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 2026 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake – Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development and Leader of the House AI summary Minister Bimal Rathnayake moved approval of several Orders and resolutions under the Special Commodity Levy Act, Customs Ordinance and Motor Traffic Act, noting that finance-related matters would be addressed by the State Minister of Finance and transport matters by him. He said two transport-related Gazettes extend time for driving licence renewals affected by Cyclone Ditcha and set a Rs. 45,000 fee for renewing Sri Lankan driving authorisations for foreign nationals, including through a new facility at Bandaranaike International Airport. He outlined forthcoming regulation of three-wheelers, taxis, school vans and office vans, new drug-testing powers for drivers and conductors, strengthened seatbelt enforcement on expressways, progress on open bank-card payments for bus fares with card-scheme commissions to be waived, and steps to clear the driving licence backlog and restore one-day service. He also referred to action to address corruption at the Department of Motor Traffic and urged MPs to follow Standing Orders and use proper language during debate. Debate: Special Commodity Levy Act and Related Orders (Main Business) Read →
- 18 February 2026 The Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar - Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources JJB AI summary The Minister replied to a question on post-tsunami fishery buildings in the Pottuvil Division, listing facilities handed to fishery organizations, cooperatives, individuals or other bodies, and identifying which are in use or non-functional. He stated that the Jalaldeen Square cold room was handed to the Sri Lanka Army in 2016 and that the ice factory is damaged, with documents submitted to the Divisional Secretariat to bring these facilities under the Department and restart them. He said non-functional buildings and facilities not under the Ministry should be discussed with the Pottuvil Divisional Secretariat and at Divisional or District Coordinating Committee meetings, including possible public use or alternative land arrangements where appropriate. Oral Question: Fishery Buildings and Shore Seine Fishing in Pottuvil (1750/2025) Read →
- 18 February 2026 The Hon. M.S. Abthul Wazeeth SLMC AI summary The Hon. M.S. Abthul Wazeeth asked the Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources about the status of post-tsunami renovated fishery buildings in the Pottuvil Divisional Secretary’s Division, including those leased, sold, or unused. He sought information on whether unused buildings would be made available for Government or public purposes, who maintains and collects revenue from multi-purpose fishery buildings in Jalaldeen Square and Kanakar GN Divisions, and whether those buildings could be vested in the Pottuvil Pradeshiya Sabha or allocated for public use with alternative lands provided to identified owners. Oral Question: Fishery Buildings and Shore Seine Fishing in Pottuvil (1750/2025) Read →
- 18 February 2026 The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna - Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure JJB AI summary State plantation lands under the Ministry’s institutions may be considered for resettling disaster-affected people, subject to approval by the relevant District or inter-agency coordination mechanisms and clearance from the National Building Research Organisation. The Minister stated that, where suitable lands are available, the Ministry is prepared to facilitate such allocations. Oral Question: Hazards Faced by Plantation Workers: Preventive Measures (1466/2025) Read →
- 18 February 2026 The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna - Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure JJB AI summary The Minister said the government is addressing longstanding land and housing insecurity in the estate community by granting 10 perches of land to families without land rights and expanding housing construction. He cited temporary hut settlements, landslide-displaced families, and delays caused by terrain reassessments after the “Ditsa” cyclone, while noting ongoing delivery of houses for affected families. He stated that the Indian-assisted 10,000-housing project is progressing with Sri Lankan funding for infrastructure, with 2,026 grants issued in 2025 and more than 2,600 houses planned in 2026. He also said Rs. 500,000 has been approved for fully damaged houses from “Ditsa” and that discussions are underway to extend support to estate residents without land titles. Oral Question: Hazards Faced by Plantation Workers: Preventive Measures (1466/2025) Read →
- 18 February 2026 The Hon. B. Ariyawansha SJB AI summary B. Ariyawansha questioned the Minister on housing for plantation Tamil families, citing over 2,000 families in temporary huts and more than 30,000 families in Ratnapura living in old, overcrowded line rooms. He referred to the Government’s policy promise of 10 perches per family and asked how houses would be built rapidly, including under Indian-assisted programmes. He specifically raised the delayed “Aluth Kaella” site in Suriya Kanda, noting landslide risks, and sought a concrete plan for swift solutions. Oral Question: Hazards Faced by Plantation Workers: Preventive Measures (1466/2025) Read →
- 18 February 2026 The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna - Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure JJB AI summary Minister K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna stated that internal estate roads are owned by estate companies and are not vested in local authorities or state bodies, with companies historically responsible for maintaining roads and line rooms. He said that, due to poor maintenance and resident communities’ needs, the Government also has a responsibility to provide basic infrastructure, and that about Rs. 100 million has been allocated through the Ministry to improve estate and estate-adjacent roads while engaging companies on maintenance. Oral Question: Hazards Faced by Plantation Workers: Preventive Measures (1466/2025) Read →
- 18 February 2026 The Hon. (Ms.) Ambika Samivel JJB AI summary The Member asked who would be responsible for maintaining estate access roads that were previously outside the jurisdiction of local authorities or the RDA/PRDA. She sought clarification on whether the Ministry had discussed maintenance responsibilities with estate companies and managers following recent repairs. Oral Question: Hazards Faced by Plantation Workers: Preventive Measures (1466/2025) Read →
- 17 February 2026 The Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC SJB AI summary Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper stated that he had proposed allocating Rs. 2.5 million from the MPs’ quota to convert the abandoned first floor of the Narpittimunai market into a community hall, as the area lacks such a facility. He said the proposal had been submitted to the District Coordinating Committee, but inaction by the Kalmunai Divisional Secretariat had prevented approval and amounted to a breach of his parliamentary privilege. He requested that approval be granted for the project. Privilege Matters and Points of Order Read →
- 17 February 2026 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Ravi Karunanayake raised concerns about a directive on direct power feeding and alleged that officials had instructed those involved not to speak about it. He stated that there was an 80 MW electricity deficit and warned that covering it with fuel oil generation would result in financial losses. Ministry Statement: Reforms of Ceylon Electricity Board Read →
- 17 February 2026 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody - Minister of Energy JJB AI summary Minister Kumara Jayakody stated that the Ceylon Electricity Board is being reorganized under the Sri Lanka Electricity Act as amended in 2025, with six fully state-owned subsidiary companies established for generation, distribution, transmission, system operation, residual functions, and employee funds management. He said no policy decision has been taken on time-of-use tariffs or curtailing variable renewable energy, cross-subsidies will not be removed, and VRS costs will not be passed to consumers without PUCSL approval, with Treasury funding expected. He further noted that disrupted power system restoration and rehabilitation will be phased to minimize consumer impact, while transmission development funding is being arranged through ADB, AIIB, the World Bank, and possible regulated public-private participation. Ministry Statement: Reforms of Ceylon Electricity Board Read →
- 17 February 2026 The Hon. Sunil Kumara Gamage - Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports JJB AI summary The Minister said the McHeyzer development had not been abandoned, noting that he inaugurated the 400-metre track in December. He stated that remaining works at the Trincomalee town grounds would be completed during the year, with efforts to provide facilities for night-time sports as part of the public sports grounds concept. Oral Question: McHeyzer Stadium, Trincomalee - Development (Q.7/2025) Read →
- 17 February 2026 The Hon. Imran Maharoof SJB AI summary Hon. Imran Maharoof raised the lack of sports grounds with adequate lighting and facilities for night-time football, cricket and other sports in his area. He noted that increased night competitions and climate-related preferences for evening play make such facilities important, and asked whether the Government plans to establish them to support athletes. Oral Question: McHeyzer Stadium, Trincomalee - Development (Q.7/2025) Read →
- 17 February 2026 The Hon. Sunil Kumara Gamage - Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports JJB AI summary The Minister stated that the Government is taking measures to develop sports in the North and East, including introducing and supporting leather-ball cricket in districts such as Trincomalee and Ampara. He said equipment has been provided, budget allocations have been made to identify deficiencies in school cricket facilities, and necessary renovations are planned to be completed within the year. Oral Question: McHeyzer Stadium, Trincomalee - Development (Q.7/2025) Read →
- 17 February 2026 The Hon. Imran Maharoof SJB AI summary Hon. Imran Maharoof highlighted sporting achievements by youth and schools in Trincomalee District, including Soranagal Al-Ameen Maha Vidyalaya winning the 18th All-Island Football Championship, while noting the absence of a fully equipped stadium in the district. He asked whether the Ministry is working with schools to rehabilitate school grounds and support sports infrastructure for students from areas such as Kinniya, Mutur, Thoppur, Kuchchaveli and Kantale. Oral Question: McHeyzer Stadium, Trincomalee - Development (Q.7/2025) Read →
- 17 February 2026 The Hon. Sunil Kumara Gamage - Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports JJB AI summary McHeyzer Stadium is currently suitable for national-level competitions, with development ongoing and the swimming pool, indoor sports complex and 400-metre track completed, while the pavilion is nearing completion. The Minister stated that Trincomalee District still lacks turf pitches for leather-ball cricket, as Sri Lanka Cricket has not yet been allocated state land despite discussions with the Trincomalee Municipal Council. He added that plans since 2016 to obtain state lands in Ampara, Batticaloa and Trincomalee for district cricket grounds, potentially upgraded to international level, remain on hold, though funds have been allocated in Sri Lanka Cricket’s 2026 budget. Oral Question: McHeyzer Stadium, Trincomalee - Development (Q.7/2025) Read →
- 17 February 2026 The Hon. Imran Maharoof SJB AI summary Hon. Imran Maharoof asked the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports about the lack of a national-level sports venue in Trincomalee District and the stalled development of McHeyzer Stadium. He sought reasons for the abandonment, possible alternatives if legal or other issues prevent completion, and plans to build turf-pitch cricket grounds in Kantale, Trincomalee, Kinniya and Mutur. He also requested clarification on whether an international-level cricket stadium would be constructed in the Eastern Province and, if so, the expected timeframe. Oral Question: McHeyzer Stadium, Trincomalee - Development (Q.7/2025) Read →
- 17 February 2026 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody - Minister of Energy JJB AI summary Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody stated that the National Electricity Policy had undergone an initial 21-day public comment period and that the revised final draft was again open for comments on the ministry website until 19 February, incorporating many earlier submissions. He said the Government was proceeding with renewable energy integration, including a 160 MW Battery Energy Storage System for solar power, with the Letter of Award process begun, and a further 300 MW BESS tender expected within two months. He identified transmission network limitations as the main constraint and said financing and expansion of the network were being prioritized. Oral Question: Electricity Generated by Solar Panels (Q.2/2025) Read →
- 17 February 2026 The Hon. Suranga Rathnayaka SJB AI summary Hon. Suranga Rathnayaka questioned the limited five-day public consultation period for the Draft National Electricity Policy, noting that at least 14 days is generally expected. He raised concerns that the policy gives insufficient attention to renewable energy, particularly solar power, and asked what concrete steps are being taken to support solar-based generation, including battery capacity and related technical measures. Oral Question: Electricity Generated by Solar Panels (Q.2/2025) Read →
- 6 February 2026 Hon. Vijitha Herath - Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism JJB AI summary Vijitha Herath said the emergency declared after the disaster was necessary to coordinate a nationwide response beyond the capacity of the Disaster Management Act, including deployment of security forces, essential services, personnel and machinery across administrative boundaries. He stated that the regulations had not been used to suppress protests, strikes, media or political activity, and said reforms were under way to disaster management structures, the Online Safety law and legislation replacing the PTA. He also said emergency powers helped stabilize tourism and expedite procurement for recovery work, citing record December and January tourist arrivals, a preliminary World Bank estimate of US$4.1 billion in economic impact, and parliamentary approval of supplementary estimates. Debate: Extension of Emergency Regulations (Cyclone Ditwah) Read →