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- 4 December 2024 The Hon. Eranga Weerarathna - Deputy Minister of Digital Economy AI summary Eranga Weerarathna said the Government’s mandate was to address political, economic, and social decline, including through the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme to promote discipline, respect for law, and social reform. He outlined the Digital Economy Ministry’s priorities, including restoring and modernizing failed State IT systems, consolidating fragmented digital policy under a national strategy, resolving visa and passport system disruptions, and enforcing digital governance standards. He proposed expanding the engineering workforce to 200,000 by 2030, bridging unemployed graduates into technology jobs, and growing IT/BPM exports to USD 5 billion and the wider digital economy to USD 15 billion by 2030 through public-private cooperation, fintech reforms, Digital ID, and improved ease of doing business. He also stated that Sri Lanka Telecom would remain State-owned while being made profitable. Debate: Government Policy Statement - Resumed Adjourned Debate Read →
- 4 December 2024 The Hon. Susil Ranasinghe - Deputy Minister of Land and Irrigation JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Susil Ranasinghe, speaking on the President’s policy statement, said rural communities remain heavily indebted and underserved, requiring an agriculture-centred policy to improve livelihoods. He proposed increasing paddy yields through technology, expanding cultivation of import-dependent crops such as chilli, onions and pulses, and ensuring affordable quality seeds, fertilizer, agrochemicals and mechanization for farmers. He also called for livestock development, pasture lands, a national land-use plan, modernized irrigation, agro-based industries and export crop promotion to raise rural incomes and reduce dependence on imports. Debate: Government Policy Statement - Resumed Adjourned Debate Read →
- 4 December 2024 The Hon. (Prof.) Ruwan Ranasinghe - Deputy Minister of Tourism JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister said the NPP’s mandate reflects public demand for economic reform after mismanagement, exclusion of citizens from economic activity, and failures in state enterprises such as the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation. He argued that tourism can help rebuild the economy by using Sri Lanka’s coastline, wildlife, forests, and cultural heritage while linking village craftsmen, farmers, and other ordinary citizens to the tourism value chain. Referring to Thailand’s long-term planning and Sri Lanka’s slower progress, he criticized past patronage and corrupt practices in the sector and stated that the Government has prepared a National Tourism Policy to guide future development. Ministerial Statement: Arrests for Spreading False Information on Social Media Read →
- 3 December 2024 The Hon. Sunil Handunnetti - Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development JJB AI summary Hon. Sunil Handunnetti defended the new Government’s early performance, arguing that criticism about inexperience is premature given that it has held only a few Cabinet meetings and has already responded effectively to recent floods. He said the President’s policy vision centres on a national production economy, wider public participation, equitable distribution of benefits, export expansion, tourism growth, digitalization, and the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme. As Industry Minister, he criticized past policies that left many state industrial institutions inactive or marked for sale, and argued that state-owned industry should be revived as a strong competitive pillar alongside the private sector. Debate: President's Policy Statement (Continuation with Maiden Speeches and Responses) Read →
- 3 December 2024 The Hon. Wasantha Piyathissa JJB AI summary Hon. Wasantha Piyathissa argued that communal and religiously based politics are no longer necessary in the East, saying communities no longer need ethnocentric parties claiming to protect them. He responded to concerns about recent floods, stating that NPP members helped clean and sanitize affected schools and homes, while Government officials were convened to plan further action. He attributed delays to institutional weaknesses, rigid procedures, and resource shortages, expressed regret for public inconvenience, and said the Government is working to improve response mechanisms. Debate: President's Policy Statement (Continuation with Maiden Speeches and Responses) Read →
- 3 December 2024 The Hon. M.A.M. Thahir ACMC AI summary Hon. M.A.M. Thahir thanked his party and constituents in Digamadulla and then focused on the deaths of eight people, including six students from Kashiful Uloom Arabic College, during floods at Mavadippalli on 26 November. He questioned the preparedness and response of officials despite prior weather warnings, noted delays in Navy rescue efforts, and called for accountability beyond the college staff currently in custody. He urged the Government to compensate the victims’ families and prioritize rehabilitation of the Mavadippalli and Kittangip bridges, citing repeated loss of life and transport risks. He also asked that Islamic religious affairs be considered in national programmes, that deserving people excluded from the Aswesuma welfare scheme be included, and that politicized police OIC appointments be addressed as part of restoring civil administration. Debate: President's Policy Statement (Continuation with Maiden Speeches and Responses) Read →