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- 8 April 2025 Ministerial Consultative Committee on Environment AI summary The Ministerial Consultative Committee on Environment met on 8 April 2025 under the chairmanship of Hon. (Dr.) Dammika Pattabendi, with participation from members across government and opposition. The meeting constituted the committee’s consideration of environment-related matters, providing a forum for members to raise issues and review matters within the Ministry’s remit. Opening: Parliament commencement, President's Message, Announcements, and Committee Listings Read →
- 8 April 2025 Ministerial Advisory Committee on Environment AI summary The Ministerial Advisory Committee on Environment for 8 April 2025 is recorded with Hon. (Dr.) Dammika Patabendige as Chair and a listed membership of Members of Parliament. No substantive speech content, discussion points, questions, proposals, or decisions are provided in the excerpt to summarize. Opening: Parliament commencement, President's Message, Announcements, and Committee Listings Read →
- 21 March 2025 The Hon. Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran ITAK AI summary Hon. Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran argued that sound financial planning and targeted investment are needed to rebuild the economy, noting that the North and East have received low allocations and that war-affected factories should be reopened to create employment. He opposed proposed mineral sand testing and extraction at Thirukkovil by the private company Damsila, warning of impacts on coastal dunes, fisheries, mangroves, coconut cultivation, paddy lands, tourism and river ecology. He also requested that the Government protect 4,000 acres of pasture land at Vattamadu from cultivation, provide additional land for cattle farmers, and establish dairy processing facilities to support milk production. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Twenty-sixth Day) and Third Reading Read →
- 21 March 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa SJB AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa tabled several questions previously raised by the Opposition under Standing Order 27(2), stating that the procedure followed was proper and consistent with past practice. He argued that the substantive issue was whether policy was protecting a “diesel mafia” or prioritizing renewable energy, particularly solar, and called for an answer on that matter. Question by Private Notice: Power Generation Policy Read →
- 21 March 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa stated that his series of questions was submitted in accordance with Standing Orders and was intended to address renewable energy policy, not to support diesel power interests. He urged the Government to maintain consistency between its election commitments and post-election policy on renewable energy and solar power. Question by Private Notice: Power Generation Policy Read →
- 21 March 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa questioned the Government on whether recent decisions affecting solar power align with its policy commitment to add 2,000 MW of solar capacity to the national grid. He requested detailed information on existing coal and diesel plants, generation and purchase costs by source, solar capacity targets and achievements, rooftop and ground-mounted solar tariffs, pending project approvals, and the impact of new network limits imposed by a March 2025 circular. He also asked whether tariff reductions or regulatory delays could discourage investment, whether the Government was favouring diesel IPPs, and when amendments or a new Electricity Act would be presented to Parliament. Question by Private Notice: Power Generation Policy Read →
- 20 March 2025 The Hon. Namal Rajapaksa, Attorney-at-Law SLPP AI summary Namal Rajapaksa questioned whether the Government’s 2025 Budget and tax policy are aligned with an import-dependent revenue model rather than an export- and services-led growth strategy. He argued that projected revenues are heavily absorbed by interest payments, leaving limited fiscal space for development, and asked how the Government intends to achieve higher growth and attract investment within or beyond the IMF framework. He sought clarification on funding for digital transformation, renewable energy approvals, agriculture investment, and the proposed US$ 5 billion IT/services economy, while criticizing the imposition of taxes on previously zero-rated sectors. He also demanded details on the mechanism for taxing cross-border digital payments and e-commerce from 1 April, including who would be liable and how global platforms would be registered or compelled to collect taxes. Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Committee Stage Debate Read →
- 20 March 2025 The Hon. Chathuranga Abeysinghe JJB AI summary A Cabinet decision has been made to direct state institutions’ paper requirements to the relevant factory. The member stated that plastic and other waste recycling is a priority emerging industry and part of a national environmental protection programme, and said the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development would provide maximum support for such proposals from Batticaloa. Oral Question by Private Notice: Withholding Tax on Senior Citizens' Deposits and Valaichchenai Paper Factory Read →
- 20 March 2025 The Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan ITAK AI summary Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan proposed modernizing a 330-acre factory site to recycle waste paper and plastic into raw materials and paper products, creating large-scale employment. He noted that technologies already exist globally, including the use of banana fibre, and argued that local raw materials in Batticaloa District could support renewed paper production. Oral Question by Private Notice: Withholding Tax on Senior Citizens' Deposits and Valaichchenai Paper Factory Read →
- 20 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Dammika Patabendi - Minister of Environment JJB AI summary The Minister of Environment presented the Annual Reports of Sri Lanka Climate Fund (Pvt) Ltd. for 2020 and 2021. He proposed that the reports be referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Agriculture and Sustainable Resource Management, and the House agreed. Papers Presented: Annual Reports and Regulations Read →
- 19 March 2025 The Hon. Anton Jayakody JJB AI summary Anton Jayakody stated that the Government plans to recruit 3,530 assistants for electric fence protection, while continuing to use Civil Security Department officers and community participation in some areas. He said steps are being considered to confirm long-serving temporary workers, and that qualified graduates from the planned 35,000 graduate recruitment programme will be assigned to the Department of Wildlife Conservation to fill vacancies. He expressed confidence that many cadre and staffing shortages in the sector would be addressed by the end of the year. Oral Question: Anti-Elephant Electric Fencing (Q.2/2025) Read →
- 19 March 2025 The Hon. Dinesh Hemantha JJB AI summary Hon. Dinesh Hemantha raised the severity of human-elephant conflict in four Divisional Secretariat Divisions of the Laggala electorate in Matale District. He stated that wildlife officers identify inadequate manpower, particularly a shortage of regulatory officers, as the main barrier to effective intervention, and asked whether future plans include increasing their numbers. Oral Question: Anti-Elephant Electric Fencing (Q.2/2025) Read →
- 19 March 2025 The Hon. Dinesh Hemantha JJB AI summary Dinesh Hemantha asked the Minister of Environment for details on trained assistants recruited to protect anti-elephant electric fences, including how many were recruited and how many have been confirmed in service. He sought clarification on any legal impediments or reasons for delays in confirming the remaining workers, and whether the Ministry has a definite plan to complete their confirmation. Oral Question: Anti-Elephant Electric Fencing (Q.2/2025) Read →
- 18 March 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary The Opposition Leader opposed the Government’s proposed 15 per cent tax on export services, arguing that it would harm IT and digital service exporters, and questioned whether the Minister and Government had a unified policy on the measure under the IMF framework. He also called for a coordinated ministerial response to worsening global tariff conditions affecting exports, including tariffs linked to United States trade policy. He raised the killing of a tusker in the Minneriya–Kaudulla area and urged systematic elephant conservation using habitat mapping, corridors and GPS tracking. He further pressed the Government to honour employment commitments to 35,000 graduates, proposing immediate induction placements with stipends despite cited legal obstacles. Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-third Allotted Day - Committee Stage: Heads 149, 303, 194 and 219 (Industry and Entrepreneurship Development; Youth Affairs and Sports) Read →
- 17 March 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Dammika Patabendi - Minister of Environment JJB AI summary The Minister responded to issues raised during the Committee Stage debate on the Environment Ministry’s expenditure, stating that the Forest Conservation Department is already taking steps to identify and resolve disputes over tanks and paddy lands in Batticaloa, with a view to applying solutions island-wide. He reported the shooting death of the tusker “Unicorn” in Minneriya National Park and said a full investigation is under way, while outlining planned measures and allocations to address the human-elephant conflict, including wildlife funding, water retention systems, grassland development and research. He said plastics are currently regulated under the National Environmental Act, single-use plastics are banned, and amendments are being pursued to introduce Extended Producer Responsibility. He also stated that the absorption of 3,530 Multi-Purpose Development Task Force workers has been submitted to the Public Service Commission and appointments will be issued once approval is received. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate on Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and Ministry of Environment Read →
- 17 March 2025 The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF AI summary Chamara Sampath Dasanayake said the Clean Sri Lanka programme appeared to have stalled and urged the Government to implement it through strengthened local authorities rather than using the military, prison inmates, or one-off publicity activities. He criticised delays in environmental approvals and called on the Environment Ministry and related agencies, including the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau, to act more efficiently and support lawful livelihoods such as sand and gravel transport. He also accused Government figures of making inaccurate or diversionary public claims, citing remarks about school attendance, Mahinda Rajapaksa’s residence, and the renewed focus on “Batalanda.” Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate on Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and Ministry of Environment Read →
- 17 March 2025 The Hon. Rohana Bandara AI summary Rohana Bandara criticized the Government for calling Provincial Council elections during the Budget Committee Stage, arguing that it disrupted MPs’ ability to participate fully in debates and undermined calls for substantive scrutiny. He urged greater state attention to under-resourced rural temples while supporting dignity for all religious observances, and opposed creating a separate “Sri Lankan Day,” saying Independence Day should remain the main unifying national event. On environmental matters, he questioned appointments to mineral resource institutions, alleged revenue losses and corruption, and demanded implementation of producer responsibility requirements for plastic recycling. He also raised concerns about imported waste, container releases, damage to ecosystems and endemic fish, and called for stronger waste management after the local elections. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate on Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and Ministry of Environment Read →
- 17 March 2025 The Hon. Anton Jayakody JJB AI summary Hon. Anton Jayakody argued that economic planning should be linked with environmental policy, citing demand for Sri Lankan Albizia timber used for cricket bats in South Asia. He referred to the Budget allocation of Rs. 1,000 million for Forest Department reforestation, including Rs. 400 million for timber plantations, and proposed promoting Albizia planting around estates to ensure future supply and market continuity. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate on Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and Ministry of Environment Read →
- 17 March 2025 The Hon. Anton Jayakody - Deputy Minister of Environment JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Anton Jayakody said the Government had consolidated environment-related institutions under the Environment Ministry and aimed to align environmental protection with the economy in line with Sustainable Development Goals. He said the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau would be reformed to prevent political interference, publish geo-mapped licence information, revise mineral pricing, strengthen royalty collection, and curb illegal mining. He also announced Water Resources Board programmes to protect groundwater, aquifers and springs, beginning in Badulla District, citing increased evapotranspiration and water loss. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate on Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and Ministry of Environment Read →
- 17 March 2025 The Hon. Jagath Manuwarna JJB AI summary Hon. Jagath Manuwarna rejected allegations linking the JVP to violence during the 1983 July riots, arguing that false claims were being used to undermine the Government’s mandate and recalling the riots’ damaging impact on Sri Lankan cinema. He said many cinemas and cultural venues, including in Kandy and rural electorates such as Hewaheta, have closed, limiting public access to film, theatre and music. He proposed reviving cinema through discussions on a cinema academy, possible Indian assistance for an internationally reputed theatre, islandwide tours for selected drama festival productions, and development of village cultural centres to secure cultural rights. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate on Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and Ministry of Environment Read →