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- 19 December 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Piyathissa - Deputy Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Wasantha Piyathissa supported the Rs. 500 billion Supplementary Estimate for disaster recovery, citing UNDP data on the scale of the cyclone-related damage, including 2.3 million people affected, extensive flooding, and major losses to paddy fields and buildings. He said the Government had mobilized state institutions, security forces, local committees, and volunteers for relief work, with grants and compensation for cleaning, equipment, housing reconstruction, and land purchase already being disbursed. He rejected Opposition criticism of the response and argued that recovery funding would come through reallocating existing Treasury funds rather than borrowing, money printing, or new taxes. He also called for scientifically planned rebuilding and long-term measures to reduce risks from floods and landslides, linking the disaster to unscientific development in vulnerable areas. Debate: Supplementary Estimate – Head 240 – Programme 02 – Cyclone Disaster Relief (Rs. 500 Billion) Read →
- 19 December 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe said the Government was preparing for both post-flood recovery and a possible dry season, noting a forecast 15 per cent rainfall reduction, the need for crop insurance, disease prevention, resettlement, road clearance, tank repairs and food security. He rejected Opposition allegations that relief had not been provided, saying the Government had mounted a major operation within about 20 days after unprecedented nationwide flooding that caused nearly 700 deaths and left many missing. He emphasized the cultural and economic importance of village tanks, citing more than 630 breaches in Anuradhapura and the use of over 150,000 sandbags to repair 65 tanks, while thanking farmers, villagers, the tri-forces, Police and Civil Security personnel for supporting repairs during the Maha cultivation season. Debate: Supplementary Estimate – Head 240 – Programme 02 – Cyclone Disaster Relief (Rs. 500 Billion) Read →
- 19 December 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development JJB AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe supported the Rs. 500 billion supplementary estimate for relief and reconstruction following Cyclone “Dicha,” stating that the allocation specifies how funds will be used to compensate affected communities and rebuild damaged areas. He rejected Opposition claims that the Government had prior knowledge of the threat and failed to act, arguing that seasonal rainfall risks had been discussed through official channels, including the Food Policy and Security Committee on 23 November and briefings by the Meteorological Department at the start of the Maha season. Debate: Supplementary Estimate – Head 240 – Programme 02 – Cyclone Disaster Relief (Rs. 500 Billion) Read →
- 19 December 2025 The Hon. Roshan Akmeemana JJB AI summary Roshan Akmeemana described the impact of Cyclone “Dicha” and subsequent flooding in Trincomalee, noting that all 11 Divisional Secretariat divisions were affected, with Seruvila, Verugal, Muttur and Kinniya worst hit and about 30,000 people impacted. He said the flooding was mainly caused by floodwaters from the Central Highlands entering through the Mahaweli system, worsened by multiple breaches in the Mawil Aru bund and Mahaweli flood-protection embankments, but that prior evacuations prevented any casualties. He thanked the armed forces, police, civil defence, religious institutions and local communities for relief efforts, and said the supplementary estimate was intended to support recovery, restore confidence and demonstrate that the Government had a plan for rebuilding. Debate: Supplementary Estimate – Head 240 – Programme 02 – Cyclone Disaster Relief (Rs. 500 Billion) Read →
- 19 December 2025 The Hon. Chanaka Madugoda SLPP AI summary Chanaka Madugoda supported the supplementary estimate for disaster relief, noting that Parliament had convened at the Opposition’s request and commending the tri-forces, public officials, health workers and citizens for their response, particularly in Galle. He acknowledged shortcomings in early warning, preparedness and rescue capacity, and urged the Government to empower officials and avoid politicized interference in administration. He proposed stronger land-use and environmental protection laws, better enforcement of soil conservation measures, urgent agricultural support including short-duration seeds and fertilizer, assistance to damaged small rice mills, prudent planning for possible rice imports, rapid restoration of tourism sites, and action on issues at Pulmoddai mineral sands. Debate: Supplementary Estimate – Head 240 – Programme 02 – Cyclone Disaster Relief (Rs. 500 Billion) Read →
- 19 December 2025 The Hon. Asitha Niroshana Egoda Vithana JJB AI summary Hon. Asitha Niroshana Egoda Vithana supported the Rs. 500 billion supplementary estimate for relief and reconstruction following Cyclone “Dicha,” arguing that state agencies issued evolving warnings and that the Government mobilized essential services, the armed forces, provincial resources and volunteers for emergency response. He said the National Council for Disaster Management had been reconvened after years of inactivity and outlined proposed compensation increases across 15 sectors, including housing, agriculture, livestock, employment and infrastructure. He also rejected Opposition allegations that warnings were ignored or that emergency access repairs were ineffective, characterizing the work as necessary temporary relief measures. Debate: Supplementary Estimate – Head 240 – Programme 02 – Cyclone Disaster Relief (Rs. 500 Billion) Read →
- 19 December 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Rohini Kumari Wijerathna SJB AI summary Hon. Rohini Kumari Wijerathna expressed condolences for those killed and missing due to Cyclone “Dicha” and thanked officials, security forces, clergy, medical staff, and the public for relief efforts in Matale District. She said widespread landslides and ground collapses in the Central Highlands, including the Knuckles range, require permanent engineering solutions and a national plan developed jointly by Government and Opposition rather than temporary flood measures. She urged coordination with religious institutions to relocate displaced persons from schools so examinations and reopening can proceed, and called for support to farmers whose fields and wells are filled with sand, including stopping fines for sand removal or having the Government clear the land itself. Debate: Supplementary Estimate – Head 240 – Programme 02 – Cyclone Disaster Relief (Rs. 500 Billion) Read →
- 19 December 2025 The Hon. Hector Appuhamy SJB AI summary Welcoming the Rs. 500 billion supplementary allocation for disaster relief, Hector Appuhamy said all five electorates in Puttalam were affected by floods and urged the Government to develop a structured recovery plan for damaged industries, exporters, and workers facing loan, leasing, and livelihood pressures. He highlighted severe impacts on coconut, coir, prawn, salt, and horticulture sectors, including prolonged inundation in Kalpitiya that could leave labourers without income during the Christmas and New Year period. He also requested a special mechanism to manage, audit, and fairly distribute overseas donations, citing a 5,876 kg consignment from Alberta, Canada that remained in warehouses, and called for investigation into reported irregularities in relief distribution. Debate: Supplementary Estimate – Head 240 – Programme 02 – Cyclone Disaster Relief (Rs. 500 Billion) Read →
- 19 December 2025 The Hon. Namal Karunaratne – Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock AI summary The Deputy Minister described the severe human, environmental and agricultural damage caused by recent flooding, noting losses of life, homes, wildlife, trees and farmland. He commended public officials, representatives and volunteers for working under difficult conditions to restore normalcy, despite limited staffing in the Agriculture Ministry. Referring to a visit to Mannar, he said breached tanks and destroyed bunds had turned fields into waterways, and stated that the Government had intervened quickly to assist recovery. Debate: Supplementary Estimate – Head 240 – Programme 02 – Cyclone Disaster Relief (Rs. 500 Billion) Read →
- 19 December 2025 The Hon. Rauff Hakeem, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Rauff Hakeem acknowledged cross-party and community assistance following the recent disaster, particularly in Kandy District, while stating that relief delivery and administrative response had been slow. He called for urgent relocation and recovery measures for affected institutions including Al-Hikma School, Rambukwella School, Wattegama Hospital, and around 140 impacted schools in Kandy, based on rapid needs assessments and community consultation. He urged revival of climate-resilient infrastructure programmes, a donor conference with involvement from former leaders and neighbouring countries, urban regeneration and drainage plans for Gampola and nearby areas, coordinated identification of river buffer zones, and regulatory oversight to ensure insurers honour flood and cyclone claims. Debate: Supplementary Estimate – Head 240 – Programme 02 – Cyclone Disaster Relief (Rs. 500 Billion) Read →
- 19 December 2025 Hon. Anura Karunathilaka - Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation JJB AI summary Hon. Anura Karunathilaka addressed the response to the recent cyclone and floods, stating that the Government prioritized rescue, relocation, and provision of essentials within the first 24 hours with national and international support. He outlined early recovery measures, including payments of Rs. 25,000 for cleaning homes, Rs. 50,000 for basic repairs, and Rs. 15,000 for schoolchildren, funded through a Rs. 50 billion supplementary allocation approved by Parliament. Debate: Supplementary Estimate – Head 240 – Programme 02 – Cyclone Disaster Relief (Rs. 500 Billion) Read →
- 19 December 2025 Hon. Kumara Jayakody JJB AI summary Hon. Kumara Jayakody stated that the Government is pursuing cost control in the electricity sector through lower purchase prices and competitive tenders, while planning to review exchange rate-related conditions early next year to prevent losses or windfalls. He said rooftop solar tariff formulas are being corrected to reflect faster capital recovery, and that battery energy storage tenders have extended guarantees from 10 to 15 years while balancing investor returns, consumer interests and grid stability. He also noted that the CEB bore significant emergency restoration costs after Cyclone “Ditwah” and deployed crews rapidly without external assistance. Ministerial Statements and Points of Order Read →
- 19 December 2025 Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake questioned the rationale for raising electricity tariffs again after earlier reductions, arguing that the focus appeared to be on increasing revenue rather than reducing costs. He asked why battery energy storage system projects were limited to 10 or 15 years when a 20-year lifecycle funded by the private sector was feasible, and urged the use of clawback mechanisms to return more benefits to consumers from debt settlements. He also sought details on the impact of Cyclone “Ditwah” on CEB transmission and generation, and asked whether the Government accepted the need for firm generation through battery storage to reduce exposure to fossil fuel costs. Ministerial Statements and Points of Order Read →
- 19 December 2025 Hon. Kumara Jayakody - Minister of Energy JJB AI summary Minister Kumara Jayakody said the CEB recorded an adjusted operating profit of Rs. 106,601 million in 2024, of which Rs. 96,264 million was used for debt servicing, including bank interest and principal payments. He stated that electricity tariff decisions are made independently by the PUCSL, noting a 20.08% tariff reduction in January 2025 through a clawback, a subsequent 15% increase in June 2025 following CEB losses, and PUCSL’s later decision to maintain prevailing tariffs for July–December 2025. He said renewable energy capacity has exceeded targets under the 2025–2044 generation plan and outlined the quarterly tariff-setting method for NCRE projects and recent changes to Battery Energy Storage System terms, including a 15-year operating cycle and import duty waiver for qualifying systems. Ministerial Statements and Points of Order Read →
- 18 December 2025 The Hon. Major General (Rtd.) Aruna Jayasekera - Deputy Minister of Defence JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister of Defence outlined the State’s disaster response under the Sri Lanka Disaster Management Act and the National Disaster Management Strategic Plan, stating that the President convened the National Disaster Management Council on the 27th and directed coordinated action by the Tri-Forces, Police, Civil Security Department, ministries and district authorities. He reported large-scale deployments by the Army, Navy and Air Force for rescue and relief operations, and cited earlier preparedness measures including tsunami early-warning drills and public briefings on safe centres and emergency routes. He argued that repeated disasters show the need to restore natural defences and enforce environmental protections more effectively, and acknowledged support from Sri Lankans overseas, India, Pakistan, and international partners. Adjournment Debate: Current Situation of the Country After Disaster Caused by Cyclone Ditwah Read →
- 18 December 2025 The Hon. Kins Nelson SJB AI summary Hon. Kins Nelson urged Parliament to pass the Animal Welfare Bill, citing an incident in Kumana National Park involving cruelty to wildlife. He also addressed a disaster with many deaths and missing persons, requesting that compensation be extended fairly to those reported missing, noting that in such circumstances they are unlikely to be found. Adjournment Debate: Current Situation of the Country After Disaster Caused by Cyclone Ditwah Read →
- 18 December 2025 The Hon. Kins Nelson SJB AI summary Kins Nelson referred to the killing of a trapped wild elephant in Seepukulam village, Mihintale, describing it as inhumane. He urged Parliament to pass the Animal Welfare Bill, arguing that such incidents may continue without the legislation. Adjournment Debate: Current Situation of the Country After Disaster Caused by Cyclone Ditwah Read →
- 18 December 2025 The Hon. Kins Nelson SJB AI summary Kins Nelson argued that the Government failed to convene the disaster management mechanisms required under the Sri Lanka Disaster Management Act when the cyclone threat was developing, noting that the relevant committee met only after the calamity. He said Polonnaruwa’s agriculture had suffered severe damage, with over 4,000 hectares of paddy destroyed, and argued that the proposed Rs. 150,000 per hectare compensation was inadequate given farmers’ actual cultivation costs and damage from sand, rocks and debris. He also urged faster and fuller payment of household relief, citing shortfalls in allocations for eligible homes in Polonnaruwa, and called on the Government to honour the President’s stated commitment of Rs. 75,000 per affected household rather than limiting the additional Rs. 50,000 by a later circular. Adjournment Debate: Current Situation of the Country After Disaster Caused by Cyclone Ditwah Read →
- 18 December 2025 The Hon. Thilina Samarakoon JJB AI summary Hon. Thilina Samarakoon described the impact of Cyclone “Ditva” on Anuradhapura District, stating that all 22 Divisional Secretariat Divisions were affected due to flooding linked to major rivers, reservoirs, tanks and irrigation spillovers. He cited district figures including 22,838 affected families, 86 deaths, extensive housing and irrigation damage, and major crop losses, including 9,500 hectares of paddy fully damaged. He said state officials, security forces, volunteer groups, religious leaders and political representatives worked jointly on rescue and protection efforts, and that relief payments and agricultural damage assessments were under way. Adjournment Debate: Current Situation of the Country After Disaster Caused by Cyclone Ditwah Read →
- 18 December 2025 The Hon. M.S. Abthul Wazeeth SLMC AI summary Hon. M.S. Abthul Wazeeth said the absence of a bridge between Vedativu and Majithpuram in the Muthur Divisional Secretariat area had worsened disaster impacts and called for its construction. He also raised concerns over coastal erosion in Thirukkovil, Maruthamunai, Pottuvil, Maligakadu and Maiyavadi, noting risks to fishermen, residents, religious sites and burial grounds. He requested the Coast Conservation Department to urgently inspect the affected areas and implement a permanent solution. Adjournment Debate: Current Situation of the Country After Disaster Caused by Cyclone Ditwah Read →