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- 7 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathyalinagam ITAK AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathyalinagam urged the Minister to direct the Sri Lanka Transport Board to provide bus transport for schoolchildren and to address safety at railway level crossings, particularly on the Northern line. He requested permanent or improved arrangements for level crossing guards currently paid Rs. 250 per day, or alternative safety measures such as signals where staffing is not possible. He also raised access problems caused by railway works at Omanthai and between Vavuniya and Mankulam, asking that traditional and local paths across the railway be restored or replaced suitably. On housing, he said many houses allocated under earlier schemes in Vavuniya, Mullaitivu and Mannar remain incomplete, leaving beneficiaries in debt, and requested additional funds to complete the projects. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Heads 117, 123, 306, 307, 309-311, 332, 336) Read →
- 7 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam ITAK AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam requested Budget allocations and ministerial action to improve transport safety and connectivity in Vavuniya District, including traffic signals at key junctions and near Vavuniya Tamil Maha Vidyalaya. He called for bridges and a flyover in flood-affected rural areas, highlighted shortages of operational SLTB buses and staff vacancies, and asked that rural bus services be strengthened for farmers and schoolchildren. He also urged the introduction of an integrated SLTB-private bus timetable in the Northern Province and action to ensure buses on the Vavuniya-Mankulam section of the A9 carry school students. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Heads 117, 123, 306, 307, 309-311, 332, 336) Read →
- 7 March 2025 The Hon. Chandana Sooriyaarachchi JJB AI summary Chandana Sooriyaarachchi said the Government would consider constructive Opposition proposals on transport while arguing that past administrations had weakened the SLTB and Railways through political interference. He outlined ongoing work through the Ministry’s advisory subcommittees, including policy measures to regulate unorganised transport sectors such as three-wheelers, school transport, office transport, and self-employed drivers, with attention to worker welfare and commuter safety. He said the Government would regularise SLTB administration, address recruitment and procurement issues, implement salary revisions under Circular 6/2006, and improve service quality. He also referred to upgrades to Colombo Fort and Maradana railway stations under Clean Sri Lanka, plans to modernise the Railway Department and Ratmalana Railway Training Institute, and the need to address the shortfall between required and operating SLTB buses. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Heads 117, 123, 306, 307, 309-311, 332, 336) Read →
- 7 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana SJB AI summary Hon. Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana urged legal action on matters tabled in Parliament and raised concern over reported increases in chromium content in a water purification component, arguing it posed public health risks. He called for major reforms in public transport, including digitisation, enforceable timetables, driver testing, better passenger service, safer railway crossings, measures to prevent elephant deaths, improved hygiene, and action against overcrowding, delays and sexual harassment. He also highlighted road accident fatalities, alleged black-market practices in Ella train e-ticketing, and concerns over airport and SriLankan Airlines standards, while asking the Government to address these issues. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Heads 117, 123, 306, 307, 309-311, 332, 336) Read →
- 7 March 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Bimal Rathnayake said the National Transport Commission’s “Sisuseriya” school bus service, currently operating 1,500 buses, is expected to expand to 2,000 buses this year, and requested that schools, particularly in difficult areas, be informed of its availability through the Ministry of Education. He also stated that amendments enabling NTC licence ownership transfers have been submitted to Cabinet, with the Gazette being prepared, and that transfers are expected to be possible within the next few months after Parliament passes the Bill. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Heads 117, 123, 306, 307, 309-311, 332, 336) Read →
- 7 March 2025 The Hon. Jeevan Thondaman UNP AI summary Hon. Jeevan Thondaman urged that disciplinary action referenced by the Leader of the House result in a permanent remedy rather than a temporary suspension. He highlighted road rehabilitation completed in the hill country using profits from the Water Supply Ministry under the previous administration, and asked the Government to increase BSR rates so contractors will undertake remaining difficult roads such as Dayagama, Frotoft and St. Andrew’s Upper. On housing, he argued that land titles for plantation communities are more important than limited state-built housing allocations, noting the scale of housing need and requesting implementation of Cabinet-approved measures to provide land. He also briefly referenced concerns raised about chromium content in water and hydrated lime. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Heads 117, 123, 306, 307, 309-311, 332, 336) Read →
- 7 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB AI summary Dr. Harini Amarasuriya commended the Ministry of Transport and Sri Lanka Railways for establishing improved restroom facilities for women at Colombo Fort Railway Station, framing it as a practical measure to support safer and more dignified public transport use. She argued that inadequate, unsafe, and inaccessible transport limits women’s labour force participation, children’s education, and the inclusion of persons with disabilities, the elderly, pregnant women, and other vulnerable groups. She urged the Ministry to consider transport and road access in relation to schools, teacher deployment, and broader social participation, emphasizing that mobility should enable all citizens to access work, education, culture, and public life. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Heads 117, 123, 306, 307, 309-311, 332, 336) Read →
- 7 March 2025 The Hon. Kathiravelu Shanmugam Kugathasan ITAK AI summary Hon. Kathiravelu Shanmugam Kugathasan urged greater investment in Trincomalee’s port infrastructure, including development of the Ashraff Jetty, better use of oil tanks for bunkering, possible SLPA management of private jetties, and resolution of land disputes by granting titles to long-standing residents. He called for improvements to public transport in the district, including additional and repaired SLTB buses, staffing, and depot rehabilitation. He also requested urgent bridge projects at Kattaiparichchan, Iralu, Punnaithivu and Kokkilai Lagoon, and raised concern that road development allocations had fallen and remained focused mainly on major RDA roads rather than local and secondary roads. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Heads 117, 123, 306, 307, 309-311, 332, 336) Read →
- 7 March 2025 The Hon. Janitha Ruwan Kodithuwakku JJB AI summary Hon. Janitha Ruwan Kodithuwakku stated that regulatory bottlenecks in the aviation sector would be addressed while maintaining compliance with national security requirements and ICAO regulations. He noted that Bandaranaike International Airport handled 8.8 million passengers despite being designed for 6 million, and called for expediting Terminal 2 construction, which would add capacity for 9 million passengers annually. He also highlighted air navigation revenue of Rs. 3,200 million in 2024 and said Rs. 3,500 million had been allocated in the Budget for a new building and technology upgrades. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Heads 117, 123, 306, 307, 309-311, 332, 336) Read →
- 7 March 2025 The Hon. Janitha Ruwan Kodithuwakku JJB AI summary Janitha Ruwan Kodithuwakku said the Government will strengthen maritime human resources by empowering the Mahapola Training Centre and implementing the Merchant Shipping Secretariat’s roadmap to increase Sri Lankan seafarers to 50,000 by 2030 with private and State sector collaboration. He stated that the Trincomalee Port master plan will be re-evaluated this year, focusing on oil, cruise and container terminals, including support for restored oil tanks, tourism expansion and transshipment for India’s eastern seaboard. He also announced proposed amendments to aviation law to improve regulation of domestic aviation, aviation tourism activities and agricultural drone use. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Heads 117, 123, 306, 307, 309-311, 332, 336) Read →
- 7 March 2025 The Hon. Janitha Ruwan Kodithuwakku - Deputy Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation JJB AI summary Hon. Janitha Ruwan Kodithuwakku argued that Sri Lanka’s strategic maritime location should be used to restore its historical role in international trade, with ports and airports serving as gateways to economic growth. He outlined expansion plans for the Port of Colombo, including the West and East Container Terminals, a proposed West Container Terminal 2, and Colombo North Port, targeting total capacity of about 30 million TEUs by 2035. He also said the Government would address congestion and capacity constraints through improved marketing, fuel storage and bunkering arrangements, and an ADB-funded feasibility study for a rail-linked multimodal logistics centre and inland dry port at Bloemendhal. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Heads 117, 123, 306, 307, 309-311, 332, 336) Read →
- 7 March 2025 The Hon. Jagath Vithana SJB AI summary Hon. Jagath Vithana called for measures to expand long-distance bus services from Matugama to destinations such as Trincomalee, Badulla, Haputale and Ampara, noting that passengers currently have to travel via Colombo and make multiple transfers. He proposed calling tenders or establishing an annual quota mechanism for new routes, and said removing VAT on buses could encourage more operators to enter the sector. He stated that both the private sector and the SLTB could provide these services, offered to pilot improvements in the Kalutara District, and said he would submit further proposals in writing through the Transport Ministry Advisory Committee. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Heads 117, 123, 306, 307, 309-311, 332, 336) Read →
- 7 March 2025 The Hon. Jagath Vithana SJB AI summary Hon. Jagath Vithana highlighted operational shortcomings in the public bus system, particularly in Kalutara, where depots lack basic maintenance facilities such as jacks, washing, servicing, and oil-changing equipment. He argued that SLTB buses lose passengers to private buses because of inferior amenities and called for improvements and additional cash flow to revive the service. He said his comments were intended constructively and acknowledged some positive actions by the current Government. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Heads 117, 123, 306, 307, 309-311, 332, 336) Read →
- 7 March 2025 The Hon. Arkam Ilyas JJB AI summary Hon. Arkam Ilyas focused on urban development under the Budget, noting the allocation of about Rs. 98 billion for UDA development activities and arguing that stalled construction projects have tied up valuable land, public funds, and private investments. He cited unfinished projects such as the KRIS building, Grand Hyatt, and Destiny Mall and Residency, and said over 20 high-rise projects in Colombo are abandoned due to poor feasibility, commissions, and politicized decisions. He also highlighted flood-related urban development issues in areas including Dikwella, Beruwala, Wewurukannala, and Akurana, calling for scientific, expedited, and apolitical feasibility studies and solutions through the UDA and SLLRDC. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Heads 117, 123, 306, 307, 309-311, 332, 336) Read →
- 7 March 2025 The Hon. Imran Maharoof SJB AI summary Hon. Imran Maharoof urged greater investment in Trincomalee’s transport, port-linked infrastructure and urban development, including extending the expressway corridor toward Dambulla or Habarana, rehabilitating the Kinniya–Kurinchakerny Bridge, restoring the Trincomalee–Colombo daytime train, and resuming domestic flights from China Bay. He raised land tenure and access concerns involving the Port Authority and Army around Karumalaiyootru Jummah Mosque and nearby long-settled areas, requesting the return or regularization of community, residential and cultivation lands. He also sought action on coastal erosion between Kinniya, Upparu and Muttur, and requested urban improvements in Kinniya, Thoppur and Pulmoddai. He condemned the alleged public assault of a moulavi by a police officer on 23 February and called on the Defence Ministry to prevent such incidents, tabling a related newspaper article for Hansard. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Heads 117, 123, 306, 307, 309-311, 332, 336) Read →
- 7 March 2025 The Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen SJB AI summary Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen raised a series of infrastructure and development requests affecting Ampara, Mannar, Vavuniya, Puttalam and surrounding areas, including rehabilitation of bridges and roads, completion of halted iRoad and RDA works, release of withdrawn repair funds for displaced communities’ camp areas, and additional funding for the Vattuvagal project. He sought the Government’s position on Oluvil Port, urged revival of the Rameswaram–Talaimannar ferry and jetty rehabilitation, and requested action to reopen the Mannar–Puttalam road at least as a motorable gravel route despite pending litigation on carpeting. He also proposed BOT-based expressway links to northern and eastern tourism areas and asked that incomplete housing projects and a partially built cultural hall in Silavathurai be funded regardless of political changes. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Heads 117, 123, 306, 307, 309-311, 332, 336) Read →
- 7 March 2025 The Hon. (Ms.) Lakmali Hemachandra, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Lakmali Hemachandra highlighted that 12,240 road accident deaths occurred in the past five years, with pedestrians, motorcyclists, and three-wheeler drivers among the main victims. She said recommendations from the 2014 P. Dayaratne Report and parliamentary committees to strengthen transport regulation, including empowering the National Transport Commission to regulate three-wheelers and school transport, had remained largely unimplemented for a decade. She noted that the Government has now submitted a Cabinet paper to amend the NTC Act and is working to reconstitute the National Council for Road Safety as a Commission, calling for coordinated, system-wide action to prioritize road safety. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Heads 117, 123, 306, 307, 309-311, 332, 336) Read →
- 7 March 2025 The Hon. (Ms.) Lakmali Hemachandra, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Lakmali Hemachandra responded to concerns about a proposed lawyers’ office complex in Kandy, stating that a foundation stone had been laid before the land was officially released by the UDA and that any action must follow lawful procedures. She said the Justice Ministry does not have a mandate to allocate land or build such complexes, though the Government would assist within legal limits. She then outlined work by the Transport Advisory Council’s legal reform subcommittee, emphasizing public transport as a public service with economic, environmental and safety implications. Referring to the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety, she highlighted that 12,240 people had died in road accidents in Sri Lanka over the past five years. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Heads 117, 123, 306, 307, 309-311, 332, 336) Read →
- 7 March 2025 The Hon. Mujibur Rahman SJB AI summary Mujibur Rahman criticized post-2005 Hambantota development projects undertaken by the Rajapaksas with Chinese loans, describing facilities such as conference halls, wide roads, and the port as “white elephants.” He argued that institutions like the Asian Development Bank and World Bank would not have funded such projects. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Heads 117, 123, 306, 307, 309-311, 332, 336) Read →
- 7 March 2025 Hon. Anuradha Jayaratne NDF AI summary Hon. Anuradha Jayaratne urged the Government to create a continuing mechanism to implement Cabinet-approved national development projects, noting that land acquisitions under the Land Acquisition Act are often delayed by court cases and administrative inaction, with funds such as the Rs. 678 million allocated for Gampola urban development largely returning to the Treasury. He asked that officials be empowered to proceed with essential urban development works and requested reconsideration of a UDA decision so land in Kandy can be provided to new lawyers for chambers at acquisition cost rather than market value. He also highlighted gaps in pipe-borne water supply in Kandy and Gampola, called for protection of lands acquired for water projects, and proposed reviewing essential water schemes through a committee and exploring new models, including private-sector participation and a basin-based approach. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Heads 117, 123, 306, 307, 309-311, 332, 336) Read →