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- 7 February 2025 The Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi SJB AI summary Called for clarification on whether large-scale solar power projects, including in Hambantota, have been halted and, if so, for what reasons. He argued that delays to solar projects weaken efforts to reduce electricity tariffs and could contribute to future supply shortages. Oral Answers to Questions and Second Round Questions Read →
- 7 February 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Dammika Patabendi - Minister of Environment JJB AI summary The Minister of Environment presented the 2022 Annual Report of the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau. He moved that the report be referred to the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Environment, and the House agreed. Papers: Ministerial Reports and Annual Reports Read →
- 6 February 2025 The Hon. Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan DTNA AI summary Hon. Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan urged government support for the palmyrah-based cottage industry in the North and Vanni, including export facilitation for food and craft products and reconsideration of restrictions affecting the use of mature palmyrah trees. He called for stronger action to control monkeys and elephants that damage farmers’ livelihoods, questioned the practicality of a proposed monkey census, and suggested export or other population-control measures. He also proposed importing foreign fruit seeds for domestic cultivation and export, demanded enforcement of controlled prices across all retailers rather than only SATHOSA, and said allegations circulating about him on Facebook should be reported to the Police or authorities for legal action. Debate: Intellectual Property Act Regulations (Geographical Indications) Read →
- 6 February 2025 The Hon. Asoka Sapumal Ranwala JJB AI summary Lime is not inherently a carcinogenic or heavy-metal-bearing substance and is used in water purification. Any elevated heavy metal content would result from contamination during the production chain rather than from lime’s natural composition or its use as a chemical reagent. Debate: Intellectual Property Act Regulations (Geographical Indications) Read →
- 6 February 2025 The Hon. D.V. Chanaka SLPP AI summary D.V. Chanaka pressed for a response from Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe regarding a report alleging carcinogens and harmful heavy metals in the country’s tap water. He urged that the matter not be treated lightly, stressing the public health risk and indicating he would wait for the Minister’s answer. Debate: Intellectual Property Act Regulations (Geographical Indications) Read →
- 6 February 2025 The Hon. D.V. Chanaka SLPP AI summary Hon. D.V. Chanaka responded to a reference made to him by citing SLSI specifications on imported lime, stating that the maximum permitted chromium level is 10 mg/kg. He presented lab reports indicating chromium levels of 14 mg/kg in lime imported into Sri Lanka and argued that this exceeds the standard and reaches a carcinogenic level. Debate: Intellectual Property Act Regulations (Geographical Indications) Read →
- 6 February 2025 The Hon. Asoka Sapumal Ranwala JJB AI summary Hon. Asoka Sapumal Ranwala clarified technical aspects of lime used in water purification, explaining that limestone is processed into calcium hydroxide and that heavy metals are not normally present in either the raw material or production process. He stated that specifications for calcium hydroxide generally do not require heavy metal testing, but acknowledged that contamination could occur through other sources or irregular imports. He said reports cited by Hon. D.V. Chanaka alleging heavy metals in lime were serious and should be investigated. Debate: Intellectual Property Act Regulations (Geographical Indications) Read →
- 6 February 2025 The Hon. Major General (Rtd.) G.D. Sooriyabandara JJB AI summary The Hon. Major General (Rtd.) G.D. Sooriyabandara supported the regulations under the Intellectual Property Act, No. 36 of 2003, arguing that geographical indications and stronger quality standards could protect brands such as “Ceylon Tea” and prevent damage caused by low-quality exports. He cited recent foreign exchange earnings to show the relative decline of traditional exports such as tea, rubber, and coconut, and said higher-value, standards-based production could improve agricultural incomes and export revenue. He linked the regulations to the Government’s policy focus on a production economy, agriculture, modern technology, and value addition, and called on producers to act honestly in implementing the new framework. Debate: Intellectual Property Act Regulations (Geographical Indications) Read →
- 6 February 2025 The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna - Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure JJB AI summary The Minister responded to remarks about the Uma Oya project, accusing the other member of failing to assist affected constituents while he pursued Supreme Court action to obtain relief including housing grants, water supply, and crop compensation. He alleged that the member had supported the project at Provincial Council level and later sought help to stop protests, and he rejected claims about sinkholes as false. He proposed holding a separate televised debate on the issue. Debate: Intellectual Property Act Regulations (Geographical Indications) Read →
- 6 February 2025 The Hon. Hector Appuhamy SJB AI summary The Member spoke in support of regulations on geographical indications, urging the Government to go beyond registration procedures and actively protect Sri Lankan product reputations and enforce intellectual property rights. He called for rebuilding national brands in tea, spices, rubber, coconut products, garments, fisheries and tuna, including through value addition, cultivation support and the use of embassies to secure markets. He also raised concerns about bribery and administrative rackets, safety issues from wind turbines in Kalpitiya, and urged urgent action to rescue Sri Lankans reportedly being abused by criminal groups in Myanmar. Debate: Intellectual Property Act Regulations (Geographical Indications) Read →
- 6 February 2025 The Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan ITAK AI summary Sivagnanam Shritharan raised questions under Standing Order 27(2) to the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation on flood damage to paddy cultivation during 2024/2025, particularly affecting smallholder farmers in the Northern and Eastern Provinces. He asked for national and regional figures on damaged paddy lands and affected farmers, and details of insurance, compensation, or relief schemes. He also urged immediate issuance of compensation application forms in Kilinochchi, noting that harvesting had largely begun or ended before the guaranteed paddy price was announced and that yields had fallen sharply due to flooding. Questions Under Standing Order 27(2) Read →
- 6 February 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Dammika Patabendi JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Dammika Patabendi addressed the human-elephant conflict, noting that both people and elephants are being lost and that reports had been received on the incident raised by the Member. He said the Government is implementing immediate measures in affected areas while developing longer-term solutions, despite staffing and logistical constraints faced by the Department of Wildlife Conservation and other agencies. He stated that adequate funding would be allocated in the forthcoming Budget, with inter-agency coordination and new research to support sustainable responses. Oral Question: Human-Elephant Conflict (Q.3/2024) Read →
- 6 February 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Dammika Patabendi - Minister of Environment JJB AI summary Minister Dammika Patabendi responded to a question on human-elephant conflict, reporting that both elephant deaths and human deaths increased in 2020–2024 compared with 2015–2019. He outlined current mitigation measures, including 5,612 km of electric fencing, deployment of Civil Security personnel, elephant-driving operations, compensation payments, GPS-based research, problem-elephant management, and steps to gazette identified elephant corridors. He also cited zonal management, habitat enrichment, village awareness, lighting, and trials of deterrent technologies such as drones, ultrasonic devices, bee sounds, chilli-based methods, and spiked rubber mats. Oral Question: Human-Elephant Conflict (Q.3/2024) Read →
- 6 February 2025 The Hon. Kins Nelson SJB AI summary Hon. Kins Nelson asked the Minister of Environment to provide annual, wildlife-zone-wise data from 2015 to date on human and wild elephant deaths caused by the human-elephant conflict. He also requested details of measures taken to achieve a permanent solution to the conflict, or reasons if such information cannot be provided. Oral Question: Human-Elephant Conflict (Q.3/2024) Read →
- 5 February 2025 The Hon. Stepni Fernando JJB AI summary Hon. Stepni Fernando used her maiden speech to state that the Government’s electoral victory reflected support for policy-based politics and a rejection of corruption, linking it to post-bankruptcy economic recovery after Independence Day. She defended the Government against Opposition criticisms, cited improved foreign relations, tourism, foreign exchange inflows and reserves, and said the forthcoming Budget would support stabilization, production, public transport reform and wider public benefit. She also highlighted plans in Ja-Ela to protect and develop the Muthurajawela ecosystem as a tourism and employment zone, and called for durable solutions for residents in flood-prone low-lying areas. Debate: Regulations on Imports and Exports (Control) Act and Foreign Exchange Act Read →
- 23 January 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma - Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning AI summary The Deputy Minister said the gazettes before Parliament arose from previous policy decisions and reflected longstanding failures in agriculture, storage, data management, import planning, and administration. He argued that rice imports and food standards issues exposed past neglect, while stressing that new standards must be matched with port, customs, and implementation capacity to avoid disruption to businesses and consumers. On strategic development tax concessions, he said delays and pre-election agreements under the previous Government had affected investor confidence, while the present Government was facilitating existing investments and ensuring environmental safeguards, including an EIA for effluent discharge. Debate: Regulations under Imports and Exports (Control) Act and Related Economic Measures Read →
- 23 January 2025 The Hon. Kanthasamy Prabu JJB AI summary Hon. Kanthasamy Prabu rejected allegations of political interference by the NPP Government, stating that officials act independently and that any action taken has been limited to advising non-performing officials. He said illegal sand mining had been temporarily halted following a District Development Committee decision and that complaints involving old permits had been referred for legal action. He supported the Eravur textile zone established under the Strategic Development Projects Act Gazette of 30 July 2021, noting its expected employment benefits, export potential, and role in attracting investment. He also proposed upgrading Batticaloa Airport to international status and said environmental safeguards, including water and waste management measures, would be used to prevent harm to local resources. Debate: Regulations under Imports and Exports (Control) Act and Related Economic Measures Read →
- 23 January 2025 The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam opposed proceeding with the Jay Jay Mills textile factory project at Punnakuda beach without assurances on effluent treatment, sea discharge, and water availability, arguing the site has tourism value and local water supply is already constrained. He requested a proper government assessment of rice stocks, imports, flood damage, and paddy harvests, warning of possible shortages and inadequate compensation to farmers in Batticaloa after repeated flooding. He also alleged ongoing encroachment and clearing of Forest Conservation Department lands and elephant corridor areas in Batticaloa, naming local incidents and asking the Government to halt the clearing and arrest those responsible rather than only investigate. Debate: Regulations under Imports and Exports (Control) Act and Related Economic Measures Read →
- 22 January 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake referred to a 8 January 2025 Hansard answer by the Prime Minister on the Clean Sri Lanka programme and tabled the relevant extract, stating that its organizational structure and initial awareness phase had already been explained. He said implementation would expand countrywide from 1 February, with village-level public participation and invitations for Opposition MPs to support activities in their electorates, stressing that the programme would evolve through public input rather than a fixed manual. He also linked the programme to political ethics, citing coastal clean-up efforts and the Government’s stance that Ministers and MPs should avoid using bungalows or luxury vehicles at public expense. Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme (Postponed from 2025-01-21) Read →
- 22 January 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana welcomed the “Clean Sri Lanka” concept but argued that it must go beyond cosmetic public-order measures to address corruption, stolen assets, cost-of-living issues, VAT on health and education, and support for fisheries. He called for a systemic approach to public transport safety, citing bus accident and fatality figures, and urged action on permit transfers, service quality, accessibility, and harassment of women passengers. He also demanded sustained waste-management and dengue-control systems in areas such as Negombo and Wattala, and raised concerns over the alleged rapid release of 323 Customs containers through the Green Channel without proper inspection, calling it a national security and revenue issue. Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme (Postponed from 2025-01-21) Read →