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- 18 February 2025 The Hon. K. Kader Masthan SLLP AI summary Hon. K. Kader Masthan urged the Government to complete halted development works in the Vanni and Northern Province, including 38 incomplete school buildings, unfinished roads and bridges, and resettlement-related infrastructure, and requested that Northern resettlement funding be increased from Rs. 1,500 million to Rs. 5,000 million. He called for a time-bound resettlement plan for about 17,000 families, changes to Forest and Wildlife Department restrictions affecting land allocation, housing for war-affected communities, elephant fences and compensation for elephant damage. He also requested the establishment and funding of a Medical Faculty at the University of Vavuniya, welcomed allocations for roads, digital payments, children, education and sports, and urged the rehabilitation and opening of the Puttalam-Mannar road via Eluwankulam to improve connectivity and tourism. Adjourned Debate on Second Reading of the 2025 Budget Read →
- 18 February 2025 The Hon. Harshana Suriyapperuma - Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning AI summary Deputy Minister Harshana Suriyapperuma outlined Budget allocations across key sectors, including transport, water, housing, regional development, food security, environmental protection, entrepreneurship, energy, and other public services. He stated that these allocations, such as Rs. 73.9 billion for railways, Rs. 254 billion for food security, and Rs. 190 billion for quality-of-life facilities, are intended to support the Government’s economic programme to rebuild the country. Adjourned Debate on Second Reading of the 2025 Budget Read →
- 18 February 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva acknowledged positive Budget measures such as expenditure cuts, anti-corruption funding, digitalization and improved targeted welfare, but questioned whether the Government had a coherent growth and investment strategy within IMF fiscal constraints. He called for relief to EPF members affected by domestic debt restructuring, citing alleged unfairness compared with relief for foreign investors, and suggested using a parliamentary motion to address it during the Budget process. He warned that debt sustainability would require sustained high growth, criticized continued funding for SriLankan Airlines and proposed electricity sector amendments that may deter private investment, and urged transparent, procedure-based decision-making on projects such as Adani. He argued that the Government must clearly state whether it is pursuing a social market, export-led economic model and align legislation and policy accordingly. Adjourned Debate on Second Reading of the 2025 Budget Read →
- 18 February 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa - Chief Government Whip JJB AI summary Hon. Nalinda Jayatissa said the Ceylon Electricity Board is taking measures to address system imbalances and find a stable solution to electricity system instability. He asked Members not to continue referring to the earlier “monkey incident” and stated that the Government would provide a response on the matter. Question by Private Notice: Recent Islandwide Power Outage Read →
- 18 February 2025 Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake criticized the CEB for disconnecting consumers even over small unpaid bills while failing to provide uninterrupted electricity, citing repeated daily outages. He asked whether consumers would be compensated for power interruptions and said the response given was inadequate, calling for a more diligent and secure answer on the issue. Question by Private Notice: Recent Islandwide Power Outage Read →
- 18 February 2025 Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Ravi Karunanayake questioned why a Minister could not respond to a matter raised under Standing Order 27(2) despite the required advance notice being given. He described the reported nationwide blackout, allegedly caused by a monkey, as a serious issue with national and international attention, and raised related concerns about the handling of solar and wind power generation. He asked that an answer be provided the following day or soon thereafter. Question by Private Notice: Recent Islandwide Power Outage Read →
- 18 February 2025 Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake asked the Minister of Energy to explain the causes and response to the recent nationwide power failure, including the reported monkey incident at the Panadura Substation, restoration delays, prior warnings of grid instability, and whether negligence, technical failure, or sabotage was involved. He also sought information on preventive measures and timelines, the economic impact and possible compensation for affected businesses and households, and the CEB’s recent average generation cost and cost-reflective pricing policy. He expressed disappointment that the Minister was absent to answer questions on what he described as an important incident that occurred ten days earlier. Question by Private Notice: Recent Islandwide Power Outage Read →
- 18 February 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip (on behalf of the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development) JJB AI summary The Minister tabled a written answer on behalf of the Minister of Finance regarding the relevant investment zone, stating it was established on 4 March 2019 with estimated total investments of USD 47.23 million across five companies. The response detailed estimated direct employment of 3,465 jobs, with 429 actual jobs reported so far, and noted that indirect employment is expected to be about three times direct employment. It also outlined ongoing infrastructure works, including access roads, water and electricity supply upgrades, internal roads, fencing, and 2025 funding and completion plans. Oral Question No. 2 (112/2024): Bingiriya Export Processing Zone Read →
- 18 February 2025 Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka (on behalf of Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha) SJB AI summary A question was raised to the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development seeking details on the Bingiriya Export Processing Zone. It requested the date of establishment, the number and value of investments received, direct and indirect employment generated, and measures being taken for further development of the zone, with reasons if the information cannot be provided. Oral Question No. 2 (112/2024): Bingiriya Export Processing Zone Read →
- 17 February 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) V.S. Radhakrishnan SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) V.S. Radhakrishnan requested ministerial intervention to improve facilities at the Nuwara Eliya District General Hospital’s Gynaecology and Obstetrics ward, noting that there is only one toilet for 10 beds in an old building. He said patients had raised the issue with him and urged that it be addressed promptly, while acknowledging past shortcomings. Local Authorities Elections (Special Provisions) Bill: Second Reading Read →
- 17 February 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna welcomed some Budget measures for Jaffna but said the Northern Province lacked specific health and development proposals, requesting intervention on unsafe hospital waste disposal in Aariyalai–Kombayan Manal and raising concerns about administration at Jaffna Teaching Hospital. He urged safer official transport for MPs after Hon. Ilankumar’s accident, more attention to doctors’ retention, compensation for those affected by the Teyitti Vihara issue, and action to protect northern fishermen from South Indian trawler incursions. He also asked for more time to submit DCC project proposals, urged that new viharas be built only on State land rather than public common lands, and called for Palaly Airport to be upgraded to international status. Local Authorities Elections (Special Provisions) Bill: Second Reading Read →
- 17 February 2025 The Hon. P. Ruwan Senarath - Deputy Minister of Provincial Councils and Local Government JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister supported the Local Authorities Elections (Special Provisions) Bill as necessary to hold the long-postponed elections for 340 local authorities and restore elected representation for local service delivery. He said the Bill would cancel old nominations, permit new nominations, provide for deposit refunds, and expand opportunities for youth and women candidates, including a 25 per cent youth representation requirement. He linked timely elections to implementing Government priorities such as rural poverty reduction, digitalization, Clean Sri Lanka, waste management and local infrastructure, while criticizing alleged efforts to delay the polls and calling on the Opposition to state clearly whether it supports holding them promptly. Local Authorities Elections (Special Provisions) Bill: Second Reading Read →
- 17 February 2025 The Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan ITAK AI summary The Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan supported the inclusion of youth representation alongside the women’s quota in the Local Authorities Elections framework, but raised concerns about instability under the existing 60:40 mixed electoral system. He urged consideration of a 70:30 ward-to-proportional ratio, questioned why the 5 per cent threshold used in other elections is not applied to local government seat allocation, and asked whether these changes could be included by amendment. He also cautioned against holding elections too hastily given examinations, the Budget debate, Easter observances, and Ramadan, and requested a practical election date that would not disrupt these activities. Local Authorities Elections (Special Provisions) Bill: Second Reading Read →
- 17 February 2025 Hon. Anura Kumara Dissanayake AI summary Hon. Anura Kumara Dissanayake outlined budget proposals to re-initiate the Giribawa–Eppawala Water Supply Scheme with Rs. 1,000 million, using surface water sources such as Rajanganaya Tank to improve drinking water access in dry-zone areas. He proposed Rs. 10,000 million in 2025 to recruit 30,000 people to essential Public Service vacancies on the basis of qualifications, skills, and approved cadre needs. He also proposed a phased public sector salary revision costing Rs. 325 billion, including raising the minimum basic salary to Rs. 40,000, increasing annual increments by 80 per cent, allocating Rs. 110 billion in 2025, revising retirement benefit calculations from 2025, and increasing distress loan limits to Rs. 400,000. He further noted agreed increases to the private sector minimum wage and referred to reconsideration of plantation workers’ wages. Appropriation Bill, 2025: Second Reading - Debate Adjourned Read →
- 17 February 2025 The Hon. Anura Kumara Dissanayaka AI summary Anura Kumara Dissanayaka outlined Budget 2025 allocations for the Clean Sri Lanka Programme, describing it as a broad social, environmental and ethical development initiative rather than a limited clean-up campaign, with Rs. 5,000 million allocated and support sought from the public, state sector, private sector, NGOs and donors. He highlighted road accidents as a national concern, citing deaths, disabilities and injuries over recent years, and said the programme would include measures to improve road safety. He also proposed Rs. 750 million for solid waste disposal facilities in Anuradhapura, particularly to address hospital and urban waste, and referred to measures and Budget provisions to mitigate human-elephant conflict through electric fence rehabilitation, habitat improvement and forest conservation. Appropriation Bill, 2025: Second Reading - Debate Adjourned Read →
- 17 February 2025 The Hon. Anura Kumara Dissanayaka AI summary Anura Kumara Dissanayaka outlined budget proposals covering overseas workers, senior citizens, anti-drug programmes, prisoner skills training, and transport infrastructure. Measures included increasing duty-free allowances for returning migrant workers, funding a 3 per cent additional interest scheme for senior citizens’ fixed deposits, allocating Rs. 500 million for drug prevention and rehabilitation, and expanding vocational training for prisoners. He also proposed major public transport investments, including low-floor buses, rail coach refurbishment and local production, studies for Kelani Valley Line extension, agricultural freight by rail, and continued support for the Kandy Multimodal Transport Terminal. On SriLankan Airlines, he said the Treasury would allocate Rs. 20,000 million in 2025 for legacy debt servicing, while requiring the airline to fund daily operations through improved profitability. Appropriation Bill, 2025: Second Reading - Debate Adjourned Read →
- 17 February 2025 The Hon. Anura Kumara Dissanayaka AI summary Proposes Budget 2025 allocations to address port congestion and improve logistics, including Rs. 500 million each for initial work at the Examination Yard/Bloemendhal supply park, a rail-based internal container dry port at Chetiyagoda, and upgraded port digital systems, plus Rs. 1,000 million for advanced scanning systems at Colombo Port and Bandaranaike International Airport. Sets out a digital economy programme centred on a Universal Digital ID, stronger cybersecurity and data protection laws, a Digital Economy Authority, expanded digital payments, and support for private investment in emerging technologies. States targets to grow the digital economy beyond USD 15 billion and 12 per cent of GDP within five years, including ICT/BPM exports of USD 5 billion, and proposes an additional Rs. 3,000 million for this purpose. Appropriation Bill, 2025: Second Reading - Debate Adjourned Read →
- 17 February 2025 Ministerial Consultative Committee on Urban Development, Construction and Housing AI summary The Ministerial Consultative Committee on Urban Development, Construction and Housing listed its membership for the 2025 session. The committee includes Members from government and opposition, covering portfolios and interests related to urban development, construction, and housing oversight. Parliamentary Structure and Committees Read →
- 17 February 2025 Ministerial Consultative Committee on Irrigation and Rural Infrastructure AI summary The Ministerial Consultative Committee on Irrigation and Rural Infrastructure met on 17 February 2025 under the chairmanship of Hon. K. V. Samantha Vidyaratna. The attendance included members from both government and opposition, indicating a committee session rather than a substantive parliamentary speech or debate contribution. Parliamentary Structure and Committees Read →
- 17 February 2025 Ministerial Consultative Committee on Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation AI summary The Ministerial Consultative Committee on Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation met under the chairmanship of Hon. Bimal Rathnayake on 17 February 2025. The attendance included Members from the committee and related parliamentary representatives, indicating consideration of matters within the committee’s transport, highways, ports, and civil aviation remit. Parliamentary Structure and Committees Read →