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- 7 January 2026 The Hon. Rauff Hakeem, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Rauff Hakeem paid tribute to former Secretary-General Nihal Seneviratne and thanked foreign rescue teams, especially from the UAE, for assistance after Cyclone “Ditwah”, while urging attention to continuing inundation and housing needs in Karaitivu–Chinna Nagavillu, Puttalam. Addressing the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Act amendments, he said the changes may restore regulatory clarity but warned that reducing incentives to meet IMF revenue expectations could undermine Sri Lanka’s competitiveness for foreign investment. He cited concerns over tax policy, including personal income tax and corporate tax rates, and questioned whether projected Port City investment and value addition figures are realistic given the limited number of developers currently near commitment. Debate: Colombo Port City Economic Commission (Amendment) Bill Read →
- 7 January 2026 The Hon. Nishantha Jayaweera - Deputy Minister of Economic Development JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Nishantha Jayaweera outlined the Colombo Port City Economic Commission (Amendment) Bill, stating that it follows a Special Committee review and Cabinet approval to remove investor impediments and align the law with global standards. He detailed new tax incentive tiers for Primary and Secondary Businesses of Strategic Importance, including corporate tax holidays or reduced rates, import duty exemptions, VAT treatment, APIT provisions, revised fee procedures, and strengthened compliance, disclosure, and performance-review requirements. He also linked the amendments to broader investment conditions such as macroeconomic stability, infrastructure, skilled labour, double taxation agreements, and recent export, remittance, and tourism performance. Debate: Colombo Port City Economic Commission (Amendment) Bill Read →
- 7 January 2026 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody - Minister of Energy JJB AI summary Minister Kumara Jayakody responded to claims that a recent coal shipment to the Lakvijaya Power Plant was substandard, stating that loading-port certificates for the 60,000 metric ton shipment from South Africa met the tender specifications. He said final payment would depend on the accredited discharge-port quality report from Cotecna Inspection India, and that contractual penalties or double penalties would apply if quality parameters fall below specified or reject ranges. He noted that preliminary in-house tests showed lower GCV values but were not contractually binding, and said the Ministry would act only on the accredited report while also objecting to unauthorized use of new stock and publicizing of unverified results. Ministerial Statements and Points of Order Read →
- 7 January 2026 The Hon. Chathuranga Abeysinghe - Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister stated that while the main access to the estate is adequate, secondary access roads remain problematic because the Ministry and the Industrial Development Board receive allocations only for internal development, not external roads. He said the Ministry would coordinate with the District Coordinating Committee and Provincial Council to address the issue, and noted that Gampaha District industrial estates face broader challenges in access roads and solid waste management to be tackled through a district development programme during the year. Oral Question: Factories in Ekala Industrial Zone (Q.1564/2025) Read →
- 7 January 2026 The Hon. Stepni Fernando JJB AI summary Hon. Stepni Fernando raised concerns about poor road access in the area, noting that narrow sections prevent container movement and that Ashokarama Road is in severe disrepair. He asked whether there is a programme under the zone to rehabilitate these roads, given that local authorities lack sufficient maintenance funds. Oral Question: Factories in Ekala Industrial Zone (Q.1564/2025) Read →
- 7 January 2026 The Hon. Chathuranga Abeysinghe - Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister stated that inadequate fire safety in industrial estates is a serious and widespread problem, noting that estates under the IDB, the Ministry, and the BOI were historically not designed with integrated fire protection. He said the Government is working to address this, including plans from the previous year to install water hydrants with proper water management. He also indicated that coordination is under way with nearby local authorities to position fire trucks close to industrial zones. Oral Question: Factories in Ekala Industrial Zone (Q.1564/2025) Read →
- 7 January 2026 The Hon. Chathuranga Abeysinghe - Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister reported that the Ekala Industrial Development Board Industrial Zone has 57 factories, of which 56 are operational, though six are not at full productivity. He said USS Engineering (Pvt.) Limited has been closed for about one and a half years, and the operator has been asked to restart it within a stipulated period. If it does not recommence operations, legal action will be taken to repossess the site for the IDB and reallocate it to another enterprise. Oral Question: Factories in Ekala Industrial Zone (Q.1564/2025) Read →
- 7 January 2026 FACTORIES IN EKALA INDUSTRIAL ZONE: DETAILS AI summary Hon. Stepni Fernando asked the Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development for details on factories in the Industrial Development Board’s Ekala Industrial Zone, including how many have been established, are currently operating, and have been closed for more than three years. He further sought information on action taken regarding long-closed factories, whether their sites could be brought back under the Industrial Development Board and reallocated to new investors, and what measures had been taken or, if not, why. Oral Question: Factories in Ekala Industrial Zone (Q.1564/2025) Read →
- 7 January 2026 The Hon. (Prof.) A.L.H.M.H. Abayarathna - Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government AI summary The Minister stated that the District Disaster Management Committee had reviewed the relevant housing and land issues the previous week and decided to provide facilities to those in need. He said eligible persons in the area raised would receive houses, and land where necessary, while minor data issues had been identified and would be addressed through the Committee. Oral Questions: Prime Minister Read →
- 7 January 2026 The Hon. Hector Appuhamy SJB AI summary Hector Appuhamy raised a clarification on disaster relief in Puttalam, stating that part of Wanathavilluwa remains under 10–15 feet of water, with 24 houses still inundated and relocation needs disputed between 13 and 17 houses. He asked whether land and houses would be provided, noting that assistance in the district was not complete despite statements to Parliament. He also raised a privilege-related concern about severe congestion on the expressway due to a new system, asking that the traffic situation be examined. Oral Questions: Prime Minister Read →
- 6 January 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Dammika Patabendi - Minister of Environment JJB AI summary The Minister stated that Sri Lanka’s Climate Prosperity Plan aims to build climate resilience and move towards net-negative carbon emissions, including increasing renewable energy generation to 70% by 2030, advancing nature-based resilience measures, green financing, and green job creation. He said the updated draft Plan has been finalized, a validation workshop held, and Cabinet approval will be sought after concurrence from relevant ministries, with sectoral projects and potential funding sources already identified. He also outlined steps to enable carbon market access, including preparation of a national carbon trading policy, cooperation under Japan’s Joint Crediting Mechanism and with Singapore, Article 6.4 project approvals, and development of a national carbon registry with UNDP support. Questions and Papers (Resumption after Adjournment) Read →
- 6 January 2026 The Hon. Major General (Rtd.) Aruna Jayasekera - Deputy Minister of Defence JJB AI summary Deputy Minister of Defence Aruna Jayasekera sought parliamentary approval to extend the state of emergency declared after the Dicha cyclone, citing severe damage across 22 districts, major displacement, housing losses, and disruption to essential services. He said relief and service coordination are being handled through the Commissioner General of Essential Services, District and Divisional Secretaries, Grama Niladharis, the Tri-Forces and Police, with a committee overseeing foreign aid transparency. He outlined ongoing repairs to roads, bridges, railways, irrigation works and other infrastructure, and argued that continued emergency powers are needed to coordinate recovery, maintain public services, and support affected communities. Debate: Public Security Ordinance Resolution and Delimitation Motion Read →
- 6 January 2026 The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB AI summary Chaminda Wijesiri criticised the Government for raising kerosene and diesel prices while claiming to support the fisheries sector, and questioned whether promised services such as SMS alerts on fish locations had been implemented. He also challenged the Government’s disaster-relief commitments after Cyclone “Dicha” and related floods and landslides, citing specific affected households in Passara and Rajanganaya and asking when promised compensation would be paid and whether eligibility would be applied fairly. He further alleged problems in education policy content and internal political motives within the governing side, before stating that the Samagi Jana Balawegaya would form a competent team to rebuild the economy. Debate: Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Act and Fishermen's Pension Regulations Read →
- 6 January 2026 The Hon. Jagath Vithana SJB AI summary Hon. Jagath Vithana argued that rising diesel and kerosene prices, high VMS-related charges, and maintenance fees are increasing the burden on fishers and called for VMS devices to be provided on easy-payment terms. He raised concerns about the poor condition of Beruwala harbour, declining new entrants to the fisheries sector, and the impact of three-month licence cancellations when vessels are suspected of crossing maritime boundaries. He supported the idea of a fishers’ pension scheme in principle but questioned how an uninterrupted pension could be delivered without EPF/ETF-type contribution structures. Debate: Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Act and Fishermen's Pension Regulations Read →
- 6 January 2026 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody - Minister of Energy JJB AI summary Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody said the CEB has proposed to the PUCSL an 11.57 per cent electricity tariff increase for January–March 2026 to cover a projected Rs. 13,094 million net deficit, while noting that no assessment has been made of impacts on low- and middle-income households, small businesses, or public institutions. He stated that the Government remains committed to reducing the average unit cost from Rs. 37 to Rs. 25 over three years through competitive procurement, including recent lower-cost wind and battery storage tenders. He said consultations on the National Electricity Policy and tariff methodology are under way, with comments open until 09 January, and that the Government is moving toward cost-reflective tariffs while maintaining support for vulnerable consumers. He also defended draft changes to rooftop solar pricing and future procurement, saying new capacity should be obtained competitively and curtailment would occur only for genuine technical reasons. Oral Question under Standing Order 27(2): National Electricity Policy (Hon. Sajith Premadasa) Read →
- 6 January 2026 The Hon. Kanthasamy Prabu JJB AI summary Kanthasamy Prabu highlighted the need for 1990 Suwa Seriya ambulance services in Vellaveli, Paduvankarai, and Kaluwanchikudy in the Batticaloa District, citing injuries from human-elephant conflict, snakebites, and highway accidents on the Batticaloa–Kalmunai road. He asked whether the service could be established in Kaluwanchikudy to reduce reliance on ambulances from Kalmunai or Kattankudy. Oral Question: Batticaloa Suwa Seriya Ambulance Service Operations (Q. relating to Kanthasamy Prabu) Read →
- 6 January 2026 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody JJB AI summary Kumara Jayakody stated that applicants seeking three-phase electricity supply must ensure their internal electrical installations comply with required regulations and obtain certification from an accredited Chartered Electrical Engineer. He explained that CEB and Lanka Electricity Company are legally unable to work within private premises, so safety checks and certification are mandatory rather than a formality. Oral Question: CEB Transformer and Chartered Engineer Requirements for Electricity Supply (Q. relating to W.H.M. Dharmasena) Read →
- 6 January 2026 The Hon. W.H.M. Dharmasena SJB AI summary Asked the Minister whether the CEB could accept reports from its own area electrical engineers for three-phase electricity connections instead of requiring applicants to obtain third-party chartered engineer reports costing over Rs. 15,000. He said the current requirement creates financial hardship and sought a change to reduce the burden on consumers. Oral Question: CEB Transformer and Chartered Engineer Requirements for Electricity Supply (Q. relating to W.H.M. Dharmasena) Read →
- 6 January 2026 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody - Minister of Energy JJB AI summary Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody stated that CEB determines transformer requirements based on requested supply capacity, with customers required to bear transformer installation costs only when demand exceeds 100 kVA. For supplies up to 99 kVA, customers are charged PUCSL-approved standard construction costs and capacity charges, while any required transformer is installed at CEB expense. He added that estimates are prepared under PUCSL-approved rates and supply is provided after payment, and said part (b) was not applicable. Oral Question: CEB Transformer and Chartered Engineer Requirements for Electricity Supply (Q. relating to W.H.M. Dharmasena) Read →
- 6 January 2026 The Hon. W.H.M. Dharmasena SJB AI summary Hon. W.H.M. Dharmasena asked the Minister of Energy whether the Ceylon Electricity Board requires owners of apartments and shopping complexes to purchase new transformers when obtaining electricity connections. He questioned whether the Minister accepts that this imposes significant costs on entrepreneurs and residents, and requested details of measures to provide electricity to such premises without delay using CEB transformers. Oral Question: CEB Transformer and Chartered Engineer Requirements for Electricity Supply (Q. relating to W.H.M. Dharmasena) Read →