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 Hon. Anuradha Jayaratne NDF AI summary Hon. Anuradha Jayaratne argued that Sri Lanka’s transport and urban development sectors require integrated administration and greater private-sector participation to progress. He urged the Government to revive the proposed BYD-supported monorail/LRT project for Kandy, linking Kadugannawa, Thannekubura and Katugastota, and to actively drive it rather than leave it solely to officials. He also called for major urban and transport development plans to be reviewed, gazetted and institutionalized as long-term frameworks so they are not altered with changes of ministers or governments, citing delays and inconsistencies in projects such as the Gampola road from Sahira College to Nidahas Mawatha. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Heads 117, 123, 306, 307, 309-311, 332, 336) Read →
- 7 March 2025 The Hon. Anuradha Jayaratne NDF AI summary Anuradha Jayaratne argued that the transport sector requires restructuring beyond traditional methods to meet national targets. Citing the Doluwe–Kandy route, he said road infrastructure had improved but bus services remained outdated, and he supported a new model with private participation where the State cannot bear the full burden. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Heads 117, 123, 306, 307, 309-311, 332, 336) Read →
- 7 March 2025 The Hon. Dilip Wedaarachchi SJB AI summary Dilip Wedaarachchi raised housing, infrastructure, and transport issues in Hambantota District during debate on the relevant expenditure heads. He requested a separate review and completion of stalled “Udagam” housing projects begun in 2015–2019, including provision of water and electricity, highlighting the Agrapahara scheme where most houses remain unoccupied due to lack of water. He also sought restoration of key railway services from Beliatta, including the Ruhunu Kumari and Beliatta–Kandy express, and urged completion of several unfinished bridge projects affecting local transport and agriculture. He further asked that the closed Tangalle building materials supply unit of the National Housing Development Authority be reopened. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Heads 117, 123, 306, 307, 309-311, 332, 336) Read →
- 7 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Prasanna Gunasena - Deputy Minister of Transport and Highways JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Prasanna Gunasena outlined measures to reduce elephant–train collisions and train cancellations, reporting that 286 trains operated the previous day with only one cancellation. He said the transport sector’s main institutions, particularly SLTB, had deteriorated due to politicization and underinvestment, and proposed rebuilding services through 1,100 new buses, Rs. 3,000 million for low-floor city buses, 200 expressway buses, and the revival of Lakdiva Engineering. He also detailed delays and costs linked to the Kandy Multimodal Transport Terminal, stating that Rs. 7,730 million has been allocated with civil works targeted for completion by May 2027, alongside Rs. 1,500 million for related access and parking facilities to address Kandy congestion. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Heads 117, 123, 306, 307, 309-311, 332, 336) Read →
- 7 March 2025 The Hon. Rauff Hakeem, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Rauff Hakeem urged the Government to improve transport and port infrastructure, including modern passenger facilities at the KKS terminal for the India-Sri Lanka ferry service and corrective works at Oluvil Harbour, where an allegedly defective DANIDA-funded breakwater has blocked access and affected fishermen in the Ampara District. He called for Oluvil to be properly developed as a fishing harbour while addressing coastal erosion concerns, and for the Batticaloa International Airport runway to be upgraded to accommodate commercial aircraft. He also said the Kandy Multimodal Transport Terminal should be supported by bus holding facilities at Katugastota, Peradeniya and Pallekele, along with shuttle or rail-based solutions, to reduce congestion in Kandy. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Heads 117, 123, 306, 307, 309-311, 332, 336) Read →
- 7 March 2025 The Hon. Rauff Hakeem, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Rauff Hakeem raised the issue of recurrent flash flooding in Akurana, citing repeated major floods and attributing them to tributary overflow, riverbank encroachments, loss of flood plains, impervious surfaces, and waste dumping. He requested the allocation of Rs. 22 million to the Sri Lanka Land Reclamation and Development Corporation for a seven-month feasibility study and urged the Urban Development Authority to enforce laws against illegal constructions along river margins. He tabled engineering recommendations, a flooding dossier, and related correspondence, and proposed that relevant engineers, local research, and Peradeniya University studies be used to develop a structured mitigation plan. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Heads 117, 123, 306, 307, 309-311, 332, 336) Read →
- 7 March 2025 The Hon. J.C. Alawathuwala SJB AI summary Hon. J.C. Alawathuwala sought clarification from the Minister on the 2025 work plan and budget allocations for several expressway projects. He asked whether work would proceed on the Kurunegala–Dambulla corridor despite no visible allocation, and requested updates on restarting the stalled Kadawatha–Meerigama section, including the role of the Chinese contractor. He also asked for timelines for the Pothuhera–Galagedara section, particularly the Rambukkana–Galagedara stretch, emphasizing its importance for access to Kandy and wider North–South connectivity. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Heads 117, 123, 306, 307, 309-311, 332, 336) Read →
- 7 March 2025 The Hon. Sunil Kumara Gamage - Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports JJB AI summary The Minister discussed the National Water Supply and Drainage Board under the Ministry of Urban Development, Construction and Housing, noting that pipe-borne water coverage remains insufficient despite growth in connections since 2014. He said the Board faces heavy financial pressure from legacy debt, delayed capital projects, non-revenue water, staffing costs, and poorly planned procurements, which have contributed to tariff pressures. He identified several long-delayed projects, including Greater Colombo, Jaffna-Kilinochchi, and Laggala, and stated that the 2025 allocation includes over Rs. 49 billion to stabilize the NWSDB, complete delayed works, reduce non-revenue water, and rationalize costs. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Heads 117, 123, 306, 307, 309-311, 332, 336) Read →
- 7 March 2025 The Hon. Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran ITAK AI summary Hon. Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran raised transport, bridge, housing, and land title issues affecting Ampara District. He requested urgent rehabilitation of Kittangi Bridge and the inclusion of several other bridges in the government bridge rehabilitation programme, citing isolation of residents, student transport difficulties, and economic impacts. He also sought housing, roads, and basic infrastructure for resettled and landless families in Pottuvil–Kanagar Village. Additionally, he called for title deeds, ownership deeds, sewerage facilities, and completion of pending housing schemes in Kalmunai, Tambiluvil, Aalayadivembu, Aligambai, and Thandiyadi. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Heads 117, 123, 306, 307, 309-311, 332, 336) Read →
- 7 March 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation and Leader of the House of Parliament JJB AI summary The Minister outlined the Ministry’s priorities for transport safety, service quality, and infrastructure under the new Government, citing plans to secure about 400 unsafe level crossings, install traffic-signal countdown timers, review transport safety laws, and introduce measures such as seat belts in public transport. He announced railway service improvements, expansion of rail freight, feasibility and development proposals including the Avissawella–Ratnapura extension and Nanu Oya–Nuwara Eliya tourism line, and initiatives to recruit women into SLTB and railway roles. He also proposed organizing three-wheeler and app-based drivers into cooperatives with social security support, strengthening accident investigations, and developing commercial activity at stations and depots. On ports, he stated that the East Container Terminal would remain fully public while private investment would be sought competitively for other port projects such as West Container Terminal 2 and Colombo North Port. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Heads 117, 123, 306, 307, 309-311, 332, 336) Read →
- 7 March 2025 The Hon. S.M. Marikkar SJB AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar moved the customary Rs. 10 cut under the relevant expenditure heads and focused on the construction, housing, urban development and ports sectors. He argued that the construction industry is in crisis due to high interest rates, raw material costs, currency pressures and heavy taxation, and called for tax rationalization, public-private housing models, smart city planning, and pilot projects outside the Western Province. He welcomed committee action on flood control in Kolonnawa and Colombo drainage, while urging coordinated implementation. He also asked the Government to regularize title deeds for relocated urban apartment residents, waive unfair penal interest, improve maintenance or allow resident management, and sought progress on the East Container Terminal. 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 tabled a detailed answer on Port of Colombo operations, providing terminal-wise data from 2015 to 2024 on ship calls, container throughput, operational profits, efficiency indicators, general cargo volumes, projections, and Sri Lanka’s global container-handling ranking. The figures show total container handling rising to 7.79 million TEUs in 2024, with major contributions from CICT, SAGT and SLPA-operated terminals, while SLPA operational profits increased substantially over the period, reaching Rs. 36.3 billion in 2023 after a higher figure in 2022. Further supporting tables, including efficiency and projection data, were tabled for the House. Oral Question: Sri Lanka Ports Authority Terminals Operations (Q.304/2024) Read →
- 7 March 2025 The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka (on behalf of the Hon. Ravi Karunanayake) SJB AI summary A question was raised to the Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation seeking detailed data on port terminal operations from 2015 to date, including ship arrivals, container volumes, operational profits, SLPA income and profits, and terminal efficiency measured by containers handled per hour. It also requested national figures for containers and general cargo handled from 2020 to 2024, projections for the next ten years, and Sri Lanka’s global ranking in container handling over the past five years, with reasons required if the information cannot be provided. Oral Question: Sri Lanka Ports Authority Terminals Operations (Q.304/2024) Read →
- 7 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Hansaka Wijemuni - Deputy Minister of Health and Mass Media JJB AI summary Heavy rains in November 2024 caused temporary flooding near Quarter No. 08 of Puttalam Base Hospital, with the water receding within two days. The Deputy Minister stated that the hospital has an existing wastewater drainage system but requires improvements, and that the National Water Supply and Drainage Board has prepared an estimate for upgrading the soakage system. Funding for the work is to be provided under the 2025 Provincial Specific Development Grants. Oral Question: Base Hospital, Puttalam: Drainage System (Q.292/2024) Read →
- 7 March 2025 The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka (on behalf of the Hon. Rauff Hakeem) SJB AI summary Asked the Minister of Health and Mass Media whether he accepts that the Puttalam Base Hospital, including wards, OPDs and clinics, was flooded during heavy rains in November 2024 due to the absence of a proper drainage system. He further sought details of the steps to ensure the safety of hospital premises for patients, or reasons if the Ministry does not accept the premise. Oral Question: Base Hospital, Puttalam: Drainage System (Q.292/2024) Read →
- 7 March 2025 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody - Minister of Energy JJB AI summary The Minister of Energy tabled an answer on the Thambapavani Wind Power Park, stating that it began on 04 March 2019 with LKR 2.1 billion in local investment and USD 125 million in foreign investment, generating 103.5 MW at a unit cost of LKR 12.19. He provided annual net energy supplied to the grid from 2021 to 2024 and stated that a radar-based bird detection system automatically shuts down turbines when birds are detected within 500 metres. He further noted that studies indicate around 400 MW of wind power potential on Mannar Island, including the existing plant, a 50 MW project under tender, and 250 MW of further developable capacity. Oral Question: Thambapavani Wind Power Station (Q.154/2024) Read →
- 7 March 2025 The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka (on behalf of the Hon. Ajith P. Perera) SJB AI summary Gayantha Karunathilleka, on behalf of Ajith P. Perera, asked the Minister of Energy for detailed information on the Thambapavani Wind Power Station, including its construction start date, local and foreign investment amounts, installed capacity, unit generation cost, and annual energy supplied to the National Grid from 2021 to 2024. He also requested details on measures to protect migratory birds and their effectiveness, as well as the potential for additional wind power projects on Mannar Island and their expected capacities. Oral Question: Thambapavani Wind Power Station (Q.154/2024) Read →
- 6 March 2025 The Hon. Thurairasa Ravikaran ITAK AI summary Welcoming the Adjournment Motion on challenges faced by medical specialists, the Member drew attention to health sector shortages in Mullaitivu District, noting manpower gaps across hospitals and inadequate facilities at the District General Hospital. He requested more inpatient accommodation and additional ambulances for Mullaitivu, Alampil, Kokkulai and other areas, and urged the Health Minister to visit the district and address its underdevelopment-related health needs. Adjournment Motion: Challenges Faced by Medical Specialists (Postgraduate Trainees) Read →
- 6 March 2025 The Hon. Mohamed Sali Naleem AI summary Hon. Mohamed Sali Naleem said the Health Ministry’s allocation to the Eastern Province, estimated at about 0.12 per cent of the total, was insufficient and requested additional funding. He welcomed the decision to provide a 160 kW generator to operationalize the new Chinese-funded building at Eravur Base Hospital, and asked that the hospital’s old generator be transferred to Eravur Ayurvedic Hospital. He also sought an MRI scanner and a state Osusala pharmacy for Batticaloa, and highlighted shortages of specialists, medical staff, facilities and doctors’ quarters at Eravur Base Hospital. He further requested that the rural hospital at Meeraikerni be upgraded with inpatient care, a permanent doctor, nurses and necessary resources. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Health and Mass Media Read →
- 6 March 2025 Hon. (Mrs.) Oshani Umanga JJB AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Oshani Umanga highlighted plans to modernise the Postal Department through digital services, e-commerce, EMS, mobile applications and international e-packet cooperation, while addressing long-standing issues of staff regularisation, allowances and promotions on merit. She said state postal and media assets would be protected from sale or misuse, and noted a Rs. 23,918 million Budget allocation and a Rs. 18,000 million revenue target for the Postal Department in 2025. She also proposed an anti-siphoning-style framework for national sports broadcasts, including simulcasting events of national interest on the national channel with revenue sharing to support public media institutions. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Health and Mass Media Read →