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- 23 January 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 tabled an answer stating that a Palpola Interchange was not included in the initial Southern Expressway surveys because the Galanigama and Dodangoda interchanges were considered sufficient, and that it was later proposed only to support access to the planned Millaniya Industrial Zone. He said there is currently no need for the interchange because that industrial development is inactive. The response also stated that construction commenced in May 2018 and that Rs. 180 million had been spent, comprising Rs. 100 million for the Palpola Interchange and Rs. 80 million for the Millaniya–Palpola road. Oral Question: Palpola Interchange on Southern Expressway Read →
- 23 January 2025 The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka (on behalf of the Hon. Ajith P. Perera) SJB AI summary Asked the Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation whether the proposed Palpola Interchange on the Southern Expressway is recognized as nationally important for access to Kalutara, Millaniya, Wadduwa, Morontuduwa and nearby industrial and tourism areas. Sought details on the project’s construction start date, BOI funding to the RDA, expenditure to date including land acquisition, remaining cost, expected completion timeframe, and the distance between the Galanigama and Dodangoda interchanges, and asked for reasons if the project is not accepted as important. Oral Question: Palpola Interchange on Southern Expressway Read →
- 23 January 2025 The Hon. Dewananda Suraweera JJB AI summary Hon. Dewananda Suraweera asked whether the Urban Development Authority plans another operation to remove pavement vendors, noting that some traders were previously removed under beautification efforts while others have since forcibly occupied those spaces. He sought clarification on rumours of a renewed removal campaign. Oral Question: Olcott Mawatha Traders and Floating Market Read →
- 23 January 2025 The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka - Minister of Urban Development, Construction and Housing JJB AI summary The Minister stated that the UDA relocated about 883 unauthorized stalls from Olcott Mawatha to the Bastian Mawatha Floating Market in 2014, following the Colombo City Beautification Project, and spent Rs. 312 million on construction and Rs. 40 million on renovations. He said the Floating Market has been unsuccessful, with low trader income, rent difficulties, and recurring UDA losses, while the original lands have been reoccupied by others because the Pettah Multimodal Transport Hub and related projects have not proceeded. He indicated that any decision on returning traders or addressing current occupants should follow an updated UDA plan and study, and that alternatives are being considered to reduce losses and provide fair options for existing traders, including a redesigned market concept or other Pettah trading spaces. Oral Question: Olcott Mawatha Traders and Floating Market Read →
- 23 January 2025 The Hon. (Prof.) Anil Jayantha JJB AI summary Vehicle imports in 2025 will be managed to support economic expansion while staying within IMF-related reserve constraints and prioritizing passenger, goods, and private transport needs. The Minister stated that the Government has not decided to cancel or invalidate vehicle permits for eligible officials, but allowing all estimated 15,000–20,000 outstanding permits at once would undermine 2025 economic targets. He said any review of past permit arrangements as compensation for inadequate pay or benefits would be considered separately. Oral Question: IMF-related Economic Measures and Vehicle Imports Policy Read →
- 23 January 2025 The Hon. (Prof.) Anil Jayantha JJB AI summary Hon. (Prof.) Anil Jayantha stated that vehicle imports would be reopened only gradually under the IMF programme, prioritizing economically essential transport and goods transport before private vehicles. He said foreign reserves, though above USD 6 billion, could not be used to meet accumulated demand at once, and decisions would be guided by the Finance Ministry and Central Bank. He rejected claims that price increases were intended to protect leasing companies, explaining that revisions followed IMF-consistent inflation indexation of administered prices and were not made to benefit any specific group. Oral Question: IMF-related Economic Measures and Vehicle Imports Policy Read →
- 23 January 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Asked whether a bank with 8,500 staff and 658 branches can further expand its branch network while improving automation, noting that international banks often operate with fewer staff per branch. He questioned what measures are being taken to reduce high administrative costs, which he said contribute to higher lending rates for the public. Oral Question No. 3 & 4 – 149/2024 & 176/2024: Bank of Ceylon Financial Status and Performance Read →
- 23 January 2025 The Hon. (Prof.) Anil Jayantha JJB AI summary Prof. Anil Jayantha stated that the points raised would be considered, noting that zone identification work is still ongoing and not finalized. He said amendments to the BOI Act would be accompanied by separate proposals for zone management models, with selections based on economic and social viability, and emphasized that major decisions could not be concluded within two months but would proceed methodically. Oral Question No. 1 – 103/2024: Bingiriya Export Processing Zone Infrastructure Facilities Read →
- 23 January 2025 The Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha SJB AI summary Nalin Bandara Jayamaha clarified that Bingiriya was highlighted because it currently has available land, while other industrial zones may serve different sectoral purposes. He asked for the identified locations and timelines for the five new zones mentioned, and emphasized Bingiriya’s suitability for port- and airport-linked, coconut-based, and wet-processing industries. He requested ministerial attention to the need for sea outfall and water infrastructure and urged an early visit to Bingiriya to expedite support. Oral Question No. 1 – 103/2024: Bingiriya Export Processing Zone Infrastructure Facilities Read →
- 23 January 2025 The Hon. (Prof.) Anil Jayantha JJB AI summary Hon. (Prof.) Anil Jayantha stated that any inaccuracies in the Rs. 290 million figure would be reviewed and corrected, and affirmed that the Government does not oppose further development of the Zone. He said 2025 allocations must be considered within the overall fiscal framework, including a 13 per cent of GDP expenditure ceiling and Rs. 1,315 billion in capital outlays under the Appropriation Bill. He added that investment attraction depends on multiple factors beyond a sea outfall, and that proposals for this and other zones would be assessed and prioritized step by step. Oral Question No. 1 – 103/2024: Bingiriya Export Processing Zone Infrastructure Facilities Read →
- 23 January 2025 The Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha SJB AI summary Asked whether the upcoming Budget would allocate funds for the sea outfall project and the raw water intake from Deduru Oya. Oral Question No. 1 – 103/2024: Bingiriya Export Processing Zone Infrastructure Facilities Read →
- 23 January 2025 The Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha SJB AI summary Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha referred to the Bingiriya Export Processing Zone, which he said he initiated in 2018, noting its potential expansion to about 1,200 acres and its importance as one of the few BOI zones with available land. He questioned the accuracy of the stated BOI expenditure figure of Rs. 290 million, citing higher costs for land, internal roads, and the water project, and asked that the figures be rechecked. He also asked whether Budget funds would be allocated for a sea outfall and raw water intake from Deduru Oya, stating these are needed to support industries in the zone. Oral Question No. 1 – 103/2024: Bingiriya Export Processing Zone Infrastructure Facilities Read →
- 23 January 2025 The Hon. (Prof.) Anil Jayantha - Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development JJB AI summary The Minister, answering on behalf of the Minister of Finance, detailed expenditure and progress on BOI-related infrastructure up to 31 December 2024, including Rs. 290 million for internal works and Rs. 1,528.53 million for external infrastructure such as land acquisition, access roads, water supply and electricity. He outlined further development plans, including additional land vested in the BOI, continued road works with a Rs. 1,000 million Treasury request for 2025, expansion of water capacity to 10,000 m³ per day, and power supply increases up to 10 MW and later 20 MW. He also stated that internal roads, utilities, fencing and the entrance gate are scheduled for completion or expansion, mainly during 2025. Oral Question No. 1 – 103/2024: Bingiriya Export Processing Zone Infrastructure Facilities Read →
- 22 January 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 defended the Government’s Clean Sri Lanka programme as a mandate-driven national effort focused on integrity, public service, road safety, social dignity and institutional reform, rejecting opposition claims that it is merely a shramadana project or copied from abroad. He criticized the SJB for alleged political engagement with Ranil Wickremesinghe and association with the Rajapaksa legacy while claiming to support Clean Sri Lanka, and cited the resignation of the former Speaker over certification concerns as an example of responding to public moral expectations. He outlined transport-related measures, including action on road accident blackspots, engagement with the World Bank and private sector, and an investigation into the Ghandara bus accident. He also said Tamil-language Clean Sri Lanka materials would be tabled and made available, and acknowledged the need to improve Tamil signage in institutions. Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme (Postponed from 2025-01-21) Read →
- 22 January 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) M.L.A.M. Hizbullah SLMC AI summary Hon. (Dr.) M.L.A.M. Hizbullah expressed support for the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme but urged the Government to provide clearer guidance to the public and public officers and to implement it through local authorities at grassroots level. He proposed training officials, strengthening local bodies to clean drains, plant trees and beautify villages, and changing mindsets across the public service, including the police and security sectors. He also highlighted repeated flooding in the Eastern Province and damage caused by the opening of Senanayake Samudraya sluice gates, requesting compensation for affected farmers in Ampara, Batticaloa, Trincomalee and Polonnaruwa. Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme (Postponed from 2025-01-21) Read →
- 22 January 2025 The Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen SJB AI summary Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen urged the Government to clearly explain the Clean Sri Lanka programme and to use its mandate to implement substantive reforms rather than engage in political blame. He called for attention to India-Sri Lanka connectivity, including the previously discussed bridge project, and argued it could support tourism and development in the North and East. He also raised several local concerns, including incomplete housing projects in Vavuniya, Mannar and Mullaitivu, resettlement support for Muslims expelled from Jaffna, development of Puttalam Hospital, waste dumping in Vavuniya, alleged discriminatory conduct by a public officer in Mundal–Kalpitiya, and protests against new liquor stores. Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme (Postponed from 2025-01-21) Read →
- 22 January 2025 The Hon. Aruna Panagoda JJB AI summary Hon. Aruna Panagoda defended the Government’s “Clean Sri Lanka” programme as a broad initiative to improve environmental conditions, public services, ethics, living standards and economic recovery, rejecting Opposition claims that it is limited to garbage collection or beach cleaning. He cited poor conditions at Homagama bus stand and railway station, delayed local government services, and an unfinished road project as examples of problems the programme aims to address. He said the Government, elected with a large mandate, would implement the programme gradually with public participation and presidential oversight. Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme (Postponed from 2025-01-21) Read →
- 22 January 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayathissa JJB AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Environment, Dr. Nalinda Jayathissa tabled an answer stating that Sri Lanka has 103 rivers, with their names and locations provided in an annex. The response identified major causes of river pollution, including urbanization, industrial effluent, sewage and solid waste discharge, sand mining, unauthorized constructions, agrochemical use, deforestation, and degradation of mangroves and riparian vegetation. It outlined the roles of relevant agencies and noted that while short-term conservation programmes exist, long-term programmes are lacking, with “Pivithuru Ganga” identified as the main ministry initiative. The answer also described Central Environmental Authority monitoring and legal measures under the National Environmental Act, while noting weak institutional coordination, inadequate legal frameworks, and limited capacity to test residual pesticides and agrochemicals. Oral Question: Rivers in Sri Lanka and Pollution Measures (Q.9/2025) Read →
- 22 January 2025 The Hon. Imran Maharoof SJB AI summary Imran Maharoof urged the Ministry to prioritize new electricity wiring systems in densely populated Muslim areas, citing previous incidents involving wires. He also questioned the Government’s stated plan to reduce electricity tariffs, asking to what extent reductions would be made and how the Ministry intends to implement them. Oral Question: Kinniya CEB Consumer Service Centre - Power Disconnections (Q.5/2025) Read →
- 22 January 2025 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody JJB AI summary Kumara Jayakody responded to a concern about electricity service connections, noting that while overhead lines are common, connections from poles to premises are generally made with insulated cables across the country. He said he would inquire into the specific issue raised and take necessary action. Oral Question: Kinniya CEB Consumer Service Centre - Power Disconnections (Q.5/2025) Read →