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- 11 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Chrishantha Abeysena JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Chrishantha Abeysena outlined the Ministry of Science and Technology’s focus on applying technology to address malnutrition, rising non-communicable diseases, disability support, and rural access to innovation. He cited high-protein biscuits with commercialization potential, assistive devices for persons with disabilities, expanded use of Vidatha Resource Centres, and media officers to communicate science in plain language. He also emphasized inter-ministerial collaboration without unnecessary formal barriers and noted the Ministry’s allocations of Rs. 2.8 billion recurrent and Rs. 2.2 billion capital expenditure. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Debate (Heads 186, 196, 227) Read →
- 11 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Chrishantha Abeysena - Minister of Science and Technology JJB AI summary The Minister said science and technology spending under the NPP Government would be treated as investment, with research funding directed to areas that raise income, earn foreign exchange, substitute imports, and support exports, including Rs. 1,000 million allocated for innovation and commercialization. He emphasized coordinating research institutions across ministries, avoiding duplication, and using scientific evaluation and policy briefs to translate research into policy. He cited ongoing work on human-elephant conflict, elephant-train collisions with domestically manufacturable braking and rail-gate technologies, fisheries productivity, evidence-based development of traditional medicine, commercialization of medical innovations, and renewable energy including solar and thermal resources. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Debate (Heads 186, 196, 227) Read →
- 11 March 2025 The Hon. Chandima Hettiaratchi JJB AI summary Hon. Chandima Hettiaratchi outlined the distinctions between digitization, digitalization, and digital transformation, arguing that the Ministry of Digital Economy should focus on end-to-end transformation to improve productivity, public service delivery, transparency, and data-driven governance. He cited planned and ongoing measures including SLUDI implementation, ICT infrastructure development, Rs. 160 million for a Data Protection Authority, progress on the GovPay platform, and a total allocation of Rs. 15.77 billion to improve public service efficiency. He also stressed the need to operationalize the Personal Data Protection Act, develop a Digital Security Bill framework, and establish cybersecurity protocols to protect critical systems and national security. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Debate (Heads 186, 196, 227) Read →
- 11 March 2025 The Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC SJB AI summary Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper argued that digital transformation should be used to improve public services and reduce expenditure without adding to the Budget. He proposed real-time railway tracking and CCTV in wildlife crossing zones to prevent elephant–train collisions, digital infrastructure and inter-agency networks for the courts, digital nomination and asset-declaration processes for elections, and reduced parliamentary printing through electronic documents and desk screens. He also called for stronger digital systems in policing and a dedicated unit in the Ministry to coordinate implementation of the digital economy across government. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Debate (Heads 186, 196, 227) Read →
- 11 March 2025 Hon. Anton Jayakody JJB AI summary Hon. Anton Jayakody said the Government has more than doubled research funding and strengthened the Ministries of Science and Technology and Digital Economy with expert advisory support to better harness natural resources, including Eppawala phosphate, Pulmoddai mineral sands, biodiversity, environmental data, and rare-earth elements. He stated that a countrywide rare-earth survey is planned this year to assess their economic potential, particularly in relation to future technologies such as electric vehicles. He also rejected claims that chromium in lime used by the National Water Supply and Drainage Board could endanger drinking water, arguing that the cited figures were misleading and that public confidence in treated water should not be undermined by inaccurate comparisons. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Debate (Heads 186, 196, 227) Read →
- 11 March 2025 The Hon. Amila Prasad SJB AI summary Hon. Amila Prasad supported the Ministry’s digitalization agenda, arguing that public awareness, stronger legal frameworks, and clear data protection safeguards are necessary, especially for biometric and core identity systems. He said the Rs. 300 million allocation for awareness is inadequate but should be used effectively, and urged expansion of online commerce and job creation through digital platforms. Citing delays in issuing licences, police certificates and birth certificates, he called for urgent digitization of public services, including Parliament as a possible pilot. He also stated that digitalization would make some public-sector posts redundant and urged the Government to manage this openly through redeployment or fair early retirement with pensions, while pressing it to implement reforms boldly over the next five years. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Debate (Heads 186, 196, 227) Read →
- 11 March 2025 The Hon. Gnanamuththu Srineshan ITAK AI summary Hon. Gnanamuththu Srineshan urged the Government to implement the digital economy agenda beyond urban areas by ensuring reliable telecommunications and internet access in rural and difficult areas, including parts of Batticaloa District and the North. He called for school and university curricula to be aligned with digital economy, science, technology and labour market needs, highlighting graduate unemployment and shortages of science, mathematics and ICT teachers in disadvantaged areas. He also requested practical measures to create employment for unemployed graduates and raised separate education-related concerns, including delays in Grade 5 Scholarship cut-off marks and appointments of acting principals who passed the Class 3 Principals’ Service exam. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Debate (Heads 186, 196, 227) Read →
- 11 March 2025 The Hon. Mujibur Rahman SJB AI summary Mujibur Rahman raised concerns about mobile phone number ownership, arguing that subscribers who pay for and use numbers for many years should have the right to own and transfer them rather than being forced to cancel and obtain new numbers. He urged the Government to introduce regulatory changes to recognize subscriber rights over mobile numbers. He also called for wider social dialogue on the proposed digital identity card before decisions are made. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Debate (Heads 186, 196, 227) Read →
- 11 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma - Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning AI summary The Deputy Minister outlined Budget 2025’s digital economy priorities, including global connectivity, improving ease of doing business, decentralizing citizen services, reducing corruption through digitization, and broadening tax compliance by formalizing economic activity. He cited increased allocations for digital infrastructure and the Ministry of Digital Economy, including higher funding for ICTA and total sector support rising to Rs. 13,623 million. He rejected claims that the Digital Services Tax would reduce revenue, stating the Government had reduced the rate from 30 per cent to 15 per cent after IMF discussions and introduced related reliefs for digital service exporters, including deductible expenses, double taxation treaty benefits, no bank-level withholding, and a 15 per cent cap. He also said public procurement digitization was already under way, with minor procurement workflows connected to digital systems and further progress expected by year-end. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Debate (Heads 186, 196, 227) Read →
- 11 March 2025 The Hon. Namal Rajapaksa, Attorney-at-Law SLPP AI summary Namal Rajapaksa urged the Government to prioritize key pillars of the digital economy, including support for the creators’ economy and young people producing content for online platforms, and to consult them on possible tax relief. He called for digitizing citizen-centric services while protecting the sector, emphasizing that current technologies should be implemented promptly and that policy decisions should prepare Sri Lanka for emerging AI-based systems over the next five years. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Debate (Heads 186, 196, 227) Read →
- 11 March 2025 The Hon. Namal Rajapaksa, Attorney-at-Law SLPP AI summary Hon. Namal Rajapaksa said the Government’s digital economy targets could be undermined by a proposed 15 percent tax, arguing that investment in the sector depends on competitive tax incentives and living conditions. He urged implementation of the SL-UDI programme alongside a Data Protection Agency and legal safeguards, while calling for digitization of public services, e-Courts, e-Procurement, reverse bidding, mandatory acceptance of digital signatures, and a single-window government payment gateway. He also emphasized that legal and administrative frameworks must be updated so digitalization delivers practical benefits and improves transparency. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Debate (Heads 186, 196, 227) Read →
- 11 March 2025 The Hon. Ravindra Bandara AI summary Ravindra Bandara argued that the Budget gives unprecedented emphasis to research and development, citing Rs. 20.9 billion for R&D and a separate Rs. 1,000 million Innovation and New Products Fund, while noting Sri Lanka’s low R&D spending compared with countries such as Japan, South Korea and Thailand. He called for stronger research grants, better oversight of bodies such as the NSF and NRC, rationalized use of expensive equipment through a central research facility, and systematic review of past research for commercialization and national impact. He proposed focusing research on agriculture, wildlife damage, patents, solar power, smart grids, AI-based transport systems, construction materials, health products and children’s creativity, with State support to scale innovations and build a productive economy. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Debate (Heads 186, 196, 227) Read →
- 11 March 2025 The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB AI summary Ajith P. Perera called for accelerated implementation of key digital governance reforms, noting that the Personal Data Protection Act is not yet fully operational and urging urgent passage of a long-delayed Cybersecurity law. He proposed modernizing tax collection through automated digital assessment, citing Finland’s model, and urged completion of the National Data and Identity Interoperability Platform to enable secure identity verification and information exchange across public and private institutions. He also argued that ICTA’s current institutional model should be replaced and called for rapid scaling of court automation to reduce delays, improve evidence management, and support investor confidence in contract enforcement. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Debate (Heads 186, 196, 227) Read →
- 11 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB AI summary Hon. Harsha de Silva questioned why a further tender for plastic carbon cards was being pursued while PVC card procurement was already under evaluation. He argued that legal requirements such as a ten-year card validity period should be amended to keep pace with technological change, citing the outdated Customs Ordinance as an obstacle to establishing a Single Window system. He supported consolidating the work under one Ministry but urged legislative reform to enable digital infrastructure, authentication, verification, and related systems to function effectively. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Debate (Heads 186, 196, 227) Read →
- 11 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva urged that the proposed digital ID system be developed into a broader “Sri Lanka Stack” similar to India Stack, enabling consent-based digital verification and linked public and private services. He noted concerns about new taxes on software, the need for customized foundational ID services, proper vendor procurement, and legislative changes to support digital infrastructure. He also called for regulation of cross-border e-commerce, including clearing channels and de minimis rules, while expressing support for a MOSIP-based foundational ID under the Ministry of Digital Economy. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Debate (Heads 186, 196, 227) Read →
- 11 March 2025 The Hon. Chathuranga Abeysinghe - Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe said the Budget’s allocations for industry and the digital economy are central to expanding Sri Lanka’s economy through digital transformation, startup development, and integration into global digital value chains. He outlined measures including a Fund of Funds with IFC, angel investment networks, startup infrastructure, digital nomad visas, IT districts, freelancer registration and banking access, and partnerships with India and Singapore to adopt proven technologies. He said digitalization would also be used to improve productivity in agriculture, fisheries and light manufacturing, expand the tax net, support SMEs, and improve ease of doing business through greater transparency. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Debate (Heads 186, 196, 227) Read →
- 11 March 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam ITAK AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam supported the Budget allocations for the Ministry of Digital Economy and the Ministry of Science and Technology, arguing that digitalization is central to clean administration, efficient service delivery, and reducing waste under the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme. He urged priority action on digitizing local authority revenue and property tax systems, land administration, traffic enforcement and fines, health records, and education-related processes to reduce delays, improve compliance, and increase public-sector efficiency. He said the Government’s first Budget should be assessed in light of current economic constraints and emphasized that resources should be used effectively while gradually extending digital systems across sectors. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Debate (Heads 186, 196, 227) Read →
- 11 March 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Chrishantha Abeysena - Minister of Science and Technology JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Chrishantha Abeysena outlined the institutions, funding and policy direction under the Ministry of Science and Technology, noting over Rs. 5,000 million for the Ministry and its agencies, Rs. 1,000 million for an Innovation Fund, and a broader Rs. 20.98 billion Budget allocation for science, technology and innovation. He said the Government would update and adopt the Research and Development Policy through NASTEC, establish national research priorities and a Treasury-linked funding mechanism from 2026, and strengthen commercialization through the National Initiative for Research and Development Commercialization. He also highlighted efforts to engage overseas Sri Lankan scientists, add value to local resources, and commercialize specific research outputs, including supercapacitors for electric vehicles, locally developed antivenom, and agricultural technologies to reduce chemical fertilizer use. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Debate (Heads 186, 196, 227) Read →
- 11 March 2025 Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa clarified that, during his tenure as Minister of Housing and Construction, the bridge projects in question were funded by the Ministry and implemented through State entities such as SD&CC, not private companies. He stated that the works were halted because the Government of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa stopped the entire bridge programme after the 2019 Presidential Election. Oral Question: Construction of Liyangastota Bridge (Q.4/2025) Read →
- 11 March 2025 Hon. Upul Kithsiri JJB AI summary Hon. Upul Kithsiri raised allegations that funds allocated for a bridge had been misused by a former Minister or his Secretaries. He asked the current Minister whether an investigation would be conducted and a report presented to clarify the facts. Oral Question: Construction of Liyangastota Bridge (Q.4/2025) Read →