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- 8 January 2026 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara raised administrative concerns relating to the Department of Motor Traffic, requesting that vehicle ownership transfers, revenue licence waiver letters, and related services be fully restored to regional offices to reduce delays, corruption allegations, and loss of revenue. He urged urgent resolution of the suspension of permanent number plate issuance, noting that many vehicles are using temporary paper numbers and calling for accountability over a previous contract he said increased costs substantially. He also raised concerns about vacancies and appointments in the English education administration, alleged irregularities in English module preparation, and requested investigations. Additionally, he questioned the involvement of organizations in sexuality and gender education content for minors, citing international standards on parental consent and safeguards. Motor Traffic Act Regulations Debate Read →
- 8 January 2026 The Hon. Fasmin Sharif JJB AI summary Hon. Fasmin Sharif supported stronger action against drug use, particularly enforcing laws against driving under the influence, and noted that police-led awareness and enforcement programmes are now being conducted in towns. He also addressed recent flooding in Gampola, disputing claims made by a Member from Mawanella and attributing the severity to poor drainage maintenance by former municipal authorities. He called for prioritizing proper flood mitigation measures in Gampola. Motor Traffic Act Regulations Debate Read →
- 8 January 2026 The Hon. (Mrs.) Sagarika Athauda, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Sagarika Athauda supported the Motor Traffic Act regulations on driver obligations and expressway safety, linking them to the Government’s broader development agenda and completed rural road projects in Kegalle District. She argued that improved infrastructure must be matched by compliance from drivers, owners, pedestrians and the State, citing accident and fatality data from 2020 to 2025 to show that most crashes arise from preventable behaviour. She also noted transport sector reforms, including SLTB recruitment of drivers and conductors, the first intake of 25 female conductors, and plans to recruit women to suitable Railway grades. Motor Traffic Act Regulations Debate Read →
- 8 January 2026 The Hon. J.C. Alawathuwala SJB AI summary J.C. Alawathuwala supported regulations under the Motor Traffic Act targeting narcotics-related driving, arguing that immediate testing, strict enforcement, and protection for Police are necessary to reduce accidents involving alcohol, drugs, fatigue, and untrained drivers. He called for improved road infrastructure and traffic controls, including functioning traffic lights and visible stop signs, with action by road and local authorities. He also raised concerns about worsening poverty and post-cyclone relief, saying current assistance is insufficient and urging clear housing and resettlement plans, as well as an international aid conference to mobilize wider support. Motor Traffic Act Regulations Debate Read →
- 8 January 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Sandaruwan Madarasinghe JJB AI summary Contributing to the debate on two regulations under the Motor Traffic Act, Dr. Sandaruwan Madarasinghe said the Government was pursuing justice over the Lasantha Wickrematunge assassination without political interference. He outlined road and bridge development allocations and ongoing works in Hambantota, including RDA, Southern Provincial Road Development Authority, and district-level projects, while criticizing district Opposition MPs for not attending transport coordination meetings. He argued that drug use among drivers is a preventable cause of road accidents, cited accident statistics from 2023 to November 2025, and said regulations, enforcement, awareness, and mobile medical screening by the National Transport Medical Institute are being used to address the issue. Motor Traffic Act Regulations Debate Read →
- 8 January 2026 The Hon. Manjula Suraweera Arachchi JJB AI summary Hon. Manjula Suraweera Arachchi supported regulations aimed at improving road safety, citing 13,714 deaths from fatal accidents between 2020 and June 2025 and attributing many crashes to driver negligence and substance use. He said road accidents impose major economic costs, including health, infrastructure and GDP losses, and called for legal reforms, enforcement and responsible driving. He also responded to criticism over “Ditva” disaster relief in Nuwara Eliya, detailing completed and ongoing payments for affected residents, schoolchildren, cultivations, industries, roads, transport services, schools and housing reconstruction. Motor Traffic Act Regulations Debate Read →
- 8 January 2026 The Hon. Imran Maharoof SJB AI summary Supported Motor Traffic Act regulations aimed at improving public safety, while raising district-level concerns regarding the Kurinchakeni Bridge ferry service in Kinniya. Requested a 20-metre jetty and additional staff so the ferry, on which about Rs. 70 million has been spent, can operate effectively. Objected to the reported transfer of land in Upparu, Kinniya, originally identified for an Eastern Province technical college under a 2017 Cabinet decision and 2018 Budget allocation, to the Tourism Ministry under a 2025 Cabinet decision. Urged the Government to resume and complete the vocational education institute at the intended location, and called for an end to the alleged politicization of local administration through “Prajā Shakthi” units, emphasizing respect for elected local representatives. Motor Traffic Act Regulations Debate Read →
- 8 January 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Nishantha Samaraweera JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nishantha Samaraweera supported the transport-related regulations and highlighted the high incidence of road deaths and injuries linked to alcohol and drug-impaired driving, drawing on his medical experience in emergency and neurosurgical care. He called for stronger road-user discipline, improved visibility of road signs by addressing billboards and visual clutter, and safer school access arrangements where gates open onto main roads. He argued that combining legal measures, infrastructure changes and behavioural change could substantially reduce annual road fatalities and injuries. Motor Traffic Act Regulations Debate Read →
- 8 January 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Prasanna Gunasena - Deputy Minister of Transport and Highways JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Prasanna Gunasena supported the Motor Traffic Act regulations on road safety, noting that overall reported accidents declined from 25,299 in 2024 to 22,153 in 2025, but fatal accidents rose from 2,403 to 2,583, with pedestrians and motorcyclists the most affected groups. He also highlighted fatalities and collisions involving trains, including vehicle-train and elephant-train incidents, and said the Ministry is taking mitigation measures. He outlined 2025 road safety investments of Rs. 140.084 million and 2026 allocations including Rs. 750 million for road safety and traffic management and Rs. 540 million for traffic light systems, covering school, hospital, township and hazardous locations, barriers, signs, fencing, illumination and related safety infrastructure. Motor Traffic Act Regulations Debate Read →
- 8 January 2026 The Hon. Gnanamuththu Srineshan ITAK AI summary Hon. Gnanamuththu Srineshan raised transport concerns in Batticaloa during the debate on Motor Traffic Act regulations, alleging bribery issues in traffic enforcement and detailing revenue and capacity losses after changes to the “Paadum Meen” rail service. He requested reinstatement or augmentation of former rail facilities and restoration of the previous Colombo–Batticaloa timetable to improve passenger use and revenue. He also asked relevant Ministers to examine alleged unfair selection in kabaddi, strengthen Wildlife Department capacity to address human–elephant conflict in Batticaloa, consider allowing small tractors to haul beach seines in fisheries, and review concerns over university appointments and Dean selections. Motor Traffic Act Regulations Debate Read →
- 8 January 2026 The Hon. Sunil Rathnasiri JJB AI summary Hon. Sunil Rathnasiri supported the regulations, emphasizing the need to address driving under the influence of drugs amid high accident rates and large narcotics seizures in 2025. He linked road safety to rural road deterioration and detailed road and bridge development projects in Polonnaruwa, including reduced contract costs for several bridges and over Rs. 1.768 billion spent in 2025. He also cited 2025 economic and tourism achievements, including tourist arrivals, remittances, government revenue, Customs revenue and exports, and noted the launch of 76 rural road projects in January 2026 with a Rs. 5 billion allocation. Motor Traffic Act Regulations Debate Read →
- 8 January 2026 The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka SJB AI summary Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka supported the proposed regulations under the Motor Traffic Act, including mandatory rear-seat belts on expressways, stronger drunk-driving measures, and school transport safety rules, citing fatal road accidents as a major public safety concern. He urged clearer and more consistent enforcement, referring to confusion over past policing measures and the “Clean Sri Lanka” transport-related campaign. He also called for Government action on disputes between app-based and independent hire vehicles in tourist areas, unresolved vehicle number-plate issuance despite earlier assurances, timely implementation of Budget transport allocations, and restoration of rural bus services disrupted after recent storms. Motor Traffic Act Regulations Debate Read →
- 8 January 2026 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development and the Leader of the House of Parliament JJB AI summary Moved approval of the Motor Traffic (Drugs) Regulations, No. 1 of 2025, and presented related Motor Traffic Act regulations, stating that they create procedures for testing drivers suspected of drug impairment where previous rules covered only alcohol. He said police may refer suspected drivers to authorised medical officers for examination and obtain bodily samples, and noted plans to use mobile laboratory buses at bus stands for rapid, free drug testing in coordination with health authorities, police, local officials and transport bodies. He also introduced Motor Traffic (Expressway) Regulations linked to seat belt requirements and road safety on expressways. Motor Traffic Act Regulations Debate Read →
- 8 January 2026 The Hon. (Prof.) A.H.M.H. Abayarathna - Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government JJB AI summary Six Divisional Secretariats have been established in the Nuwara Eliya District for the Hanguranketha, Walapane and Kotmale areas, based on administrative needs and the 2012 Delimitation Committee recommendations. These are Hanguranketha and Matutara, Walapane and Nildandahinna, and Kotmale East and Kotmale West; as they have already been established, no further action was indicated. Oral Questions to Ministers (Q.1664/2025 through Q.1719/2025) Read →
- 8 January 2026 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody JJB AI summary Kumara Jayakody said street lighting responsibilities are shared among local authorities, the CEB, Lanka Electricity Company and the RDA, and asked for specific details to clarify the issue raised. On solar panel sets provided to kovils and other religious sites, he said some were procured under Indian credit lines before the current Government and about 200 of 5,000 imported sets remain unusable because of grid capacity constraints. He stated that the panels could be connected after grid capacity is improved or relocated to areas with available capacity, and requested detailed information to examine individual cases. Oral Questions to Ministers (Q.1664/2025 through Q.1719/2025) Read →
- 8 January 2026 The Hon. Rajeevan Jeyachandramoorthy JJB AI summary Rajeevan Jeyachandramoorthy raised concerns about the high cost of installing street lights through the Ceylon Electricity Board and proposed that trained electricians attached to local authorities be allowed to install them to reduce costs and expand coverage. He noted that promised CEB training for local authority officers, discussed at the Jaffna District Development Committee, had not yet occurred. He also asked the Minister to clarify the status of connections for 40,000 solar panels provided by India for temples, including in Jaffna District. Oral Questions to Ministers (Q.1664/2025 through Q.1719/2025) Read →
- 8 January 2026 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody JJB AI summary Kumara Jayakody stated that the transmission network has a significant capacity deficit and that upgrades are being planned with financial support sought from international donors and banks. He said the Government expects to restore adequate capacity by 2028 or 2029, with priority attention to the Northern and Eastern areas. Oral Questions to Ministers (Q.1664/2025 through Q.1719/2025) Read →
- 8 January 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) S. Sri Bavanandarajah JJB AI summary Asked the Minister whether there is a tentative time frame for providing solar power facilities to the public in the Northern Province, following the Minister’s earlier answer. Oral Questions to Ministers (Q.1664/2025 through Q.1719/2025) Read →
- 8 January 2026 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody - Minister of Energy JJB AI summary Minister Kumara Jayakody stated that 7,259 rooftop solar grid-connection applications had been received in the Jaffna District since 2020, with 4,448 connections provided and four pending due to incomplete construction or local protests and District Coordination Committee decisions. He said new approvals in Jaffna have been suspended since 12 August 2024 because the Chunnakam grid substation has exceeded its renewable integration capacity. Addressing allegations over CEB approvals, he said complaints had been investigated through established CEB, PUCSL and disciplinary procedures, with escalation mechanisms available under the Supply Services Code. He added that renewable energy capacity has exceeded 2025 targets under the Long-Term Generation Plan, two solar plants have been contracted in Mannar, and there is no formal CEB-ADB-local authority coordination programme for rooftop solar connections. Oral Questions to Ministers (Q.1664/2025 through Q.1719/2025) Read →
- 7 January 2026 The Hon. Aravinda Senarath – Deputy Minister of Land and Irrigation AI summary The Deputy Minister stated that the Mahaweli Authority is preparing an action plan to address the issue of an alternative road. He said the necessary interventions would be discussed and implemented promptly in coordination with the Road Development Authority, through both the Ministry and the Mahaweli Authority. Adjournment Read →