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 November 2025 Hon. Anura Kumara Dissanayake AI summary The address outlines Budget 2026 proposals to support small and medium enterprises, agriculture and tourism through concessional lending, refinancing, pledge loans, collateral-free loans and interest subsidies, with Rs. 80,000 million allocated for related loan schemes. It proposes lowering the investment threshold for enhanced capital allowances from US$3 million to US$250,000 to encourage SME investment. For tourism, it sets targets of US$8 billion in earnings and 4 million arrivals by 2030, proposes institutional restructuring, destination development, use of underutilized government bungalows with private-sector support, and infrastructure and marketing initiatives in areas including the Western Province coastal zone and Haputale. Appropriation Bill, 2026: Second Reading Debate Read →
- 7 November 2025 The Hon. Anura Kumara Dissanayake AI summary Anura Kumara Dissanayake said the delayed second phase of the Katunayake airport development project, previously expected to be completed in 2023 with JICA financing, will now restart in early 2026 at a much higher estimated cost, and linked the delay to past ministerial interference. He outlined plans to improve airport efficiency and develop Bandaranaike International Airport as a regional air cargo hub through cargo terminal expansion and a public-private partnership for cold storage, warehousing, and related facilities. He also announced a planned approach to urban development from 2026, with allocations for feasibility work in 10 towns and specific congestion or relocation projects in Matale, Hatton, and Ratnapura. He further proposed support for local authorities to improve solid-waste management through funding for equipment such as compactors, tractors, and trailers. Appropriation Bill, 2026: Second Reading Debate Read →
- 7 November 2025 The Hon. Anura Kumara Dissanayake AI summary Anura Kumara Dissanayake outlined budget allocations for rural infrastructure, including Rs. 24,000 million for rural roads and Rs. 2,500 million for rural bridges, alongside proposals on ageing policy, women’s nutrition and entrepreneurship support, and relief schemes for migrant workers. He announced plans for a low-interest housing loan scheme and contributory pension scheme for migrant workers using Rs. 2,000 million from Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment funds. He also detailed measures to address human–elephant conflict, including electric fencing, deployment of Civil Security Department officers, vehicle and communication upgrades for wildlife authorities, and allocations for fodder, water management, and research-based long-term solutions. Additional funding was proposed for drama, performing arts and literature, while he noted restructuring needs in State media institutions due to financial difficulties. Appropriation Bill, 2026: Second Reading Debate Read →
- 24 October 2025 The Hon. Sunil Handunnetti – Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development AI summary The Minister stated that Sri Lanka generally prohibits export of domestically produced or imported rough gems except where expert committees confirm that low-value or technically non-processable material cannot be value-added locally, while cut and polished exports remain subject to NGJA and Customs supervision. He outlined ongoing research, training and technology upgrades to expand domestic cutting, heat treatment, certification and finishing capacity, with the aim of reducing rough geuda exports and positioning Sri Lanka as a regional gem trading hub. He said the Government targets USD 1–2 billion in annual gem and jewellery exports by 2030, seeks to bring estimated unregulated outflows into a legal liberalized framework, and will review export procedures and tax policies with stakeholders while strengthening action against illicit exports. He clarified that the NGJA levies service fees, not taxes, under the relevant Gazette, and tabled annexes on programmes, strategy and fee schedules. Ministerial Statement: Export of Rough Gems and Foreign Currency Read →
- 24 October 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Prasanna Gunasena - Acting Minister of Transport and Highways JJB AI summary The Acting Minister said the priority for Sammanturai is to ensure continuous public transport service rather than immediately establishing a new depot. He explained that a new sub-depot would create additional costs, including staff and dead mileage for buses travelling 12–13 km to Kalmunai for refuelling. The Ministry will first regularize and monitor the integrated private-SLTB timetable from Kalmunai for one to two months, and if service remains inadequate, it will consider opening a Sammanturai depot with minimal staff despite the higher cost. Oral Question: SLTB Bus Depot in Pottuvil DS Division (Q.8-9/2025) Read →
- 24 October 2025 The Hon. M.S. Abthul Wazeeth SLMC AI summary Hon. M.S. Abthul Wazeeth asked whether the Sammanturai sub bus depot, closed in 2021 despite earlier profitability and with its buses transferred to Kalmunai, could be reopened. He noted its historical establishment in 1998, the current allocation of five acres for a full depot, and prior requests for reopening raised at Divisional and District Coordinating Committee meetings. Oral Question: SLTB Bus Depot in Pottuvil DS Division (Q.8-9/2025) Read →
- 24 October 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Prasanna Gunasena - Acting Minister of Transport and Highways JJB AI summary Plans are in place to improve bus services through private investment in addition to State funding. Discussions have been held with the Ministry of Finance, including Minister Anil Jayantha, on attracting foreign investment for electric buses linked to tourism, with implementation expected to take around a year. Oral Question: SLTB Bus Depot in Pottuvil DS Division (Q.8-9/2025) Read →
- 24 October 2025 The Hon. M.S. Abthul Wazeeth SLMC AI summary Hon. M.S. Abthul Wazeeth requested improvements to the Pottuvil bus depot, noting its earlier downgrade, recent re-upgrading, and an unutilized Rs. 600 million allocation from the previous year. He asked whether the current Budget could provide a new building, luxury buses, basic facilities, and fill five vacant driver posts, particularly to support transport services in the tourism area of Arugam Bay. Oral Question: SLTB Bus Depot in Pottuvil DS Division (Q.8-9/2025) Read →
- 24 October 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Prasanna Gunasena - Acting Minister of Transport and Highways JJB AI summary The Acting Minister of Transport and Highways stated that the SLTB depot in the Pottuvil DS Division is located in Arugam Bay and has a fleet of 17 buses, of which about seven are currently operating. He said basic facilities, including maintenance, are available, and that fuel facilities and additional bus allocations will be considered as the fleet expands and demand increases. He also noted planned procurement of about 200 luxury buses and 600 standard buses to support passenger services and tourism promotion. Oral Question: SLTB Bus Depot in Pottuvil DS Division (Q.8-9/2025) Read →
- 24 October 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Prasanna Gunasena - Acting Minister of Transport and Highways JJB AI summary The Acting Minister of Transport and Highways said drug use among bus drivers and conductors is part of a wider national drug problem rather than an issue limited to long-distance buses. He stated that the Ministry, through the National Transport Medical Institute and with support from the Ministry of Health, plans to introduce on-the-spot testing to help reduce drug use in the bus sector as part of broader national eradication efforts. Oral Question: Long-Distance Bus Services (Q.7/2025) Read →
- 24 October 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Prasanna Gunasena - Acting Minister of Transport and Highways JJB AI summary The Acting Minister of Transport and Highways said the Ministry has begun regulating long-distance bus rest-stop restaurants on the Puttalam Corridor, alongside an integrated timetable and standardized bus dispatch arrangements. He stated that inspections are being conducted with Ministry of Health support under PHI supervision, and that the programme will be expanded corridor by corridor to establish national standards for such rest-stops. Oral Question: Long-Distance Bus Services (Q.7/2025) Read →
- 24 October 2025 The Hon. (Prof.) Sena Nanayakkara JJB AI summary Prof. Sena Nanayakkara raised concerns about inadequate facilities at rest stops used by long-distance bus passengers, including poor food, hygiene, and sanitation, despite some improvements in bus transport services. He asked the Minister of Transport whether restaurants or canteens could be established under direct Government oversight through a new administrative mechanism to address these issues. Oral Question: Long-Distance Bus Services (Q.7/2025) Read →
- 24 October 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Prasanna Gunasena - Acting Minister of Transport and Highways JJB AI summary Acting Minister of Transport and Highways Prasanna Gunasena stated that 73 restaurants serve SLTB long-distance routes, while identified private-sector rest stops include 14 on the Puttalam/Colombo–Jaffna corridor and 19 on high-level/low-level corridors, with further identification ongoing. He said restaurants must operate under Medical Officer of Health/Public Health Inspector supervision, be registered with local authorities, and comply with conditions under Gazette No. 1742/26 and related SLTB, Health Ministry, and National Transport Commission specifications. He noted that the 73 SLTB-linked restaurants are not yet registered with SLTB, no SLTB registration fee has so far been charged, and proposed SLTB conditions include a Rs. 25,000 non-refundable security deposit and a Rs. 3,000 monthly fee. Oral Question: Long-Distance Bus Services (Q.7/2025) Read →
- 24 October 2025 Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna - Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure JJB AI summary Minister K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna reported growth in the palmyrah industry, noting exports increased from Rs. 57.83 million in 2023 to Rs. 203.19 million in the first four months of 2025. He said cultivation and value addition are expanding beyond traditional regions into districts such as Trincomalee, Anuradhapura, Ampara and Hambantota, and outlined plans to link palmyrah products with tourism promotion. He also cited training in Ella for low-income households to establish micro-enterprises and said the Ministry intends to further popularize palmyrah products islandwide. Oral Question: Palmyrah as a Crop of Significant Value (Q.6/2025) Read →
- 24 October 2025 Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna - Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure JJB AI summary Minister K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna said the Government is recognizing palmyrah as an economically significant crop and strengthening the Palmyrah Development Board to support technology, production, value addition and sustainable management. He stated that tree felling is restricted under the Felling of Trees (Control) Act, but stronger legal provisions are being pursued, while a 2025 programme will plant 120,000 seeds in the Northern and Eastern Provinces with Rs. 10 million allocated and Rs. 15 million proposed for 2026. He also outlined support for rural women and youth, exporter coordination, and efforts to expand palmyrah products in global markets, noting export earnings of Rs. 57.83 million in 2023, Rs. 228.6 million in 2024, and Rs. 203.19 million in the first four months of 2025. Oral Question: Palmyrah as a Crop of Significant Value (Q.6/2025) Read →
- 24 October 2025 Hon. Sunil Kumara Gamage - Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports JJB AI summary Hon. Sunil Kumara Gamage stated that the Ministry is working with Sri Lanka Cricket to develop sports grounds in multiple locations. He said plans are under way to establish international stadiums in Jaffna and Diyagama, with further district-level developments intended to expand access to sports in rural areas. Oral Question: International and School Cricket Stadiums (Q.5/2025) Read →
- 24 October 2025 Hon. Upul Kithsiri JJB AI summary Hon. Upul Kithsiri expressed condolences on the death of Jayannanda Chandraveera, noting his contribution to cricket and the restoration of the Galle International Cricket Ground after the tsunami. He highlighted Sri Lanka’s cricket achievements and asked why Sri Lanka Cricket’s resources have not been used to develop facilities in rural districts, citing the lack of an international-standard turf pitch in Ratnapura. He called for steps to expand cricket infrastructure and opportunities for talented players in villages, including areas such as Embilipitiya. Oral Question: International and School Cricket Stadiums (Q.5/2025) Read →
- 24 October 2025 Hon. Sunil Kumara Gamage - Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports JJB AI summary Hon. Sunil Kumara Gamage provided details on Sri Lanka’s cricket infrastructure, stating that there are seven international cricket stadiums, including five owned by Sri Lanka Cricket and two club grounds used for international matches, with two further stadiums proposed in Diyagama and Jaffna. He said lists of grounds with turf, gravel or other pitches, school turf-wicket grounds, and district association grounds or proposals had been provided in annexes. He also stated that Sri Lanka Cricket allocates approximately Rs. 1.5 billion annually through the Sri Lanka Schools Cricket Association for school cricket development, including infrastructure, equipment, coaching, assistance and competitions. Oral Question: International and School Cricket Stadiums (Q.5/2025) Read →
- 23 October 2025 The Hon. Eranga Weeraratne - Deputy Minister of Digital Economy JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Eranga Weeraratne said the LGC service disruption was caused by an internal hard disk utilization failure that triggered an automatic shutdown, with services restored by Saturday night and no evidence of cyber intrusion, data loss, or compromised integrity. He stated that affected institutions used manual processing, ASYCUDA and other separate data-centre systems were not affected, and no quantified financial losses had been reported. He said the Government is procuring LGC 2.5 to introduce centralized secure backups, geo-redundancy, disaster recovery capacity, and real-time monitoring, while also advancing cybersecurity measures including mandatory VAPT, protection of critical information infrastructure, the NCSOC, a new Cyber Security Law, and proposed Digital Economy and Cybersecurity Regulatory Authorities. Urgent Question: Digital Infrastructure Outage (Standing Order 27(2)) Read →
- 23 October 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake raised an urgent question under Standing Order 27(2) to the Minister of Technology regarding the 14 October 2025 collapse of the Lanka Government Cloud and recent cyber incidents affecting State institutions, banks and digital services. He asked for clarification on the cause of the failure, whether any external intrusion or data compromise occurred, the number of similar incidents, financial losses, disaster-recovery arrangements, and assurances on the integrity of citizen and institutional data. He also called for a cyber security audit to be tabled, measures to restore confidence in e-Government systems, and consideration of a legally empowered National Cyber Security Command Authority, along with proposed digital transformation and cyber security legislation. Urgent Question: Digital Infrastructure Outage (Standing Order 27(2)) Read →