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- 11 November 2025 Hon. Sudath Balagalla JJB AI summary Hon. Sudath Balagalla defended the 2026 Budget, arguing that it benefits all sections of society while reducing the deficit from the 2023 level, and accused the Opposition of misrepresenting measures such as vehicle allocations. He highlighted Government actions including doubling Mahapola payments, increasing public sector salaries, restoring pensions for 2016 recruits, addressing agricultural storage and purchasing issues, developing local seed production, and responding to the human-elephant conflict. He also emphasized direct relief and housing support for estate workers in Badulla, calling for procedural or legislative fixes where needed, and asserted that the Government has the commitment to continue its development programme. Debate: Second Reading of 2026 Budget Bill (Day 3, Morning) Read →
- 11 November 2025 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody JJB AI summary Kumara Jayakody said decisions on water releases fall under the Irrigation Department or agencies such as Mahaweli and must be made with their agreement, taking environmental and related factors into account. He stated that the specified hours were likely set on that basis and undertook to discuss the matter with the Tourism Ministry and relevant agencies to make adjustments if necessary. Oral Question: Affected Persons Due to Construction of Broadlands Hydropower Plant (Q.1404/2025) Read →
- 11 November 2025 The Hon. Manjula Suraweera Arachchi JJB AI summary Manjula Suraweera Arachchi asked how the Government would address the impact of the Broadlands hydropower project on water rafting along the Kelani River, a key tourism activity. He said river closures from late afternoon to the following morning delay rafting operations and inconvenience foreign visitors, and requested a solution that balances hydropower generation with tourism needs. Oral Question: Affected Persons Due to Construction of Broadlands Hydropower Plant (Q.1404/2025) Read →
- 11 November 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Bimal Rathnayake used a metaphor to criticize those who create a crisis and then claim vindication when the resulting damage occurs. The remark suggests an accusation of deliberate provocation or negligence followed by self-justification, though no specific policy or event is identified in the quoted passage. Procedural Matters: Points of Order and Privilege Issues Read →
- 10 November 2025 The Hon. Chandana Thennekoon JJB AI summary Hon. Chandana Thennekoon supported the President’s second Budget, presenting it as aligned with six policy objectives including inclusive growth, export diversification, debt sustainability, rural poverty eradication, productive economic development, and digitalization. He highlighted allocations for irrigation, small tanks, rural roads, housing, education, and higher education, with particular emphasis on rural development in areas such as Kurunegala District. He also welcomed specific measures to address the human-elephant conflict, including funds for elephant fences, Wildlife Department vehicles and equipment, deployment of Civil Security Department officers, habitat improvements, and research into scientific solutions. Adjourned Debate on Budget Bill – Second Reading Read →
- 10 November 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Rohini Kumari Wijerathna SJB AI summary Hon. Rohini Kumari Wijerathna welcomed the inclusion of her Private Member’s Proposal to introduce a contributory pension for overseas migrant workers, noting their contribution to foreign remittances. She raised concerns about human-elephant conflict in the Matale/Rattota area, citing a recent elephant death and the prolonged presence of wild elephants without an effective relocation mechanism. She requested vehicles, offices, housing and facilities for wildlife and electric-fence officers, and criticized unspent allocations and inadequate support for wildlife management. Adjourned Debate on Budget Bill – Second Reading Read →
- 10 November 2025 The Hon. Ruwan Wijeweera JJB AI summary Ruwan Wijeweera supported the 2026 Citizen’s Budget, arguing that end-2025 fiscal and external sector data show macroeconomic stabilization, including higher-than-projected revenue, a reduced deficit, and stronger inflows from exports, remittances, and tourism. He defended the Government’s poverty and housing policies, citing plans for 70,000 houses and criticizing shortcomings in a previous housing project in Buttala while highlighting community-based low-cost housing in his district. He also noted allocations for addressing human-elephant conflict through environmental assessments, elephant corridors, and fence management, and for cultural and recreation facilities in Monaragala and Ampara. Adjourned Debate on Budget Bill – Second Reading Read →
- 10 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Dammika Patabendi - Minister of Environment JJB AI summary Minister Dammika Patabendi defended the 2026 Budget as a strategic economic plan rather than a forum for preferential politics, arguing that the National People’s Power Government had stabilised the economy and improved key indicators including growth, unemployment, exports, remittances, tourism earnings, revenue, and the primary surplus. He said the Budget is based on six pillars, including inclusive growth, export diversification, debt sustainability, rural poverty eradication, strengthening production, and digitalization. He highlighted proposed technology measures such as waiving government e-payment service fees from January 2026, allocating funds for data centres, AI and cloud capacity, broadband vouchers, telecom tower facilitation, an “AGNI” startup fund, and a Virtual Special Economic Zone, alongside energy-related initiatives in electrification, green hydrogen, and green ammonia. Adjourned Debate on Budget Bill – Second Reading Read →
- 10 November 2025 The Hon. Ananda Wijepala JJB AI summary The Minister stated that the Civil Security Department had recently been brought under the Ministry of Public Security and that around 5,000 CSD personnel seconded to the Department of Wildlife Conservation for human-elephant conflict mitigation were being released, with 3,975 already returned. He said most personnel are now being assigned near their home districts, specific cases raised by the Member would be re-examined, and future deployments would follow a proper system prioritizing nearest duty stations. Oral Question: Civil Security Department – Annual Income and Expenditure (Q.1113/2025) Read →
- 8 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana raised concerns about inadequate sewerage, solid waste and drainage systems in parts of Colombo, including Colombo 5, 6 and 7. He said around 600 metric tons of Colombo’s daily waste is dumped at the Wattala disposal site in his district, causing odour, pollution, health risks and contamination of waterways in the Muthurajawela area, particularly during rains. He urged urgent intervention and measures to promote recycling. Oral Question: Grant by Asian Development Bank to Colombo Municipal Council (Q.739/2025) Read →
- 8 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana questioned the effectiveness of repeated allocations for wastewater management, citing about USD 178 million from the ADB, LKR 13.6 billion in the previous Budget, and LKR 2.5 billion for Beira Lake-related work this year. He asked what further measures the Government would take to address continuing deficiencies in sewage and solid waste disposal systems for Colombo residents. Oral Question: Grant by Asian Development Bank to Colombo Municipal Council (Q.739/2025) Read →
- 24 October 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Dammika Patabendi - Minister of Environment JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Dammika Patabendi stated that environmental authorities can intervene even on private land when damage is significant, with action proportionate to the harm caused. He said the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau should inspect quantities and supervise activities, while Divisional and District Coordinating Committees and other agencies may be involved where there is serious environmental damage or public concern. Oral Question: Mines and Minerals Regulation (Q.2/2025) Read →
- 24 October 2025 Hon. Major General (Rtd.) G.D. Sooriyabandara JJB AI summary Hon. Major General (Rtd.) G.D. Sooriyabandara questioned the adequacy of Geological Survey and Mines Bureau supervision of mining activities, particularly on private land where local administrative recommendations are not required after environmental approval. He requested consideration of involving Grama Niladharis and a small local community group in supervision to reduce risks, noting that State land approvals already involve Divisional Secretary and Grama Niladhari input. Oral Question: Mines and Minerals Regulation (Q.2/2025) Read →
- 24 October 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Dammika Patabendi - Minister of Environment JJB AI summary Existing laws allow intervention against environmentally harmful incidents, and specific cases raised can be acted on where environmental damage and public opposition are evident. Revisions to the legal framework are being discussed, with a view to introducing stronger measures to prevent such harm. Oral Question: Mines and Minerals Regulation (Q.2/2025) Read →
- 24 October 2025 Hon. Major General (Rtd.) G.D. Sooriyabandara JJB AI summary Hon. Major General (Rtd.) G.D. Sooriyabandara questioned the implementation of mining guidelines issued under Gazette Extraordinary No. 2196/28, stating that approvals on private land are being misused in ways that damage ecosystems. Citing a halted rock-cutting project in Rathnaheeruwa, Kuliyapitiya East, he asked whether the Government will update or amend the guidelines to ensure proper procedures and environmental safeguards. Oral Question: Mines and Minerals Regulation (Q.2/2025) Read →
- 24 October 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Dammika Patabendi - Minister of Environment JJB AI summary Under the Mines and Minerals Act, the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau has authority to license mineral exploration, mining, transport, trading, storage and export, including gravel mining. The Minister said gravel mining approvals require recommendations from relevant bodies such as the Urban Development Authority, Department of Archaeology and Central Environmental Authority, with additional consultations where needed, and that GSMB officers supervise compliance with licence conditions. He also stated that amendments to the Act and revised penalties are being pursued to address unauthorized mining and illegal activities. Oral Question: Mines and Minerals Regulation (Q.2/2025) Read →
- 23 October 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Environment, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa tabled a written answer regarding the Horowpothana Elephant Holding Ground. The response stated that 73 problem elephants had been released there, 21 had died with post-mortems conducted, and the facility comprises 997 hectares of State land within Horowpothana National Park, with no private agricultural lands affected or alternative lands provided. It also noted that elephant movement continues in surrounding DWC-managed areas, electric fence routes are being identified, and crop-damage compensation is handled by the Agricultural and Agrarian Insurance Board for insured farmers under specified crop categories and conditions. Oral Question: Wild Elephants at Horowpothana Elephant Holding Ground (Q.12/2025) Read →
- 23 October 2025 The Hon. Gayantha Karunatilleka (on behalf of the Hon. Suranga Rathnayaka) SJB AI summary Asked the Minister of Environment to provide details on the Horowpothana Elephant Holding Ground, including the number of elephants kept there, its land extent, the agricultural lands affected, and whether alternative lands were given to previous owners. He also raised concerns that the facility blocks an elephant pass, causing elephants to use other lands and damage crops, and requested information on proposed solutions, the timeline for compensation, and how farmers without deeds or permits would be treated. Oral Question: Wild Elephants at Horowpothana Elephant Holding Ground (Q.12/2025) Read →
- 22 October 2025 Major General (Rtd.) Aruna Jayasekera - Deputy Minister of Defence JJB AI summary Major General (Rtd.) Aruna Jayasekera reported that recent heavy rainfall affected 14 districts and 67 Divisional Secretariat divisions, impacting 2,351 families or 9,392 persons, but no area had developed into a major disaster. He cited three deaths, one missing person, partial damage to 377 houses, temporary shelter arrangements in Colombo, and continuing restoration of transport services. He said warnings had been communicated to at-risk communities, the Disaster Management Centre and 117 hotline were operating continuously, and relevant agencies including the Tri-Forces, Police, NBRO, Meteorology Department and district administrations remained engaged as conditions were expected to normalize. Ministerial Statements: Flood Relief and Defence Updates Read →
- 22 October 2025 Kumara Jayakody - Minister of Energy JJB AI summary Kumara Jayakody clarified that LNG is not being described as renewable, but as a firm energy source used alongside diesel or coal when hydro output is low to maintain grid stability. He defended tariff reductions for solar projects as reflecting lower panel costs and currency appreciation, saying the benefit should be passed to consumers without harming genuine developers. He said approved solar capacity already exceeds this year’s LTGEP additions, with further grid expansion and battery storage tenders planned to support the target of 70% renewable energy by 2030. Ministerial Statement and Debate: Power Generation Policy (Minister of Energy) Read →