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- 7 January 2026 The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF AI summary Chamara Sampath Dasanayake questioned the Minister of Environment on whether a national wild elephant census has been conducted, the current population, and the number of elephant deaths in 2025, stating that 409 deaths had been recorded amid the human-elephant conflict. He urged measures including limiting proposed cultivation releases near Palukadawala–Nakolagane, establishing monitoring near the Getadiwula bridge, improving railway lighting/signalling and driver arrangements on the Meenagaya service, standardizing electric fences, investigating hakka patas poison supplies, and protecting the tusker “Kavantissa.” He argued that continued elephant deaths, habitat loss, and train collisions threaten tourism and Sri Lanka’s elephant heritage, and called for coordinated action in 2026 to reduce deaths. Adjournment Read →
- 7 January 2026 The Hon. Mujibur Rahuman SJB AI summary Mujibur Rahuman used the debate on the Colombo Port City Economic Commission (Amendment) Bill to allege irregularities in the awarding of renewable energy projects in 2025, saying seven solar and wind projects were licensed without tenders despite a Cabinet decision requiring competitive processes. He questioned the tariffs granted, claiming they were higher than previous rates and could impose over Rs. 20 billion in excess costs, and raised concerns about links between selected companies, political figures, and individuals close to the Government. He also referred to earlier allegations involving a Mannar wind project, the unresolved “300 containers” issue, and the delay in appointing an Auditor-General, demanding greater transparency and due process. Debate: Colombo Port City Economic Commission (Amendment) Bill Read →
- 7 January 2026 HOLIDAY BUNGALOWS BUILT BY CENTRAL BANK IN SOMAWATHIYA NATIONAL PARK: DETAILS AI summary Padmasiri Bandara asked the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development for details on two hotel or holiday bungalow complexes reportedly built by the Central Bank within Somawathiya National Park. He sought information on whether the Minister was aware of them, which authority currently manages them, the total investment made, whether they are in use, and, if not, the reasons for non-use. Oral Question: Holiday Bungalows in Somawathiya National Park (Q.1631/2025) Read →
- 7 January 2026 The Hon. Hector Appuhamy SJB AI summary Hon. Hector Appuhamy asked the Prime Minister to state the Government’s response to the economic and social impact of Cyclone “Michaung”, particularly support for affected persons, SMEs and industries. He sought details on compensation, concessional loans at 3 percent interest, damage assessment and loan grace periods, treatment of enterprises under debt moratoria, concessions for those listed with the Credit Information Bureau, recovery programmes, and plans to reduce damage from future natural disasters. Oral Questions: Prime Minister Read →
- 7 January 2026 The Hon. Upul Kithsiri JJB AI summary On behalf of the Chair of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Agriculture and Resource Sustainability, Hon. Upul Kithsiri presented the Committee’s report on several referred annual and performance reports relating to national botanic gardens, the Ministry of Environment, the State Timber Corporation, and national zoological gardens. The reports covered periods between 2022 and 2024 and were ordered to lie upon the Table. Papers Presented Read →
- 7 January 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Dammika Patabendi - Minister of Environment JJB AI summary The Minister of Environment presented the 2022 Annual Report of the Sri Lanka Climate Fund (Private) Limited and the 2023 Annual Report of the Central Environmental Authority. He proposed that both reports be referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Agriculture and Resource Sustainability, and the House agreed. Papers Presented Read →
- 6 January 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Dammika Patabendi - Minister of Environment JJB AI summary Minister Dammika Patabendi outlined Sri Lanka’s obligations and actions under the UNFCCC and Paris Agreement, including the preparation of successive Nationally Determined Contributions, with NDC 3.0 approved by Cabinet in September 2025 for implementation during 2026–2035. He described planned and ongoing measures such as the Carbon Net Zero Roadmap and Strategic Plan for 2050, expanded sectoral coverage under the updated National Adaptation Plan for 2026–2035, and the need for budgetary allocations, technical assessments, monitoring systems, and institutional capacity building. He also emphasized the role of financial mechanisms for adaptation and mitigation and the involvement of the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change Secretariat, inter-agency task forces, and sectoral committees in implementation and reporting. Questions and Papers (Resumption after Adjournment) Read →
- 6 January 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Dammika Patabendi - Minister of Environment JJB AI summary The Minister stated that Sri Lanka’s Climate Prosperity Plan aims to build climate resilience and move towards net-negative carbon emissions, including increasing renewable energy generation to 70% by 2030, advancing nature-based resilience measures, green financing, and green job creation. He said the updated draft Plan has been finalized, a validation workshop held, and Cabinet approval will be sought after concurrence from relevant ministries, with sectoral projects and potential funding sources already identified. He also outlined steps to enable carbon market access, including preparation of a national carbon trading policy, cooperation under Japan’s Joint Crediting Mechanism and with Singapore, Article 6.4 project approvals, and development of a national carbon registry with UNDP support. Questions and Papers (Resumption after Adjournment) Read →
- 6 January 2026 The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB AI summary Ajith P. Perera asked the Minister of Environment to inform Parliament of the arrangements being made to implement Sri Lanka’s Climate Prosperity Plan. He also requested details on the Government’s measures to ensure Sri Lanka’s access to the Carbon Market, and asked for reasons if such information could not be provided. Questions and Papers (Resumption after Adjournment) Read →
- 6 January 2026 The Hon. Dammika Patabendi - Minister of Environment JJB AI summary The Minister outlined Sri Lanka’s international climate commitments under the UNFCCC and Paris Agreement, including the preparation of successive Nationally Determined Contributions, with NDC 3.0 approved by Cabinet in September 2025 for 2026–2035 across mitigation and adaptation sectors. He stated that implementation will be coordinated through the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change Secretariat and inter-agency mechanisms, with budgetary, technology, monitoring and capacity-building needs. He also described the development of a 2050 Carbon Net-Zero Roadmap, the updated National Adaptation Plan for 2026–2035 with province-based costed plans, and Sri Lanka’s engagement with international adaptation and loss-and-damage financing mechanisms such as the Adaptation Fund and the COP28 Loss and Damage Response Fund. Questions and Papers (Resumption after Adjournment) Read →
- 6 January 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB AI summary Moved approval of the President’s Proclamation bringing Part II of the Public Security Ordinance into operation nationwide from 28 December 2025, seeking a one-month extension of emergency powers following Cyclone “Dicha.” She cited continuing displacement, damaged housing, landslide risks, the need for NBRO assessments before resettlement, uninterrupted essential services, and the continued operation of the Commissioner-General of Essential Services, while stating the powers would not be used for other purposes. She also addressed concerns over the Grade 6 English module, saying an investigation is under way through the NIE’s statutory procedures, the book has not been distributed, and disciplinary action will follow the findings. Debate: Public Security Ordinance Resolution and Delimitation Motion Read →
- 6 January 2026 The Hon. Stepni Fernando JJB AI summary The Hon. Stepni Fernando supported regulations setting a minimum 130 mm carapace width for harvesting, retaining, or exporting mud crabs, arguing that unregulated harvesting has reduced stocks and that breeding, habitat restoration, hatcheries, and lagoon conservation—starting in Negombo—are needed to sustain a valuable export fishery. She also outlined changes to the Fishermen’s Pension and Social Security Benefit Scheme, stating that low uptake would be addressed through easier payments via Fisheries Inspectors and flexible contribution schedules suited to irregular fisher incomes. She said the measures are intended to protect both coastal and inland fishers, including older fishers, while also noting ongoing government support for districts affected by floods and landslides. Debate: Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Act and Fishermen's Pension Regulations Read →
- 6 January 2026 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody - Minister of Energy JJB AI summary The Minister defended the Government’s electricity and fuel pricing policy, stating that past failures to revise prices, service debts, and pay generators were now being addressed. He said the average electricity price had been reduced from Rs. 37 in July 2024 to Rs. 29, and argued that further reductions depend on lowering power purchase costs, including renewable energy purchase prices. On petroleum pricing, he said landed cost alone cannot determine prices because distribution and other costs must be included, and stated that the Government had recently absorbed losses rather than increasing fuel prices. Oral Question under Standing Order 27(2): National Electricity Policy (Hon. Sajith Premadasa) Read →
- 6 January 2026 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa questioned the Government’s proposed national electricity policy and alleged a divergence from election pledges to reduce bills and expand low-cost renewable generation. He asked whether the CEB had sought an 11.57% tariff increase for early 2026, whether impact assessments and technical or economic studies would be tabled, and whether public consultation should be extended due to disaster conditions. He also sought clarification on possible removal of cross-subsidies, introduction of time-of-use payments for renewable energy, changes to pricing for wind, small hydro and biomass, and compensation or curtailment arrangements for contracted generators. Oral Question under Standing Order 27(2): National Electricity Policy (Hon. Sajith Premadasa) Read →
- 6 January 2026 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa questioned whether the Government’s policy on protecting reserves is reflected in reported obstruction of Forest Department officers safeguarding lands in Galgamuwa and Kumbukwewa. He also raised concern over the transfer of Mr. Chathura Gunaratne, who had worked to protect the Hakwatunawa Tank Reserve, seeking clarification on the Government’s stance. Oral Question: Sinharaja Forest World Heritage Site Protection (Q. relating to B. Ariyawansha and points of order) Read →
- 6 January 2026 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa briefly stated that his question was connected to the ongoing matter and clarified that he was asking specifically about the protection of reserves. Oral Question: Sinharaja Forest World Heritage Site Protection (Q. relating to B. Ariyawansha and points of order) Read →
- 6 January 2026 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa briefly referred to the protection of reserves. The remark appears to indicate concern or interest regarding measures to safeguard reserved areas or resources, but no specific proposal, question, or demand is recorded in the provided excerpt. Oral Question: Sinharaja Forest World Heritage Site Protection (Q. relating to B. Ariyawansha and points of order) Read →
- 6 January 2026 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa SJB AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa questioned how the Government intends to implement its reserve protection policy, citing incidents in Galgamuwa/Kumbukwewa where Forest Department officers were allegedly driven out while protecting forest lands. He also referred to the transfer of Mr. Chathura Gunaratne after efforts to protect the Hakwatunawa Tank Reserve, asking whether such actions reflect the Government’s approach to reserve conservation. Oral Question: Sinharaja Forest World Heritage Site Protection (Q. relating to B. Ariyawansha and points of order) Read →
- 6 January 2026 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa questioned how the Government can effectively protect reserves, forests and buffer zones, including Sinharaja and the Hakwatunawa Tank Reserve, if officials enforcing conservation laws are transferred or obstructed. He cited the transfer of Wildlife officer Chathura Gunaratne in Herathgama and alleged obstruction of Forest Department officers in Galgamuwa and Kumbukwewa who opposed illegal soil excavation. Oral Question: Sinharaja Forest World Heritage Site Protection (Q. relating to B. Ariyawansha and points of order) Read →
- 6 January 2026 The Hon. Dammika Patabendi JJB AI summary Dammika Patabendi stated that no new programme is needed for Sinharaja, as it is already protected as a Reserved Forest and World Heritage Site. He said the existing management system is sufficient to safeguard Sinharaja and is the basis for its current protection. Oral Question: Sinharaja Forest World Heritage Site Protection (Q. relating to B. Ariyawansha and points of order) Read →