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- 28 February 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Expected benefits of the Galle Port development include breakwaters to protect Galle Fort and Galle Road, a safe harbour for southern fishing boats, a dedicated passenger terminal for cruise tourism, mixed-use development near Dewata beach, and employment generation. The answer states that the original EIA was completed in the early 2000s and a Supplementary EIA for land reclamation was finalized on 9 January 2025, with public comments from the consultation period now under evaluation. It further notes that stakeholder engagement has occurred and social impacts and mitigation measures have been identified. Oral Questions 4 & 5 - Port City Project & National Youth Corps Centre (Q.432/2025) Read →
- 28 February 2025 The Hon. Ajith Gihan (on behalf of the Hon. (Dr.) Nishantha Samaraweera) JJB AI summary Asked the Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation to provide details on the proposed “Port City” project associated with Galle Port. The questions sought information on expected benefits, whether an environmental feasibility study had been conducted, changes made following earlier public protests, and whether community impacts had been considered. Oral Questions 4 & 5 - Port City Project & National Youth Corps Centre (Q.432/2025) Read →
- 28 February 2025 The Hon. Nalinda Jayatissa JJB AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Environment, Nalinda Jayatissa requested two weeks to provide an answer to a question concerning the proposed “Port City” project in the Galle Port area and its potential environmental and community impacts. The question was ordered to stand down. Oral Questions 4 & 5 - Port City Project & National Youth Corps Centre (Q.432/2025) Read →
- 27 February 2025 The Hon. (Prof.) A.H.M.H. Abayarathna JJB AI summary Records indicate that 10 acres have been allocated for a cemetery and an elephant fence has already been erected around it. Further action on any additional requirements can be taken with the intervention of the Minister of Environment. Oral Questions: Power Generation (Q.153/2024), Human-Elephant Conflict (Q.188/2024), Majma Nagar Cemetery (Q.291/2024), Public Service Commission Uva Province (Q.389/2025) Read →
- 27 February 2025 The Hon. Mohamed Sali Naleem AI summary Requested Government action to provide an elephant fence around Majma Nagar, noting that about 21 km is needed for full protection although the District Coordinating Committee had indicated only 6 km may be possible. He also highlighted the need for about 3.5 km of access roads, citing regular visits by families from several districts, and asked the Minister to give priority to the matter. Oral Questions: Power Generation (Q.153/2024), Human-Elephant Conflict (Q.188/2024), Majma Nagar Cemetery (Q.291/2024), Public Service Commission Uva Province (Q.389/2025) Read →
- 27 February 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Dammika Patabendi JJB AI summary Assured that the Ministry and Department are consulting affected-area MPs, environmental experts, and local communities to address the issue under discussion. He said the Government expects to reduce the conflict significantly in a short period and is prepared to incorporate Members’ proposals into its interventions. Oral Questions: Power Generation (Q.153/2024), Human-Elephant Conflict (Q.188/2024), Majma Nagar Cemetery (Q.291/2024), Public Service Commission Uva Province (Q.389/2025) Read →
- 27 February 2025 The Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha SJB AI summary Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha raised concerns about human-elephant conflict, noting that both communities and elephants are affected. He proposed measures beyond electric fences, including spring gates and targeted, household-level awareness programmes tailored to different groups in affected villages. He asked whether the Minister has planned a structured public awareness programme using available government cadres to educate communities on managing interactions with elephants. Oral Questions: Power Generation (Q.153/2024), Human-Elephant Conflict (Q.188/2024), Majma Nagar Cemetery (Q.291/2024), Public Service Commission Uva Province (Q.389/2025) Read →
- 27 February 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Dammika Patabendi JJB AI summary Additional budgetary provisions have been allocated to strengthen staffing and address vacancies in the Department of Wildlife Conservation. Necessary follow-up measures will be taken to implement these staffing improvements. Oral Questions: Power Generation (Q.153/2024), Human-Elephant Conflict (Q.188/2024), Majma Nagar Cemetery (Q.291/2024), Public Service Commission Uva Province (Q.389/2025) Read →
- 27 February 2025 The Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha SJB AI summary Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha highlighted the scale and cost of human-elephant conflict, citing 3,519 elephant deaths and 1,198 human deaths over ten years, with substantial public expenditure on related compensation and departmental costs. He noted that deaths declined in 2024 compared to 2023 and attributed this partly to improved management by the Department, including civil defence support and better fence management. He urged the Minister to address staffing shortages urgently, strengthen cadre and performance monitoring, and asked whether measures would be taken to increase staffing and ensure their effectiveness. Oral Questions: Power Generation (Q.153/2024), Human-Elephant Conflict (Q.188/2024), Majma Nagar Cemetery (Q.291/2024), Public Service Commission Uva Province (Q.389/2025) Read →
- 27 February 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Dammika Patabendi – Minister of Environment AI summary The Minister answered Question 188/2024 on human-elephant conflict, providing expenditure figures for electric fence construction and maintenance from 2015 to 2024 and data on elephant deaths, human deaths and property damage, noting increases in cumulative casualties and damage in 2020-2024 compared with 2015-2019. He stated that no separate item was applicable under part (a)(iii) and tabled a document setting out ongoing mitigation measures, including expansion and maintenance of electric fencing, deployment of Civil Security personnel, night patrols, elephant crackers, compensation payments and GPS-collar research. He also outlined further measures such as habitat enrichment, protection of elephant corridors, community awareness programmes, removal or capture of identified problem elephants, and trials using drones, ultrasonic devices, bee sounds, smoke deterrents and fence upgrades. Oral Questions: Power Generation (Q.153/2024), Human-Elephant Conflict (Q.188/2024), Majma Nagar Cemetery (Q.291/2024), Public Service Commission Uva Province (Q.389/2025) Read →
- 25 February 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Dammika Patabendi - Minister of Environment JJB AI summary The Minister tabled a written answer stating that a Geological Survey and Mines Bureau inspection found only small-scale tractor-based sand mining on the relevant coastal belt, which ceased after local opposition, with no clear evidence of large-scale illegal ilmenite mining or supply to processing facilities. He noted that two mineral sand mining licences had been issued to a private company for the Vakarai area but no mining occurred under them and they expired on 8 December 2024. The answer further stated that no current health, livelihood, or drinking-water impacts had been observed, and that any future licensed activity would be subject to recommendations from relevant authorities, while illegal mineral activities are addressed under the Mines and Minerals Act through enforcement by Police, the STF, and other forces as needed. Oral Question: Investigations into Damaging Buddha Statues in Mawanella (Q.6/2024) Read →
- 24 February 2025 The Hon. Ruwan Wijeweera JJB AI summary Asked whether the Government has a plan to address reported understaffing among field officers, particularly Forest Range Officers. He also requested clarification on measures to provide adequate fuel and facilities to support their duties. Oral Question: Question No. 3 - 447/2025 (Forest Conservation) Read →
- 24 February 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Dammika Patabendi JJB AI summary Illegal encroachments on Forest Department lands have increased, contributing to forest loss and worsening the human-elephant conflict. The Government is taking legal action to repossess such lands, carry out reforestation, and identify and preserve elephant corridors as priority measures to reduce the conflict. Oral Question: Question No. 3 - 447/2025 (Forest Conservation) Read →
- 24 February 2025 The Hon. Ruwan Wijeweera JJB AI summary Ruwan Wijeweera raised a supplementary question on encroachment of Forest Department lands in Monaragala and other areas, alleging that large tracts are being sold to outsiders and fenced with electric barriers. He asked what measures are being taken to prevent such encroachment and address its impact on elephant movement and the human-elephant conflict. Oral Question: Question No. 3 - 447/2025 (Forest Conservation) Read →
- 24 February 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Dammika Patabendi - Minister of Environment JJB AI summary The Minister provided written answers on forest cover and forest conservation, stating that forest enumerations are conducted every five years and that no enumeration was carried out between 2020 and 2024. He reported that the 2020 enumeration recorded 1,704,279.928 hectares under the Department of Forest Conservation, including natural forests, low-scrub lands and forest plantations. He said changes in forest extent are linked to population pressures, development needs and government land allocations, and outlined the Department’s responsibilities under the National Forest Policy and Forest Ordinance, including conservation, sustainable management, research, community participation, eco-tourism and private sector involvement. Oral Question: Question No. 3 - 447/2025 (Forest Conservation) Read →
- 24 February 2025 The Hon. Ruwan Wijeweera JJB AI summary Hon. Ruwan Wijeweera raised Question 447/2025 to the Minister of Environment, seeking year-by-year data from 2020 to 2024 on the extent of land under the Department of Forest Conservation and the reasons for any changes. He also asked the Minister to state the Department’s primary role and whether its lands may be used for common public purposes, and if not, to explain why. Oral Question: Question No. 3 - 447/2025 (Forest Conservation) Read →
- 22 February 2025 The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK AI summary Raised a Point of Order urging that more time be requested to address the issue of bottom trawling. He stated that bottom trawling is illegal and called for action against all those engaging in it, including operators within Sri Lanka. Adjournment Motion: Prevention of Unlawful Fishing Activities in the North Read →
- 22 February 2025 The Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar - Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources JJB AI summary The Minister supported the motion on illegal fishing, identifying bottom trawling by pair/trawl boats as a major cause of damage to livelihoods and the marine environment in the Northern Province. He welcomed the issue being raised in Parliament and said he had intended to begin discussions with Tamil Members from the North and East, particularly Northern Province MPs. He stated that illegal fishing must be stopped. Adjournment Motion: Prevention of Unlawful Fishing Activities in the North Read →
- 22 February 2025 The Hon. Roshan Akmeemana JJB AI summary Hon. Roshan Akmeemana said prohibited fishing methods such as purse seine nets, dynamite, and light-based fishing are causing serious hardship for coastal fishing communities in the Northern and Eastern Provinces, including Trincomalee, across ethnic lines. He argued that the issue must be understood in the context of inadequate state support for fishers’ livelihoods, which can drive some local fishers into illegal practices. He noted that the Government has begun coordinated enforcement with the Navy, Coast Guard, Police, and a dedicated task force, including plans for a joint Navy/Coast Guard checkpoint near Nandikadal Lagoon and Mullivaikkal to curb dynamite fishing. Adjournment Motion: Prevention of Unlawful Fishing Activities in the North Read →
- 22 February 2025 The Hon. T.K. Jayasundara JJB AI summary Hon. T.K. Jayasundara defended the Government’s recent political change as a move away from corruption, chauvinism and patronage, arguing that it has restored international confidence and created a fairer environment for investment and entrepreneurship. He said the Government’s economic programme should combine humanist social renewal with sustainable and equitable development, including “economic democracy” and wider public participation. He highlighted targets to raise export earnings from USD 12.7 billion in 2024 to USD 19 billion in 2025 and expand tourism from 3 million to 8 million visitors, proposing responsible tourism development in inland areas of Galle District to support rural incomes and industries such as tea, cinnamon and kitul. He also referred to Budget support for small tea-holders, noting an increased allocation from Rs. 1,158 million in 2023 to Rs. 1,355 million. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Second Reading Debate (Fifth Allotted Day) Read →