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 November 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake urged the Industry Minister to move beyond blaming past governments and implement decisive economic and industrial reforms, including reducing the overall tax burden, lowering SME interest rates to 5–6 percent, and creating one million young entrepreneurs. He questioned aspects of debt management, the declaration of bankruptcy, EPF disclosure under IMF-related public debt management, and the impact of exchange rate depreciation on the debt burden. He called for a strategic approach to para-tariffs, sugar sector reform, faster industrial land allocation, stronger BOI and IDB coordination, updated industrial laws, wider market access, and targeted investment incentives linked to agriculture and import substitution. Appropriation Bill, 2026 – Committee Stage Debate: Twelfth Allotted Day Read →
- 21 November 2025 The Hon. J.C. Alawathuwala SJB AI summary Hon. J.C. Alawathuwala argued that MSMEs, which he said contribute about 52 percent of GDP, remain severely affected by COVID-19, the economic crisis, high interest rates, and parate enforcement, and called for stronger relief measures including attention to concerns raised by MSME chambers. He criticized the proposed reduction of the VAT registration threshold from Rs. 60 million to Rs. 36 million, saying it would burden small producers and raise prices, and tabled documents outlining ten key issues faced by the sector. On rural development and social protection, he called for time-bound pathways to lift beneficiaries out of poverty, contrasting Janasaviya’s graduation model with the later Samurdhi programme, and also urged attention to the declining economic position of middle-class public servants. Appropriation Bill, 2026 – Committee Stage Debate: Twelfth Allotted Day Read →
- 21 November 2025 The Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe SLMC AI summary Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe raised concerns over 83 employees of the Pulmoddai Plant of Lanka Mineral Sands Company who have not received salaries for 15 months despite protests and appeals, and urged the Minister of Industries to settle both arrears and current salaries. He contrasted this with 17 temporary appointees from Galle District who are receiving pay and facilities, and requested discussions with the affected workers. He also asked that Ampara and Trincomalee Districts be included in the Ministry’s national programme to create 1,000 young entrepreneurs, particularly through provisions in the 2026 Budget. Appropriation Bill, 2026 – Committee Stage Debate: Twelfth Allotted Day Read →
- 21 November 2025 The Hon. Rajeevan Jeyachandramoorthy JJB AI summary Hon. Rajeevan Jeyachandramoorthy argued that industrial revival in the Northern and Eastern Provinces is a priority of the Government, following years of stagnation, limited investment, COVID-era impacts on SMEs, and insufficient post-war development. He outlined proposed initiatives including developing Kankesanthurai as a commercial hub, restarting the Paranthan Chemical Factory, expanding Mannar salt production, creating an industrial estate in Mankulam, reviving the Oddusuddan bottle factory, and hosting a Northern Investment Summit. He identified infrastructure deficits, limited access to capital, weak market access, and skills shortages as key constraints, and said Budget allocations aim to support equitable regional development through industry and tourism. He urged political actors not to obstruct development or inflame communal tensions, calling for cooperation for the benefit of the Tamil people and the country. Appropriation Bill, 2026 – Committee Stage Debate: Twelfth Allotted Day Read →
- 21 November 2025 The Hon. Rohana Bandara AI summary Rohana Bandara argued that Sri Lanka must strengthen domestic industrialization to earn foreign exchange ahead of resumed debt repayments from 2028, rather than relying mainly on remittances and tourism. He called for state intervention to revive closed factories, fair treatment of entrepreneurs affected by the reactivated Parate Law, electricity tariff relief and faster approvals for small industries, and better policy handling of sectors such as sugar. He also criticized the implementation of Aswesuma, saying flawed data and criteria excluded some genuinely poor households while including ineligible beneficiaries. Appropriation Bill, 2026 – Committee Stage Debate: Twelfth Allotted Day Read →
- 21 November 2025 The Hon. Chanaka Madugoda SLPP AI summary Hon. Chanaka Madugoda urged the Government to reduce or restore previous tax arrangements on imported uncut gemstones and gold, arguing that current duties are burdening small and medium gem and jewellery entrepreneurs and undermining a sector linked to tourism. He also requested support for Galle District carving industry entrepreneurs, including improved Laksala payment practices, access to timber, loan facilities, and equipment, in line with the Government’s target of increasing tourism revenue to USD 10 billion by 2030. He called on the Minister to address delays in the Small Enterprise Development Division’s entrepreneurship exhibition, including a stalled stall-tender process despite a Rs. 25 million allocation, so that young entrepreneurs can access markets and support. Appropriation Bill, 2026 – Committee Stage Debate: Twelfth Allotted Day Read →
- 21 November 2025 The Hon. Chanaka Madugoda SLPP AI summary Chanaka Madugoda, speaking during the Committee Stage debate on the Ministries of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, and Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment, said past infrastructure projects under Mahinda Rajapaksa had created a foundation for industrial and entrepreneurial growth. He argued that successive crises, including the war, insurrections, Black July, the tsunami, terrorist attacks, COVID-19, and recent unrest, had hindered industrial development. He stated that the current Government now has an opportunity to strengthen SMEs, expand large enterprises, and attract major investment. Appropriation Bill, 2026 – Committee Stage Debate: Twelfth Allotted Day Read →
- 21 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam ITAK AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam urged the development of Palaly Airport, Kankesanthurai Harbour, and Talaimannar Port in the Northern region. He noted that India is prepared to provide nearly LKR 20,000 million to Sri Lanka and requested that these funds be used to develop Kankesanthurai Harbour. Appropriation Bill, 2026 – Committee Stage Debate: Twelfth Allotted Day Read →
- 21 November 2025 The Hon. Muhammad Faizal JJB AI summary Hon. Muhammad Faizal raised a point of order responding to comments that mentioned his name and alleged political motives or intimidation. He stated that representatives from Puttalam had requested the President and Minister to upgrade the Puttalam Hospital, said assurances had been given, and denied that they were campaigning for votes, threatening anyone, or accusing others improperly in the House. Appropriation Bill, 2026 – Committee Stage Debate: Twelfth Allotted Day Read →
- 21 November 2025 The Hon. Chathuranga Abeysinghe - Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe said the Ministry’s 2025 priority was to restore confidence in a distressed industrial and entrepreneurial sector, citing improved indicators including export growth, manufacturing growth, higher industrial production, lower NPLs, and increased registrations of industries, entrepreneurs, and exporters. He outlined Ministry actions such as allocating state land for industry, developing industrial parks, supporting MSME debt restructuring and concessional credit, strengthening productivity and district-level support systems, and reviving or restructuring state industrial enterprises. He said new institutional arrangements, export development measures, SME frameworks, training programmes, and digital decentralization were intended to support industrialization and entrepreneurship under the 2026 Estimates. Appropriation Bill, 2026 – Committee Stage Debate: Twelfth Allotted Day Read →
- 21 November 2025 The Hon. Kins Nelson SJB AI summary Hon. Kins Nelson raised concerns about health services in Polonnaruwa, noting that while Medirigiriya, Hingurakgoda, and Aralaganwila are designated as base hospitals, only Medirigiriya has the necessary facilities. He asked the Minister to give special attention to providing facilities and doctors to Hingurakgoda and Aralaganwila. Question by Private Notice: Vacancies and Cadre Revision of Base Hospital, Puttalam Read →
- 21 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip JJB AI summary The Minister clarified that the listed projects refer to line Ministry hospitals and special projects, including 13 Chinese-funded regional hospitals under provincial councils, with Kalpitiya and Mirigama nearing opening. He said Rs. 31,000 million has been allocated in the first year of a five-year programme to develop base hospitals, with provincial and hospital-wise allocations being finalized through the Provincial Councils Ministry and the Finance Commission. Funds will be allocated next year, prioritizing base hospitals targeted for upgrading. Question by Private Notice: Vacancies and Cadre Revision of Base Hospital, Puttalam Read →
- 21 November 2025 The Hon. R.M. Jayawardhana JJB AI summary The Hon. R.M. Jayawardhana stated that an Economic Centre, built but left unopened for about seven years, was opened in September and is now operational. He said the Government is considering adding cold-storage facilities, including a cold room, to reduce post-harvest losses, with Rs. 1,000 million allocated for the purpose this year. He also noted that an unused rehabilitation centre is to be taken over for the Co-operative Department, following intervention by the District Development Committee Chairman, to address the request regarding a Co-operative Training Centre. Oral Question: Vavuniya Dedicated Economic Centre (Question No. 1) Read →
- 21 November 2025 The Hon. R.M. Jayawardhana - Deputy Minister of Trade, Commerce and Food Security JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister stated that the Vavuniya Dedicated Economic Centre was opened on 3 September 2025. He said 35 stalls had been allocated, under a 2021 Cabinet decision, to eligible wholesale traders from the Vavuniya wholesale market, with remaining stalls to be prioritized for local farmers’ organizations and district applicants, and two expected to be allocated to Lanka Sathosa for aggregation and sales. Oral Question: Vavuniya Dedicated Economic Centre (Question No. 1) Read →
- 21 November 2025 The Hon. Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam ITAK AI summary Asked the Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Co-operative Development about the long-delayed opening of the Vavuniya Economic Centre, noting that it was proposed in 2015, built in 2018 at Madaguwaiththakulam at a cost of Rs. 263 million, and remains unopened seven years later. He sought details on measures to operationalize it, the timeline for opening, the basis for allocating its 52 stalls, and whether existing wholesale vegetable traders would receive them. Oral Question: Vavuniya Dedicated Economic Centre (Question No. 1) Read →
- 21 November 2025 The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka - Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation JJB AI summary The Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation presented the 2024 Annual Report of Jaya Container Terminals Limited to Parliament. He proposed referring the report to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Infrastructure and Strategic Development, and the proposal was agreed to. Tabling of Papers: Regulations and Annual Reports Read →
- 20 November 2025 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody - Minister of Energy JJB AI summary Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody said CPC’s financial position had been mischaracterised, distinguishing debt from LC/indemnity instruments and noting an estimated Rs. 32 billion profit by October. He outlined progress on the India HVDC interconnection, Trincomalee oil tank farm, and major North-East transmission projects, while stressing that import/export pricing and transmission costs must be carefully assessed. He said the Government rejected the Adani wind proposal because the quoted USD 8.26 cents per kWh excluded unresolved transmission costs and was above competitive benchmarks, and that renewable and grid projects are being accelerated to reduce generation costs. He detailed recent electricity tariff reductions for domestic consumers, said about 70 per cent of customers under 90 units are supplied below cost through cross-subsidy, and argued that Sri Lanka’s household and industrial electricity prices have become comparatively competitive in the region. Committee Stage: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Head 119 (Ministry of Energy) Cut Motion and Debate Read →
- 20 November 2025 The Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha SJB AI summary Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha reviewed the development of Sri Lanka’s electricity sector, arguing that delays to major projects such as Sampur and Uma Oya contributed to higher generation costs and tariffs. He urged the Ministry to reconsider the proposed large LNG FSRU, proposing instead a smaller supply arrangement using LNG from Cochin, and called for prompt action on BESS approvals and the 160 MW storage tender. He criticized tender conditions for the Sapugaskanda 100 MW project as restrictive to capable local firms, questioned the impact and cost of CEB restructuring and voluntary retirement plans, and requested attention to pending retiree pension increments. He also defended LTL’s commercial record and overseas operations, arguing that it should be supported with suitable governance rather than constrained by inappropriate procurement rules. Committee Stage: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Head 119 (Ministry of Energy) Cut Motion and Debate Read →
- 20 November 2025 The Hon. Eranga Weeraratne - Deputy Minister of Digital Economy JJB AI summary Eranga Weeraratne said Sri Lanka’s energy-sector restructuring under the amended Electricity Act, including separate entities for generation, transmission, distribution and system operation, is intended to improve efficiency and lower costs. He linked reliable electricity supply to the digital economy, arguing that AI data centres and proposed “data embassies” require 24/7 redundant power and grid resilience, and that Sri Lanka’s location on submarine cable routes creates investment opportunities. He said the Government is pursuing dual-supply regions, smart grids, smart meters, sector digitization, and a power-wheeling framework to enable renewable self-generation and support data-centre-related foreign investment. Committee Stage: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Head 119 (Ministry of Energy) Cut Motion and Debate Read →
- 20 November 2025 The Hon. Arkam Ilyas - Deputy Minister of Power JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Arkam Ilyas outlined the Government’s policy to develop a competitive, consumer-focused and renewable-oriented power sector, arguing that affordable tariffs require competitive generation procurement, grid upgrades and storage rather than higher renewable tariffs. He said transmission projects and battery storage tenders are underway, including major 400 kV and 220 kV lines, and that EV charging infrastructure, smart metering, time-of-use tariffs and rooftop solar integration will be expanded from 2026. He stated that the Government aims to reduce electricity bills by 30 per cent over three years through sustainable cost reductions, while also planning Mannar basin hydrocarbon exploration tenders in early 2026 with international partners. Committee Stage: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Head 119 (Ministry of Energy) Cut Motion and Debate Read →