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- 23 September 2025 The Hon. Dammika Patabendi - Minister of Environment JJB AI summary The Minister supported the Second Reading of the Bill to establish the National Building Research Institute, stating that it would give legal status to the National Building Research Organization, which had operated under a circular since 1984. He argued that the proposed law would make the institution more orderly, regulated, and efficient, and contrasted the Government’s action within its first year with the previous lack of legislation. He also cited major landslide disasters in Kegalle in 2016 and national landslide deaths in 2017 to underline the need for a stronger institutional framework. Second Reading Debate: National Building Research Institute Bill Read →
- 23 September 2025 The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna - Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure JJB AI summary Minister K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna supported the Bill to give legal authority to the National Building Research Organisation, arguing that stronger institutions and enforcement are needed to reduce disaster risk, particularly landslides. He cited major past landslides and said failures to act on NBRO warnings, including before the 2014 Meeriyabedda disaster, showed the consequences of weak implementation and lack of resettlement options. He also highlighted human-induced damage from the Uma Oya project, noting Cabinet decisions on compensation, water supply, soil conservation and the Talpitigala reservoir. He outlined planned measures for high-risk plantation communities, including housing and land for 2,125 families, relocation of vulnerable schools, and Rs. 1,500 million for landslide mitigation works in Badulla. Second Reading Debate: National Building Research Institute Bill Read →
- 23 September 2025 The Hon. Amila Prasad SJB AI summary Amila Prasad supported the Bill to establish the National Building Research Institute, arguing that the upgraded institution should focus on disaster prevention, climate-resilient construction, soil and mineral resource mapping, and integration with agencies such as the Disaster Management Centre. He sought clarification on the Government’s overarching policy framework for the Bill and proposed district or regional NBRI branches, mandatory pre-construction soil testing, stronger links with local Technical Officers, and Budget allocations for modern equipment and staffing. He also raised related implementation and safety issues, including monitoring silted reservoirs and landslide-prone areas, enforcing limits on sand and gravel transport, improving school-time bus services, empowering provincial and local authorities, and holding Provincial Council elections. Second Reading Debate: National Building Research Institute Bill Read →
- 23 September 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Thushari Jayasingha, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Thushari Jayasingha supported the Bill as necessary to legalize and strengthen regulation of construction in flood-prone and disaster-risk areas, particularly by enabling mapping of landslide and other hazard zones so the public and authorities can identify risks before building. She cited landslide incidents and risk data from hill-country areas, including the fatal Buwelikada incident in Kandy, to argue that enforceable restrictions are needed. She also raised unauthorized constructions in Nawalapitiya, including on railway reserves, which she said have blocked historic storm-water drainage and now require costly technical guidance before a planned bus shelter can proceed. Responding to Opposition concerns, she defended provisions allowing police involvement when officials enter premises, saying enforcement and official protection are necessary for the law to be effective. Second Reading Debate: National Building Research Institute Bill Read →
- 23 September 2025 The Hon. Kabir Hashim SJB AI summary Hon. Kabir Hashim supported the Bill to establish the National Building Research Institute, recalling earlier efforts to formalize the NBRO, and urged that its approval processes facilitate construction through clear timelines, such as issuing approvals within two weeks. Referring to frequent landslides and floods in Kegalle, including the Saammasara Kanda disaster, he called for greater attention to disaster risk in the district. He also placed on record land donations from Debathgama Watta and other family-linked holdings for resettlement, waste recycling, temples, schools, and cemeteries, and requested government action to complete delayed title and acquisition processes. Second Reading Debate: National Building Research Institute Bill Read →
- 23 September 2025 The Hon. Lieutenant Commander (Rtd.) Prageeth Madhuranga JJB AI summary Lt. Commander (Rtd.) Prageeth Madhuranga supported the Second Reading of the Bill establishing the National Building Research Institute, stating that it gives legal personality and authority to the former NBRO after decades without a statutory framework. He said the Institute would be able to regulate and carry out building materials testing, environmental monitoring, geotechnical testing, hazard mapping, and landslide risk mitigation, particularly in the context of climate variability. He emphasized the need for proactive safety measures and research-based decision-making, while also briefly extending retirement and birthday wishes to a retiring Parliament official. Second Reading Debate: National Building Research Institute Bill Read →
- 23 September 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa thanked contributors to the strengthening of NBRI and recalled support given to victims of the Saammasara Kanda landslide, before urging united legal and diplomatic action over the X-Press Pearl disaster and compensation for affected fishing communities. He highlighted a court ruling on disability access in railway station upgrades and called for all public construction to comply with accessibility standards. He also requested the urgent resumption of the stalled wildlife underpass between Ambanpola and Galgamuwa and urged implementation of the mediated settlement to absorb 16,600 school-based Development Officers into the teacher service. On power-sector restructuring, he said reforms should proceed while protecting the jobs of 23,000 CEB workers and called on the Government to honour commitments made while in Opposition. Second Reading Debate: National Building Research Institute Bill Read →
- 23 September 2025 The Hon. R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara SJB AI summary R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara supported the NBRI Bill, noting that it followed a Cabinet proposal he submitted in 2019 as Minister of Disaster Management and emphasizing the NBRO’s role in regulating construction and assessing landslide and environmental risks. He cited past disaster responses, including the Aranayake Samasara landslide resettlement, and urged the Government to provide adequate funding to the institution. He asked whether the natural disaster insurance scheme under the National Insurance Trust Fund was still operating, called for its reinstatement, and requested action to relocate identified high-risk line-room residents at Dehigala Watta and Welawatta. Second Reading Debate: National Building Research Institute Bill Read →
- 23 September 2025 The Hon. Namal Rajapaksa, Attorney-at-Law SLPP AI summary Hon. Namal Rajapaksa welcomed the NBRI Bill, noting the institution’s long existence since 1984 and the delayed move to legislate, and called for a long-term plan addressing climate, geophysical, maritime and aviation-related risks through international collaboration. He criticised the Government’s first year in office, arguing that it should focus on delivering promised benefits rather than blaming previous governments, and cited official statistics on declines in agriculture, fisheries and rubber while questioning import decisions affecting farmers. He also raised concerns over the Electricity Act, treatment of protesting graduates and Development Officers, job losses, factory closures, and pressure on the media, urging the Government to address the problems of workers and affected communities. Second Reading Debate: National Building Research Institute Bill Read →
- 23 September 2025 The Hon. Major General (Rtd.) G.D. Sooriyabandara JJB AI summary The Hon. G.D. Sooriyabandara supported the Bill establishing the National Building Research Institute, noting the NBRO’s past work on landslide hazard mapping and road-sector landslide mitigation. He argued that climate change has increased disaster risks and that the new institute should provide technical guidance, identify vulnerable areas, raise awareness, support mitigation, and enforce relevant laws. He also highlighted concerns over clause 12(1) and (2), which require owner consent for inspections of hazardous land or buildings, and noted that an amendment was expected. Second Reading Debate: National Building Research Institute Bill Read →
- 23 September 2025 The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK AI summary Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam supported giving the proposed National Building Research Institute a legal mandate but urged that its functions include assessment of flood risks and road planning in disaster-prone areas such as Batticaloa, where flood-damaged roads remain unrepaired. He also called attention to environmental risks from sand mining and ilmenite extraction permitted in areas such as Thirukkovil and Vakarai. He criticized the Government’s first year in office for failing to address Tamil people’s key concerns, including military-occupied lands, pastureland at Mayilathamadu Maathavanai, Forest Department land release, and unresolved human rights issues. Second Reading Debate: National Building Research Institute Bill Read →
- 23 September 2025 The Hon. Ravindra Bandara AI summary Ravindra Bandara supported the NBRI Bill as a long-delayed legal framework to regulate construction and reduce disaster risks, citing landslides in Aranayake, Haputale/Kabaragala, Meeriya Bedda, and Haldummulla, and noting that some displaced families still lack permanent solutions and basic services. He said stronger regulation is needed to prevent future vulnerability and improve institutional safeguards. He also addressed concerns about CEB reforms, stating that core electricity functions would remain fully government-owned, that there were no plans for mass layoffs, and that worker benefits would be protected. He called for greater transparency, efficient procurement, renewable energy integration, smart grids, smart meters, and AI-enabled forecasting to modernize the energy system. Second Reading Debate: National Building Research Institute Bill Read →
- 23 September 2025 The Hon. Waruna Liyanage SJB AI summary Hon. Waruna Liyanage supported the Bill to establish the National Building Research Institute, citing repeated disaster losses in Ratnapura and Kegalle from landslides and floods as reasons for strengthening preventive institutional capacity. He proposed adding a nominee from the Ministry responsible for Plantation Industries to the governing body, given the plantation-related nature of many disaster-prone districts. He also urged that NBRI officers be granted lawful land-entry powers for urgent inspections without requiring police accompaniment, and that local authorities be trained on construction and excavation limits to reduce landslide risks. Second Reading Debate: National Building Research Institute Bill Read →
- 23 September 2025 The Hon. Anton Jayakody - Deputy Minister of Environment JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Anton Jayakody supported the Second Reading of the National Building Research Institute Bill, which gives statutory status to the existing National Building Research Organization after 41 years and renames it as an institute. He said the institution’s work in landslide risk management, geotechnical assessment, materials testing, environmental monitoring and structural safety needs legal backing, particularly because current reports and circular-based requirements have limited enforceability. He cited past landslide disasters, rainfall-related slope instability, expansive soil problems, and the institute’s monitoring network and risk mitigation projects as reasons for establishing a formal legal framework for safer and more sustainable construction. Second Reading Debate: National Building Research Institute Bill Read →
- 23 September 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Bimal Rathnayake said current vehicle emission tests are conducted at idle speed and do not reflect real-world conditions, noting that moves are under way to introduce more realistic testing and that the VET Fund arose from a Supreme Court directive. Referring to the Ella bus accident, he cited vehicle repair costs and the driver’s apparent lack of rest, and said Rs. 1,000 million had been allocated to install guard mirrors on winding hill-country roads as part of broader accident-prevention efforts. He also stated that, following a court order on accessibility at railway stations, the Government had instructed the Railways Department to improve facilities for persons with disabilities and had informed Court of its policy to maximize accessibility in stations and public places. Oral Questions under Standing Order 27(2): Unemployment and Vehicle Emission Testing Read →
- 23 September 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake provided data on vehicle emission testing, revenues, fees, and government tax receipts, noting that all vehicles requiring revenue licences must obtain emission certificates, while military vehicles are tested separately. He said Cabinet has approved reforms from 2028 to integrate annual roadworthiness testing with emissions testing, strengthen enforcement, update penalties and regulations, accredit garages, and consider scrappage of very old vehicles. He also outlined road safety measures including special permits for public transport drivers, expanded inspections of school and office transport, and upgrading the Road Safety Council. Referring to the Ella accident report, he said driver fatigue and brake defects were identified and sought Parliament’s support for roadworthiness checks before public transport vehicles enter service. Oral Questions under Standing Order 27(2): Unemployment and Vehicle Emission Testing Read →
- 23 September 2025 The Hon. K. Kader Masthan SLLP AI summary Hon. K. Kader Masthan raised a Standing Order 27(2) question to the Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation on the effectiveness of Sri Lanka’s vehicle emission testing system, citing concerns over discrepancies in emissions data and visible pollution from government vehicles. He requested data on vehicle testing numbers and revenue over five years, 2024 testing of private and government vehicles including military, police and public transport fleets, and any reviews or recommendations on the VET system. He also asked whether fee revisions are proposed and whether a stronger mechanism can be introduced to assess vehicle condition and roadworthiness amid increasing road accidents. Oral Questions under Standing Order 27(2): Unemployment and Vehicle Emission Testing Read →
- 23 September 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Dammika Patabendi - Minister of Environment JJB AI summary The Minister stated that no specific decision has been made to amend relevant laws, but the Ministry has begun identifying and conserving water sources. He said proposed areas in Kalutara could be included in the conservation programme, and noted that a Water Resources Board project is preparing groundwater maps to support future conservation measures. Oral Question Q.1/2025: Natural Streams and Stream Reservations Protection Read →
- 23 September 2025 The Hon. Danushka Ranganath JJB AI summary Danushka Ranganath thanked the Minister for the response and raised concerns about enforcement gaps despite the existence of nearly 40 instruments on water source protection. He asked whether those instruments would be reviewed and updated to meet current needs, citing new tourism activity in areas such as Agalawatta and Bulathsinhala in Kalutara as a potential risk to water sources. Oral Question Q.1/2025: Natural Streams and Stream Reservations Protection Read →
- 23 September 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Dammika Patabendi - Minister of Environment JJB AI summary The Minister stated that a national policy on protecting water sources, catchments and reservations was gazetted in 2014, with implementation involving the Central Environmental Authority, Irrigation Department and District Secretariats under relevant environmental and land laws. He detailed measures such as declaring Environmental Protection Areas, regulating river basin activities, preventing harmful land use and waste discharge, conserving stream reservations, and conducting awareness and enforcement activities. He also outlined reservation widths under the State Lands Ordinance and said confirmed encroachments are removed by the Divisional Secretary after joint inspection. Oral Question Q.1/2025: Natural Streams and Stream Reservations Protection Read →