Topic
Infrastructure
2,546 speeches · 378 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. Bimal Rathnayake, M.P. JJB | 137 |
| 2 | Hon. Kumara Jayakody, M.P. JJB | 105 |
| 3 | Hon. Anura Karunathilaka, M.P. JJB | 83 |
| 4 | Hon. Ravi Karunanayake, M.P. NDF | 76 |
| 5 | Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe, M.P. JJB | 62 |
| 6 | Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam, M.P. ITAK | 47 |
| 7 | Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa, M.P. JJB | 46 |
| 8 | Hon. Ajith P. Perera, M.P. SJB | 43 |
| 9 | Hon. (Dr.) Prasanna Gunasena, M.P. JJB | 36 |
| 10 | Hon. Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, M.P. JJB | 34 |
Speeches
2,546 on this topic- 10 June 2026 The Hon. Wijesiri Basnayake JJB AI summary Hon. Wijesiri Basnayake supported the regulations under the Monetary Law Act requiring faster repatriation and conversion of export proceeds, arguing they are necessary to manage foreign exchange pressures caused by global instability, higher import costs, and increased dollar demand. He rejected Opposition claims that the measures restrict business freedom, contrasting current economic indicators with the 2022 crisis and citing improved revenue, reserves, inflation, remittances, tourism, and IMF-related fiscal performance. He also highlighted planned Port City-related foreign investment, job creation, and international agreements as part of the Government’s development strategy. Debate: Central Bank Rules on Export Proceeds Repatriation and Essential Public Services Resolution Read →
- 10 June 2026 The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka - Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation and Minister of Energy JJB AI summary The Minister stated that the Mannar wind power plant has a capacity of 50 MW and that construction is in its final phase. He said the Government expects to connect the plant to the national grid by the end of 2026. Oral Question: Renewable Energy and Electricity Generation (Q.1) Read →
- 10 June 2026 The Hon. Asitha Niroshana Egoda Vithana JJB AI summary Asked what benefits Sri Lanka gains from replacing the earlier Adani electricity purchase arrangement, which he said involved a higher unit price, with a re-tendered Mannar-Kondechchi project involving a local investor at a lower competitive price. He argued that not all foreign investments are beneficial and framed the change as a measure to reduce costs and protect the economy. Oral Question: Renewable Energy and Electricity Generation (Q.1) Read →
- 10 June 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya stated that the measures under discussion aim to gradually reduce electricity tariffs through planned changes in the energy sector. She said earlier plans had not been adequately implemented, noting that renewable energy capacity rose from 1,400 MW before the Government assumed office to 2,800 MW after a further 1,400 MW was added in the past one and a half years. She emphasized that energy sector reform requires target-driven, long-term implementation rather than overnight change. Oral Question: Renewable Energy and Electricity Generation (Q.1) Read →
- 10 June 2026 The Hon. Asitha Niroshana Egoda Vithana JJB AI summary Hon. Asitha Niroshana Egoda Vithana questioned the Prime Minister on electricity tariff relief, arguing that delays in implementing past generation plans and storage systems had contributed to solar power curtailment and financial losses. He cited estimated curtailed solar generation of 6.5 GWh in March and 24 GWh in April, and asked when businesses and households could expect reduced electricity bills under the Government’s current measures. Oral Question: Renewable Energy and Electricity Generation (Q.1) Read →
- 10 June 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB AI summary The Prime Minister, responding to questions from Hon. Asitha Niroshana Egoda Vithana, outlined plans to reach 70 per cent renewable electricity generation by 2030, including planned additions of 1,274 MW of wind and 2,071 MW of solar capacity, expansion of transmission and distribution, and multiple battery energy storage projects. She said procurement or preparatory work is underway for several BESS projects, including 160 MW/640 MWh already procured, 250 MW/1000 MWh approved by Cabinet, projects supported by the ADB, a Korean grant-funded Hambantota pilot, and private sector-funded storage linked to solar plants. She stated that these measures are intended to improve renewable energy absorption, grid stability and reliability, reduce emergency power generation, and potentially lower electricity tariffs through proper procurement and storage agreements. Oral Question: Renewable Energy and Electricity Generation (Q.1) Read →
- 10 June 2026 The Hon. Asitha Niroshana Egoda Vithana JJB AI summary Asitha Niroshana Egoda Vithana asked the Prime Minister about the Government’s plans to expand renewable energy generation, particularly solar and wind, to reduce electricity generation costs. He sought details on targets, strategy, progress and funding for Battery Energy Storage Systems intended to support grid integration of renewable power, and asked how the technology would improve reliability, quality and affordability of electricity for consumers and industry. Oral Question: Renewable Energy and Electricity Generation (Q.1) Read →
- 9 June 2026 Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake provided details on the status of development and zoning plans for several local authority areas, including Ja-Ela, Minuwangoda, Katana, Negombo, and Gampaha. He stated that draft zoning plans are being implemented in Ja-Ela and Minuwangoda pending formal development plans, while the Negombo and Gampaha plans have been gazetted and are in legal operation. He noted that the Katana Development Plan (2024-2033) has received Urban Development Authority committee approval and has been referred to relevant local authorities and the Divisional Coordinating Committee for observations, with plans and annexes available through official websites or placed in the Library. Adjournment and Written Answers Read →
- 9 June 2026 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development and the Leader of the House of Parliament JJB AI summary The Minister responded to a question on development plans for local government institutions in the Ja-Ela, Minuwangoda, Katunayake-Seeduwa, Negombo and Gampaha electorates. He stated that a Ja-Ela Development Plan is being prepared for the Ja-Ela Urban Council and Ja-Ela Dandugamperuwa Pradeshiya Sabha areas, and that the Ja-Ela Interim Zoning Plan approved by the Urban Development Authority Director General on 18 December 2021 remains in force until the new plan takes effect. Adjournment and Written Answers Read →
- 9 June 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe - Minister of Housing, Construction and Water Supply JJB AI summary The Minister provided details on lifts in NHDA housing schemes, stating that most high-rise schemes built before 2012 were five floors or fewer and were not required to have lifts under the regulations at the time. He said lifts have been installed only in Soisapura Phase III and the Marapalla Resettlement Housing Project, with maintenance to be handled by Management Corporations after handover, and confirmed that NHDA does not allocate funds for lift maintenance. He also stated that phased measures have been arranged, while indicating that certain follow-up matters were not applicable. Adjournment and Written Answers Read →
- 9 June 2026 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake asked the Minister of Housing, Construction and Water Supply for detailed information on occupied Government-built high-rise housing complexes under the NHDA and urban regeneration programmes. He sought data on installed and inoperative lifts, 2025 lift downtime, maintenance allocations and spending for 2024 and 2025, procurement and performance of maintenance contracts, structural and fire-safety audits since 2023 and whether their findings would be tabled. He also asked about contingency arrangements for elderly and disabled residents during lift outages, and whether any buildings had been declared unsafe, partially condemned, or requiring urgent capital rehabilitation. Adjournment and Written Answers Read →
- 9 June 2026 The Hon. Major General (Rtd.) Aruna Jayasekera - Deputy Minister of Defence JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister supported extending the State of Emergency under the Public Security Ordinance, stating that emergency powers were needed to coordinate recovery and rehabilitation after Cyclone “Ditva” and to appoint a Commissioner General for Essential Services. He said the Government, public service, civil institutions, and Tri-Forces were working on infrastructure restoration, compensation, and resettlement, including construction of 1,000 temporary houses across affected districts. He noted continuing issues over land, legal title, NBRO assessments, and safe resettlement, especially where over 6,000 houses were destroyed in Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, and Badulla. He also said the Government’s objective was to depoliticize the Armed Forces and handle investigations into suspects properly. Debate on Public Security Ordinance: Extension of State of Emergency Read →
- 9 June 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) M.L.A.M. Hizbullah SLMC AI summary Hon. (Dr.) M.L.A.M. Hizbullah thanked the President for allocating about Rs. 300 million to complete the Nintavur cultural hall, but disputed the President’s remarks that the Oluvil harbour had been built without feasibility studies or an EIA. He stated that multiple institutions, including LHI, CECB, COWI, the SLPA technical team and NIRAS, had assessed the project and found it feasible, and that Danish financing and consultants were involved. He argued that the harbour’s present problems arose from the Sri Lanka Ports Authority’s failure to carry out regular dredging and maintenance as envisaged, rather than from flaws in the project’s approval process. He also defended the late M.H.M. Ashraff’s legacy and said criticism of him was hurtful to the Muslim community. Debate on Orders and Regulations (Items 1-5) Read →
- 9 June 2026 The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka JJB AI summary Hon. Anura Karunathilaka disputed opposition claims on thermal power generation and coal ship demurrage, arguing that inaccurate statistics were being used to mislead Parliament and the public. He then addressed an Extraordinary Gazette under the Ports and Airports Development Levy Act, explaining that revised HS classifications and new subheadings were intended to reapply existing tax rates without substantive changes. He noted that Middle East conflicts were disrupting global aviation and affecting SriLankan Airlines, clarified reports about Treasury funding, and said the airline’s operational loss had been reduced from USD 150 million to USD 100 million while a restructuring process with private sector participation was being considered. Debate on Orders and Regulations (Items 1-5) Read →
- 9 June 2026 The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka - Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation and Minister of Energy JJB AI summary The Minister responded to claims by a previous speaker regarding poverty and electricity generation. He stated that poverty had declined from 24.5 per cent in 2024, when the National People’s Power took office, to around 22 per cent in 2026, and disputed the claim that 900,000 litres of diesel were being used daily for power generation, citing 7 June data showing oil-based thermal generation at 11.68 MW out of 2,417 MW. He asked for the source of the figures and indicated he would clarify before allowing a response. Debate on Orders and Regulations (Items 1-5) Read →
- 9 June 2026 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development and the Leader of the House of Parliament JJB AI summary Bimal Rathnayake rejected allegations about “hackers” by arguing that corruption and economic mismanagement had caused Sri Lanka’s crisis, citing Supreme Court findings against former leaders and noting IMF engagement followed bankruptcy. He said tourism arrivals and private sector credit were improving, while acknowledging seasonal occupancy dips and fuel cost pressures. He outlined reforms at the Department of Motor Traffic, including referrals to the Attorney-General and CIABOC, clearing driving licence backlogs, reforming number plate issuance, expanding one-day services, integrating Customs, Ports Authority and DMT systems, and developing a genuine e-motoring platform. He also announced road-safety measures including medical-centre licence renewals, a demerit points pilot, updated Highway Code rules for expressways, quarterly inspections for passenger vehicles, and regulation of driving schools. Debate on Orders and Regulations (Items 1-5) Read →
- 9 June 2026 The Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana NDF AI summary Rohitha Abeygunawardhana argued that rising fuel prices, taxes, electricity and water bills are worsening the cost of living despite public expectations of relief after the 2024 election. He said high costs are affecting households, tourism, fisheries, agriculture and businesses, and urged the Government to use available funds to support people and keep enterprises afloat. He questioned the Government’s plan to meet IMF reserve targets, manage upcoming debt and import costs, and sustain the economy after IMF support ends. He also called for faster relief and housing reconstruction for people affected by Cyclone Ditta. Debate on Orders and Regulations (Items 1-5) Read →
- 9 June 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva said the Deputy Minister had confused Governance-Linked Bonds with Macro-Linked Bonds, noting that the relevant relief under Macro-Linked Bonds depends on GDP exceeding USD 108 billion. He criticised the removal of SVAT, arguing that imposing 18 per cent VAT on domestic inputs while imports for BOI exporters remain zero-rated disadvantages local suppliers and discourages their integration into export value chains. He proposed retaining SVAT for exporters while addressing past abuses, and called for lower electricity tariffs to improve export competitiveness. He said the measure should be withdrawn and amended to better support domestic production and reduce energy costs. Debate on Orders and Regulations (Items 1-5) Read →
- 9 June 2026 The Hon. Nishantha Jayaweera - Deputy Minister of Economic Development JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister outlined four fiscal measures: remitting stamp duty on government disaster-assistance payments, updating Ports and Airports Development Levy and excise provisions to align with new HS sub-classifications, and replacing the specific Cess on imported textiles with VAT from 01 April 2026. He said the textile VAT change responds to local garment manufacturers’ requests for equal treatment, allows VAT-registered producers to claim input credits, and should not undercut domestic apparel production because finished apparel imports remain taxed. He also stated that Sri Lanka has met the macroeconomic targets and reporting timelines required under the IMF-linked debt restructuring, making it eligible for a 0.75 percentage point interest relief under Macro-Linked Bonds. Debate on Orders and Regulations (Items 1-5) Read →
- 9 June 2026 The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna JJB AI summary Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna responded to criticisms about the treatment of estate workers, stating that the Government is addressing issues raised in selective external reports. He outlined recent measures, including wage increases, expanded housing programmes, land title grants, and an increase in allocated land from 7 to 10 perches, while noting challenges in identifying safe land and releasing plantation lands. He said housing construction is progressing with Indian assistance and that post-disaster needs are being addressed through District Coordinating Committees and presidential visits to affected districts. Oral Questions 1-10 Read →