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. Danushka Ranganath JJB AI summary Hon. Danushka Ranganath asked the Minister of Environment what measures are being taken to protect natural streams and maintain legally required stream reservations, including the extent of land that should be reserved along streams. He sought clarification on enforcement against persons who have forcibly occupied stream reservations and on whether reservations have been granted as freehold lands, particularly in the Kalutara District. He further asked whether the Government will take steps to reacquire such stream reservations, and if not, the reasons for not doing so. Oral Question Q.1/2025: Natural Streams and Stream Reservations Protection Read →
- 12 September 2025 The Hon. T.B. Sarath JJB AI summary The Hon. T.B. Sarath stated that earlier problems with the project resulted from unilateral ministerial actions, inadequate public communication, insufficient funding that halted work midway, and adverse weather conditions. He said the Government has since consulted local communities and environmental organizations and put measures in place to prevent similar issues from recurring. Oral Question: Wanawasala and Aruwakkalu Waste Projects Current Status (Q.10/2025) Read →
- 12 September 2025 The Hon. Ajith Gihan JJB AI summary Hon. Ajith Gihan raised concerns that waste from a project had reached the coastal area, affecting fisherfolk and salt production and causing public opposition in the District. He questioned how this occurred if the Central and Provincial Environmental Authorities had properly performed their duties, and asked for assurances that such problems would not recur so the project would not fail again. Oral Question: Wanawasala and Aruwakkalu Waste Projects Current Status (Q.10/2025) Read →
- 12 September 2025 The Hon. Ajith Gihan JJB AI summary Hon. Ajith Gihan questioned the Deputy Minister about the Aruwakkalu landfill project, stating that Colombo’s waste was sent to Puttalam following unilateral decisions by former Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka. He said the move caused public opposition because waste was transported by lorries along main roads rather than in sealed rail containers as planned, leachate was spilt, and dumping began before the treatment plant was completed, leading to methane buildup and an explosion. Oral Question: Wanawasala and Aruwakkalu Waste Projects Current Status (Q.10/2025) Read →
- 12 September 2025 The Hon. T.B. Sarath JJB AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Urban Development, Construction and Housing, T.B. Sarath stated that the Kelaniya-Wanawasala Waste Transfer Station and the Aruwakkalu solid waste facility have not failed or been halted, with construction completed except for rectification of three compactors at Kelaniya. He said the Aruwakkalu facility was built with required environmental approvals, the total project allocation was USD 130 million, and delays were due to COVID-19 and economic conditions rather than political interference. Operations are expected to be handed over to selected private operators and commence by the end of 2025. Oral Question: Wanawasala and Aruwakkalu Waste Projects Current Status (Q.10/2025) Read →
- 12 September 2025 The Hon. Ajith Gihan JJB AI summary Asked the Minister of Urban Development, Construction and Housing about the halted Wanawasala garbage project in Kelaniya and the failed Aruwakkalu landfill project in Puttalam. Requested details on the causes of failure, funding allocations, whether political interference contributed, and the expected timeline for completion and resumption of the projects. Oral Question: Wanawasala and Aruwakkalu Waste Projects Current Status (Q.10/2025) Read →
- 10 September 2025 The Hon. Susantha Kumara Nawarathna JJB AI summary Hon. Susantha Kumara Nawarathna said Government paddy purchasing in the Yala season is not yet ideal, but attributed constraints to an inherited weak treasury and Paddy Marketing Board capacity, citing over 45,000 MT purchased despite limited usable stores and staffing shortages. He highlighted Rs. 78,000 million allocated for irrigation, resumed canal and tank rehabilitation, planned provision of dryers, and phased measures on human-elephant conflict. He also stated that the Government aims to reduce production costs through land-use rationalization, technology and labour-saving practices, while allocating about Rs. 20,000 million for Maha fertilizer support and moving toward timely supply of quality fertilizers. Adjournment Debate: Fair Guaranteed Price for Paddy Read →
- 10 September 2025 The Hon. Gnanamuththu Srineshan ITAK AI summary Gnanamuththu Srineshan raised farmers’ issues in the North and East, especially Batticaloa, highlighting delays in government price-setting and paddy procurement that leave farmers vulnerable to low private-sector prices. He called for rehabilitation of storage facilities such as the former PMB warehouse at Theavapuram, more drying yards and functional warehouses, timely delivery of fertilizer and inputs, and faster compensation for flood-related crop losses. He also urged action on human–elephant conflict in Batticaloa, Ampara and Trincomalee, citing inadequate wildlife sub-offices and staff and stating that electric fences alone are insufficient. Adjournment Debate: Fair Guaranteed Price for Paddy Read →
- 10 September 2025 The Hon. K. Kader Masthan SLLP AI summary Hon. K. Kader Masthan raised concerns that Forest Department and Department of Wildlife Conservation restrictions are preventing cultivation on about 60,000 acres of agricultural land in the Vanni District, and requested urgent action to release suitable lands before the coming season. He referred to earlier district and ministerial committee processes and asked that these be expedited or that a new sub-committee be appointed, noting the potential to revive tanks, increase food production, and reduce inflation. He also called for an inquiry into sand mining permits issued by the Forest Department near riverbanks, alleging widening extraction and resource destruction, and requested measures to stop environmental damage while regulating royalties. Ministerial Statement: Private Lands in Vanni Electoral District and Leader of House Announcement Read →
- 10 September 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Dammika Patabendi JJB AI summary In response to a question on land reservations in the Northern Province, it was stated that no archaeological reserves have been declared in Mannar District, while one site in Vavuniya and two sites in Mullaitivu have been gazetted as archaeological protected areas, all on government land. Details were also provided on lands used by the Tri-Forces under annual permits and on forest and wildlife reserves, including the position that settlements did not exist at the time of forest reserve declarations. The response noted that 9,123.78 hectares in Vavuniya have been identified for possible release from forest reservation, while any release of wildlife lands requires Environmental Sensitivity Assessments and Department of Wildlife Conservation approval. Ministerial Statement: Private Lands in Vanni Electoral District and Leader of House Announcement Read →
- 10 September 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Dammika Patabendi - Minister of Environment JJB AI summary The Minister responded to Hon. Kader Mastan’s question on private lands acquired in the Vanni Electoral District, citing information from wildlife, forest, defence, archaeology and public security authorities. He tabled details of gazetted wildlife reserves in Mullaitivu and Mannar, noting that no wildlife reserves have been gazetted in Vavuniya, and provided district-wise extents and Gazette references. He also stated that forest reserves were marked and gazetted after post-war resettlement-related clearing, with 41,049.45 hectares in Vavuniya, 73,199.74 hectares in Mannar and 40,030.53 hectares in Mullaitivu, while noting difficulties in confirming private ownership where legal title has not been established. Ministerial Statement: Private Lands in Vanni Electoral District and Leader of House Announcement Read →
- 10 September 2025 The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB AI summary Hon. Ajith P. Perera questioned the Prime Minister on the Government’s response to the Supreme Court judgment of 24 July 2025 relating to the environmental damage from the MV X-Press Pearl disaster. He sought details on implementation of the Court’s orders, the status of related proceedings in the Singapore International Commercial Court and the Admiralty Court in London, and measures to prevent future marine pollution. He also asked what steps the Government would take to ensure greater transparency in the ongoing international litigation. Oral Question: Ceylon Electricity Board (Q.1/2024) and Digital Economy Initiatives (Q.2/2025) Read →
- 10 September 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake questioned the Prime Minister on the Ceylon Electricity Board’s 2024 financial position, citing Rs. 615 billion in revenue against Rs. 470 billion in expenditure, and asked how the surplus would be used to reduce debt, improve efficiency, reduce overheads, and lower tariffs. He sought clarification on government plans to expand commercially viable renewable energy, address regulatory changes affecting battery storage procurement, and whether electricity tariffs would be increased despite the reported CEB surplus. Oral Question: Ceylon Electricity Board (Q.1/2024) and Digital Economy Initiatives (Q.2/2025) Read →
- 9 September 2025 The Hon. Nanda Bandara JJB AI summary Nanda Bandara asked whether five acres from Debathgama Watta in the Kalugala area, within Aranayake DS, could be taken over by the State for a long-needed waste recycling centre. He said the approximately 800-acre land has unclear ownership, with the purported private owner unable to substantiate title and the Land Registry unable to verify clear title. Oral Question: LRC Lands Allocated for Industrial Purposes - Kegalle District (Q.1250/2025) Read →
- 9 September 2025 The Hon. Nanda Bandara JJB AI summary Hon. Nanda Bandara raised the issue of unresolved resettlement following the 2016 Samasara Kanda landslide in the Aranayake DS Division. He noted that some homeowners identified as highly vulnerable under the second and third phases still lack relocation land and are instructed to evacuate during heavy rains, and asked whether a portion of LRC land could be allocated to the Aranayake DS Division for their resettlement. Oral Question: LRC Lands Allocated for Industrial Purposes - Kegalle District (Q.1250/2025) Read →
- 9 September 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe said land processed for long-term lease for an industrial project can be reconsidered if it is more suitable for an elephant corridor or another public purpose. He stated that the Divisional Coordination Committee could refer such cases to the Land Commissioner’s Department, and that approvals, especially from the Ministry of Wildlife and Forest Resources Conservation, should be reviewed before further intervention based on official local reports. Oral Question: LRC Lands Allocated for Industrial Purposes - Kegalle District (Q.1250/2025) Read →
- 9 September 2025 The Hon. Thilina Samarakoon JJB AI summary Hon. Thilina Samarakoon raised concerns about alleged appropriation of public lands and sensitive wildlife areas through political influence and official patronage. He asked whether lands under Divisional Secretaries in human–elephant conflict zones could be reassigned to preserve corridors such as Kalawewa–Nachchaduwa, or allocated for socially beneficial purposes, rather than being given on long-term leases. Oral Question: LRC Lands Allocated for Industrial Purposes - Kegalle District (Q.1250/2025) Read →
- 9 September 2025 The Hon. Thilina Samarakoon JJB AI summary Hon. Thilina Samarakoon raised a supplementary question regarding reports that documents are being prepared to grant long-term leases over 170–200 acres in two Divisional Secretariat Divisions near tanks and sensitive elephant habitats. He asked whether the Government is prepared to proceed with such leases, highlighting concerns about land use in environmentally sensitive areas. Oral Question: LRC Lands Allocated for Industrial Purposes - Kegalle District (Q.1250/2025) Read →
- 22 August 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Dammika Patabendi - Minister of Environment JJB AI summary Minister Dammika Patabendi said the Government views human rights as linked to economic stability, equitable regional development, and environmental protection, including a commitment to increase forest cover to 32 per cent by 2030 through the “Vanaspathi” programme. He stated that GPS-based reserve demarcations after the war had wrongly included private lands and public buildings in the North and East, and announced plans for a Cabinet paper to appoint a special committee to verify and recommend land releases, with over 100,000 acres already identified in Mullaitivu, Mannar and Vavuniya. He also referred to resolving forest and wildlife management issues, improving drinking water access through schemes including Pali Aru, and bringing legislation to recognize and protect Indigenous Peoples’ rights. Adjournment Motion: Human Rights Issues Faced by the Tamil Community in the North, East and Hill Country Read →
- 22 August 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe - Deputy Minister of Land and Irrigation JJB AI summary In response to a question on grazing land in the Vanni District, the Deputy Minister said District Development Committees are coordinating with the Forest Department and Department of Wildlife Conservation to allocate suitable forest lands to livestock farmers once formally released. He stated that these lands, along with unused or underutilized State lands where needed, would be managed under departmental guidelines, with technical support from animal production and veterinary authorities and plans to rehabilitate or establish water sources. Oral Questions (Second Round and Standing Order 27(2) Questions) Read →