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- 6 February 2026 The Hon. Hector Appuhamy SJB AI summary Hector Appuhamy raised concerns about environmental harm from ash generated by coal combustion, noting that while Rs. 7–8 billion had reportedly been earned from selling ash, only Rs. 91 million had been spent on local welfare and related programmes. He said fishers, farmers, and households in the affected area continued to face serious impacts, including ash pollution in daily life. He questioned the importation of low-quality coal with high ash content and requested that an environmental report or licence on coal combustion and the resulting ash be presented to Parliament to assess its effects on society. Oral Question: Norochcholai Coal Power Plant Ash Sales (Q.68/2025) Read →
- 6 February 2026 The Hon. Hector Appuhamy SJB AI summary Hon. Hector Appuhamy asked the Minister of Energy to provide year-by-year figures from 2015 onward on revenue earned from selling ash produced by the Norochcholai Coal Power Plant. He also requested details on the sales method used and the amount of that revenue allocated for the welfare of local residents affected by environmental issues near the plant, asking for reasons if the information cannot be provided. Oral Question: Norochcholai Coal Power Plant Ash Sales (Q.68/2025) Read →
- 5 February 2026 The Hon. Kins Nelson SJB AI summary Kins Nelson contrasted current Government members’ past support for the Rajapaksas with earlier restrictions faced by his party, then urged the Government to release over 1,000 imported luxury vehicles at a fair duty rate to prevent deterioration and raise revenue. He reported on attending the International Parliamentary Conference on Human-Wildlife Coexistence in Botswana and called for cooperation with Inter Pares and other international partners to address human-elephant conflict, tabling related proposals by S.W. Wickramaratne. He also requested that campsites and Block 2 of Yala National Park be reopened, arguing that closures reduce tourism access and may enable poaching. Debate: Institute of Real Estate Professionals, Container Depot Operators Licensing, and Shipping Agents Licensing Bills (Second Reading) Read →
- 5 February 2026 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Bimal Rathnayake said environmental agencies’ strict positions were understandable given past large-scale environmental destruction linked to political patronage and corrupt business, citing land clearing in Mannar, Marichchikaddi and the Madu forest. He commended Department of Wildlife Conservation officials while stating that the government would protect both the environment and affected people. He proposed discussions with the Environment Minister to find a solution. Oral Question: SLEAS Recruitment, Road Development, and Standing Order 27(2) Questions Read →
- 5 February 2026 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake — Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development and the Leader of the House of Parliament AI summary The Minister said the Puttalam–Mannar B-379 road section through Wilpattu National Park is currently unsuitable for transport and cannot be maintained or opened for public use beyond the limits set by the Supreme Court order in SC/FR/224/2010. He noted that the order prohibits public through traffic and general entry into the Park, while allowing only gravel-road maintenance and limited lawful access. He said the Government would consult Mannar representatives, relevant agencies, and the Environment Minister to seek a solution that balances transport needs with protection of Wilpattu, including considering feasible alternative routes. Oral Question: SLEAS Recruitment, Road Development, and Standing Order 27(2) Questions Read →
- 5 February 2026 The Hon. K. Kader Masthan SLLP AI summary Hon. K. Kader Masthan raised a Standing Order 27(2) question seeking the reopening of the Puttalam–Eluvankulam–Mannar B-379 road for public transport, arguing that it is an RDA-maintained national road historically used as a key North–South link. He disputed claims that court action or wildlife concerns justified its closure, stating that no court ban was imposed and that transport had continued until 2019. He asked whether the Department of Wildlife Conservation had authority to block public transport on the road, alleged officials had misled the President at a district coordinating committee meeting, and requested prompt ministerial action to reopen the route. Oral Question: SLEAS Recruitment, Road Development, and Standing Order 27(2) Questions Read →
- 5 February 2026 The Hon. Namal Karunaratne JJB AI summary Namal Karunaratne acknowledged past irregularities and under-the-table dealings related to land matters, stating that the government is now regulating and correcting them. He said a new circular and departmental intervention have been introduced to balance necessary land-use changes with the need to prevent environmental damage from land filling. Oral Question: Paddy Lands Filling in Anuradhapura (Q.5/2025) Read →
- 5 February 2026 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody - Minister of Energy JJB AI summary In response to a question on electricity generation, the Minister of Energy provided details, with annexes placed in the Library, on generating companies, their capacities, units supplied to the Ceylon Electricity Board, and payments made from 2015 to date. He outlined measures to increase CEB generating capacity under the 2025–2044 Long-Term Generation Expansion Plan, including greater renewable integration, grid expansion, battery and pumped hydro storage, thermal plants where required, and studies to improve existing hydro stations. He stated that most planned additions are renewable, mainly solar and wind, while some thermal capacity is planned for system stability and energy security, and listed projected capacity additions from 2026 to 2030. Oral Question: Private Electricity Generating Companies (Q.313/2024) Read →
- 5 February 2026 The Hon. Hector Appuhamy SJB AI summary Hon. Hector Appuhamy presented the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Agriculture and Sustainable Use of Resources report covering annual and performance reports of several agriculture, livestock, land, planning, and export agriculture institutions for various years from 2015 to 2024. The documents were ordered to lie upon the Table. Committee Reports: Sectoral Oversight Committees Read →
- 3 February 2026 Hon. (Dr.) Dammika Patabendi — Minister of Environment AI summary The Minister thanked Hon. Lasith Bhashana Gamage for raising the Adjournment Motion on Muthurajawela and outlined its history, extent, ecological value, and transformation from paddy land into Sri Lanka’s largest coastal saline marsh. He said the wetland supports fisheries and livelihoods around the Negombo Lagoon, and noted that 162.1 hectares have been declared an Environmental Protection Area under the National Environmental Act, while 1,028.62 hectares have been declared a Sanctuary by the Department of Wildlife Conservation. He stated that conservation and management are being coordinated through relevant state agencies and committees, with boundary pillars established and further wetland areas identified for possible future annexation to the Sanctuary. Adjournment Debate: Muthurajawela Wetland Read →
- 3 February 2026 Hon. M.A.M. Thahir ACMC AI summary Hon. M.A.M. Thahir emphasized the importance of agriculture and environmental protection, drawing on his personal background as the child of a farmer and his continued interest in planting trees. He expressed concern that Sri Lanka’s natural resources are being destroyed or left unused, contrasting the country’s resource wealth with Singapore’s development. He urged attention to protecting forests while also preserving human relationships and unity. Adjournment Debate: Muthurajawela Wetland Read →
- 3 February 2026 Hon. M.A.M. Thahir ACMC AI summary Hon. M.A.M. Thahir raised concerns over the Kivul Oya planned settlement project, arguing that forest protection policies appear inconsistent if forests are to be cleared to obtain water for the project. He also highlighted disruptions affecting the Mannar–Puttalam road, stating that the longstanding route from Colombo to Jaffna via Puttalam and Mannar is no longer passable for the public. Adjournment Debate: Muthurajawela Wetland Read →
- 3 February 2026 Hon. M.A.M. Thahir ACMC AI summary Hon. M.A.M. Thahir supported the Adjournment Motion on protecting the Muthurajawela wetland but argued that conservation policies should be applied equitably across the country without ethnic discrimination. He said lands in the North and East formerly cultivated by Tamil and Muslim communities have been classified as forests, sacred lands, or wildlife areas after long periods of displacement, and called for such fallow lands to be reviewed and released for agriculture or other public needs. He also urged the Government to address unresolved Eastern Province issues, including the Saudi-funded prefabricated housing project, Vattamadu and Pottuvil land disputes, agricultural concerns, and drinking water shortages affecting about 5,000 families between Irakkakandi and Pulmoddai. Adjournment Debate: Muthurajawela Wetland Read →
- 3 February 2026 Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary Hon. Ramanathan Archchuna supported the Adjournment Motion on protecting the Muthurajawela wetland but argued that wetlands and forests in the Northern Province, including in Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu, Poonakari, Parantan and Paruthithurai, also require protection. He alleged that Mahaweli-related projects, land acquisitions, Forest Department boundary demarcations, and settlements in areas such as Manal Aru/Weli Oya have adversely affected Tamil and Muslim communities and their traditional lands. He called for attention to these issues alongside Muthurajawela and also referred to a bribery complaint concerning fuel expenditure by the Speaker. Adjournment Debate: Muthurajawela Wetland Read →
- 3 February 2026 Hon. Asoka Supun Ranwala JJB AI summary Hon. Asoka Supun Ranwala urged that the wetland in question be restored and conserved through an approach compatible with environmental and economic development, so it can be preserved for future generations. He noted that an expert committee report from the Gampaha District has been forwarded by the District Secretary to the relevant Ministry, and requested necessary measures to ensure the wetland’s long-term protection. Adjournment Debate: Muthurajawela Wetland Read →
- 3 February 2026 The Hon. Asoka Sapumal Ranwala JJB AI summary Hon. Asoka Sapumal Ranwala seconded the Adjournment Motion on Muthurajawela, emphasizing its national ecological importance as a wetland connected to the Kelani River, Attanagalu Oya and Dandugam Oya outfalls. He highlighted its role in water retention, biodiversity, coral and sand formation, and deep carbon storage, warning that commercial pressures threaten its conservation. He supported action by the Central Environmental Authority and forthcoming Environment Ministry legislation to strengthen long-term protection of the wetland for future generations. Adjournment Debate: Muthurajawela Wetland Read →
- 3 February 2026 The Hon. Lasith Bhashana Gamage JJB AI summary Moved an Adjournment Motion calling for an urgent programme to protect the 6,232-hectare Muthurajawela Wetland, citing its biodiversity, flood-control role for Gampaha District, and increasing risks from human activity and weak institutional coordination. He said the District Coordinating Committee’s Environment Subcommittee had appointed an expert committee, whose report was approved for submission to the Ministry, and highlighted legal and gazette changes that had reduced protected areas over time. He urged revision of the current framework and creation of a unified national mechanism or authority to coordinate agencies, noting past concerns including a COPE-referenced sale of wetland land by the Department of Agrarian Development. Adjournment Debate: Muthurajawela Wetland Read →
- 3 February 2026 The Hon. (Mrs.) Hasara Liyanage, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Hasara Liyanage supported the Regulations on shared use of telecommunications infrastructure, arguing that they are needed to prevent duplicative tower and network construction, reduce capital and environmental costs, improve coverage, and support the Government’s digitalization policy. She said the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission would be empowered to oversee sharing agreements, including terms, pricing, duration, public-interest review, publication of decisions, and a 10-day public comment period. She also criticized the Opposition for not engaging substantively with the Regulations and asked the Speaker to examine alleged threatening statements made in Parliament against prosecutors in high-profile cases. Debate: Regulations under the Sri Lanka Telecommunications Act (continued) Read →
- 3 February 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB AI summary After Cyclone “Ditwah”, the Ministry of Education’s Engineering Division inspected affected schools and its findings are being verified with the National Building Research Organisation before action is taken. The Prime Minister stated that some damaged school buildings can be repaired on site, while others require relocation, and that the Ministry has identified these cases and is proceeding accordingly. Oral Questions and Ministerial Answers Read →
- 3 February 2026 The Hon. Rauff Hakeem, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Rauff Hakeem raised a supplementary question on the safety of Deltota Muslim College and nearby homes in Piyasena Pura following a landslide after Cyclone “Ditwah”. He said the school playground, primary section buildings, and houses near the hospital were in a dangerous condition, with about 150 schools in Kandy District reportedly facing similar risks. He requested that the Ministry of Education’s Buildings Division or NBRO engineers urgently inspect the premises and determine whether the buildings are safe for students to use. Oral Questions and Ministerial Answers Read →