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- 22 February 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Ravi Karunanayake, speaking as a former Power Minister, said the priority in the electricity sector should be uninterrupted supply and adequate attention to consumers when supply failures occur. He questioned what support or redress is available to the 6.5 million consumers when outages happen for primary system reasons, noting that consumers face disconnection after two months of non-payment while their losses from repeated outages, including on Sundays, are not addressed. Ministerial Statements: Elephant Deaths from Train Collisions and Power Outage Read →
- 22 February 2025 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody - Minister of Energy JJB AI summary Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody replied to Hon. Ravi Karunanayake’s Standing Order 27(2) question on the islandwide power outage, stating that it was triggered by a 33 kV busbar failure at the Panadura Grid Substation, which caused under-frequency tripping at several major hydro plants. He outlined the restoration process, said the full system was restored by 3.45 p.m. via the Mahaweli hydro system, and noted that the CEB is assessing economic losses using grid-substation load data. He said the Ministry proposes an urgent Renewable Energy Desk with battery storage at the National System Control Centre, following an ADB agreement in December 2024, and added that preliminary inquiries found no negligence or sabotage while a further internal inquiry is ongoing. Ministerial Statements: Elephant Deaths from Train Collisions and Power Outage Read →
- 22 February 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa urged the Government to study and adopt proven technologies and design solutions to prevent elephant-train collisions, citing examples from India, Kenya, Japan and local infrared sensor trials near Habarana. He proposed an integrated programme overseen by a standard steering committee involving relevant ministries, experts, officials and political authorities, and requested time during the Budget Session to present Opposition proposals on the matter. Ministerial Statements: Elephant Deaths from Train Collisions and Power Outage Read →
- 22 February 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake said the Government has identified key locations and causes of elephant-train collisions, including high-risk areas on the Batticaloa Line near Thalapathakanda and the recent incident near Gal Oya Junction. He said discussions with the Ministry of Environment, Railways Department, environmentalists, locomotive drivers and local stakeholders had produced immediate and medium-term proposals, including clearing vegetation along railway tracks, adapting bridges and culverts for elephant movement, widening narrow sections where elephants cannot move aside, installing sensors, and using community information. He emphasized public participation and tabled a document listing about 20 reasons for elephant deaths on railway lines, while requesting further practical suggestions from the public. Ministerial Statements: Elephant Deaths from Train Collisions and Power Outage Read →
- 22 February 2025 Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation and Leader of the House of Parliament JJB AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake addressed the recent train collision that killed a herd of elephants and described elephant-train collisions as a longstanding issue requiring a sustainable solution. He tabled data on elephant deaths from 2013 to 2025 and said the Ministry and Railways Department had already held meetings, including proposals to form village-level committees at collision hotspots to provide alerts to railway stations. He argued that technical measures alone are insufficient and cited community-based and conservation reports, including the Siyambalangamuwa pilot project and a study by Dr. Pruthiviraaj Fernando’s team, which he placed in the Library for further reference. Ministerial Statements: Elephant Deaths from Train Collisions and Power Outage Read →
- 22 February 2025 Hon. (Prof.) A.H.M.H. Abayarathna - Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government JJB AI summary Rs. 17.87 million was spent on the Meegahakiula bus station, but it has not been used because it has only one access road, which is insufficient for efficient bus entry and exit. A stakeholder meeting on 30 January 2025 decided to acquire land for a new access road from the Meegahakiula Hospital to the bus station, with interim access options to be considered. The Minister stated that the project is not considered futile and that local authorities will be instructed to conduct feasibility studies and proper planning before undertaking similar projects. Oral Questions: STaRR Project (Q.1/2025), KL-2 Project Kalutara (Q.2/2025), Lands - Elpitiya DS (Q.3/2025), Meegahakiula Bus Station (Q.4/2025) Read →
- 22 February 2025 The Hon. Manoj Rajapaksha (on behalf of the Hon. Dinindu Saman) JJB AI summary Manoj Rajapaksha, on behalf of Dinindu Saman, raised a question to the Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government regarding the non-utilization of the Meegahakiula Bus Station in Badulla. The intervention sought information or action on why the facility remains unused and the relevant administrative responsibility for addressing the issue. Oral Questions: STaRR Project (Q.1/2025), KL-2 Project Kalutara (Q.2/2025), Lands - Elpitiya DS (Q.3/2025), Meegahakiula Bus Station (Q.4/2025) Read →
- 22 February 2025 Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation and Leader of the House of Parliament JJB AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake stated that steps would be taken to recover or reallocate the approximately Rs. 400 million performance bond, with Cabinet and district-level support, to complete pending road works. He said legal and enforcement action would be pursued against the contractors concerned, and that the matter would be referred through the Hon. Speaker to COPE to examine the decisions that led to the proposed re-awarding of the contracts. Oral Questions: STaRR Project (Q.1/2025), KL-2 Project Kalutara (Q.2/2025), Lands - Elpitiya DS (Q.3/2025), Meegahakiula Bus Station (Q.4/2025) Read →
- 22 February 2025 The Hon. Danushka Ranganath JJB AI summary Asked whether a temporary solution can be provided for a development issue that has remained unresolved for years due to litigation. Also requested that, when development resumes, the project be prioritized in light of the prolonged lack of maintenance. Oral Questions: STaRR Project (Q.1/2025), KL-2 Project Kalutara (Q.2/2025), Lands - Elpitiya DS (Q.3/2025), Meegahakiula Bus Station (Q.4/2025) Read →
- 22 February 2025 Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation and Leader of the House of Parliament JJB AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake said rural road funding would be detailed during the Ministry debate and addressed the KL-02 road project, stating it was terminated in July 2019 due to poor performance by the contractor joint venture. He said a subsequent Cabinet decision sought to re-award the balance work to the same contractors at updated rates, followed by litigation that delayed the project for five years. He proposed seeking Cabinet approval to use Rs. 400 million recovered through the performance bond to complete the roads, referring underperforming contractors to enforcement authorities, and sending the matter to COPE for examination. Oral Questions: STaRR Project (Q.1/2025), KL-2 Project Kalutara (Q.2/2025), Lands - Elpitiya DS (Q.3/2025), Meegahakiula Bus Station (Q.4/2025) Read →
- 22 February 2025 The Hon. Danushka Ranganath JJB AI summary Hon. Danushka Ranganath raised concerns about the poor condition of rural roads in Agalawatte and Matugama, noting impacts on education, health, the economy and social protection. He asked whether the Budget would place greater emphasis on improving rural road infrastructure. Oral Questions: STaRR Project (Q.1/2025), KL-2 Project Kalutara (Q.2/2025), Lands - Elpitiya DS (Q.3/2025), Meegahakiula Bus Station (Q.4/2025) Read →
- 22 February 2025 Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation and Leader of the House of Parliament JJB AI summary Under the ADB-funded iRoad Programme in Kalutara, the KL-02 package was awarded in 2016 to a joint venture but was terminated in 2019 due to poor performance after only 34.63 km of 88.44 km had been developed. The Minister stated that rebidding was delayed by a Commercial High Court injunction, with the case disposed of only in December 2024 after the programme period had ended, leaving nine roads in Matugama and Agalawatte incomplete and causing public inconvenience. He said the performance bond proceeds have been credited to the Treasury Deposit Account and proposed using these domestic funds to complete the remaining works. Oral Questions: STaRR Project (Q.1/2025), KL-2 Project Kalutara (Q.2/2025), Lands - Elpitiya DS (Q.3/2025), Meegahakiula Bus Station (Q.4/2025) Read →
- 22 February 2025 The Hon. Danushka Ranganath JJB AI summary Hon. Danushka Ranganath raised a question to the Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation regarding the current status of the KL-2 Project in the Kalutara District. The intervention sought information on the progress and implementation status of the project within the Ministry’s portfolio. Oral Questions: STaRR Project (Q.1/2025), KL-2 Project Kalutara (Q.2/2025), Lands - Elpitiya DS (Q.3/2025), Meegahakiula Bus Station (Q.4/2025) Read →
- 21 February 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation and Leader of the House of Parliament JJB AI summary Minister Bimal Rathnayake thanked the Member for bringing the Adjournment Motion and defended the Government’s right to raise such matters, while acknowledging concerns about the manner in which it was seconded. Addressing the recent elephant–train collision, he expressed regret and said the Transport Ministry had previously met railway officials to identify hotspots, including the Gal Oya area, and seek practical community-based measures rather than costly infrastructure options. He stated that delays in implementing known solutions had contributed to the problem, and that following the incident the Transport and Environment Ministries met officials and agreed on immediate actions, with the Environment Minister to provide further details. Adjournment Motion: Elephant Deaths Due to Train Collisions Read →
- 21 February 2025 Hon. Rohana Bandara AI summary Hon. Rohana Bandara urged the Government not to deduct ETF and EPF from wages while presenting minimum wage increases as a major achievement. He criticized the proposed allocation linked to a feasibility study for Thambuttegama railway station, arguing that Anuradhapura needs practical investments in schools, transport reliability, agriculture, sports, and local infrastructure rather than projects chosen for symbolic reasons. He also called for the resumption or replacement of the “Urumaya” land deed programme, saying farmers with Swarna Bhoomi and Jaya Bhoomi permits should be given clear land title through a simplified process. Appropriation Bill 2025: Second Reading (Fourth Allotted Day) Read →
- 21 February 2025 The Hon. Asoka Sapumal Ranwala JJB AI summary Hon. Asoka Sapumal Ranwala supported the 2025 Budget, describing it as citizen-centred and suited to current global political and economic changes. He emphasized the increase in public servants’ basic salaries, arguing that it restores dignity to labour and improves related entitlements such as pensions, overtime, and widows’ and orphans’ benefits. He also highlighted Budget measures for SME development through innovation and commercialization support, irrigation rehabilitation in schemes such as Rajangana, Minneriya and Huruluwewa, and Rs. 9 billion for Kelani Basin flood and disaster risk management. Appropriation Bill 2025: Second Reading (Fourth Allotted Day) Read →
- 21 February 2025 The Hon. (Ms.) Krishnan Kalaichelvi JJB AI summary Hon. Krishnan Kalaichelvi supported the budget, stating that it was the first national budget to explicitly recognize the hill-country Tamil community and address long-standing estate-sector issues. She highlighted allocations for estate housing and infrastructure, vocational training and livelihoods, smart classrooms in hill-country schools, and the proposed Rs. 1,700 daily wage for plantation workers. She criticized previous governments and hill-country representatives for failing to secure rights and basic services, and said the National People’s Power Government would deliver solutions incrementally through national policy. Appropriation Bill 2025: Second Reading (Fourth Allotted Day) Read →
- 21 February 2025 The Hon. Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran ITAK AI summary Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran welcomed several Budget proposals, including those on the digital economy, production, exports, agriculture and dairy, but said allocations and implementation plans for Tamil areas in Ampara District and the Eastern Province remain unclear, particularly regarding proposed Indian assistance. He requested that Indian-funded development address local priorities such as the neglected Thirukkovil Base Hospital, citing severe shortages of doctors, specialists, facilities and past exclusion from major health investments, and also urged implementation of pending projects such as the Kalmunai cultural hall. He called for protection of dairy farmers by restoring the 4,000-acre Vattamadu area, gazetted in 1976 as pasture land, to grazing use after its later inclusion within a forest boundary led to access restrictions, arrests and inadequate pasture for livestock. Appropriation Bill 2025: Second Reading (Fourth Allotted Day) Read →
- 21 February 2025 The Hon. Gnanamuththu Srineshan ITAK AI summary Gnanamuththu Srineshan raised concerns about increasing human-elephant conflict in Batticaloa, citing recent incidents in Kokkatticholai and Siththandi and shortages of Wildlife Department offices, personnel, vehicles and drivers compared with neighbouring Ampara. He requested urgent expansion of wildlife services in Batticaloa, including more officers, guards, vehicles and drivers, and noted that a previously announced staffing programme had not materialized. He also asked that scientific elephant population-control methods be explored, while stating he did not support culling. Oral Question: Compensation for Natural Disaster Damages (Q. First Round) Read →
- 21 February 2025 The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka - Minister of Urban Development, Construction and Housing JJB AI summary The Minister stated that the National Water Supply and Drainage Board has acknowledged that some sections require rehabilitation, with designs, estimates and funding arrangements underway. He added that an alternative access route has been proposed after discussions, fence construction has been suspended until that route is completed, and the matter will be further investigated as requested. Oral Question: Compensation for Natural Disaster Damages (Q. First Round) Read →