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- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody - Minister of Energy JJB AI summary Minister of Energy Kumara Jayakody stated that the relevant institution is being strengthened to ensure sustainability and that any necessary price revisions will be carried out in a structured manner rather than on an ad hoc basis. He also said the concerns raised during the discussion would be addressed. Oral Questions Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody - Minister of Energy JJB AI summary The Minister stated that Sri Lanka does not yet have sufficient transmission network flexibility in some areas, which constrains renewable energy integration and power evacuation. He said several transmission lines are under construction, priority is being given to regions without such constraints, and support is being sought from non-state and foreign development partners to meet the 70 per cent renewable energy target by 2030. He also noted that end-user tariffs reflect import content, VAT, operation and maintenance costs, staffing shortages and engineer outflows, in addition to solar procurement prices, and said these issues are being addressed. Oral Questions Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha SJB AI summary Asked for an update on the 100 MW Siyambalanduwa solar project, noting that although the award has been made, land clearance and inter-agency support remain pending. He questioned whether the Government is expediting the project and ensuring support from the CEB and relevant agencies so construction can begin as planned. Oral Questions Read →
- 8 January 2025 The Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar - Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources JJB AI summary Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekar responded to remarks by Hon. V. S. Radhakrishnan, stating that constructive suggestions would be considered but rejecting allegations that the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme would ban cosmetics or impose blanket restrictions on three-wheelers. He emphasized close relations with India and said the Government’s objective is to build a “noble country,” with particular attention to upcountry communities and war-affected Tamils in the North and East as key participants in the programme. Debate: Orders and Regulations under Import/Export Control Act, Foreign Exchange Act, and Other Acts (continued) Read →
- 8 January 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Elayathamby Srinath ITAK AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Elayathamby Srinath raised concerns about a proposed prawn farm in the Vakarai Divisional Secretariat Division, noting that it had been discussed at the District Coordinating Committee, with a feasibility study completed and thousands of acres allocated. He requested a re-study that considers the interests of local communities and asked for the involvement of the Minister of Environment in addressing the issue. Debate: Orders and Regulations (continued) Read →
- 8 January 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Elayathamby Srinath ITAK AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Elayathamby Srinath raised several development and service delivery issues in Batticaloa District, including the need for more elephant fencing, wildlife stations and officers to address the human-elephant conflict. He requested health infrastructure for Batticaloa Teaching Hospital, including MRI and CT scanners, a cath lab, brachytherapy facilities, an Osusala, and possible future land for hospital expansion through relocation of the prison. He also urged action on the delayed Kithul–Rugam Reservoir Project, early Government paddy purchases at the guaranteed price, cleaning of Batticaloa Lagoon and improved drainage, and establishment of a Faculty of Law at Eastern University. Debate: Orders and Regulations (continued) Read →
- 8 January 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB AI summary Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya outlined the objectives and implementation structure of the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme, describing it as a national initiative to promote social, ethical and environmental transformation, good governance, and sustainable development. She said a 19-member Presidential Task Force, a Secretariat under the Presidential Secretariat, and legally based district and village-level councils would coordinate policy, public participation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation. She stated that public institutions must integrate relevant programme activities into their action plans, while special projects would be funded through budget allocations and a transparent “Clean Sri Lanka” Fund, with citizens invited to contribute proposals, volunteer work, expertise and financial support. Oral Question: Clean Sri Lanka Programme and Related Questions to Prime Minister Read →
- 7 January 2025 The Hon. Ismail Muththu Mohamed AI summary Hon. Ismail Muththu Mohamed, in his maiden speech, highlighted post-war land, agricultural, and public health issues in the Vanni District, particularly alleging that Forest Department demarcations have prevented displaced owners from accessing private lands. He called for the Pampaimadu garbage dump in Vavuniya, which he said affects nearby residents, university students, farmers, and groundwater, to be relocated and secured, and urged rehabilitation of 235 unrestored village tanks to support cultivation. He also requested that local government elections avoid clashing with G.C.E. Ordinary Level examinations and Ramadan, and asked for additional Sathosa outlets in Vavuniya, Mullaitivu, and Mannar to address high prices and limited relief access. Adjournment Debate: 2024 Mid-Year Fiscal Position Report Read →
- 7 January 2025 The Hon. Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran ITAK AI summary Hon. Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran said the 2024 Mid-Year Fiscal Position showed mixed economic indicators and argued that Sri Lanka needs a stronger economic policy, better investment planning, and improved management of scarce resources. He criticized the continued importation of rice despite agricultural potential and urged greater use of technology, land, marine resources, and reported seabed mineral deposits identified under the International Seabed Authority process. He also raised the impact of human-elephant conflict on farmers in Ampara, calling for more Wildlife Department staff and properly maintained elephant fences in specified affected villages. Adjournment Debate: 2024 Mid-Year Fiscal Position Report Read →
- 7 January 2025 The Hon. Ravindra Bandara AI summary Ravindra Bandara highlighted prolonged displacement in landslide-prone areas of Haputale, including families from Kabaragala and Kalifana living in temporary accommodation for one to two years. He asked the Deputy Minister to address delays caused by NBRO clearance requirements and proposed pre-identifying suitable state or LRC lands in advance, with prior technical assessments, to expedite resettlement after future disasters. Oral Question: Landslide Risk Districts and Disaster Compensation (Q.235/2024) Read →
- 7 January 2025 The Hon. Major General (Rtd.) Aruna Jayasekera - Deputy Minister of Defence JJB AI summary From 2019 to 23 December 2023, 3,154 families were identified across 14 landslide-risk districts, with Badulla, Nuwara Eliya and Kegalle most affected; 264 families remain in temporary housing, including 128 staying with relatives or friends. The Deputy Minister cited legal, socio-economic, land availability, tenure, programme and funding constraints as reasons for delays in providing alternative housing or land. He stated that amendments to the Disaster Management Act are being prepared, grants for land and housing are proposed to be increased subject to Cabinet approval, and Rs. 79 million was allocated in 2024 for infrastructure on state lands. He also outlined plans to strengthen early warning, coordinated disaster management mechanisms, restrictions on future development in high-risk zones, and action against activities contributing to landslide risk. Oral Question: Landslide Risk Districts and Disaster Compensation (Q.235/2024) Read →
- 18 December 2024 The Hon. (Dr.) M.L.A.M. Hizbullah SLMC AI summary Hon. (Dr.) M.L.A.M. Hizbullah said the Government had not delivered promised reductions in prices, fuel, and electricity tariffs, and urged measures to control essential costs. He called for reconsideration of reduced rooftop solar purchase tariffs, citing PUCSL’s recommendation for an electricity tariff reduction and concerns that lower solar payments would undermine renewable energy targets and affect small investors. He supported school-supplies assistance under Aswasuma but requested that the full Rs. 6,000 per child be provided, or alternatively an interest-free loan for government servants, and urged caution on vehicle imports to protect the exchange rate. He also requested urgent central funding for the Eastern Provincial Council to repair flood-damaged schools and roads, particularly in Batticaloa. Debate: Supplementary Estimate – Head 102, Programme 01 (School Supplies Grant) Read →
- 17 December 2024 The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam called for a meeting with Tamil political representatives to address illegal encroachment and related violence against cattle owners, stating that over 280 cattle had been killed and that a court eviction order against encroachers had not been fully implemented. He requested compensation promised to affected cattle owners and raised concerns about unrest in Keviliyamadu, where he alleged unauthorized settlement inside an elephant-fence area. He also asked whether compensation arrangements would be made for Maha-season farmers affected by floods, noting that the registration period had been limited to 1–10 December. Oral Question: Ungazetted Livestock Grasslands in Batticaloa District (Q.64/2024) Read →
- 17 December 2024 The Hon. (Dr.) Dammika Patabendi - Minister of Environment JJB AI summary The Minister of Environment presented the 2023 Performance Reports of the Department of Wildlife Conservation and the Forest Department. He proposed that both reports be referred to the relevant Committees, and the House agreed. Papers: Auditor-General's Report and Reports Tabled Read →
- 6 December 2024 Hon. Dammika Patabendige JJB AI summary Hon. Dammika Patabendige said the National People’s Power Government had already begun implementing its mandate despite Parliament being convened less than a month earlier. He said the Ministry of Environment’s initial step was to consolidate previously fragmented institutions under one system, and cited the Government’s policy programme, “A Prosperous Country, a Beautiful Life,” particularly its environmental commitments. He stated that digitalization and the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme are directly linked to environmental restoration, including protection of seas, water, soil, wildlife and the atmosphere. Debate on Vote on Account for Ministry of Public Administration and Related Matters Read →
- 6 December 2024 The Hon. Dammika Patabendi - Minister of Environment JJB AI summary Hon. Dammika Patabendi thanked voters in Kegalle and said the NPP’s mandate reflected both public disillusionment with past governance and expectations for national recovery. He argued that successive post-independence administrations had damaged the economy, livelihoods, and the environment, citing forest loss, the X-Press Pearl disaster, human-elephant conflict, and water pollution. As Minister of Environment, he said the Government’s initial step was to bring fragmented environmental institutions back under the Ministry to strengthen centralized environmental protection and restore balance between people, wildlife, and nature. Debate on Vote on Account for Ministry of Public Administration and Related Matters Read →
- 6 December 2024 The Hon. Shantha Padma Kumara Subasingha JJB AI summary Shantha Padma Kumara Subasingha used his maiden speech to thank voters in Ratnapura and state that the NPP would use its mandate collectively and responsibly, including on environmental protection. Referring to the Vote on Account, he urged the Minister of Environment to intervene in and suspend a small hydropower project at Bambarbottuwa, alleging misleading documentation, questionable company details, and risks to sensitive waterfalls, endemic fish, drinking water sources, and a declared environmentally sensitive area. He said local residents had opposed the project since 2015 without seeking compensation, and rejected claims that his party had been paid to create conflict. Debate on Vote on Account for Ministry of Public Administration and Related Matters Read →
- 5 December 2024 The Hon. K.S. Kugathasan ITAK AI summary Hon. K.S. Kugathasan highlighted flood-related damage in the Trincomalee District during comments on the Government’s policy statement. He said 23,463 acres of paddy were fully damaged, 10,525 acres partially damaged, 12,994 farming families affected, and 28 irrigation tanks breached fully or partially. He also noted income losses for 23,178 fishing families and flood impacts on 4,250 households, and requested necessary relief for all affected groups. Debate on Vote on Account for 2025 (continued) Read →
- 4 December 2024 The Hon. Aruna Jayasekera - Deputy Minister of Defence AI summary Deputy Minister Aruna Jayasekera said emergency water supplies for Ampara were already being provided by bowsers and would be supplemented by the National Water Supply and Drainage Board. Responding to the Adjournment Debate on disaster management, he said recent floods in five districts exposed gaps in the implementation, digitization and coordination of the disaster management framework under the 2005 Act, despite early warnings and action by district officials, Police, Tri-Forces and other agencies. He said the Government would convene the National Council for Disaster Management, review the national framework, propose amendments and Cabinet measures, and better integrate national and local disaster response mechanisms. He also announced Cabinet-approved increases in compensation to Rs. 1 million for disaster-related deaths and up to Rs. 2.5 million for property damage, while noting that the absence of elected local authority representatives had reduced response efficiency. Adjournment Motion: Compensation for Damaged Crops and Victims of Adverse Weather (Cyclone Fengal) Read →
- 4 December 2024 The Hon. Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran ITAK AI summary Hon. Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran raised concerns about severe rain and flood impacts in Ampara District, particularly the 10-day interruption of drinking water supply in Karaitivu and slow repairs by the National Water Supply and Drainage Board. He urged the Prime Minister, relevant Minister, and disaster management authorities to restore water supply immediately, warning of possible public protests if the issue continues. He also called for urgent relief for flood-damaged paddy fields in Alayadivembu, Thirukkovil, Karaitivu and Navithanveli, and requested the construction of proper drainage canals in Alayadivembu to prevent recurring flood damage. Adjournment Motion: Compensation for Damaged Crops and Victims of Adverse Weather (Cyclone Fengal) Read →