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- 21 August 2025 The Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC SJB AI summary M. Nizam Kariapper proposed using renewable energy sources, particularly wind and solar power available during peak sun hours, to establish onsite vehicle charging systems. He presented this as a practical measure for sustainable energy use and thanked the Chair for the opportunity to speak. Debate: Customs Ordinance, Excise Regulation, Finance Act Order, and Construction Industry Development Act (Continued) Read →
- 21 August 2025 The Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC SJB AI summary Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper supported aligning customs and excise tax treatment for vehicles with carbon-footprint objectives as Sri Lanka transitions from combustion engines to hybrids, plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles. He urged the Government to develop fast-charging infrastructure, particularly at expressway terminals and service areas, noting that limited range and charging access discourage EV adoption. He also called for a special programme for electric three-wheelers, addressing high upfront costs and safe charging requirements, and cautioned that rapidly changing vehicle technologies and HS code classifications require stronger verification to prevent misclassification and fraud. Debate: Customs Ordinance, Excise Regulation, Finance Act Order, and Construction Industry Development Act (Continued) Read →
- 21 August 2025 The Hon. Nishantha Jayaweera JJB AI summary Hon. Nishantha Jayaweera supported the proposed Customs, Finance, Excise, and Construction Industry Development regulations, stating that new HS codes were needed to classify series hybrid vehicles and apply fairer duties after vehicle imports reopened in February 2025. He disputed Opposition claims on excessive vehicle taxes, citing CIF and duty data to say average duties were about 152 percent, with higher rates on luxury vehicles and lower rates on commercial vehicles. He also reported that Customs revenue had exceeded targets, defended the recognition of Bureau Veritas as a lawful vehicle certifier, noted that disputed LC-related consignments were before court, and said reforms such as online pre-filing and tourist VAT refunds were being implemented. Debate: Customs Ordinance, Excise Regulation, Finance Act Order, and Construction Industry Development Act (Continued) Read →
- 21 August 2025 The Hon. Thurairasa Ravikaran ITAK AI summary Hon. Thurairasa Ravikaran raised concerns during debate on several fiscal and regulatory instruments, urging action on local grievances. He asked the Government to consider Mannar residents’ objections to additional wind turbines after a presidential decision to suspend the project temporarily and seek public views. He also called for full cooperation with international forensic and human rights experts in the Chemmani mass grave exhumations, citing reported findings of 147 skeletal remains, alleged witness intimidation, past inquiries, and testimony from the Krishanthy Kumaraswamy case. He demanded an independent international judicial inquiry into Chemmani, the return of related case files to Jaffna, and similar international scrutiny of the Kokkuvil/Kokkilai/Kokkuthoduvai grave. Debate: Customs Ordinance Resolution and Related Regulations Read →
- 21 August 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha stated that the issue concerning electric vehicles raised by Hon. Mujibur Rahman had already been referred to him by the President one to two months earlier. He said meetings were held with importers, Customs, and the Ministry of Finance, relevant documents were examined, and the matter was not publicized due to possible market price sensitivities. Debate: Customs Ordinance Resolution and Related Regulations Read →
- 21 August 2025 The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB AI summary Hon. Ajith P. Perera said the BYD vehicle taxation dispute showed the need to update Customs and tax regulations for electric and hybrid vehicles to ensure consistency, legal certainty, and reduced corruption risks. He cited past under-invoicing cases involving Land Rover imports and urged broader legal and regulatory reforms to prevent revenue losses and unequal treatment. He called for the next Budget to prioritize a national EV charging network with the CEB, LECO and private sector, supported by renewable energy and smart-grid development to encourage EV adoption, attract power-sector investment, and strengthen grid stability. Debate: Customs Ordinance Resolution and Related Regulations Read →
- 21 August 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake – Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation AI summary The Minister said vehicle emissions are a major contributor to declining air quality in Colombo and other urban areas, particularly due to weaknesses in public transport, and argued that emissions testing remains necessary despite operational shortcomings. He noted that the relevant Trust funds are also used for roadside emissions checks, air quality monitoring, tree planting, and traffic-signal countdown systems. He acknowledged weaknesses in contracts and supervision that allowed improper issuance of certificates, and stated that a stronger and more transparent system is planned after the current agreement expires on 31 December 2026. Oral Question: Vehicle Emission Testing Programme (Q.868/2025) Read →
- 21 August 2025 The Hon. Lal Premanath JJB AI summary Lal Premanath asked whether legal action would be taken against individuals and institutions allegedly using improper methods to pass vehicle tests, despite the programme’s environmental objectives. He framed the issue as irregularities undermining the intended purpose of the vehicle-related programme. Oral Question: Vehicle Emission Testing Programme (Q.868/2025) Read →
- 21 August 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake – Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation AI summary The Minister explained that the Vehicle Emission Testing Programme was introduced following a Supreme Court fundamental rights ruling on vehicular air pollution and was expanded islandwide by 2013. He provided 2024 revenue figures by vehicle category, identified the two companies collecting fees, and stated that 7.5 per cent of test fees goes to the Vehicular Emission Test Trust Fund while 17.5 per cent is collected as VAT, amounting to Rs. 852.2 million in 2024. He said the Trust Fund was established to coordinate air-quality measures without relying on the Treasury, and noted related roadside testing, monitoring, tree-planting, and traffic-signal projects, while acknowledging contract-management shortcomings and indicating plans for a more transparent framework after the current concession ends in December 2026. Oral Question: Vehicle Emission Testing Programme (Q.868/2025) Read →
- 21 August 2025 The Hon. Lal Premanath JJB AI summary Hon. Lal Premanath asked the Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation to provide details on Sri Lanka’s Vehicle Emission Testing Programme, including its objective, commencement date, annual revenue by vehicle category, and the institution collecting that revenue. He also sought information on the Vehicle Emission Testing Trust Fund, including who initiated it, whether it generates government revenue, and the amount earned. Oral Question: Vehicle Emission Testing Programme (Q.868/2025) Read →
- 21 August 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana SJB AI summary Asked whether loan concessions for rooftop solar introduced during the Yahapalana Government could be reintroduced. He noted that high battery costs make it difficult for households to store daytime solar power for use at night and sought renewed financial support to address this barrier. Oral Question: Strengthening Power Supply Stability (Q.735/2025) Read →
- 21 August 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana SJB AI summary Asked whether electricity generated through thermal power is more expensive per unit than electricity generated through solar panels. The question sought clarification on the comparative cost of thermal generation versus solar power. Oral Question: Strengthening Power Supply Stability (Q.735/2025) Read →
- 21 August 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana SJB AI summary Renewable energy development was highlighted as essential to reducing reliance on costly thermal power and easing high electricity bills for consumers. A request was made to restore the earlier, higher purchase price for rooftop solar units to incentivize additional capacity and provide household economic relief. Clarification was also sought on a matter reported in The Sunday Times. Oral Question: Strengthening Power Supply Stability (Q.735/2025) Read →
- 21 August 2025 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody - Minister of Energy JJB AI summary The Minister stated that measures are being implemented to maintain grid stability amid increased rooftop solar and other renewable generation. Short-term actions include updating inverter settings, promoting on-site consumption, using hydro and thermal plants as synchronous condensers, curtailing renewable output during low-demand periods, introducing time-based tariffs for battery storage, and strengthening operational procedures for Lakvijaya and Colombo supply restoration. Long-term plans include pumped storage development, large-scale battery storage, a Renewable Energy Control Unit, transmission stability devices, flexible inertia-providing plants, smart meter upgrades, and distribution control centres for real-time renewable monitoring and control. Oral Question: Strengthening Power Supply Stability (Q.735/2025) Read →
- 19 August 2025 The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam raised concerns about flooding and waterlogging on the Kalmunai–Batticaloa and Trincomalee–Batticaloa main roads during the North and East monsoon season beginning around October. He said available divisional funds were inadequate for drainage needs across more than 35 km and asked for urgent coordination with the Disaster Management Centre to take immediate flood-mitigation measures. Oral Question: Drainage Infrastructure - Batticaloa (Q.3/185/2024) Read →
- 6 August 2025 The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna - Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure JJB AI summary The Minister defended the Sri Lanka Electricity (Amendment) Bill as part of necessary structural reforms to generation, transmission, distribution and operations, arguing that past governments failed to ensure reliable and affordable electricity despite long periods in office. He said the Government’s new legal framework is intended to support economic growth and social welfare, though results may take time to become visible. He contrasted current Opposition criticism with the former Opposition’s stance on projects such as Uma Oya, stating that they opposed developments only where environmental and social harm was alleged, citing court action and compensation related to damaged houses, dried wells and affected farmland. Debate: Sri Lanka Electricity (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading, Committee and Third Reading Read →
- 6 August 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Elayathamby Srinath ITAK AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Elayathamby Srinath supported legal amendments that improve electricity reliability and consumer benefits, while questioning whether the Sri Lanka Electricity (Amendment) Bill addresses practical barriers to solar adoption, especially in Batticaloa and the North and East. He raised concerns about delays in CEB connections, lack of transformers and three-phase supply, high costs for new household connections beyond 50 metres, and the relocation of electricity poles during road development. He also called for adequate CEB staffing, facilities, and disaster-resilient services in war-affected and infrastructure-poor areas, urging special attention to ensure affordable and continuous electricity access. Debate: Sri Lanka Electricity (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading, Committee and Third Reading Read →
- 6 August 2025 The Hon. Eranga Weeraratne - Deputy Minister of Digital Economy JJB AI summary Eranga Weeraratne said the proposed amendments to the Sri Lanka Electricity Act are intended to further restructure the CEB by separating system operation, transmission, generation and distribution functions while retaining key entities under full government ownership. He argued that competitive bidding, independent generation including renewables, and digital tools such as smart grids, smart meters, AI, digital tendering and land portals would improve transparency, attract investment, reduce losses and lower tariffs over time. He also stated that the transition would include employment protections, a government-owned employee welfare and pension fund, voluntary retirement options, and training for affected workers. Debate: Sri Lanka Electricity (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading, Committee and Third Reading Read →
- 6 August 2025 The Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen SJB AI summary Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen raised concerns during the debate on the Sri Lanka Electricity (Amendment) Bill about the proposed wind power project in Mannar, saying local communities and representatives had not been adequately consulted despite ongoing protests. He said residents were not opposed to renewable energy or development, but objected to projects that affect fisheries, tourism, livelihoods and future economic prospects without providing local benefits, and requested that the project be shifted from Mannar Island to suitable mainland areas. He also criticized what he described as unequal treatment of foreign nationals, alleging preferential access for Israelis while Indian workers were deported, causing difficulties for farmers in harvesting. Debate: Sri Lanka Electricity (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading, Committee and Third Reading Read →
- 6 August 2025 The Hon. Mayilvaganam Jegatheeswaran JJB AI summary Hon. Mayilvaganam Jegatheeswaran raised concerns over wind power projects and ilmenite mining in Mannar, stating that current activities arise from approvals granted by previous governments and not new permissions from the present Government. He said earlier approvals lacked consultation with local communities and religious leaders, and announced a parliamentary meeting with Vanni MPs, ministers, officials, religious leaders, fisheries representatives and civil society to review the issues. He stated that the Government would consider local concerns, reassess field impacts, and make decisions aimed at protecting fishers’ livelihoods. Debate: Sri Lanka Electricity (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading, Committee and Third Reading Read →