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- 11 March 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake argued that the allocations for the Digital Economy and Science and Technology Ministries are far too small relative to Sri Lanka’s development needs and urged greater investment in R&D, digitization and technology-enabled public services. He proposed full tax exemptions or enhanced deductions for digital economy and science and technology expenditure, including R&D, software, royalties, hardware and labour costs, citing past incentives and international practice. He called for urgent implementation of a Unique ID system, paperless government, blockchain-based document management, AI adoption, integrated export systems and smart metering at the CEB to reduce inefficiency, corruption and costs. He also said digitization should be used to improve social welfare targeting, public administration and service delivery, while warning that technology must support rather than replace the human element. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Debate (Heads 186, 196, 227) Read →
- 11 March 2025 The Hon. Darmapriya Wijesinghe (on behalf of the Hon. Lakshman Nipuna Arachchi) JJB AI summary Darmapriya Wijesinghe, on behalf of Lakshman Nipuna Arachchi, asked the Minister of Environment whether the “Regidale Estate” land in Kahapola, Kesbewa, is under the Department of National Zoological Gardens. He requested details on the land’s extent, current activities conducted there, and any future plans for its use, and asked for reasons if the information could not be provided. Oral Questions: Moulavi Certificate and Regidale Estate Read →
- 10 March 2025 The Hon. Sujeewa Dissanayake JJB AI summary Hon. Sujeewa Dissanayake seconded the Adjournment motion on developing tourism in the North-Western Province, highlighting its geographic accessibility, climatic diversity, historical capitals, folklore-linked sites, reservoirs, mineral and industrial attractions, and cultural heritage in Puttalam and Kurunegala Districts. He cited sites such as Yapahuwa, Panduwasnuwara, Dambadeniya, Kurunegala, Nathagane, Pomparippu, Wilbawa, and the Puttalam coast as evidence of the province’s tourism potential. He requested the Ministry of Tourism to promote and develop the province as a major destination for both domestic and foreign tourists. Adjournment Motion: Development of North-Western Province as a Tourist Destination Read →
- 10 March 2025 The Hon. Dharmapriya Dissanayake JJB AI summary Dharmapriya Dissanayake noted that although about 500,000 tourists had arrived in Sri Lanka in 2025, only around 2 per cent had visited the North-Western Province. He proposed designating and developing the Puttalam District and wider North-Western Province as tourism zones, highlighting coastal attractions such as Kalpitiya and Battalangunduwa, inland reservoirs, Wilpattu, and historic capitals including Dambadeniya, Yapahuwa, and Kurunegala. He said plans were being prepared with the provincial Governor, including cable-car projects and reservoir-based development, and called for stronger global promotion of the province as a tourist destination. Adjournment Motion: Development of North-Western Province as a Tourist Destination Read →
- 10 March 2025 The Hon. Dinindu Saman AI summary Dinindu Saman alleged that over 1,000 acres of conservation land in the Bogahapelessa Reserve, Haldummulla, had been illegally cultivated with the involvement of a former Uva Governor. He stated that political pressure was placed on the Ceylon Electricity Board to supply electricity to these cultivations, including through an elephant corridor, and asked whether the Ministry would recover the public funds spent on the project. Oral Answers to Questions Read →
- 7 March 2025 The Hon. (Ms.) Lakmali Hemachandra, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Lakmali Hemachandra responded to concerns about a proposed lawyers’ office complex in Kandy, stating that a foundation stone had been laid before the land was officially released by the UDA and that any action must follow lawful procedures. She said the Justice Ministry does not have a mandate to allocate land or build such complexes, though the Government would assist within legal limits. She then outlined work by the Transport Advisory Council’s legal reform subcommittee, emphasizing public transport as a public service with economic, environmental and safety implications. Referring to the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety, she highlighted that 12,240 people had died in road accidents in Sri Lanka over the past five years. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Heads 117, 123, 306, 307, 309-311, 332, 336) Read →
- 7 March 2025 The Hon. Rauff Hakeem, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Rauff Hakeem raised the issue of recurrent flash flooding in Akurana, citing repeated major floods and attributing them to tributary overflow, riverbank encroachments, loss of flood plains, impervious surfaces, and waste dumping. He requested the allocation of Rs. 22 million to the Sri Lanka Land Reclamation and Development Corporation for a seven-month feasibility study and urged the Urban Development Authority to enforce laws against illegal constructions along river margins. He tabled engineering recommendations, a flooding dossier, and related correspondence, and proposed that relevant engineers, local research, and Peradeniya University studies be used to develop a structured mitigation plan. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Heads 117, 123, 306, 307, 309-311, 332, 336) Read →
- 7 March 2025 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody - Minister of Energy JJB AI summary The Minister of Energy tabled an answer on the Thambapavani Wind Power Park, stating that it began on 04 March 2019 with LKR 2.1 billion in local investment and USD 125 million in foreign investment, generating 103.5 MW at a unit cost of LKR 12.19. He provided annual net energy supplied to the grid from 2021 to 2024 and stated that a radar-based bird detection system automatically shuts down turbines when birds are detected within 500 metres. He further noted that studies indicate around 400 MW of wind power potential on Mannar Island, including the existing plant, a 50 MW project under tender, and 250 MW of further developable capacity. Oral Question: Thambapavani Wind Power Station (Q.154/2024) Read →
- 7 March 2025 The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka (on behalf of the Hon. Ajith P. Perera) SJB AI summary Gayantha Karunathilleka, on behalf of Ajith P. Perera, asked the Minister of Energy for detailed information on the Thambapavani Wind Power Station, including its construction start date, local and foreign investment amounts, installed capacity, unit generation cost, and annual energy supplied to the National Grid from 2021 to 2024. He also requested details on measures to protect migratory birds and their effectiveness, as well as the potential for additional wind power projects on Mannar Island and their expected capacities. Oral Question: Thambapavani Wind Power Station (Q.154/2024) Read →
- 7 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Dammika Patabendi - Minister of Environment JJB AI summary The Minister of Environment presented the Report of the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Environment covering several 2022 annual reports and 2023 performance reports of environment-related institutions, including the Central Environmental Authority, Geological Survey and Mines Bureau, Department of Wildlife Conservation, Forest Department, and Department of Coast Conservation and Coastal Resource Management. The report was ordered to lie upon the Table. Papers: Ministerial Reports and Performance Reports Read →
- 6 March 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Rizvie Salih - Deputy Speaker and Chair of Committees JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Rizvie Salih supported the 2025 Budget allocations for Health and Mass Media, highlighting Rs. 604 billion in total provision and measures for infrastructure, communicable disease control, NCD screening, maternal nutrition, Triposha, and Suwa Seriya. He raised concerns about urban health access, OPD delays, language barriers, poor sanitation, substance abuse, and the effects of past substandard medicine procurement, urging digitalization, stronger prevention, and safeguards against recurrence. He also noted health-sector brain drain and welcomed salary and allowance increases while commending health workers for their service and for calling off trade union action. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Health and Mass Media Read →
- 5 March 2025 The Hon. Stephni Fernando JJB AI summary Hon. Stephni Fernando argued for shifting fisheries policy from extraction to conservation and sustainable, higher-value production, citing the Maldives as an example and noting damage from banned nets, plastics, and poor awareness among fishing communities. She said the Government would educate fisherfolk, enforce the 1979 prohibition on foreign poaching through new amendments, support domestic canned fish production through 21 factories, and implement coral reef and marine protection measures including the Clean Sri Lanka initiative. She also disputed an Opposition claim about salt prices, stating that a 50 kg bag costs about Rs. 4,500, and linked fisheries development to national economic growth. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Continued: Heads 124, 151, 331 Read →
- 5 March 2025 The Hon. (Prof.) L.M. Abeywickrama JJB AI summary Prof. L.M. Abeywickrama raised concerns over prolonged flooding in the Matara District, which he attributed to the design and location of a salinity barrier built across the Nilwala River between 2018 and 2022. He said the barrier obstructed river flow, caused siltation, damaged crops and trees, created socio-economic hardship, and led to high diesel costs for pumping floodwater. He also questioned the handling of technical studies, alleging a conflict of interest and delays despite earlier university reports, and asked the Deputy Minister of Irrigation to intervene urgently to resolve the issue. Oral Question: Nilwala River Salinity Barrier - Farmer Compensation (Q.5/2025) Read →
- 5 March 2025 The Hon. (Prof.) Ruwan Ranasinghe JJB AI summary Funds have been allocated to develop the identified site as a tourist attraction following a study. The required work includes providing an access road, electricity supply, and landscaping. Oral Question: Madunagala Tourist Project (Q.1/2025) Read →
- 4 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe - Deputy Minister of Land and Irrigation JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Susil Ranasinghe acknowledged severe flooding in Ratnapura, primarily caused by high monsoon flows in the Kalu Ganga, and said existing mitigation and compensation measures are insufficient. He outlined Irrigation Department proposals based on a 2014 study, including dry dams at Malwala and on the Walawe Ganga, water diversion and reservoir options, and rehabilitation of the Kalu Ganga river mouth with a saltwater barrier. He stated that no allocation is available in the current Budget, as priority is being given to resolving stalled irrigation projects, but said these structural flood-control measures, estimated at about USD 250 million, could be considered in future budgets. Adjournment Motion: Flood Mitigation in Ratnapura District Read →
- 4 March 2025 The Hon. Upul Kithsiri JJB AI summary Hon. Upul Kithsiri supported the Adjournment Motion on recurrent flooding in Ratnapura District, noting that annual floods affect low-lying areas including Ratnapura, Kuruwita, Ayagama, Kalawana, Nivithigala and Eheliyagoda. He said previous technical assessments and proposals had been made, and urged the Government, with the Deputy Minister of Lands and Irrigation, to prepare and implement a sustainable plan using multiple measures to reduce the flood threat. Adjournment Motion: Flood Mitigation in Ratnapura District Read →
- 4 March 2025 The Hon. Shantha Pathma Kumara Subasingha JJB AI summary Hon. Shantha Pathma Kumara Subasingha supported the Adjournment Motion on flood impacts in Ratnapura and Kalutara, arguing that relief after disasters is insufficient and that sustainable, scientifically planned mitigation is needed. He cited proposals including dry dams in areas such as Malwala, widening the Kalu Ganga river mouth near Kalutara, improving riverbanks, and considering measures linked to Udawalawe Reservoir and the Walawe and Kuru Rivers. He urged the Government to begin at least one intervention this year and said Government MPs would support efforts to find a long-term solution. Adjournment Motion: Flood Mitigation in Ratnapura District Read →
- 4 March 2025 The Hon. B. Ariyawansha SJB AI summary Hon. B. Ariyawansha seconded the Adjournment Motion and highlighted repeated flooding in Ratnapura District, especially along the Kalu Ganga in Ratnapura and Ayagama, calling for renewed action on the earlier Kalu Ganga reservoir proposal at Gilimale/Malwala and smaller flood-control measures such as cross canals and tanks. He requested future Budget allocations for such works and criticized the inadequacy of compensation for flood and landslide damage. He also urged action on long-delayed land, housing, and school restoration needs for landslide-affected communities in Suriyakanda, Panana, Sapugaskanda, and the closed Lankaberiya school area. Adjournment Motion: Flood Mitigation in Ratnapura District Read →
- 4 March 2025 The Hon. Waruna Liyanage SJB AI summary Hon. Waruna Liyanage moved an Adjournment Motion calling for the Ministry of Irrigation to formulate a systematic programme to address recurrent flooding in Ratnapura District, where several Divisional Secretary’s Divisions are inundated multiple times annually. He requested that future Budget allocations include measures to protect lives and property, while also making better use of Kalu Ganga water that currently flows to the sea. He proposed options including diverting water through Kuda-oya toward Udawalawe and Hambantota to support cultivation, and exploring “dry dam” projects on Kalu Ganga tributaries for flood control and possible small-scale hydropower generation. Adjournment Motion: Flood Mitigation in Ratnapura District Read →
- 4 March 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) M.A.C.S. Chathuri Gangani JJB AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) M.A.C.S. Chathuri Gangani raised concerns that soil and gravel removed during mining are being transported without GSMB permits, contributing to large-scale gravel and sand trafficking and causing damage to riverbanks, bridges, and the environment, particularly along Kirindi Oya in Wellawaya. She asked whether the National Gem and Jewellery Authority would issue licences only after clearances from the Central Environmental Authority and the Road Development Authority, and what action would be taken to address the resulting public hardship and unrepaired damage. Oral Question 3: Gemstone mining licences in Wellawaya (Q.489/2025) Read →