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 January 2025 Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB AI summary Hon. Ajith P. Perera asked whether the Minister would engage Sri Lanka Cricket to secure funding and support to upgrade the sports complex for first-class cricket. He noted that the eastern boundary is too short and that Sri Lanka Cricket had previously agreed to fund adjustments, including shifting the indoor facility, given the venue’s strategic location near Colombo. Oral Questions (Multiple Questions) Read →
- 21 January 2025 Hon. Sunil Kumara Gamage JJB AI summary Hon. Sunil Kumara Gamage stated that repairs and restoration work are underway for damaged sports facilities, including the track and other affected areas. He added that a significant allocation has been included in the year’s Estimates for sports development. Oral Questions (Multiple Questions) Read →
- 21 January 2025 Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB AI summary Hon. Ajith P. Perera thanked the Minister for inspecting the venue following his question, but outlined continuing defects at the sports complex, including damage to the 400-metre track, blocked drainage, poor pool maintenance, absence of changing rooms, lack of storage for provincial sports equipment, inter-agency coordination problems, and failing rainwater systems at the indoor stadium. He asked whether the Government would allocate funds to rectify these shortcomings and ensure cooperation between the Department of Sports Development and provincial officials. Oral Questions (Multiple Questions) Read →
- 21 January 2025 Hon. Sunil Kumara Gamage - Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports JJB AI summary Hon. Sunil Kumara Gamage responded to questions on the Kalutara District Sports Complex, stating that it was opened in 2017, the swimming pool in 2018, and Rs. 241.314 million had been spent. He said sports activities continue, management through an MoU with external parties is being considered, funds have been allocated for future works, and a technical report has been requested on the 400-metre track before further development. He added that steps will be taken with the Pradeshiya Sabha to provide parking on idle land, and that while no agreement exists with Sri Lanka Cricket, maintenance is currently supported by the Kalutara District Cricket Association pending formal vesting of the complex in the Sports Development Department. Oral Questions (Multiple Questions) Read →
- 21 January 2025 Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB AI summary Hon. Ajith P. Perera asked the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports for details on the Kalutara District Sports Complex in Bandaragama, including its opening date, construction cost, and the current deterioration attributed to poor maintenance. He sought information on steps to upgrade the 400-metre running track and to develop adjoining land outside the security wall for vehicle parking. He also asked about an agreement between the Sports Development Department and Sri Lanka Cricket, and why proposed development of the ground for first-class cricket had not been implemented. Oral Questions (Multiple Questions) Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Mohamed Sali Naleem AI summary Hon. Mohamed Sali Naleem highlighted unresolved development and resettlement issues in Batticaloa District, particularly the need for housing, access roads, and basic infrastructure for 56 long-displaced families in Kalliyanchchai and for about 500 families in Ragam and Vadichchal, including elephant fences to address human-elephant conflict. He requested urgent staffing and facilities for Eravur Base Hospital and support for Eravur Ayurveda Hospital, including a generator and vehicle. He also called for multi-ethnic public service appointments across communities and urged the Government’s Clean Sri Lanka programme to prioritize action against narcotics, ensuring both small and large offenders are brought before the law. Adjournment Debate: Government Performance and Commodity Prices Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody - Minister of Energy JJB AI summary Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody defended the NPP Government’s early economic record, citing negative CCPI inflation in November and December 2024, expanded welfare and subsidy measures, pension and allowance increases, and a raised PAYE tax threshold for professionals. He argued that public confidence and indicators such as the stock market, tourism, and economic stability had improved despite Opposition criticism. On electricity, he said the Government had submitted proposals to the Public Utilities Commission to keep tariffs unchanged during an expected dry period that would raise generation costs, with the State absorbing the burden rather than passing it to consumers. He attributed high tariffs to past corruption, poor planning, and institutional weaknesses, including vacancies at the CEB, and said the Government was implementing corrective measures. Adjournment Debate: Government Performance and Commodity Prices Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen SJB AI summary Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen urged the Government to move beyond criticism of past administrations and act on current public needs, including fair prices for essential commodities, unresolved flood damage and farmer compensation in Mannar, and an alternative site for waste dumping near Salambakulam in Vavuniya. He requested reviews of the gazetting of 18,900 hectares in Mannar under wildlife and forest conservation, the stalled EU-funded drainage project, delayed teacher training certificates from Kopay, and pay anomalies affecting university library assistants under UGC Circulars 975 and 985. He also raised concerns about Myanmar/Rohingya refugees rescued off Mullaitivu, calling for access for MPs and NGOs, provision of basic supplies, UNHCR involvement, third-country resettlement where possible, and no forced return in violation of international law. Special Commodity Levy Act: Orders and Related Motions Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Sunil Handunnetti - Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development JJB AI summary The Minister explained that a regulation under the Sri Lanka Export Development Act, published in Gazette No. 2400/25, was being presented for parliamentary approval within the required four-month period. He said the regulation includes a Rs. 1 per kilogram cess reduction on imported clinker, conditional on a Rs. 2 per kilogram reduction in cement retail prices, with the aim of lowering a 50 kg bag by about Rs. 100 and supporting the construction sector. He also noted concerns over a pilot proposal to permit the export of one million metric tons of black stone blocks, stating that domestic construction needs must be considered and that no export applications had yet been received. He further referred to Orders under the Special Commodity Levy Act, describing the SCL framework as intended to protect farmers and consumers from VAT and other tax burdens. Special Commodity Levy Act: Orders and Related Motions Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody - State Minister JJB AI summary Kumara Jayakody said electricity line losses of about 9 percent in some areas are being reviewed with the aim of reducing them below 7 percent. He stated that LNG-based generation is being pursued as an interim measure, including reviving suspended procurements and expediting LNG infrastructure and gas supply for plants currently running on costlier liquid fuels. He added that diesel use would be minimized, but transmission constraints sometimes require purchases from diesel plants until network upgrades are completed. Oral Questions Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Ravindra Bandara AI summary Asked what plans the Government has to reduce electricity tariffs by addressing technical line losses in the power distribution system and replacing expensive diesel-based generation with LNG power. Emphasized these as two key measures for lowering electricity costs. Oral Questions Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody - State Minister JJB AI summary Kumara Jayakody stated that 49 electricity-sector proposals were received under the EOI process, but that route was later invalidated by amendments to the Electricity Act under the previous administration. He said many proposals involved irregularities and high tariffs, and that Cabinet had approved a committee to regularize the process by recommending unit prices, capacities and related terms for approval. He added that the Government would expedite implementation while addressing the difficulties faced by investors. Oral Questions Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody - State Minister JJB AI summary The State Minister provided data on electricity generation capacity added since 2019, including three CEB-owned plants, 13 private thermal plants, and 110 renewable plants totaling 1,872 MW, with generation performance details tabled in annexes. He outlined planned additions under the Long-Term Generation Expansion Plan 2025–2044 for the next two years, including hydro, wind, solar, biomass, and combined-cycle capacity, as well as 1,138 planned renewable plants. He also stated that preliminary work has begun on a 100 MW/100 MWh battery storage system and renewable energy control centre at Kolonnawa, and that a committee is preparing a 2025–2030 grid integration plan for renewable projects. Oral Questions Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Ravindra Bandara AI summary Hon. Ravindra Bandara asked the Minister of Energy for details on power stations added to the National Grid since 2019, including their names, expected and current generation capacity, and which of them are renewable energy plants. He also requested separate generation figures for each renewable station. He further sought information on planned National Grid expansion and renewable energy expansion over the next two years, or reasons if no such plans exist. Oral Questions Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody - Minister of Energy JJB AI summary The Minister stated that Sri Lanka does not yet have sufficient transmission network flexibility in some areas, which constrains renewable energy integration and power evacuation. He said several transmission lines are under construction, priority is being given to regions without such constraints, and support is being sought from non-state and foreign development partners to meet the 70 per cent renewable energy target by 2030. He also noted that end-user tariffs reflect import content, VAT, operation and maintenance costs, staffing shortages and engineer outflows, in addition to solar procurement prices, and said these issues are being addressed. Oral Questions Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha SJB AI summary Nalin Bandara Jayamaha raised concerns that transmission constraints, including delayed transmission lines and grid substation upgrades, are hindering electricity evacuation. He asked whether priority is being given to the delayed Jaffna–New Habarana transmission line and related substation works, and questioned whether the Minister in charge of the CEB was acting under the directions of Ranjan Jayalal. Oral Questions Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody - Minister of Energy JJB AI summary The Minister of Energy stated that the Government intends to expedite a legacy project currently at the implementation stage. He said the developer has requested land vesting acceptable to banks as security in order to facilitate financing, not merely as a land handover. A Cabinet Paper has been submitted, and further action will follow after receiving observations from the Ministry of Finance. Oral Questions Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha SJB AI summary Asked for an update on the 100 MW Siyambalanduwa solar project, noting that although the award has been made, land clearance and inter-agency support remain pending. He questioned whether the Government is expediting the project and ensuring support from the CEB and relevant agencies so construction can begin as planned. Oral Questions Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody - Minister of Energy JJB AI summary Minister of Energy Kumara Jayakody stated that 343 private power plants are currently in operation, including Yugadanavi and Sobadanavi, and that ownership, energy purchase, and payment details from 2015 onwards have been placed in the Library as annexes. He explained that smaller renewable energy plants operate under standardized power purchase agreements with payments only for energy supplied, while larger renewable projects have more detailed agreements including provisions such as deemed energy payments and minimum supply obligations. He added that LNG plant agreements were secured through competitive bidding, are not unfavourable to the CEB, and include dual-fuel capability due to the current lack of LNG availability. Oral Questions Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha SJB AI summary Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha asked the Minister of Energy to provide details on private power plants currently operating in Sri Lanka, including their names, owners’ names and addresses, and annual payments made to each owner from 2015 to date. He further questioned whether the Minister is aware that the agreements with these private power plant owners are unfavourable, and if so, what measures will be taken to address the issue. Oral Questions Read →