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- 3 March 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Dammika Patabendi - Minister of Environment JJB AI summary In response to a complaint about a three-wheeler service station, the Minister stated that the Central Environmental Authority conducted inspections on 28 October 2025, 26 November 2025, and 16 January 2026, the last with both parties present. The inspection found the service station operating near the complainant’s house, with a valid Environmental Protection Licence until 16 January 2027, while the original licence holder had died and a related land case is pending before the Panadura Magistrate’s Court. The Authority has requested the deceased owner’s wife to submit the original licence, death certificate, and current ownership documents within 21 days, and further action will be taken after reviewing those materials. Deferred Questions and Parliament Adjournment Read →
- 3 March 2026 The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB AI summary Ajith P. Perera asked the Minister of Environment to report on the Central Environmental Authority’s handling of complaint WP/KT/PPA/WP-K/0119/2025 against “Prasanna Auto Service” in West Malamulla, Panadura. He sought details on actions taken, any further legal proceedings, reasons for inaction or delay in the investigation, and the intended next steps regarding the complaint. Deferred Questions and Parliament Adjournment Read →
- 3 March 2026 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Ravi Karunanayake supported amendments to the Exchange Control framework but argued that higher nominal outward investment limits are insufficient without genuine liberalisation, given the erosion of purchasing power since the economic crisis. He urged faster regularisation of outward investment accounts, stronger Central Bank action on durable reserves, exchange-rate stability, growth and employment, and greater investment in renewable energy while scrutinising procurement costs. He called for government and opposition cooperation amid global geopolitical risks, particularly potential disruptions to oil, LNG and LPG supplies through the Strait of Hormuz and the Middle East. He also said Sri Lanka should use the situation to attract foreign direct investment through the BOI and Port City with clearer marketing, tax incentives and investor-friendly policies, while planning for fuel and gas supply continuity. Debate: Regulation under Foreign Exchange Act, No. 12 of 2017 Read →
- 3 March 2026 The Hon. Chathuranga Abeysinghe - Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe defended the Government’s economic strategy as aimed at building a “resilient economy” capable of withstanding global shocks, and rejected Opposition claims that Sri Lanka would be unable to meet future debt obligations. He cited improvements in remittances, reserves, exports, tourism and investment prospects, and said structural reforms were under way in digitisation, transport, energy and education. Referring to regulations under Section 22 of the 2017 Act, he said the Government was further relaxing outward capital transaction limits, including raising the investor limit from USD 200,000 to USD 500,000 and the personal cap from USD 20,000 to USD 25,000, as a signal of economic recovery and prudent liberalisation. Debate: Regulation under Foreign Exchange Act, No. 12 of 2017 Read →
- 3 March 2026 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa questioned the Government’s position on coal supplies, asking why nine additional coal ships were being urgently purchased if there was no problem with coal. The intervention sought clarification on the need and urgency of the procurement. Privilege Question and Procedural Discussion on Coal Supply Read →
- 3 March 2026 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa challenged the Chief Government Whip’s position on coal imports, stating that 25 coal ships had been ordered and imports continued despite a postponement debate. He alleged ongoing quality problems with recent coal cargoes, arguing that their calorific value, ash content, and other parameters were below standard and insufficient to generate 300 MW, unlike 11 Russian shipments which he said met specifications. Privilege Question and Procedural Discussion on Coal Supply Read →
- 3 March 2026 The Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar JJB AI summary Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar responded to concerns about the stake-net fishing industry, stating that operations have resumed but that the use of winches and tractors has been stopped due to safety and environmental concerns. He said previous approvals were granted without adequate study, environmental reporting, or proper mapping, and that net lengths had expanded far beyond the permitted 1.5 km, endangering over 5,000 small boats. He noted that affected parties had been informed six months earlier and that discussions, including with the President, were ongoing to consider limits, alternatives, or procedures to continue the traditional industry appropriately. Oral Question: Agricultural Research and Production Assistants (Q.913/2025) Read →
- 3 March 2026 The Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar JJB AI summary Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar said the supplementary question was unrelated to the main question and could be answered if raised separately. He stated that traditional beach-seine fishing had not been obstructed, but concerns had been raised by environmental reports, including from NARA, about coastal damage caused by the use of winches and tractors. He said operators were given six months’ notice to stop such practices, discussions were held after their protest, and further consultations with stakeholders and experts would determine, within about two months, how the fishery could continue without environmental harm. Oral Question: Generators Facilitating Cooling at Norochcholai Power Plant (Q.68/2025) Read →
- 3 March 2026 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody JJB AI summary Kumara Jayakody stated that the Trincomalee oil tanks require rehabilitation before they can be used, noting that 24 tanks remain with the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation while others had previously been transferred to India. He said rehabilitation has begun on four of the 24 tanks, with two completed and pipeline installation underway, and emphasized that storage can only begin after this work is finished. On Norochcholai coal plant environmental concerns, he said relevant agencies would report any damage and the Government would take appropriate action. Oral Question: Generators Facilitating Cooling at Norochcholai Power Plant (Q.68/2025) Read →
- 3 March 2026 The Hon. Hector Appuhamy SJB AI summary Hon. Hector Appuhamy criticized the Minister’s response on fuel storage, referring to earlier claims about managing supplies through the Trincomalee oil tanks and stating that the lack of tanks was not an adequate answer. He also raised concerns about environmental harm to residents near Norochcholai from the burning of substandard coal and requested that the Minister inform Parliament of the steps to address it. Oral Question: Generators Facilitating Cooling at Norochcholai Power Plant (Q.68/2025) Read →
- 20 February 2026 The Hon. K. Kader Masthan SLLP AI summary K. Kader Masthan raised concerns about the Norochcholai Lakvijaya coal power plant, alleging inadequate local employment, suspected poor coal quality, pollution impacts, and related health issues, and urged future tenders to prioritise high-quality coal. He also called on the Government to address recent security incidents, including a fatal shooting in Jindupitiya, and to act quickly on the release of translated Holy Quran copies, especially after floods damaged many copies. He further requested urgent action to open the Ilavankulam road, arguing that its closure obstructs development and lengthens travel to the North despite there being no court order requiring closure. Adjournment Motion: Issues Relating to the Power Sector (Coal Procurement for Norochcholai) Read →
- 20 February 2026 The Hon. K. Ilangkumaran JJB AI summary Hon. K. Ilangkumaran defended the Government’s coal procurement for the Norochcholai power plant, stating that tenders were called transparently with ten bidders and that the contract was awarded to the lowest bidder. He accused the Opposition of attempting to mislead the public over the procurement process and contrasted this with alleged past non-transparent coal import arrangements. He also emphasized the need to expand renewable energy, particularly solar and wind in the Northern Province, while meeting rising electricity demand, and cited improved corruption index rankings and growing support for the NPP Government, including in the North. Adjournment Motion: Issues Relating to the Power Sector (Coal Procurement for Norochcholai) Read →
- 20 February 2026 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake questioned coal procurement and testing procedures, arguing that the shift during his tenure from Load Port Reports to Discharge Port, Norochcholai lab, and independent testing addressed earlier anomalies, but that current shipments still showed quality failures. He said lower calorific value and higher ash content in recent coal shipments would reduce Norochcholai’s effective generation capacity and increase reliance on costlier thermal generation, creating a significant financial impact. He urged the Minister to adopt pricing tied to energy content, maximize plant efficiency, explain the legality and testing basis of recent shipments, and provide answers on emergency tenders. He also requested a timeline for CEB restructuring, including the proposed company structure, VRS implementation, union negotiations, and responses on cyclone-related CEB losses. Adjournment Motion: Issues Relating to the Power Sector (Coal Procurement for Norochcholai) Read →
- 20 February 2026 The Hon. Ruwan Mapalagama JJB AI summary Ruwan Mapalagama rejected the Opposition’s allegations over coal procurement for the Norochcholai Lakvijaya Power Plant, arguing that the Government had followed a tender process and that Opposition speakers had not presented substantive evidence. He contrasted current energy and fuel management with previous practices, citing reductions in petrol, diesel and kerosene prices since the Government took office and denying claims that power cuts or energy instability would return. He also demanded that MP S. M. Marikkar substantiate or publicly withdraw an allegation regarding a bank account linked to Minister Kumara Jayakody’s family. Adjournment Motion: Issues Relating to the Power Sector (Coal Procurement for Norochcholai) Read →
- 20 February 2026 The Hon. M.A.M. Thahir ACMC AI summary M.A.M. Thahir criticised both Government and Opposition for focusing on allegations and political point-scoring in the coal procurement adjournment debate while local problems remain unresolved. He urged action on the Oluvil fishery harbour and commercial port, either by making them operational or closing/removing structures causing erosion, and called for compensation for around 250 acres of coastal land reportedly lost from Maruthamunai to Thirukkovil. He also raised recent severe erosion in Nintavur and flood damage affecting farmers in Ampara, asking the Government to respond urgently. Adjournment Motion: Issues Relating to the Power Sector (Coal Procurement for Norochcholai) Read →
- 20 February 2026 The Hon. Hector Appuhamy SJB AI summary Hon. Hector Appuhamy raised concerns over the coal tender and environmental compliance at the Norochcholai power plant, citing alleged failures in coal quality, contradictory inspection reports, and possible links to corruption. He asked whether the Continuous Emission Monitoring System was operating during January and February and called for an immediate investigation into rejected coal lots and the role of named individuals. He argued that substandard coal could breach the Environmental Protection Licence, damage plant machinery, increase reliance on expensive fuel, raise tariffs, cause blackouts, and worsen environmental harm in the Puttalam/Kalpitiya area. Adjournment Motion: Issues Relating to the Power Sector (Coal Procurement for Norochcholai) Read →
- 20 February 2026 The Hon. Manjula Suraweera Arachchi JJB AI summary Hon. Manjula Suraweera Arachchi rejected Opposition allegations of a coal procurement scam, stating that coal imports for Lakvijaya/Norochcholai are being carried out through approved tender procedures under the National Procurement Commission and asking the Opposition to table any claimed account numbers or evidence. He argued that past procurement irregularities were linked to previous political actors, while the current Government is pursuing an anti-corruption mandate and improving public institutions. He also outlined the Government’s energy direction, saying diesel and coal are unsustainable and that renewables, currently including hydropower and solar/wind contributions, are to be increased toward a 70 per cent target by 2030. Adjournment Motion: Issues Relating to the Power Sector (Coal Procurement for Norochcholai) Read →
- 20 February 2026 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody JJB AI summary Hon. Kumara Jayakody argued that current coal deliveries to the Norochcholai power plant are proceeding continuously and that delays arose from earlier procurement and stockpiling constraints, not from the present arrangements. He said plant data and monitoring show no evidence so far of turbine damage, boiler tube failures, FGD problems, or deterioration in ambient air quality from the disputed coal shipments, while acknowledging that longer-term effects would require detailed technical assessment. He also stated that inquiries are ongoing, enhanced testing has been instructed through the Ministry Secretary, and past procurement practices, including reliance on load port reports and uncollected penalties, need further examination. Adjournment Motion: Issues Relating to the Power Sector (Coal Procurement for Norochcholai) Read →
- 19 February 2026 The Hon. Gnanamuththu Srineshan ITAK AI summary Gnanamuththu Srineshan supported stronger action under the proposed amendments to the Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs law, arguing that drug use and trafficking are damaging society and require practical implementation of “Clean Sri Lanka” and a drug-free nation through effective policing and systematic enforcement. He cited concerns about student drug use, alleged political links to drug networks, and rising illicit liquor production and related violence in Batticaloa after the war. He also requested that the Fisheries Minister consider allowing machinery for shore seine fishing where labour is scarce, urged the Wildlife Department to establish additional offices and staff in Batticaloa to address human-elephant conflict, and asked for action on difficulties faced by farmers in selling paddy at the guaranteed price. Debate (continued): Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Bill and Judicature (Amendment) Bill Read →
- 18 February 2026 The Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar JJB AI summary Ramalingam Chandrasekar said shore seine fishers had been given a six-month grace period after discussions on the environmental impacts of winches and detectors, following which a ban was imposed and a court case was filed. He stated that consultations have begun with five fisher representatives and technical experts to assess impacts on beaches, crabs, turtles and turtle eggs, and to determine whether such technology should be permitted. He said a permanent solution would be provided within two months after consulting the President, while the ban remains in force and fishers are asked to continue hand-hauling nets in the interim. Oral Question: Fishery Buildings and Shore Seine Fishing in Pottuvil (1750/2025) Read →