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- 21 January 2025 The Hon. Manoj Rajapaksha JJB AI summary Hon. Manoj Rajapaksha defended the Clean Sri Lanka Project as a flagship programme of the Government aimed at addressing corruption, institutional decay, and social and economic deterioration across sectors. He said the Government had a national mandate across communities to rebuild the country and was proceeding through a planned process involving State institutions, village communities and volunteers, with January focused on awareness. He rejected Opposition criticism that the Government lacked vision or had delivered nothing, and cited forthcoming village-level measures from February to address wild elephant and monkey damage to cultivation, including in Kegalle, as part of the project’s wider objectives. Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme Read →
- 21 January 2025 The Hon. Imran Maharoof SJB AI summary The Hon. Imran Maharoof questioned the clarity and implementation of the Clean Sri Lanka programme, arguing that it should address systemic issues such as corruption in the health sector rather than symbolic or poorly understood actions. He raised concerns about the absence of Tamil-speaking members on the appointed committee and questioned transfer practices in the Eastern Province, particularly the representation of Tamil and Muslim officers. He also criticized the Government for discussing issues such as allowances and security for former Presidents at public rallies rather than through Cabinet or Parliament, urging it to use its majority and institutional control to address public problems directly. Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme Read →
- 21 January 2025 The Hon. Nishantha Perera JJB AI summary Hon. Nishantha Perera defended the Government’s “Clean Sri Lanka” programme as part of its broader agenda of digitization, poverty eradication, and changing political culture under President Anura Dissanayake. He argued that the Opposition was misrepresenting the programme and was responsible for past damage to agriculture, public institutions, and governance standards. He cited a coastal clean-up initiative in Galle District as evidence of public participation and said the Government would continue efforts to rebuild the economy and promote a “beautiful Sri Lanka.” Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme Read →
- 21 January 2025 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara urged that the Clean Sri Lanka programme include public education on hygienic toilet use, especially for children, and practical measures to maintain clean, dry facilities and repair minor defects. He said the initiative should go beyond addressing theft and corruption by presenting a concept paper, assigning duties to officials and Local Authorities, and implementing a comprehensive national cleaning plan. Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme Read →
- 21 January 2025 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara questioned whether the Clean Sri Lanka programme has clear targets and an implementation plan comparable to India’s Swachh Bharat Mission, particularly on sanitation and waste management. He argued that responsibility should be centred on Local Authorities rather than Divisional Secretariats, citing expert views, and called for a circular to that effect. He highlighted that most daily garbage generated in Sri Lanka is not collected by Local Authorities and asked what specific plan exists to address this. Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme Read →
- 21 January 2025 The Hon. Namal Rajapaksa, Attorney-at-Law SLPP AI summary Namal Rajapaksa questioned whether the Government, its 159 Members, and implementing agencies have a clear common understanding, Terms of Reference, and guidelines for the Clean Sri Lanka programme. He argued that similar initiatives under previous governments were criticized and later discontinued after changes of government, and called for a permanent, consistent process. He also criticized enforcement actions on vehicle accessories, asking whether safety concerns are genuinely addressed if violations are resolved through payment under the Motor Traffic Act, and urged clearer instructions to relevant officials. Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme Read →
- 21 January 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva expressed support for efforts to reduce littering, noting that public behaviour had improved compared to the past. He said they were willing to assist fully and urged that the programme be implemented properly. Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme Read →
- 21 January 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva expressed support for the “Clean Sri Lanka” concept, including its environmental, social and moral objectives, while noting that the public currently perceives it mainly as an environmental cleanup and enforcement action affecting three-wheelers and buses. He questioned the Minister of Justice on whether a reported remand connected to the VFS transaction was accurate and whether it was carried out under the Clean Sri Lanka initiative. Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme Read →
- 21 January 2025 The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law – Minister of Justice and National Integration JJB AI summary Minister Harshana Nanayakkara said the Clean Sri Lanka programme is intended as a long-term national effort, not merely an environmental campaign, and that the Government is conducting a month-long awareness programme through the Presidential Task Force to change public attitudes and practices. He argued that the new Government, in office for only two months, has begun by reducing waste and political privilege, allowing public institutions to function without interference, and implementing measures such as fertilizer assistance, fisheries fuel relief, and electricity tariff reductions based on PUCSL recommendations. He also referred to alleged political corruption involving payments for parliamentary seats and said such matters should be investigated if complainants come forward, presenting anti-bribery and institutional integrity as part of the Clean Sri Lanka agenda. Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme Read →
- 21 January 2025 The Hon. Asitha Niroshana Egoda Vithana JJB AI summary Hon. Asitha Niroshana Egoda Vithana highlighted deaths and economic losses caused by human-elephant conflict, dengue, floods, landslides and other climate-related hazards, citing Sri Lanka’s ranking in the Global Climate Risk Index and annual disaster losses exceeding USD 300 million. He defended the Clean Sri Lanka programme as a response to these challenges and rejected claims that its launch cost over Rs. 7 million, stating the committed amount was about Rs. 900,000. He urged Opposition Members and the wider public, including private entities, state institutions, volunteers, expatriates and experts, to support the programme, noting that rupee and dollar accounts had been opened for contributions. Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme Read →
- 21 January 2025 The Hon. Asitha Niroshana Egoda Vithana JJB AI summary Asitha Niroshana Egoda Vithana moved an Adjournment Motion calling for Parliament, the public sector, private sector, and citizens to support the Clean Sri Lanka Programme launched by the President on 1 January 2025 under the vision “A Beautiful Island – A Joyful People.” He said the programme is a key non-economic initiative within the Government’s policy agenda, intended to promote social, environmental, and ethical transformation alongside economic reforms. He argued that the Tenth Parliament has a historic responsibility, across party and community lines, to address hardship, change negative perceptions of Sri Lanka, and build a more disciplined, compassionate, and environmentally conscious society. Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme Read →
- 21 January 2025 The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna JJB AI summary Illegal mining activity is under investigation and has been stopped, with authorities assessing the extent of extraction beyond permitted volumes. CCTV monitoring of truck movements has been introduced, revealing frequent removal of loads and attempts to avoid or disable surveillance. Legal action will be taken after the over-extraction is quantified. Oral Questions (Multiple Questions) Read →
- 21 January 2025 The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna - Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure JJB AI summary Sand extraction and sale took place on Chilaw Plantations Limited lands to generate income and supply potting sand for coconut cultivation, but the Minister said the activity caused environmental harm, failed to meet its objectives, and involved irregular transactions, leading the Ministry to suspend operations and order investigations. He provided annual coconut income and production figures for 2019-2023, noting a decline in 2023 yields due to rainfall and climate factors, fertilizer shortages linked to COVID-19 and the economic crisis, high input costs, management weaknesses, and malpractices. Measures proposed to improve yields include proper fertilizer use, water conservation and harvesting, pest and weed control, mulching, cover crops, organic manure, intercropping, erosion control, micronutrients, stronger agronomic supervision, better estate management, and reduced harvest losses. Oral Questions (Multiple Questions) Read →
- 21 January 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Piyathissa - Deputy Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister reported flooding along both banks of the Gal Oya in Ampara due to high storage at the D.S. Senanayake Samudraya, spill gate releases, and additional inflows, with a bund breach at Nehinnaikadu inundating about 3,000 acres of paddy. He said around 1,000 acres had been saved, another 1,000 acres might still be protected subject to weather, but more than 1,000 acres were damaged, while several roads and irrigation structures were also affected. He stated that temporary sandbagging and emergency work were being carried out by district officials, irrigation engineers, the tri-forces and Police, and that estimates and special DCC committees were being prepared for permanent flood control and Gal Oya river conservation measures. Oral Questions (Multiple Questions) Read →
- 21 January 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe JJB AI summary A Cabinet-appointed committee is investigating Land Reforms Commission land allocations and use since 2015 and is expected to report within three months, with new LRC allocations temporarily suspended despite impacts on agencies and projects. On flooding in Ampara, heavy rains have caused irrigation tanks to spill and weaknesses in the Gal Oya bund have inundated about 3,000 acres, though water levels are reported to be receding. Relevant irrigation, district coordination, and disaster management authorities are intervening, with further details available from the District Coordinating Committee Chairman if required. Oral Questions (Multiple Questions) Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody - State Minister JJB AI summary Kumara Jayakody said electricity line losses of about 9 percent in some areas are being reviewed with the aim of reducing them below 7 percent. He stated that LNG-based generation is being pursued as an interim measure, including reviving suspended procurements and expediting LNG infrastructure and gas supply for plants currently running on costlier liquid fuels. He added that diesel use would be minimized, but transmission constraints sometimes require purchases from diesel plants until network upgrades are completed. Oral Questions Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Ravindra Bandara AI summary Asked what plans the Government has to reduce electricity tariffs by addressing technical line losses in the power distribution system and replacing expensive diesel-based generation with LNG power. Emphasized these as two key measures for lowering electricity costs. Oral Questions Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Ravindra Bandara AI summary Ravindra Bandara asked whether solar energy projects awarded through Expressions of Interest under previous governments involved inconsistent tariffs and possible political favoritism or undue influence. He requested the Minister’s plan to establish a stable and fair tariff structure for solar power. Oral Questions Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody - State Minister JJB AI summary The State Minister provided data on electricity generation capacity added since 2019, including three CEB-owned plants, 13 private thermal plants, and 110 renewable plants totaling 1,872 MW, with generation performance details tabled in annexes. He outlined planned additions under the Long-Term Generation Expansion Plan 2025–2044 for the next two years, including hydro, wind, solar, biomass, and combined-cycle capacity, as well as 1,138 planned renewable plants. He also stated that preliminary work has begun on a 100 MW/100 MWh battery storage system and renewable energy control centre at Kolonnawa, and that a committee is preparing a 2025–2030 grid integration plan for renewable projects. Oral Questions Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Ravindra Bandara AI summary Hon. Ravindra Bandara asked the Minister of Energy for details on power stations added to the National Grid since 2019, including their names, expected and current generation capacity, and which of them are renewable energy plants. He also requested separate generation figures for each renewable station. He further sought information on planned National Grid expansion and renewable energy expansion over the next two years, or reasons if no such plans exist. Oral Questions Read →