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- 24 November 2025 The Hon. Eranga Gunasekara - Deputy Minister of Urban Development JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Eranga Gunasekara said urban development should be integrated with housing, infrastructure, flood control, wetland and land management, mobility, regularization, environmental protection, and controls on unauthorized construction, rather than being used to displace communities or meet political aims. He said many low-income apartment schemes had deteriorated due to poor social management, inadequate maintenance, waste issues, broken lifts, and drug networks, and announced plans to begin upgrades in four schemes in 2026 through resident committees, UDA earnings, and budget funds. He stated that over 50,000 families require housing or regularization, with more than 14,714 already settled, and that the Government aims to build over 7,000 houses in two years, including at least 2,000 next year. He also referred to Rs. 1,300 million allocated for city branding linked to tourism in Kataragama, Anuradhapura, Kandy, and Colombo Fort, and said gazetted urban plans would be expanded to more localities. Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Transport, Highways, Ports, Civil Aviation, Urban Development, Construction and Housing Read →
- 24 November 2025 The Hon. Namal Rajapaksa, Attorney-at-Law SLPP AI summary Namal Rajapaksa raised grievances of disabled war heroes and police officers, urging the Government to engage with them and provide practical solutions. He defended infrastructure and housing projects undertaken under previous administrations, cited road, expressway, port, airport and housing achievements, and questioned why completed urban housing units remain unallocated. He called for faster completion of ongoing expressway projects and criticised delays or low progress in Budget allocations for railway stations, waste management, water supply, airport scanners, road development, BIA expansion and port congestion measures. He also sought accountability over alleged illicit container releases at Colombo Port and urged the Government to deliver at least half of its stated Budget commitments. Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Transport, Highways, Ports, Civil Aviation, Urban Development, Construction and Housing Read →
- 24 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe - Minister of Housing, Construction and Water Supply JJB AI summary Minister Susil Ranasinghe outlined Budget 2026 allocations and priorities for housing, water supply, sanitation, construction, and resettlement, including Rs. 70 billion in development capital expenditure and Rs. 10.2 billion for NHDA grants of Rs. 1 million per house for low-income households. He said NWSDB coverage, currently about 52 per cent of households, would be expanded and improved through Rs. 45 billion in funding, completion and commencement of major projects, and Rs. 9 billion for capacity, connections, and quality improvements in districts. He also detailed Rs. 3 billion for rural community water schemes, institutional strengthening of the National Community Water Supply Department, and an increase to Rs. 5 billion for Northern and Eastern resettlement and infrastructure. He noted the construction sector’s contribution to GDP and employment, while indicating that further details on NHDA plans would be provided by the Deputy Minister. Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Transport, Highways, Ports, Civil Aviation, Urban Development, Construction and Housing Read →
- 24 November 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Ravi Karunanayake urged accelerated modernization and private sector participation across transport, urban development, ports, and aviation, arguing that fiscal limits require PPPs, cost-benefit analysis, and stronger accountability. He called for electrification of the Kelani Valley railway, renewed expressway projects with cost and currency-risk controls, regularization of deeds for Colombo housing units, and practical use of UDA land assets. He questioned why significant dues from SriLankan Airlines and private airlines to the Civil Aviation Authority had not been collected, and proposed immediate measures to reduce BIA congestion, including use of the VVIP terminal and better slot allocation. He also advocated developing Ratmalana for business and regional aviation and formulating an industry-led “Ceylon Ports” strategy to strengthen Colombo, Hambantota, and Trincomalee amid risks of mainline shipping bypassing Sri Lanka. Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Transport, Highways, Ports, Civil Aviation, Urban Development, Construction and Housing Read →
- 24 November 2025 The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka JJB AI summary Anura Karunathilaka outlined plans to position Sri Lanka’s ports as integrated stakeholders in regional growth, including a master plan for all ports, implementation of a Port Community System at Colombo, progress on the Kerawalapitiya dry port, renewed talks with India on Kankesanthurai Port with possible US$ 63.5 million grant support, and tourism-focused development of Galle Port. He reported improved financial performance in airport operations, including at Jaffna International Airport, and said the delayed BIA Phase II project is expected to move toward contract award by mid-2026, with temporary measures introduced to ease congestion. He also highlighted continuing heavy losses at Mattala Airport, noting cumulative losses of over Rs. 66 billion since inception and the need to address its underutilization. Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Transport, Highways, Ports, Civil Aviation, Urban Development, Construction and Housing Read →
- 24 November 2025 The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka - Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation JJB AI summary Minister Anura Karunathilaka said Cabinet approval has been obtained to develop the old Bogambara Prison as a tourist promotion centre, pending an archaeological valuation report and subsequent RFP process. He clarified that 2026 housing assistance includes Rs. 7,200 million through virement and an additional Rs. 3,000 million allocated in the Budget. He emphasized the strategic role of ports and airports in moving from stabilization to growth, noting improved SLPA revenue and profit in 2025 while acknowledging declines in port performance rankings and efficiency. He said the East Container Terminal is expected to begin operations by September next year, adding about 2.5 million TEUs of capacity, with procurement of straddle carriers underway to support this expansion. Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Transport, Highways, Ports, Civil Aviation, Urban Development, Construction and Housing Read →
- 24 November 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Under the Clean Sri Lanka programme, a project has begun to renovate 50 bus stands. The Member also urged the introduction of card payment facilities on buses, noting that the programme was launched that day. Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation - Part 1 Read →
- 24 November 2025 The Hon. Jagath Vithana SJB AI summary Hon. Jagath Vithana raised transport-sector regulatory and operational issues during the debate on the Heads of Expenditure for Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation, stating that private bus workers need formal labour protections, training, proper wages and a regulated staffing pool to support reforms such as card-based payments. He urged a uniform process and fee to regularize bus route permit ownership transfers, coordinated action among transport agencies and a one-stop vehicle document verification mechanism, citing problems at the Department of Motor Traffic and ongoing litigation. He also called for practical adjustments to vehicle import registration timelines due to port yard constraints, better maintenance and management capacity at SLTB depots, revival of integrated timetables, and practical facilities such as toilets at bus stands, while noting he had declined an official vehicle entitlement. Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation - Part 1 Read →
- 24 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Prasanna Gunasena - Deputy Minister of Transport and Highways JJB AI summary Responding to issues raised about Kandy, the Deputy Minister said plans for Mahaiyawa include a social survey to determine residents’ preferences for relocation or in-situ redevelopment, followed by a feasibility study to decide the settlement model. He stated that the Akurana flood action plan is being pursued in line with the relevant report and discussed at District Coordinating Committee meetings. On Bogambara, he said a heritage assessment is underway and that a public-private partnership project is expected to be launched around May next year. Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation - Part 1 Read →
- 24 November 2025 The Hon. Rauff Hakeem, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Rauff Hakeem raised concerns over the treatment of the Daftar Jailani Muslim place of worship in Balangoda, saying UDA and Archaeology Department interventions had affected devotees and presented an incomplete historical narrative. He urged the inclusion of Kandy’s underserved settlements in urban regeneration, faster development of the vacant Bogambara Prison site, and conservation of heritage buildings to improve tourism. He requested Rs. 23 million for an SLLDC feasibility study on flood mitigation in Akurana, revival of CRIP-related flood control proposals in Kalmunai and wider drainage studies in Ampara. He also called for prioritising the Heda Oya Reservoir, improving Pottuvil bus facilities and Colombo–Pottuvil transport, and addressing land allocation issues at Mahakanda involving the University of Peradeniya. Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation - Part 1 Read →
- 24 November 2025 The Hon. Gnanamuththu Srineshan ITAK AI summary Hon. Gnanamuththu Srineshan raised transport, highways, bridge, aviation and railway issues affecting Batticaloa and the wider North and East, calling for local recruitment to fill SLTB staff shortages, more buses, investigations into poor road construction, progress on several bridge projects, completion of access works and land compensation linked to Batticaloa Airport, and restoration of earlier night-train timings and sleeping berths. He also urged a transparent and consultative approach to archaeology declarations in Batticaloa, saying sudden installation of boards without informing local authorities and elected representatives was creating ethnic tension and suspicion. He welcomed the inclusion of Tamil-speaking members in the Archaeology Advisory Committee but asked that MPs, local bodies and communities be involved at sites before enforcement or court action is pursued. Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation - Part 1 Read →
- 24 November 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development and the Leader of the House of Parliament JJB AI summary The Minister linked the Ministry’s expenditure debate with the International Day for Eliminating Gender-Based Violence, announcing planned January guidelines for school and office vans and mandatory CCTV in school vans to address harassment of women and children in transport. He said the Ministry expects 82–88 percent progress by year-end across roads, transport and urban development, with highways targeted at 90 percent, while identifying procurement capacity as a key bottleneck in implementing additional Budget allocations and Presidential proposals. He outlined the Ministry’s wide institutional scope and recent recruitment of 3,975 staff across agencies, and urged the Finance Ministry to address low remuneration and allowances at the Road Development Authority, noting its major role in capital expenditure. Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation - Part 1 Read →
- 24 November 2025 The Hon. S.M. Marikkar SJB AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar questioned whether the Budget allocation for low-income housing is realistic, arguing that Rs. 1.02 million per house is insufficient given past UDA housing costs and current economic conditions, and requested technical justification. He opposed a “fire sale” of SriLankan Airlines but said it cannot continue receiving Budget support without debt restructuring, cost control, and proper leadership, including CEO and COO appointments. He also alleged major leakage through contract variations in infrastructure projects and called for a standardized national technical evaluation process to reduce abuse by contractors and officials. Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation - Part 1 Read →
- 24 November 2025 The Hon. S.M. Marikkar SJB AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar moved the customary Rs. 10 reduction under the relevant Heads and argued that the infrastructure-related ministries must improve budget utilization, citing low 2025 expenditure progress in transport, highways, ports, civil aviation, urban development, construction, housing, and water supply. He called for addressing RDA staff and engineers’ concerns, accelerating stalled road, bridge, rail, port and urban development projects, and preparing an integrated transport master plan with multimodal links and PPP-based expressway development. He sought updates on the East Container Terminal and Galle Port, criticized the cancellation or delay of projects such as the LRT, Kelani Valley railway upgrade and MCC-funded traffic improvements, and urged measures to reduce construction costs and revive the sector. Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation - Part 1 Read →
- 24 November 2025 The Hon. Mayilvaganam Jegatheeswaran JJB AI summary Mayilvaganam Jegatheeswaran asked whether Budget 2026 includes funding to rehabilitate the damaged main hall and roof of the Vavuniya College of Technology. He referred to the provision of third-level training centres to Vavuniya, Mullaitivu, Kilinochchi and Jaffna about six weeks earlier, during which the damage was observed, and requested details of any planned projects. Oral Question: Jaffna College of Technology Infrastructure (Q.3) Read →
- 24 November 2025 The Hon. Nalin Hewage - Deputy Minister of Vocational Education JJB AI summary Only one building roof at the Jaffna College of Technology is reported to be dilapidated, and funds are to be allocated in 2026 for renovations. For 2025, Rs. 3.5 million has been allocated to Jaffna College of Technology and Rs. 3.149 million to Vavuniya Technical College for infrastructure works, with some projects completed and others ongoing. Facilities for hybrid and modern vehicle repair courses have been installed, curricula are periodically updated under NVQ standards, and 2026 procurement is being arranged for colleges lacking modern equipment. Approval has also been obtained to recruit 100 permanent and 100 contract instructors, while course quality and uniform certification are regulated by the Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission. Oral Question: Jaffna College of Technology Infrastructure (Q.3) Read →
- 24 November 2025 The Hon. Mayilvaganam Jegatheeswaran JJB AI summary Mayilvaganam Jegatheeswaran questioned the Prime Minister and Minister of Education on infrastructure, curriculum and staffing issues in vocational education, specifically at the Jaffna and Vavuniya Colleges of Technology. He asked whether unsafe buildings at Jaffna College of Technology would be renovated or replaced, whether funds had been allocated, when outdated automotive syllabi would be updated to include hybrid and modern vehicle technologies, and what steps would be taken to provide modern machinery and recruit qualified lecturers. He also sought clarification on how the Government ensures equal quality of vocational training across the country. Oral Question: Jaffna College of Technology Infrastructure (Q.3) Read →
- 24 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva - Chair, Committee on Public Finance SJB AI summary The Committee on Public Finance tabled its report on two sets of Civil Aviation-related regulations and noted that the Committee had approved them. The Chair raised concerns about proposed leases of Civil Aviation Authority-owned airport lands to Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Pvt.) Ltd. at Rs. 50,000 per hectare per year, despite potentially high commercial land values in areas such as Katunayake. He stated that a transparent methodology and general policy should be developed for valuing and alienating State lands, and that the matter had been referred to the Ministry of Finance. Committee Report: Public Finance Committee on Regulations Read →
- 22 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa — Minister of Health and Mass Media AI summary The Minister outlined capital investments in the postal service, including new and renovated post offices, the Dambulla Regional Mail Exchange, vehicle purchases, and technology upgrades, with Rs. 2,085 million in capital expenditure committed since May. He detailed ongoing recruitment and promotion measures across postal grades, including Post Assistants, Postal Service Officers, Sub-Postmasters, drivers, and Postmasters. He said postal revenue up to 30 September was Rs. 9,620 million against a target of Rs. 9,750 million, while expenditure was Rs. 14,830 million, attributing the deficit mainly to salary increases and stating that modernization and staffing measures are intended to improve revenue and profitability. Debate: Committee Stage - Heads of Expenditure 111, 210, 211, 220 and 308 (Health and Mass Media) Read →
- 22 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip JJB AI summary The Minister thanked Members for their contributions and responded on the expenditure heads of the Ministry of Health and Mass Media, beginning with the Postal Department. He said the Department, with 650 post offices, 3,500 sub-post offices and about 20,000 employees, has been stabilised after years of inadequate facilities and should be developed as a major public service institution. He highlighted its role in distributing pensions, allowances and other public assistance, noting that from January to September 2025 it facilitated Rs. 18,866 million to 4.941 million beneficiaries, and stated that Rs. 600 million has been allocated this year for capital improvements, including new buildings in areas such as Galewela and Matale. Debate: Committee Stage - Heads of Expenditure 111, 210, 211, 220 and 308 (Health and Mass Media) Read →