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- 20 May 2025 The Hon. Amila Prasad SJB AI summary Hon. Amila Prasad criticised the increase in electric vehicle taxes from 15 to 30 percent, arguing that it treats vehicles as revenue instruments rather than supporting long-term energy and foreign-exchange savings. He said the policy contradicts climate and carbon-neutrality goals, burdens lower-income users such as three-wheeler drivers, and may increase future fuel imports. He called for lower EV taxes, support for solar-powered home charging, affordable electric three-wheelers, reduced recurrent expenditure, higher capital investment, and restructuring of loss-making State entities such as SriLankan Airlines and addressing corruption and losses in the Ceylon Electricity Board. Debate: Order under the Excise (Special Provisions) Act - Electric Vehicle Tax Revision (Continued) Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma — Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning AI summary The Deputy Minister explained the Order under Gazette Extraordinary No. 2421/42, stating that vehicle imports are being resumed in phases covering public passenger buses, production-related vehicles and private vehicles. He said excise duty revisions are intended to reduce large tax disparities between petrol/diesel vehicles and electric vehicles, protect foreign reserves and maintain expected revenue, with duties calculated by vehicle category, engine capacity or electric motor capacity rather than as a percentage of value. He added that early indicators such as duty revenue and Letters of Credit suggest the policy is functioning as intended, while the Government is also seeking to stabilize interest rates and improve affordable financing access for businesses, especially SMEs. Debate: Order under the Excise (Special Provisions) Act - Electric Vehicle Tax Revision Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. Susantha Kumara Nawarathna JJB AI summary Asked whether the Ministry will take steps to identify, demarcate, and gazette reservation areas for major reservoirs, including those in Anuradhapura, where such protections have not yet been formally established. Oral Questions: Irrigation Reservoirs and Land Settlement (Q.578/2025 and Q.3519/2025) Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. Sujeewa Dissanayake JJB AI summary Hon. Sujeewa Dissanayake raised concerns that areas in Wariyapola, Yapahuwa, and Nikaweratiya have experienced severe annual flooding since the construction of the Deduru Oya reservoir, damaging vegetable cultivation in Minuwangete and Bolapitiya. He noted proposals to divert excess water through the old Thalagalla canal to Thalagalla wewa and Palugama wewa, and questioned the ineffectiveness of the right bank canal due to lack of drainage. He asked whether the Department would take action to manage flooding and protect agriculture in the affected areas. Oral Questions: Irrigation Reservoirs and Land Settlement (Q.578/2025 and Q.3519/2025) Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. Anton Jayakody JJB AI summary After rainy seasons, road damage has been exacerbated by shortages of machinery operators, drivers, and technical staff. Anton Jayakody stated that adequate drivers will be recruited and a qualified technical officer assigned, with coordination from the Department of Irrigation. He also said the Director General of Wildlife Conservation will be instructed to provide resources, including support through farmer organizations and military facilitation where necessary, and to ensure quick repairs to breakdowns inside the park. Oral Question: Yala National Park - Safari Jeeps and Employee Issues (Q.571/2025) Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. Anton Jayakody JJB AI summary Hon. Anton Jayakody addressed congestion at Yala’s Palatupana entrance to Block 1, noting that visitor pressure exceeds the ecosystem’s carrying capacity and risks environmental degradation. He outlined existing and proposed alternative entry points, including Katagamuwa, Galge, Thanamalwila-Kalupahana, Ginwewa, Angamuwa, and Bembawa, and said officials had inspected these sites. He stated that internet connectivity, adequate staffing, rapid ticketing, and standardized gate improvements would be provided to distribute visitors more evenly and reduce pressure on Block 1. Oral Question: Yala National Park - Safari Jeeps and Employee Issues (Q.571/2025) Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. Anton Jayakody - Deputy Minister of Environment JJB AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Environment, the Deputy Minister stated that 551 safari jeeps are registered for Yala, while 30 registered jeeps did not provide tourist services in 2024 and will have their registrations cancelled. He said replacement jeep registrations have not been initiated because vehicle numbers in Yala Block 1 already exceed carrying capacity and cause congestion. He added that the “Re-awakening Yala” programme is implementing an operational plan to improve tourism activities in Yala National Park Block 1. Oral Question: Yala National Park - Safari Jeeps and Employee Issues (Q.571/2025) Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. Athula Welandagoda JJB AI summary Hon. Athula Welandagoda asked the Minister of Environment about staffing shortages, employee housing, tourist facilities, toilets, roads, and common amenities at Yala National Park. He requested details on registered tourist jeeps, inactive registered jeeps, proposed action regarding them, and whether new jeeps would be registered as replacements. He also sought separate short-, medium-, and long-term measures to protect and develop Yala’s wildlife and ecosystem, noting the park’s importance for tourism and national income. Oral Question: Yala National Park - Safari Jeeps and Employee Issues (Q.571/2025) Read →
- 9 May 2025 The Hon. Lal Premanath JJB AI summary Hon. Lal Premanath moved a Private Member’s Motion urging the Government to identify and rehabilitate unused or incomplete buildings constructed with foreign aid, loans, or public funds, arguing that many have become wasted assets and safety or public health risks. He said such structures include hospitals, schools, offices, community halls and sports facilities, while public institutions continue to spend on rented premises. He proposed a nationwide census, a detailed status report, and a multidisciplinary expert committee with community consultation to assess rehabilitation needs and suitable public uses. He also called for transparent implementation and funding through the Budget, private investment, foreign assistance, PPPs, or reallocation of inactive state funds. Private Members' Motion (P.38/2025): Utilization of Abandoned Development Projects Read →
- 9 May 2025 The Hon. Ravindra Bandara AI summary Hon. Ravindra Bandara supported the proposal to modernize public transport, citing past school bus accidents and the risks posed by ageing buses. He emphasized the need to improve passenger comfort and accessibility, including low-floor buses for persons with disabilities, and referred to Budget plans for new buses and further SLTB procurement. He also argued that better public transport is important for tourism and Sri Lanka’s image as a destination. Private Members' Motion (P.37/2025): Public Transport Standards and Bus Specifications Read →
- 9 May 2025 The Hon. B. Ariyawansha SJB AI summary Hon. B. Ariyawansha supported the Private Member’s Motion on food security while urging greater attention to vegetable and fruit farmers, who he said receive low farmgate prices despite high consumer prices and significant post-harvest waste. He raised concerns about chemical ripening of fruits in Ratnapura District and called for regulation and cold storage facilities, particularly for banana farmers in Embilipitiya facing unsold and rotting produce. He also questioned the reliability of the wildlife census on crop-damaging animals and requested a practical plan, including regulated support through farmer organizations, to protect cultivation from peacocks, toque macaques, porcupines and other animals. Private Members' Motion (P.12/2024): Enhancing State Sector Involvement in Food Import and Distribution Read →
- 9 May 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Environment, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa tabled an answer stating that the North Western Provincial Environmental Authority issues only environmental recommendations for sand and gravel excavations, while tank excavations proceed with permission from the Department of Agrarian Development. He said excavation recommendations are conditional, including site rehabilitation under a GSMB-approved plan with a rehabilitation deposit, but some sites have become problematic due to inadequate rehabilitation. He further noted that excavation activities are regulated under the Mines and Minerals Act No. 33 of 1992, with the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau as the competent authority. Oral Questions - Second Round (Q.2/2024, Q.3/2025, Q.4/2025, Q.5/2025, Q.6/2025) Read →
- 9 May 2025 The Hon. Darmapriya Wijesinghe (on behalf of the Hon. Ajith Gihan) JJB AI summary Darmapriya Wijesinghe, on behalf of Ajith Gihan, asked the Minister of Environment about alleged large-scale environmental damage in the Puttalam District caused by licensed excavation of sand, gravel, soil and tanks without proper standards. He sought details on whether new regulatory and transport-licensing methodologies have been or will be introduced, and questioned the role, responsibilities, and continued need for the North-Western Province Provincial Environmental Authority in addressing such environmental destruction. Oral Questions - Second Round (Q.2/2024, Q.3/2025, Q.4/2025, Q.5/2025, Q.6/2025) Read →
- 8 May 2025 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody JJB AI summary Kumara Jayakody outlined the status of several planned wind power projects, including ongoing tendering for two 50 MW plants at Mullikulam, preliminary approvals for the 234 MW Mannar expansion, and completed feasibility work for the 250 MW Pooneryn project with transmission arrangements under way. He said tenders are expected for about 400 MW of wind capacity within the year, while other potential sites remain at the feasibility-study stage. Oral Question: Prevention of Delay in Ending Civil Court Cases (Q.133/2024) Read →
- 8 May 2025 The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB AI summary Ajith P. Perera asked whether the Government had called or issued any new tenders or licences for wind power since taking office, particularly after withdrawing from the initial MOU-related Adani project. He noted Sri Lanka’s significant onshore and offshore wind potential in areas such as Mannar and Pooneryn and argued that faster renewable energy deployment could lower tariffs and improve energy security. He requested details on the sites, capacities, and timelines being prepared for competitive tenders. Oral Question: Prevention of Delay in Ending Civil Court Cases (Q.133/2024) Read →
- 8 May 2025 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody JJB AI summary The Minister provided detailed data on wind power generation in response to a parliamentary question, stating that 19 privately owned wind plants and one CEB-owned plant supply the National Grid. He listed commissioning dates, installed capacities, and energy delivered by each independent power producer from 2022 to 2024, and noted that the CEB’s Mannar wind plant has a capacity of about 103.5 MW and was fully commissioned in April 2021. He also stated that wind power expansion is planned through the CEB’s Long-Term Generation Expansion Plan, subject to grid absorption capability and regulatory approval. Oral Question: Prevention of Delay in Ending Civil Court Cases (Q.133/2024) Read →
- 8 May 2025 The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB AI summary Ajith P. Perera asked the Minister of Energy to provide details on Sri Lanka’s wind power stations, including their number, construction commencement years, installed capacities, and the annual energy supplied to the National Grid from 2022 to 2024 by each station. He also sought information on measures taken to promote wind power generation in the country. Oral Question: Prevention of Delay in Ending Civil Court Cases (Q.133/2024) Read →
- 10 April 2025 The Hon. Anton Jayakody JJB AI summary Hon. Anton Jayakody said human-elephant conflict cannot be eliminated but is being minimized through multisectoral action involving Wildlife officials, District and Divisional Secretariats, village officers, farmer organizations, local committees, multipurpose workers, and the Civil Security Department. He said fencing alone is insufficient, and that the Government is addressing habitat issues by removing invasive plants such as Indian myrrh and cactus and improving food and water availability for elephants to reduce ranging and crop-raiding. He identified immediate priorities as completing and maintaining fences, strengthening night patrols, augmenting staff, regularizing multipurpose workers, recruiting more officers, and reallocating underused government vehicles for patrol operations. Oral Question 572/2025: Elephant Management Reserves in Hambantota District Read →
- 10 April 2025 The Hon. Athula Welandagoda JJB AI summary Athula Welandagoda raised concerns about the worsening human-elephant conflict across five Divisional Secretariat divisions in the Tissamaharama electorate of Hambantota. He asked what concrete interventions, including electric fencing, would be implemented to protect people, property, and wildlife through sustainable measures involving technology and community participation. Oral Question 572/2025: Elephant Management Reserves in Hambantota District Read →
- 10 April 2025 The Hon. Anton Jayakody - Deputy Minister of Environment JJB AI summary Accepted the establishment of the Elephant Management Reserve on 9 April 2021 and noted that both authorized and unauthorized constructions and cultivations already existed within it at the time. He stated that a comprehensive survey has not yet been completed, but instructions have been issued for a coordinated survey involving the Department of Wildlife Conservation, the District Secretary and relevant agencies. He said legal action will be taken against illegal constructions made after the reserve declaration, while longer-term action will involve discussions with landholding institutions and possible legal proceedings. He also provided Hambantota District figures for 2015 to 28 February 2025, recording 142 elephant deaths and 65 human deaths due to elephant attacks. Oral Question 572/2025: Elephant Management Reserves in Hambantota District Read →