jayasekera stated that the Government had paid particular attention to those affected by Cyclone “Michaung.” He said the recent National Disaster Management Council discussed reforms, including appointing a committee to review the relevant Act, restructure institutions, and re-establish a national disaster management plan. He added that proposals raised, as well as Monash University findings, would be considered for future work. Oral Question: Disaster Relief and Compensation (Q.7/726/2025) Read →
- 9 January 2026 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa called for a fundamental restructuring of disaster management in response to increasing climate variability, including consolidating relevant agencies under a dedicated Ministry for Disaster Management, strengthening resources, and introducing a new Disaster Management Act. He proposed training unemployed graduates to form a climate and disaster management task force, citing India’s model. Referring to studies by Monash University and the British Medical Journal on post-cyclone mortality, he asked whether the Government would review the findings and develop a new disaster management work plan. Oral Question: Disaster Relief and Compensation (Q.7/726/2025) Read →
- 9 January 2026 The Hon. Major General (Rtd.) Aruna Jayasekera - Deputy Minister of Defence JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister of Defence said the question had been submitted before Cyclone “Michaung” and that relevant figures had since changed, so he tabled a detailed written answer. The tabled response provided disaster incident, affected-person and compensation data from 2015 to 2025, expenditure details for the Department of Meteorology, Disaster Management Centre, Disaster Relief Services Centre and NBRO, and outlined disaster management measures under the Disaster Management Act No. 13 of 2005. It also listed preparedness, early warning, risk reduction, resettlement, compensation and infrastructure initiatives, including increased death compensation, landslide-risk housing, building-code measures, district and divisional plans, and emergency response systems. Oral Question: Disaster Relief and Compensation (Q.7/726/2025) Read →
- 9 January 2026 The Hon. (Mrs.) M.A.C.S. Chathuri Gangani JJB AI summary On behalf of the Chair of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Agriculture and Sustainable Use of Resources, Mrs. M.A.C.S. Chathuri Gangani presented the Committee’s report on several referred annual and performance reports. These included reports relating to land reform and title registration, fertilizer companies, wildlife conservation, land administration, agricultural insurance, and the Central Engineering Consultancy Bureau. The report was ordered to lie upon the Table. Papers Presented and Committee Reports Read →
- 8 January 2026 The Hon. Dinesh Hemantha JJB AI summary The Hon. Dinesh Hemantha linked the Motor Traffic Act amendments and regulations to a broader argument on sustainable development, stating that economic growth must be balanced with environmental and social responsibility, especially after recent disasters caused major economic losses. He said governments must take necessary decisions even when unpopular and called for consistent Opposition support for such measures. He also outlined disaster recovery work in Matale District, including rural road projects, restoration of damaged RDA roads, bridge reconstruction, land acquisition plans, and the deployment of a Bailey bridge, while stressing that disaster relief should not be politicized. Motor Traffic Act Regulations Debate Read →
- 8 January 2026 The Hon. Gnanamuththu Srineshan ITAK AI summary Hon. Gnanamuththu Srineshan raised transport concerns in Batticaloa during the debate on Motor Traffic Act regulations, alleging bribery issues in traffic enforcement and detailing revenue and capacity losses after changes to the “Paadum Meen” rail service. He requested reinstatement or augmentation of former rail facilities and restoration of the previous Colombo–Batticaloa timetable to improve passenger use and revenue. He also asked relevant Ministers to examine alleged unfair selection in kabaddi, strengthen Wildlife Department capacity to address human–elephant conflict in Batticaloa, consider allowing small tractors to haul beach seines in fisheries, and review concerns over university appointments and Dean selections. Motor Traffic Act Regulations Debate Read →
- 8 January 2026 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody - Minister of Energy JJB AI summary Minister Kumara Jayakody stated that 7,259 rooftop solar grid-connection applications had been received in the Jaffna District since 2020, with 4,448 connections provided and four pending due to incomplete construction or local protests and District Coordination Committee decisions. He said new approvals in Jaffna have been suspended since 12 August 2024 because the Chunnakam grid substation has exceeded its renewable integration capacity. Addressing allegations over CEB approvals, he said complaints had been investigated through established CEB, PUCSL and disciplinary procedures, with escalation mechanisms available under the Supply Services Code. He added that renewable energy capacity has exceeded 2025 targets under the Long-Term Generation Plan, two solar plants have been contracted in Mannar, and there is no formal CEB-ADB-local authority coordination programme for rooftop solar connections. Oral Questions to Ministers (Q.1664/2025 through Q.1719/2025) Read →
- 7 January 2026 The Hon. Upul Kithsiri JJB AI summary Hon. Upul Kithsiri sought clarification on the safety of the Udawalawa bund, noting that it was built in 1968, is now heavily used by tourist and local traffic, and could endanger wider areas if compromised. While accepting the Deputy Minister’s response and the existence of an alternative route, he urged that the lower alternative road be rehabilitated urgently rather than awaiting further reports, so it can be used if the bund road is closed in an emergency. Adjournment Read →
- 7 January 2026 The Hon. Upul Kithsiri JJB AI summary Hon. Upul Kithsiri raised an Adjournment Question to the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation on reservoir safety following Cyclone “Diva,” focusing on concerns about the Udawalawa Reservoir after recent spilling. He asked for details on the reservoir’s construction year, objectives, storage capacity and irrigable area, and sought clarification on whether national highways run over reservoir bunds in Sri Lanka. He further questioned whether the main road on the Udawalawa bund poses a safety risk and whether the Ministry has considered alternative arrangements. Adjournment Read →
- 7 January 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Dammika Patabendi – Minister of Environment AI summary The Minister of Environment disputed a Member’s claim about the year with the highest number of deaths, stating that 2023 recorded the highest figure at 488 rather than 2025. He said the claim misled or attempted to mislead the public and noted that, in the context of the Adjournment, he had answered the listed questions. Adjournment Read →
- 7 January 2026 The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake denied misleading the public on elephant deaths, citing media reports and his written question on inaction by previous governments. He requested verification of reports that around 12 elephants died this year in collisions involving the Meenagaya train after a driver change at Mahawa, and alleged that the driver on the Mahawa–Batticaloa leg was overage and failed to control speed. He urged the authorities to check the facts and address ongoing elephant deaths and the lack of rehabilitation or medical treatment for injured elephants. Adjournment Read →
- 7 January 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Dammika Patabendi – Minister of Environment AI summary The Minister, replying to Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake, reported that Sri Lanka’s 2024 national elephant census recorded at least 7,451 wild elephants, a 26.7% increase from 2011, while also noting changes in tusker and male elephant proportions. He disputed the claim that 2025 had the highest elephant deaths, stating that 2023 recorded 488 deaths, compared with 388 in 2024 and 409 in 2025, and attributed deaths largely to human-elephant conflict, train collisions, and Cyclone Ditta impacts. He outlined Government measures including recruitment and resource provision for wildlife services, railway safety interventions, and 2026 Budget allocations of Rs. 8.55 billion for environmental conservation, Rs. 6.4 billion for wildlife conservation, and Rs. 1 billion for elephant behaviour modification. Adjournment Read →