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- 21 February 2025 The Hon. Aruna Panagoda JJB AI summary Aruna Panagoda raised concerns over a fence erected by the National Water Supply and Drainage Board around a lagoon, stating that it was decided without requests from residents or public representatives and obstructs a road used for decades. He questioned the justification based on safety risks, including a reported suicide, and asked the Minister to intervene and review the decision to protect public access. He also noted alleged damage to embankments and water leakage into fields, suggesting that official reports on the site’s condition may be inaccurate. 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 Maththegoda lagoon sewerage system is over 40 years old but remains operational, with treated effluent monitored by the NWSDB and CEA, though some components require rehabilitation and funding. He explained that fencing was initiated to prevent unsafe access, heavy-vehicle damage, illegal dumping and accidents, citing a 2023 fatal incident, but the Rs. 7.1 million project has been suspended following public protests until an alternative access route is completed. He added that the contract was awarded through NWSDB tender procedure and that the issue has been discussed with local authorities, police and relevant public representatives. Oral Question: Compensation for Natural Disaster Damages (Q. First Round) Read →
- 21 February 2025 The Hon. Aruna Panagoda JJB AI summary Hon. Aruna Panagoda asked the Minister of Urban Development, Construction and Housing about the long-defunct drainage sewerage system at the Maththegoda Housing Scheme in Homagama and the National Water Supply and Drainage Board’s current construction of a fence around it. He sought details on the estimated cost, start and completion dates, selected contractor, and whether proper tender procedures were followed. He also asked whether the Minister was aware that the fencing had blocked roads used by residents for around 40 years, and what steps would be taken to remedy the situation. Oral Question: Compensation for Natural Disaster Damages (Q. First Round) Read →
- 21 February 2025 The Hon. Major General (Rtd.) Aruna Jayasekera - Deputy Minister of Defence JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister of Defence acknowledged the issue and said discussions had been held with District Secretaries over the previous six weeks. He stated that the National Council for Disaster Management would be convened soon, and that a special programme with relevant line ministries to improve basic infrastructure in disaster-relocated areas had been prepared for submission to Cabinet. Oral Question: Compensation for Natural Disaster Damages (Q. First Round) Read →
- 21 February 2025 The Hon. Waruna Liyanage SJB AI summary Asked whether the Government will implement a programme in 2025 to provide basic infrastructure, particularly drinking water and roads, in disaster-relocated villages in the Ratnapura District. He noted that although houses have been provided in areas such as Eheliyagoda, Ratnapura, Elapatha and Pelmadulla, inadequate facilities are discouraging beneficiaries from settling there. Oral Question: Compensation for Natural Disaster Damages (Q. First Round) Read →
- 20 February 2025 The Hon. M.A.M. Thahir ACMC AI summary Hon. M.A.M. Thahir supported the 2025 Budget’s increased allocations for some regions but asked whether it includes specific funding for Eastern Province priorities in agriculture, fisheries, water, transport, health, education, and tourism. He called for better use of Senanayake Samudraya water, rehabilitation of the Oluvil fisheries harbour and coastal erosion measures, release of lands held by state agencies and security forces, implementation of the Heda Oya drinking water project, and revival of freshwater fisheries through tank cleaning and fingerling supply. He also requested road and bridge repairs in Ampara District, improvements to hospitals and older school buildings, establishment of Medicine and Agriculture Faculties at South Eastern University, and improved tourism connectivity including a Batticaloa-Arugam Bay rail extension and SLTB bus links. Budget Bill 2025 - Second Reading Debate Read →
- 20 February 2025 The Hon. Dilith Jayaweera SB AI summary Hon. Dilith Jayaweera argued that Budget measures for migrant workers and remittances must create tangible benefits, including addressing high conversion charges, rather than relying on modest duty-free allowance changes. He criticized the concentration of expenditure under the President through the Finance and Defence Ministries and proposed that the President instead lead an Entrepreneurial Development Ministry focused on supporting micro, small and medium enterprises. He questioned an apparent discrepancy between the Rs. 50 million allocation for the Clean Sri Lanka programme in the Estimates and the Rs. 5,000 million cited in the Budget Speech, and noted the absence of a clear digital programme while referencing changing positions and rising costs related to MOSIP. Budget Bill 2025 - Second Reading Debate Read →
- 20 February 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Ilayathamby Srinath AI summary Hon. Dr. Ilayathamby Srinath welcomed the Budget’s allocations to health, education, the North, and the estate sector, but urged comparable attention to Batticaloa and the Eastern Province, particularly war-affected and underdeveloped areas such as Paduvaankarai. He requested increased funding for irrigation, tank rehabilitation, permanent bridges, flood mitigation, and the long-discussed Kithul–Rugam tank linkage, arguing it could reduce flooding, expand cultivation by 8,000–10,000 acres, and help address future drinking water shortages. He also called for dredging and cleaning the Batticaloa Lagoon, reconstruction of Kiraan Bridge, and clearer development strategies for agriculture, fisheries, livestock, and tourism to improve the district economy. Budget Bill 2025 - Second Reading Debate Read →
- 20 February 2025 The Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana NDF AI summary Rohitha Abeygunawardhana raised concerns about severe overcrowding in prisons, citing Mahara Prison holding 3,136 inmates against a capacity of 975 and Kalutara Prison holding 1,400 against a capacity of 800, with similar conditions at Colombo Magazine, CRP, and Welikada. He referred to government plans to demolish prison buildings and drew attention to the situation at Kalutara Prison, seeking clarification in that context. Oral Question: Prison Officer Staffing and Overcrowding (Q.2/2025) Read →
- 20 February 2025 The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law - Minister of Justice and National Integration JJB AI summary The Minister of Justice and National Integration provided figures on the prison system, stating that 5,218 officers serve across 318 institutions, with details by prison and related facilities. He identified major deficiencies including severe overcrowding, dilapidated and ageing buildings, inadequate sanitation, visitor facilities, transport, accessibility measures, infant care facilities, telephone access, and staff housing. He outlined ongoing and planned measures for 2025, including infrastructure repairs, sanitation and wastewater projects, new barracks, construction at Wataraka Open Prison Camp, proposals to reduce overcrowding and rehabilitate drug users, and plans to relocate the Colombo Prison Complex to Millewa, Horana, subject to implementation and budget allocations. Oral Question: Prison Officer Staffing and Overcrowding (Q.2/2025) Read →
- 19 February 2025 The Hon. Rajeevan Jeyachandramoorthy JJB AI summary Rajeevan Jeyachandramoorthy described severe post-war social and economic challenges in the Northern Province, particularly Jaffna and Kilinochchi, including unemployment, poor infrastructure, land issues, weak agriculture and fisheries, and drug-related problems among youth. He attributed these conditions to the civil war and past failures in development planning, while welcoming 2025 Budget allocations for Northern development, including funding for the Vattuvagal Bridge, Jaffna Public Library rehabilitation, rural roads and bridges, digital initiatives, and youth-focused programmes. He urged effective implementation to revive key sectors such as fisheries, agriculture, tourism, Kankesanthurai harbour and cement, Paranthan chemicals, Chunnakam power, and island tourism, noting that past allocations had been returned or diverted. Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Second Reading Read →
- 19 February 2025 The Hon. Mohamed Sali Naleem AI summary Hon. Mohamed Sali Naleem argued that the 2025 Budget has not adequately addressed the needs of the Eastern Province, despite its war-affected status and contribution to national income. He requested direct budgetary allocations for Eastern development rather than reliance on anticipated Indian funding, citing needs including rural roads, Eravur hospital congestion, the unfinished Aligar National School indoor sports facility, widening of the Eravur–Pottuvil main road, and completion or protection measures related to Oluvil Port and coastal erosion. He also called for funds to protect South Eastern University from flooding caused by waters passing through the Kaliyodai Bridge. Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Second Reading Read →
- 19 February 2025 The Hon. Athula Welandagoda JJB AI summary Athula Welandagoda defended the first NPP Government Budget as a national plan aligned with the public mandate and criticized the Opposition for offering distortions rather than substantive alternatives. He argued that past governments lacked coherent planning, contributed to bankruptcy and division, and failed on reconciliation and national development. He highlighted allocations such as Rs. 20 billion for over 1,450 kilometres of elephant fencing and emphasized tourism development, protection of national assets such as Sigiriya, and a target of over 3 million tourists as key components of the Government’s economic strategy. Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Second Reading Read →
- 19 February 2025 The Hon. Ismail Muththu Mohamed AI summary Hon. Ismail Muththu Mohamed welcomed the 2025 Budget allocations for the North and East, particularly in education, health, roads, agriculture, housing and social welfare, and called for timely implementation through a proper framework. He urged development of under-resourced and stalled school projects, including upgrading Al Aqsa Maha Vidyalaya in Vavuniya to a National School, and requested teacher/principal quarters and support for rural education. He also raised unresolved post-war housing problems, arguing that the Rs. 500,000 grant is insufficient, and called for industrial estates to address youth unemployment in northern districts. He further requested stronger support for marine and freshwater fisheries, including boats and nets, while noting concerns over Tamil Nadu fishermen affecting local livelihoods. Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Second Reading Read →
- 19 February 2025 The Hon. Gnanamuththu Srineshan ITAK AI summary Hon. Gnanamuththu Srineshan said the Budget contains welcome progressive measures, including welfare expansion, education and health allocations, plantation wage increases, anti-intoxicant goals, the Clean Sri Lanka programme, and funding for the Jaffna Library and Vattuvagal Bridge. He argued, however, that the Eastern Province, particularly Batticaloa, Trincomalee and Digamadulla, has received no specific equitable development allocation despite war damage and recent flood losses. He called for Budgetary attention to stalled bridge projects and lagoon/tank crossings in Batticaloa, including links such as Naripul Estate–Pankudaveli, Thikilivattai–Sandiveli, Kinnaadi–Murukandy and Mandur–Kurumanveli, to address flooding, transport and economic development needs. Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Second Reading Read →
- 19 February 2025 Hon. Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan DTNA AI summary Hon. Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan welcomed increased Budget allocations for the North, particularly the proposed reconstruction of the historically significant Vattuvaakal Bridge, but urged that funds be distributed across all five northern districts rather than concentrated in Jaffna. He questioned the lack of clarity on the President’s statement that India would develop the East and asked the Government to specify what projects India would undertake and whether reduced allocations reflected electoral considerations in Batticaloa. He called for urgent attention to the Vanni districts’ basic needs, including roads, schools and hospitals, and requested that the President, Ministers, Governor and officials ensure proper allocation and implementation of development funds. Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Second Reading Read →
- 19 February 2025 The Hon. Sunil Handunnetti - Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development JJB AI summary The Minister defended the Government’s maiden Budget against Opposition claims that it follows past IMF or corporate-oriented policies, arguing that its distinction is a shift toward increasing incomes, production, rural industry, entrepreneurship, and public trust in taxation. He cited steps including a planned Rs. 50 billion development fund through State banks, onboarding of 15,000 entrepreneurs, salary and pension increases, private-sector wage measures, digital payment reforms, transport modernization, and support for children leaving institutional care. He said Rs. 99 billion is allocated under economic services and entrepreneurship, including Rs. 38 billion for SME development, and outlined industrial plans such as reviving Valaichchenai Paper City, Paranthan chemicals industry, Kankesanthurai salt works, State paper reuse, and the Northern Coconut Triangle. Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Second Reading Read →
- 19 February 2025 The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka - Minister of Urban Development, Construction and Housing JJB AI summary The Minister tabled details of pending works under the Kolonnawa Stormwater Drainage and Environmental Improvement Project, including canal rehabilitation, culvert or box structure reconstruction, stormwater retention ponds, and pumping stations across the Dahamwela, Passenna, Salalihini, and Dandutota canal systems. He stated that rehabilitation in the Kolonnawa DS Division, including Kotikawatta-Mulleriyawa areas and related secondary canals, is planned for 2025–2029 using Treasury funds, with SLLDC responsible for engineering and primary canal works and the Pradeshiya Sabha responsible for secondary canals. He also noted that the Kalu Palama pump installation project is awaiting National Procurement Agency approval and that implementation depends on required approvals and fund allocation. Oral Question (Second Round): Flood Control in Kolonnawa DS Division Read →
- 19 February 2025 The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka (on behalf of the Hon. S.M. Marikkar) SJB AI summary On behalf of Hon. S.M. Marikkar, Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka asked the Minister of Urban Development, Construction and Housing for details on flood control projects planned but not yet implemented in the Kolonnawa Divisional Secretary’s Division. He requested information on whether implementation plans exist, the expected timelines, funding sources, and responsible implementing agencies for each project, and asked for reasons if no such plans have been made. Oral Question (Second Round): Flood Control in Kolonnawa DS Division Read →
- 19 February 2025 Hon. Sunil Kumara Gamage JJB AI summary Hon. Sunil Kumara Gamage said the Bandarawela ground had been developed through unplanned, ad hoc processes, resulting in safety risks such as a steel-lined drain close to the cricket boundary. He stated that those responsible for the development should be held accountable and said the Ministry would discuss with the Municipal Council either to reconfigure the ground for cricket or, if that is not feasible, to develop a new ground for the area. Oral Questions: Holuwagoda Development Project and Sports Facilities Read →