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- 19 February 2026 The Hon. (Prof.) A.-H.M.H. Abayarathna AI summary The Minister said a firm completion date could not be given for the construction project due to uncertainties in construction work. He clarified that the original two-storey building was estimated at Rs. 37.188 million, later expanded to four storeys through variations, with costs rising to about Rs. 65 million due to COVID-19 and price increases, and around Rs. 70 million already spent. He stated that Rs. 30 million has now been allocated to complete the work, while noting procedural concerns over procurement approval for some additions. Oral Question: Kaduruwela Market Complex (Q.) Read →
- 19 February 2026 The Hon. Kins Nelson SJB AI summary Hon. Kins Nelson asked for a definite date to open the Kaduruwela market complex, noting that its foundation stone was laid in 2022, estimates had exceeded Rs. 65 million, and over Rs. 70 million had reportedly been spent while the facility remained closed. He also raised concerns about the implementation of decentralized funds, stating that a new amendment allowing projects of Rs. 200,000 and above was not known to District Secretaries. He proposed that District Secretaries and District Coordinating Committee Chairpersons be formally informed and assigned responsibility to implement the revised criteria correctly. Oral Question: Kaduruwela Market Complex (Q.) Read →
- 19 February 2026 The Hon. (Prof.) A.H.M.H. Abayarathna - Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government JJB AI summary The Minister clarified that the facility in question is not an abandoned complex but an incompletely constructed shopping complex. He stated that Rs. 70,470,668.21 has already been spent on construction, and that the newly constituted Polonnaruwa Municipal Council has approved Rs. 30 million in the 2026 Annual Budget to complete the remaining works. Oral Question: Kaduruwela Market Complex (Q.) Read →
- 19 February 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe - Minister of Housing, Construction and Water Supply JJB AI summary The Minister said the relevant Board operates in Ampara, Trincomalee and Batticaloa and that he would examine adding design capacity. He stated that he is visiting districts to discuss water plans, intends to visit Batticaloa soon, and will consider the request raised and take appropriate action. Oral Question: Water Supply to Porativu Pattu DS Division and Araiyampathi (Q.353/2025) Read →
- 19 February 2026 The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK AI summary Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam argued that while his proposed package plant is modest, larger Batticaloa water projects such as the Muthanar Oya scheme, linking Rugam and Kithul tanks, and the Valachchenai supply would address most district water issues if completed. He said the main bottleneck is the lack of an in-district water design team, with only two District Engineers available, causing delays even when additional pipeline allocations are made. He asked whether a design team could be assigned to Batticaloa to expedite water supply works. Oral Question: Water Supply to Porativu Pattu DS Division and Araiyampathi (Q.353/2025) Read →
- 19 February 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe - Minister of Housing, Construction and Water Supply JJB AI summary The Minister said he could not confirm details beyond official National Water Supply and Drainage Board data, noting that national production-demand gaps and low water pressure restrict supply hours. He undertook to discuss whether Ampara water sources could serve the cited areas, review issues regarding the reported absence of applications, and examine the proposed package plant, while noting that similar proposals across the country require significant multi-year funding. Oral Question: Water Supply to Porativu Pattu DS Division and Araiyampathi (Q.353/2025) Read →
- 19 February 2026 The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK AI summary Proposed establishing a new package water supply system at Mandur to serve nearby areas, noting that connection from Batticaloa is not feasible and water sources from Ampara would be required. Asked whether arrangements could be made to implement this proposal. Oral Question: Water Supply to Porativu Pattu DS Division and Araiyampathi (Q.353/2025) Read →
- 19 February 2026 The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK AI summary Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam acknowledged water supply works completed in 2025 and planned for 2026 in Araiyampathi, Kokkatticholai, Kaluwanchikudy and Mandur, totalling about 42 km, but said several villages still face serious water shortages. He noted difficulties in Porativu Pattu because supply must come from Ampara and applications are being discouraged. He asked whether a package plant could be established at the Mandur water office location to serve the affected areas, noting that the Divisional Secretary had agreed on land availability. Oral Question: Water Supply to Porativu Pattu DS Division and Araiyampathi (Q.353/2025) Read →
- 19 February 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe - Minister of Housing, Construction and Water Supply JJB AI summary Confirmed that several villages in Porativu Pattu and Manmunai Pattu DS Divisions already have varying levels of pipe-borne water coverage, while others require extensions or upstream infrastructure upgrades. He stated that Kakkachiveddai’s remaining 3.5 km pipeline and Kirankulam-Dharmapuram’s new supply are proposed under the CEDE Project in 2026, with Kirankulam-Dharmapuram targeted to receive water by the end of the year. For Thikkodai-Dumbalai, he said extension is not technically feasible until pumping and transmission main improvements are designed and implemented. Oral Question: Water Supply to Porativu Pattu DS Division and Araiyampathi (Q.353/2025) Read →
- 18 February 2026 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development and the Leader of the House of Parliament JJB AI summary The Minister stated that the proposed Millaniya access to the expressway had been discussed at the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Infrastructure and Strategic Development on 11 December 2025, but it is not currently being processed. He said residents of Millaniya, Kalutara North and Bulathsinhala can use the Gelanigama and Dodangoda interchanges, while Bulathsinhala may later access the planned Ingiriya Interchange on the Ruwanpura Expressway. He further explained that land had been acquired for access to the proposed Millaniya Investment Zone at the request of the Board of Investment, but funding has been suspended and no further acquisition is taking place. Oral Questions: Crime Statistics, Temple Jewellery, Police Releases, and Infrastructure (1745/2026 - 1851/2026) Read →
- 18 February 2026 The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB AI summary Ajith P. Perera asked the Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development about the suspended construction of the Pelpola Interchange on the Southern Expressway. He referred to a 11 December 2025 decision of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Infrastructure and Strategic Development calling for its completion to support goods and services in flood-affected areas of the Millaniya Divisional Secretary’s Division. He also asked whether the Minister accepts that residents of Millaniya, Kalutara North and Bulathsinhala lack adequate access to the expressway, and what steps have been taken to complete the half-finished interchange. Oral Questions: Crime Statistics, Temple Jewellery, Police Releases, and Infrastructure (1745/2026 - 1851/2026) Read →
- 18 February 2026 The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB AI summary Ajith P. Perera asked the Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs for annual data from 2020 to 2025 on reported shootings in Sri Lanka, including deaths and injuries, and for details on police measures taken to control such incidents and their progress. He also raised concerns about the condition of the Bandaragama Police Station, asking whether a modern building, development plan, cost estimate, and study on constructing official quarters within the premises have been prepared or will be undertaken. Oral Questions: Crime Statistics, Temple Jewellery, Police Releases, and Infrastructure (1745/2026 - 1851/2026) Read →
- 18 February 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha - Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning JJB AI summary Several Opposition criticisms of the Special Commodity Levy regulations were rejected, with the Minister stating that the gazettes adjusted or extended existing levy structures rather than imposing new taxes. He said changes to citrus imports under the Pakistan–Sri Lanka FTA, extensions for potatoes and onions, relief exemptions after Cyclone “Ditva,” and concessions for fish and pharmaceutical salt were handled through institutional review, Cabinet approval and parliamentary tabling. He also argued that import data showed no abnormal stockpiling and that the Government’s approach reflected due process and price-stability objectives. He linked these measures to broader economic stabilization, citing improved growth, lower inflation, continued budget discipline and reforms aimed at higher inclusive growth. Debate: Special Commodity Levy Act, Customs Ordinance Resolution, and Motor Traffic Act Orders (Continuation) Read →
- 18 February 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam ITAK AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam supported the use of Special Commodity Levy regulations to manage imports and encourage local production of items such as onions and potatoes, but argued that levies alone cannot achieve self-sufficiency. He called for broader farmer support, including fertilizer subsidies, timely paddy procurement payments, effective crop insurance, and action on human–wildlife conflict. He also urged the Government to use the Indian grant for developing Kankesanthurai Port to reduce transport costs and improve the northern economy. Debate: Special Commodity Levy Act, Customs Ordinance Resolution, and Motor Traffic Act Orders (Continuation) Read →
- 18 February 2026 The Hon. Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan DTNA AI summary Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan, speaking on regulations under the Special Commodity Levy Act, said food and essential goods in the Vanni region are often sold above controlled prices and raised concerns about hygiene, bribery, weak enforcement, medicine price disparities, and private traders exploiting farmers. He called for stronger action by the Consumer Affairs Authority and district officials against overpricing, comparable to government action against drugs and corruption. Referring to Motor Traffic Act-related matters, he requested that the Mannar train departure be changed from 1.00 a.m. to 10.00 p.m. to improve public usability. He also objected to what he described as a “shadow” provincial administration under the Northern Province Governor and urged the President to hold Provincial Council elections. Debate: Special Commodity Levy Act, Customs Ordinance Resolution, and Motor Traffic Act Orders (Continuation) Read →
- 18 February 2026 The Hon. R.M. Jayawardhana - Deputy Minister of Trade, Commerce and Food Security JJB AI summary Deputy Minister R.M. Jayawardhana said the regulations under the Special Commodity Levy Act and Imports and Exports (Control) Act are intended to manage import levies, including adjusting the levy on Pakistani hybrid mandarins following a trade-related request under the bilateral agreement. He said SCL increases on potatoes and big onions were approved to protect local farmers during harvest periods, and cited government actions on economic stabilization, housing projects, vehicle imports, debt payments, and IMF support as evidence of progress. He also defended the proposed abolition of MPs’ pensions, arguing that parliamentary pension entitlement after five years is inconsistent with public service pension rules, and noted that the IMF had decided to provide USD 200 million for those affected by Cyclone “Dittha.” Debate: Special Commodity Levy Act, Customs Ordinance Resolution, and Motor Traffic Act Orders (Continuation) Read →
- 18 February 2026 The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka SJB AI summary Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka addressed two Orders under the Motor Traffic Act, supporting measures on temporary driving permits and licence validity while proposing that permits for foreign licence holders be issued at tourist hubs such as Galle with guidance on local road rules. He raised implementation concerns over mandatory seat belts in buses, delayed issuance of vehicle number plates despite previous assurances, and proposed drug and alcohol testing of bus drivers, arguing that penalties should apply to offending drivers rather than bus owners and should be applied consistently to SLTB. He also highlighted wider public transport and road safety problems, including train delays, unsafe level crossings, elephant-train collisions, railway losses, ageing SLTB buses, staffing burdens, and high fatal accident rates involving motorcycles, three-wheelers and buses, calling for urgent practical action. Debate: Special Commodity Levy Act, Customs Ordinance Resolution, and Motor Traffic Act Orders (Continuation) Read →
- 18 February 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Prasanna Gunasena - Deputy Minister of Transport and Highways JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Prasanna Gunasena reacted critically to remarks made by Hon. Namal Rajapaksa, alleging that those associated with violent political figures such as Julampitiye Amare were now making claims in Parliament. His intervention was brief and focused on condemning the perceived hypocrisy of the earlier speech. Debate: Special Commodity Levy Act, Customs Ordinance Resolution, and Motor Traffic Act Orders (Continuation) Read →
- 18 February 2026 The Hon. Sunil Kumara Gamage — Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports AI summary The Minister supported the regulations under the Special Commodity Levy Act, Customs Ordinance, and Motor Traffic Act, linking them to economic recovery, tourism facilitation, and national development. He cited increased tourist arrivals, government revenue, remittances, reserves and low inflation as evidence of stability, and said measures such as allowing tourists to drive on foreign licences would further support tourism. He also referred to Sri Lanka’s hosting of the India–Pakistan cricket series as evidence of international confidence and emphasized sport and parliamentary reforms, including abolition of MPs’ pensions, as part of broader social and political development. Debate: Special Commodity Levy Act, Customs Ordinance Resolution, and Motor Traffic Act Orders (Continuation) Read →
- 18 February 2026 The Hon. Kathiravelu Shanmugam Kugathasan ITAK AI summary Hon. Kathiravelu Shanmugam Kugathasan supported the Motor Traffic (Expressway) and Motor Traffic (Drug) Regulations as necessary reforms to address road safety, including mandatory seat belts on expressways and formal procedures for detecting drug-impaired driving through saliva testing and lab confirmation. He noted changes from prior law, including wider seat-belt obligations, owner and driver responsibility, and higher drunk-driving fines. He raised concerns about the cost and feasibility of retrofitting older buses, possible inaccuracies or misuse of saliva tests, and potential police harassment. He proposed subsidies or a welfare fund for operators, support for replacing old buses, legal clarity on prescribed medicines, and mandatory police body cameras during testing. Debate: Special Commodity Levy Act, Customs Ordinance Resolution, and Motor Traffic Act Orders (Continuation) Read →