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- 21 May 2026 The Hon. Chanaka Madugoda SLPP AI summary Hon. Chanaka Madugoda asked a supplementary question regarding the new court complex relocated from the Galle Fort World Heritage Site to Beligaha to support tourism. He noted that the complex was opened on 19 July 2024 and asked whether globally used digital technologies would be introduced when operations commence at the newly built facility. Oral Question: Beligaha Court Complex (Minister of Justice) Read →
- 21 May 2026 The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary The Minister stated that the Galle New Court Complex at Beligaha has not yet commenced operations because the State Engineering Corporation, the contractor, has delayed completion of electrical and mechanical works due to financial difficulties, and courts cannot be relocated in stages. He said completion and handover to the Judiciary are expected by the first week of June 2026. He also explained that the existing Galle Fort court buildings are not owned by the Ministry and, following Cabinet approval, are to be vested in the UDA for proposed development projects, including tourism, while no rental or maintenance loss has arisen to the Government from the delay. Oral Question: Beligaha Court Complex (Minister of Justice) Read →
- 21 May 2026 The Hon. Chanaka Madugoda SLPP AI summary Chanaka Madugoda asked the Minister of Justice and National Integration why legal proceedings had not begun at the new Beligaha, Galle court complex despite its opening on 19 July 2024, and when court operations were expected to commence there. He also sought information on the planned future use of the existing Galle Fort Courts Complex and the losses incurred from the new buildings and land remaining unused. Oral Question: Beligaha Court Complex (Minister of Justice) Read →
- 21 May 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Hiniduma Sunil Senevi - Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs JJB AI summary The Minister stated that, due to delays in the renovation of the John de Silva Theatre, Cabinet approval was obtained to reallocate funds from that project to complete renovations at the National Art Gallery. He said meetings and inspections had been held with Moratuwa University consultants, the contractor, the Sri Lanka Navy and others, and that officials expect the National Art Gallery to reopen before December 2026. Oral Question Q.841/2025: Colombo National Art Gallery Renovation Read →
- 20 May 2026 Hon. Vijitha Herath JJB AI summary As Tourism Minister, Hon. Vijitha Herath provided data on Sri Lanka’s accommodation sector and tourism investment in response to a parliamentary question, stating that as of March 2026 there were 8,322 accommodation units with 58,411 rooms, while regional occupancy data was unavailable. He listed the main source markets, including India, the UK, Russia, Germany and China, and identified additional countries targeted for tourism promotion. He said 29 tourism projects worth USD 41.723 million were approved in 2024 and 42 projects worth USD 196.18 million in 2025, and that a diversification strategy is being implemented through market promotion and new products such as cruise, wellness, Buddhist and wedding tourism. He further stated that 126 approved projects are expected to add 3,413 rooms with an estimated investment of USD 339.287 million across provinces, with completion timelines dependent on project scale and permit extensions. Oral Question: Tourism - Room Capacity and Occupancy Rates (Q.?) Read →
- 20 May 2026 The Hon. R. M. Jayawardhana - Deputy Minister of Trade, Commerce and Food Security JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister said the Central Bank report for 2025 shows broad improvement in economic indicators compared with 2024, while also identifying sectoral setbacks, including declines after the November natural disaster that affected tourism, construction, and development work. He rejected opposition criticism as not grounded in the report and said the Government had stabilized the economy while managing debt-service obligations and increasing scholarships, child benefits, public-sector salaries, and pensions. He cited Northern development initiatives including the Northern Coconut Triangle, fisheries harbour development, and over Rs. 5,000 million for road projects, and said the Government was preparing for 2026 by addressing disaster impacts and external energy shocks. Adjournment Debate: Central Bank Annual Economic Review 2025 Read →
- 20 May 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam ITAK AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam welcomed reported economic recovery in the Central Bank’s 2025 review but argued that stronger growth requires reducing regional disparities, particularly by increasing the North and East’s contribution to national output. He called for a special government plan for industrialization, investment, infrastructure, ports and airports, and development of livestock, agriculture and fisheries in those provinces. He also raised an allegation that about 40 acres of reserved forest in Vavuniya near the University had been cleared with possible Forest Department involvement, while local farmers and cattle herders face restrictions. Adjournment Debate: Central Bank Annual Economic Review 2025 Read →
- 20 May 2026 The Hon. Naina Thambi Marrikkar Mohamed Thahir AI summary Hon. Naina Thambi Marrikkar Mohamed Thahir argued that official economic figures should be tested against living costs faced by people, citing increases in fertilizer, milk powder, fuel, and the dollar rate, and questioned whether vehicle import LCs had contributed to exchange-rate pressure. He urged the Government and Opposition to move beyond blame over past administrations and work collectively to rebuild the economy. Representing Puttalam, he called for urgent action on severe flooding, including proper canals and drainage, noting damage to salt pans, prawn farms, public buildings, and livelihoods, and asked the Government to provide immediate relief and long-term flood-management solutions. Adjournment Debate: Central Bank Annual Economic Review 2025 Read →
- 20 May 2026 The Hon. Rauff Hakeem, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Rauff Hakeem argued that despite large allocations for post-“Ditva” cyclone recovery, implementation remains inadequate, citing unresolved relocation needs for 25 affected schools in Kandy and delays in technical assessments. He raised concerns over paddy farmers in Ampara being unable to sell harvests at fair prices and facing shortages and high open-market prices for urea despite subsidies. He also warned that rupee depreciation, limited Central Bank intervention under IMF conditions and the CBSL Act, and high fuel import spending could worsen inflation and growth pressures, calling for immediate government measures. He further requested an investigation into allegations that companies opened letters of credit for thousands of vehicle imports just before a Customs duty surcharge, suggesting possible misconduct similar to past duty-related windfalls. Adjournment Debate: Central Bank Annual Economic Review 2025 Read →
- 20 May 2026 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake stated that the RDA has filed a Police complaint against Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha over an allegation that Rs. 380 million had been paid twice to contractors, which the RDA rejected at a media briefing. He said audit queries on toll revenue discrepancies are not proof of wrongdoing and may relate to staffing shortages or compromised toll gates. He added that the RDA will provide full responses while taking steps to reduce leakages and strengthen the toll system. Oral Answers to Questions (Q.1-Q.7) Read →
- 20 May 2026 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Bimal Rathnayake stated that expressway and road contracts have been awarded only through open tender procedures. He attributed cost escalations to economic-crisis-related delays, exchange rate changes, and inadequate initial design or geotechnical investigations, citing over Rs. 60 billion in delay costs on the Central Expressway and unexpected rock removal costs on the Potuhera–Rambukkana section. He said steps are being taken to improve upfront design to prevent similar variations during construction. Oral Answers to Questions (Q.1-Q.7) Read →
- 20 May 2026 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Ravi Karunanayake sought clarification from the Minister on the award and financing method for the Rambukkana–Galagedara road section, in the context of highway projects including the OCH, the MCC 39 km section, and the Potuhera–Galagedara 128 km section. He noted differing cost estimates, including an increase in the MCC estimate from Rs. 345 billion to Rs. 425 billion, and asked whether the section was tendered or undertaken through private sector participation, while observing that domestic arrangements could avoid foreign loan and exchange-rate cost escalation. Oral Answers to Questions (Q.1-Q.7) Read →
- 20 May 2026 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development JJB AI summary Provided detailed data on the Road Development Authority’s staffing, road network, expenditure, construction and rehabilitation costs, and expressway operations in response to a parliamentary question. He stated that the RDA manages 12,262.84 km of central government roads, with expenditure rising from Rs. 4,606.02 million in 2021 to Rs. 14,591.16 million in 2025, while information on provincial roads is not available to the RDA. He also reported that five expressways totalling 312.57 km are in operation, with annual maintenance costs of Rs. 5,180.90 million and 2025 toll revenue of Rs. 16,330.14 million, but said no comprehensive return-on-investment calculation has been conducted. Future plans cited included ongoing and planned sections of the Central Expressway and the proposed Ruwanpura Expressway. Oral Answers to Questions (Q.1-Q.7) Read →
- 20 May 2026 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake asked the Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development to provide detailed data on the Road Development Authority’s staffing, national road lengths under central and provincial administration, maintenance expenditure over the past five years, and per-kilometre costs for road construction, including privately tendered work. He also sought information on operational expressways, their lengths, maintenance costs, government revenue, returns on investment, and the expressways currently under construction or planned. Oral Answers to Questions (Q.1-Q.7) Read →
- 20 May 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Hansaka Wijemuni JJB AI summary The Hon. (Dr.) Hansaka Wijemuni stated that information relating to the construction and maintenance costs of roads and expressways had already been publicized. He agreed, in response to a request, to publicize it again for greater public awareness. Oral Answers to Questions (Q.1-Q.7) Read →
- 20 May 2026 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Housing, Construction and Water Supply, Bimal Rathnayake presented the 2017 Annual Report of the State Engineering Corporation of Sri Lanka. He moved that the report be referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Infrastructure and Strategic Development, and the motion was agreed to. Papers Presented: Annual Reports and Ministry Reports Read →
- 20 May 2026 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development and Leader of the House of Parliament JJB AI summary The Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development presented the 2024 Annual Report of the National Housing Development Authority. He moved that it be referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Infrastructure and Strategic Development, and the motion was agreed to. Papers Presented: Annual Reports and Ministry Reports Read →
- 19 May 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB AI summary The Prime Minister responded to a question on WP/Ho/Paragoda Kithulagoda Junior School, stating that no decision has been taken to close the school, which was established on 31 July 1939. She provided annual student numbers from 2015 to 2025, showing a decline to 43 students in 2025, and noted that the School Development Society has decided to take steps to increase enrolment. She said the school is in a high flood-risk area but is not submerged due to its elevated location, though access roads can be flooded, and it currently functions as a disaster relief centre; nearby alternative schools were also identified if student transfers become necessary. Written Answers to Questions Read →
- 19 May 2026 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Ravi Karunanayake outlined medium- and long-term tourism development initiatives, including a 2027-2029 plan comprising 49 projects valued at Rs. 2,752 million and proposals for an e-ticketing platform, Beira Lake development, and a 2026-2030 strategic action plan supported by a World Bank grant. He also placed before the House a detailed question on Mahaweli Authority land administration, seeking information on land alienation, title deeds, commercial transfers, irregular occupation, digitization and GIS mapping, possible legislative reforms, unutilized lands, and annual economic returns of the Mahaweli Project over the past decade. Written Answers to Questions Read →
- 19 May 2026 The Hon. Vijitha Herath - Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism JJB AI summary The Minister provided statistical responses on tourism arrivals, earnings, source markets, emerging markets, average expenditure, length of stay and promotional spending, with annexes and performance tables placed in the Library. He stated that the top source markets have remained largely unchanged since 2022, while markets such as the United States, Canada, the Netherlands, Switzerland and several European countries show notable growth. He outlined short-, medium- and long-term tourism development plans, including Treasury-funded provincial projects for 2026, a 2027-2029 project pipeline, centralized e-ticketing, Beira Lake development, and preparation of a 2026-2030 sector strategic action plan with World Bank support. Written Answers to Questions Read →