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- 5 December 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Sagarika Athauda, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Sagarika Athauda expressed condolences to those affected by the disaster and described it as one of Sri Lanka’s most severe natural disasters, citing rainfall of around 500 mm in some areas and landslides as the main cause of deaths. Referring to Kegalle District, she said authorities convened the District Disaster Management Committee on 27 November, carried out evacuations with the Police and Armed Forces, maintained camps with food, health services and counselling, and restored roads, water and electricity within two days. She stated that as of 1 December, 11,884 families and 42,898 persons in Kegalle had been affected and disputed Opposition claims of inadequate relief, arguing that officials, volunteers and political authorities had worked continuously to minimize deaths and support recovery. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Budget Debate on Disaster Response and Government Allocations Read →
- 5 December 2025 The Hon. Deputy Chairperson AI summary Criticized the Government’s disaster response around 28 November, arguing that declaring a public holiday and failing to declare a state of disaster under Sections 11 and 12 of the Sri Lanka Disaster Management Act, No. 13 of 2005, showed serious administrative weakness. Citing the National Disaster Management Plan 2023–2030, the speech said Sri Lanka is highly exposed to climate and disaster risks, with major impacts on the economy, children, infrastructure, agriculture, floods, cyclones, and landslide-prone areas. The member argued that proper implementation of the Act and the Plan could have reduced the loss of life, property damage, and wider social and economic harm. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Budget Debate on Disaster Response and Government Allocations Read →
- 5 December 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe thanked the Sri Lankan diaspora, foreign nationals, assisting countries, state institutions, security forces, local officials, and other workers for their role in responding to cyclone-related damage. He said recovery and rebuilding would take time beyond the initial emergency response, and invited the Opposition to support reconstruction while avoiding remarks he described as insensitive to affected people. He stated that the President and Government were leading the rebuilding effort with international, national, public, private, and civil society support. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Budget Debate on Disaster Response and Government Allocations Read →
- 5 December 2025 The Hon. Thilanka U. Gamage JJB AI summary Hon. Thilanka U. Gamage criticized the Opposition for politicizing the current disaster response and contrasted it with what he described as government-led and community-supported relief efforts. He said the President had issued circulars enabling officials to act swiftly, and described district-level clean-up and rescue work, including assistance by Galle local authorities in Kandy. Addressing Budget concerns under the Ministry of Finance, he argued that reduced unnecessary expenditure and Treasury savings had strengthened the State’s capacity to fund relief without destabilizing the economy, adding that supplementary estimates or an interim budget could be used if allocations proved insufficient. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Budget Debate on Disaster Response and Government Allocations Read →
- 5 December 2025 The Hon. D.V. Chanaka SLPP AI summary Hon. D.V. Chanaka expressed condolences over deaths from floods and landslides and thanked officials, security forces, volunteers and organizations involved in relief, while stating that his party had provided food aid and would distribute schoolbooks to affected children. He urged that procurement of new double cabs for MPs be cancelled and the funds redirected to essential medicines, citing existing drug shortages, and said he would request that his own vehicle allocation be transferred to the Health sector. He said his party would not oppose the Supplementary Estimate or vote against the Budget on this occasion, but called for revisions to prioritize disaster needs, especially housing. He questioned the Government’s preparedness despite prior meteorological briefings and reservoir management concerns, and called for an independent inquiry into accountability after immediate relief work. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Budget Debate on Disaster Response and Government Allocations Read →
- 5 December 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) V.S. Radhakrishnan SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) V.S. Radhakrishnan described severe disaster impacts in Nuwara Eliya, Badulla, Kandy and plantation areas, citing deaths, missing persons, displaced families in camps, damaged roads, power and water interruptions, and delays in promised relief funds. He urged immediate GN-level assessments, delivery of relief, income support, restoration of infrastructure, and safe resettlement with 10–20 perches of land or government-built housing for families whose homes are destroyed or unsafe. He also called for compensation and concessional support for devastated vegetable farmers, urgent rehabilitation of the upcountry railway to restore tourism access to Ella and Badulla, and possible Indian assistance for rail repairs. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Budget Debate on Disaster Response and Government Allocations Read →
- 5 December 2025 The Hon. R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara SJB AI summary Called for the reinstatement of the disaster insurance fund and urgent measures to protect plantation workers living in designated high-risk zones. He also requested expedited funding for slope stabilization along the upcountry railway and transparent reporting of casualty and missing-person figures. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Budget Debate on Disaster Response and Government Allocations Read →
- 5 December 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha - Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning JJB AI summary Minister Anil Jayantha defended the Government’s response to the recent cyclone, stating that agencies acted once the cyclone’s path became clear and that evacuations and relief were provided promptly, while rejecting allegations of misuse or privatization of the National Disaster Management Fund. He outlined Finance Ministry allocations under the 2026 Appropriation Bill, including recurrent and capital expenditure, social protection, SOE equity injections, revenue IT modernization, and externally funded projects. He also reported on fiscal management measures under the State Finance Management Act, debt management reforms, public debt levels, Treasury cash operations, planning priorities, and MSME credit programmes, arguing that fiscal discipline and accountability have been maintained. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Budget Debate on Disaster Response and Government Allocations Read →
- 3 December 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nihal Abeysinghe JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nihal Abeysinghe expressed condolences over deaths and damage from the recent disaster, comparing it with the 2004 tsunami and commending coordinated action by the Government, officials, and the public. He outlined disaster management steps, including district and divisional coordination, NBRO-guided evacuations, health services in shelters, and measures to prevent disease outbreaks among displaced people. He said Kalutara District teams had been sent to Nuwara Eliya with rations, medicines, road-clearing support, and rescue assistance, and urged the public and media to avoid misinformation and politicization while supporting recovery and affected families. Debate: Continued Committee Stage of Appropriation Bill 2026 (Ministry Expenditure Heads - Multiple Speakers) Read →
- 3 December 2025 The Hon. Gnanamuththu Srineshan ITAK AI summary Hon. Gnanamuththu Srineshan referred to the recent disaster, citing deaths, missing persons, displacement, and extensive damage in Batticaloa and the Eastern Province, and called for non-partisan relief efforts and permanent resettlement of landslide-prone communities. He urged urgent electricity supply to elephant-affected villages, prompt and corruption-free relief for farmers, fishers, daily wage workers and drivers, and the construction of multi-storey refuge buildings in flood-prone villages such as Vettruchenai and Pirambaditheevu. He also proposed longer-term development measures for the North and East, including more industries, rebuilding productive farms, a bridge between Padubannankarai and Eluvankarai, and flood-mitigation works such as the Mundeni Aru development and expansion of tanks and bunds. Debate: Continued Committee Stage of Appropriation Bill 2026 (Ministry Expenditure Heads - Multiple Speakers) Read →
- 3 December 2025 The Hon. M.S. Abthul Wazeeth SLMC AI summary Hon. M.S. Abthul Wazeeth expressed condolences for those killed and missing in the recent nationwide floods and thanked government agencies, security forces, foreign governments, NGOs and local groups involved in relief efforts. He said Ampara District had less housing damage but suffered serious impacts to agriculture, livestock, fisheries, irrigation bunds, roads and bridges, and called for expedited relief, dry rations, farmer support and payment of outstanding dues to approved relief suppliers. He requested urgent engineering works in Pottuvil and surrounding areas, including clearing and widening river channels, repairing tanks, canals, embankments and damaged bridges, and addressing departmental restrictions that delay flood-mitigation work. Debate: Continued Committee Stage of Appropriation Bill 2026 (Ministry Expenditure Heads - Multiple Speakers) Read →
- 3 December 2025 The Hon. Eranga Weeraratne - Deputy Minister of Digital Economy JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Eranga Weeraratne reported on the impact of the “Ditva” cyclone and the Government’s response, stating that public agencies, the Tri-Forces, private entities and civil organizations helped stabilize the disaster situation. He said telecommunications were heavily disrupted by floods and landslides, but over 90% of national telephony connectivity and all primary fiber backbones had been restored, with remaining outages mainly due to power failures, damaged secondary links and unsafe access to affected sites. He noted that telecom operators provided free emergency top-ups, Starlink would provide free service in affected areas until end-December, and recovery would proceed under the “Rebuilding Sri Lanka” programme. Debate: Continued Committee Stage of Appropriation Bill 2026 (Ministry Expenditure Heads - Multiple Speakers) Read →
- 3 December 2025 The Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe SLMC AI summary Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe highlighted economic hardship among farmers and fishermen in Ampara, citing flood damage to paddy cultivation on 9,200 hectares completely, 15,200 hectares partially, and a further 1,400 hectares affected by crop destruction. He requested the Ministry of Agriculture to arrange appropriate compensation. He also raised the lack of electricity in his areas, noting that some localities receive only about one hour of power per day, and urged the Minister of Power to expedite restoration and provision of electricity facilities. Debate: Continued Committee Stage of Appropriation Bill 2026 (Ministry Expenditure Heads - Multiple Speakers) Read →
- 3 December 2025 The Hon. W.H.M. Dharmasena SJB AI summary Hon. W.H.M. Dharmasena expressed condolences for disaster deaths and described widespread flooding and damage across Monaragala District, while thanking officials, security forces, local representatives and community workers involved in relief. He alleged that delayed operation of the Kumbukkan Oya Okkampitiya anicut gates caused a sudden deluge that destroyed two bridges and disrupted farmers’ access, and requested an investigation and urgent reconstruction. He also asked that relief payments be increased, concessional electricity meter replacements be provided for affected households, aid be expedited to hill-country Tamil communities, and disaster assistance not be politicized through programmes or labels such as “Red Star.” Debate: Continued Committee Stage of Appropriation Bill 2026 (Ministry Expenditure Heads - Multiple Speakers) Read →
- 3 December 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) M.L.A.M. Hizbullah SLMC AI summary Hon. (Dr.) M.L.A.M. Hizbullah expressed condolences over the floods and landslides and acknowledged Government, security forces, police, and rescue efforts, while noting that relief funding had reached Batticaloa. He urged the Government to strengthen disaster management by establishing Provincial Disaster Management Centres under the Disaster Management Act, appointing dedicated officers at Divisional Secretariats, restoring early warning towers and radio communications, and supplying districts with boats, engines, and life jackets. He called for expediting the Mundeni Aru flood mitigation project, constructing multi-storey flood safety centres in Batticaloa, and reviving plans to extend the Kelani River bund to protect Malwana and surrounding areas. He also proposed seeking tariff relief from the United States and discussing debt relief or urgent financing with the IMF in response to the disaster. Debate: Continued Committee Stage of Appropriation Bill 2026 (Ministry Expenditure Heads - Multiple Speakers) Read →
- 3 December 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake described relief efforts in difficult areas such as Kotmale, including Tri-Forces camps, airlifting food to Gamini Dissanayake Vidyalaya, and the work of Divisional Secretaries, police officers, and volunteers. He said essential supplies were being dispatched and that, while road repairs would take time, people were not starving to his knowledge. He urged unity, public service without seeking credit, and responsible conduct during the crisis, while stating that the Government would rebuild and hand over a better country. Debate: Continued Committee Stage of Appropriation Bill 2026 (Ministry Expenditure Heads - Multiple Speakers) Read →
- 3 December 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake outlined emergency transport and relief measures following severe flooding, including interventions to ensure safe travel to Delft and Nainativu, plans to operate 4,200 SLTB buses, expanded rail services with coordinated ticket acceptance, and airline fee waivers for weather-affected passengers. He said agencies, the Tri-Forces, officials, and volunteers were engaged in water release, camp establishment, airlifts, and forthcoming cleaning operations, and called for unity during recovery from what he described as the largest flood in a century. Debate: Continued Committee Stage of Appropriation Bill 2026 (Ministry Expenditure Heads - Multiple Speakers) Read →
- 3 December 2025 The Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan ITAK AI summary Sivagnanam Shritharan raised concerns about ferry transport to the islands of Eluvaitivu, Analaitivu, Nainativu, and Neduntivu. He noted that the “Ezhutharagai” ferry to Eluvaitivu was not operating and asked that particular attention be given to ensuring the safe operation of key services, including the “Kumudini” and “Neduntharagai” ferries to Neduntivu. Debate: Continued Committee Stage of Appropriation Bill 2026 (Ministry Expenditure Heads - Multiple Speakers) Read →
- 3 December 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake outlined government relief and recovery measures following severe weather in the Northern and other affected provinces, including inspections of Delft–Nainativu ferry boats, support to District Secretaries, and emergency assistance to stranded communities. He said damaged paddy lands in Mannar could be re-seeded early in the Maha season with Agriculture Ministry support, and that a Bailey bridge was being installed at Nayaru with a target completion date of 15 December. He announced eased emergency spending procedures, including Rs. 50,000 advances for Grama Niladharis and up to Rs. 5 million cash authority for Divisional Secretaries, and noted that Rs. 25,000 payments for schoolchildren and household cleaning had begun in several districts with funds sent to affected Northern and Eastern districts. Debate: Continued Committee Stage of Appropriation Bill 2026 (Ministry Expenditure Heads - Multiple Speakers) Read →
- 3 December 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development and the Leader of the House of Parliament JJB AI summary Bimal Rathnayake said the Budget debate was necessarily being shaped by the recent natural disaster and outlined the Government’s focus on urgent relief, temporary measures, and longer-term reconstruction under the “Rebuild the Nation” programme. He reported uneven impacts in the Northern Province, with limited damage in Jaffna, some flooding and access issues in Kilinochchi and Vavuniya, and severe flooding in Mannar and Mullaitivu, particularly Mannar where 83 camps were operating and about 150 of 162 GN divisions were under water. He noted that MPs, officials, volunteers and district authorities were coordinating relief and recovery efforts. Debate: Continued Committee Stage of Appropriation Bill 2026 (Ministry Expenditure Heads - Multiple Speakers) Read →