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- 22 October 2025 Kumara Jayakody - Minister of Energy JJB AI summary Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody said grid capacity constraints are affecting integration of new energy projects, but DOE approvals and transmission expansion are being used to accelerate progress. He stated that new expansion plans beyond Anuradhapura are expected within two to three years, with financing and design work underway, and noted that competitive battery storage tenders are open. He said government policy aims to protect consumers while maintaining the viability of the power sector and supporting genuine investors. Ministerial Statement and Debate: Power Generation Policy (Minister of Energy) Read →
- 22 October 2025 Kumara Jayakody - Minister of Energy JJB AI summary Kumara Jayakody clarified that LNG is not being described as renewable, but as a firm energy source used alongside diesel or coal when hydro output is low to maintain grid stability. He defended tariff reductions for solar projects as reflecting lower panel costs and currency appreciation, saying the benefit should be passed to consumers without harming genuine developers. He said approved solar capacity already exceeds this year’s LTGEP additions, with further grid expansion and battery storage tenders planned to support the target of 70% renewable energy by 2030. Ministerial Statement and Debate: Power Generation Policy (Minister of Energy) Read →
- 22 October 2025 Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa questioned the Government’s renewable energy policy, arguing that successive reductions in the solar power tariff from Rs. 37 to Rs. 18 per unit discourage investment by small and medium renewable energy producers. He urged the Government to restore earlier tariff levels and support solar uptake in line with the 70 per cent renewable energy target for 2030. He also challenged the inclusion of LNG within that target, stating that LNG is not renewable and citing the Yugadanavi project as an example where, without an operational FSRU, generation effectively depends on diesel. Ministerial Statement and Debate: Power Generation Policy (Minister of Energy) Read →
- 22 October 2025 Kumara Jayakody - Minister of Energy JJB AI summary Minister Kumara Jayakody replied to a Standing Order 27(2) question by providing detailed 2024 electricity generation and purchase costs by fuel type, ownership details of coal and diesel-related plants, and renewable energy tariff information. He outlined solar capacity targets under the Long-Term Generation Expansion Plan up to 2030, noting that solar deployment had reached close to forecast levels by end-2024 and that rooftop capacity had exceeded 2,000 MW by August 2025. He said the Government is promoting solar through competitive procurement, transmission upgrades, streamlined approvals, tariff-setting by a multi-agency committee, and rooftop limits tied to contracted demand to ensure equitable transformer capacity sharing. Ministerial Statement and Debate: Power Generation Policy (Minister of Energy) Read →
- 22 October 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe JJB AI summary The NWSDB-implemented Dry Zone Urban Water and Sanitation Project was stated to have been completed, handed over to the Urban Council, and made operational, not stopped. The Member clarified that the reported halt appears to relate to a separate Urban Council-initiated project and requested the exact project name to provide a precise response. Oral Question: Mannar Water Supply Project (Standing Order 27(2)) Read →
- 22 October 2025 The Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan ITAK AI summary Asked the Minister whether four interim injunctions relating to the Mannar development project create any legal barrier to continuing it. He questioned objections filed from Colombo on environmental grounds, arguing that significant funds had been spent and that blocking the project could leave Mannar in an unhygienic condition. Oral Question: Mannar Water Supply Project (Standing Order 27(2)) Read →
- 22 October 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe - Minister of Housing, Construction and Water Supply JJB AI summary The Minister clarified that the ADB-funded Dry Zone Urban Water and Sanitation Project in Mannar, implemented by the NWSDB from 2012 to 2016, was completed within its loan allocation and its septage treatment facility, suction trucks, and public toilets were handed over to the Urban Council. He said the NWSDB had confirmed on 21 October 2025 that the facilities are operational. He distinguished this project from a separate adjacent Solid Waste Management Project reportedly halted on legal grounds, stating that it is not under his Ministry and inquiries on it should be directed to the Urban Council. Oral Question: Mannar Water Supply Project (Standing Order 27(2)) Read →
- 22 October 2025 The Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan ITAK AI summary Under Standing Order 27(2), Sivagnanam Shritharan questioned the Minister of Environment about the suspension of the Mannar Dry Zone Urban Water and Sanitation Project, a septage treatment facility funded by the Asian Development Bank and Mannar Urban Council and commissioned in 2015. He said the project had undergone environmental assessment before the area was later declared part of the Wedithalathivu Nature Reserve, and noted a 2023 Court of Appeal petition seeking to stop garbage and wastewater collection and plant operations. He asked on what basis the project was halted, who or what interests prevented its public benefits, and what steps the Ministry would take to recommence and continue the sanitation project. Oral Question: Mannar Water Supply Project (Standing Order 27(2)) Read →
- 22 October 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Prasanna Gunasena JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Prasanna Gunasena stated that while loans must be repaid, the Budget provides for road development through programmes for widening and improvement, weak bridge construction, and rapid overlay surfacing. He reported progress on contract awards and procurement, saying additional contracts would be awarded within one to two months and that the Rs. 18.5 billion rapid overlay programme covering 225 kilometres would be completed within two months. He added that bids are coming in 24 to 30 percent below engineer estimates, creating savings that could be directed to rural roads next year. Oral Question: 100,000 Kilometres Alternative Roads Programme in Kalutara District (Q.9/2025) Read →
- 22 October 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Prasanna Gunasena JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Prasanna Gunasena said the earlier 100,000 km roads programme was a politically driven target that largely failed, leaving many projects incomplete and rural roads underdeveloped. He stated that the Government has launched the “Path to Revival” programme to address this, with work begun on 159 roads costing under Rs. 50 million each and contracts for another 262 roads expected within two months. He said halted and rural road projects would be completed gradually, as the scale of work cannot be finished within one year. Oral Question: 100,000 Kilometres Alternative Roads Programme in Kalutara District (Q.9/2025) Read →
- 22 October 2025 The Hon. Danushka Ranganath JJB AI summary Hon. Danushka Ranganath questioned the reported number of incomplete roads in Kalutara District under the 100,000 km Alternative Roads Programme, noting a discrepancy between the Minister’s figure of 198 and the RDA’s figure of 203. He provided a divisional breakdown, highlighting 94 incomplete roads in Agalawatta, and asked whether halted and impassable village roads could be prioritised for resumption under the “Path to Revival” rural roads programme. Oral Question: 100,000 Kilometres Alternative Roads Programme in Kalutara District (Q.9/2025) Read →
- 22 October 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Prasanna Gunasena - Acting Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development JJB AI summary Under the programme to develop 100,000 kilometres of alternative roads, 405 roads were proposed in the Kalutara District, with 399 included after six cancellations; 201 have been completed and 198 remain incomplete. The Acting Minister stated that works were halted due to the COVID-19 period, shortages of materials and fuel, the economic crisis, and Finance Ministry expenditure-control circulars. He said the Government will assess additional funding needs and seek supplementary allocations from 2026 onwards, while maintenance responsibilities will rest with the RDA for RDA projects and with relevant local or provincial authorities for other roads. Oral Question: 100,000 Kilometres Alternative Roads Programme in Kalutara District (Q.9/2025) Read →
- 22 October 2025 The Hon. Namal Karunaratne JJB AI summary Namal Karunaratne stated that 28 warehouses exist in the Ampara District and that farmers delivered paddy to 27 of them during the Yala season. He said the Government has information on the specific warehouse raised by the Member, noting that many warehouses have been temporarily repaired while some require permanent restoration, and undertook to give special attention to the issue. Oral Question: Warehouses of Paddy Marketing Board in Ampara District (Q.8/2025) Read →
- 22 October 2025 The Hon. Hector Appuhamy SJB AI summary Hon. Hector Appuhamy questioned the proposed 6.8 per cent electricity tariff increase, noting that the PUCSL had rejected it and that the Government had not fulfilled its promise to reduce unit prices despite earlier higher CEB revenues. He also raised concerns about frequent power outages in the Kalpitiya power region and environmental and local impacts from Norochcholai, asking whether the Minister would implement a plan to address both the environmental damage and ongoing interruptions. Oral Question: Ceylon Electricity Board Restructuring (Q.1/2025) Read →
- 22 October 2025 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody JJB AI summary Kumara Jayakody clarified that the six proposed companies would be fully Treasury-owned, despite being registered as private limited companies under the Companies Act, No. 7 of 2007. He said the CEB had proposed a 6.8 per cent tariff increase, but the PUCSL, acting within its regulatory mandate, decided there should be no increase, and he undertook to table detailed figures if a question is submitted. Oral Question: Ceylon Electricity Board Restructuring (Q.1/2025) Read →
- 22 October 2025 The Hon. Hector Appuhamy SJB AI summary Hector Appuhamy asked for clarification on how the Government and private sector would be involved in entities that are to function as companies. He also referred to the PUCSL’s recent decision not to approve an electricity tariff increase and requested that the Government disclose the tariff proposal and price structure it had submitted to the Commission. Oral Question: Ceylon Electricity Board Restructuring (Q.1/2025) Read →
- 22 October 2025 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody - Minister of Energy JJB AI summary The Minister of Energy confirmed that electricity sector restructuring will proceed under the amended Electricity Act, No. 14 of 2025, in line with Section 17 and the First Schedule of the Sri Lanka Electricity Act, No. 36 of 2024. He stated that six companies will be incorporated for system operation, transmission, generation, distribution, energy ventures, and a CEB employees fund, and added that part (b) of the question was not applicable. Oral Question: Ceylon Electricity Board Restructuring (Q.1/2025) Read →
- 22 October 2025 The Hon. Hector Appuhamy SJB AI summary Asked the Minister of Energy whether he accepts that the Ceylon Electricity Board, described as a major burden on taxpayers, the Treasury, and State banks, should be restructured. He requested details of the methodology to be adopted for such restructuring, or the reasons if restructuring is not accepted. Oral Question: Ceylon Electricity Board Restructuring (Q.1/2025) Read →
- 21 October 2025 The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam supported the Adjournment Motion and urged the Government to act on flood preparedness in Batticaloa and the wider Eastern Province, including proposed Disaster Safety Centres at four identified locations, citing the start of the monsoon and tabling correspondence from the District Government Agent. He also raised concerns over coastal degradation and mineral extraction activities in Kuchchaveli and other Eastern Province areas, questioning the role of GSMB-linked officials and the private company “James Global”. He asked the Government to clarify who authorized the relevant exploration licence, whether it permits ilmenite removal, and whether this reflects Government policy. Adjournment Motion: Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability Read →
- 21 October 2025 The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB AI summary Ajith P. Perera supported the Adjournment Motion ahead of the upcoming COP meeting in Brazil, linking it to Sri Lanka’s sustainable development commitments. He urged greater development of renewable energy, particularly Northern wind resources and year-round solar potential, and called for electrification of transport including cars, buses and rail. He also said Sri Lanka should move beyond discussions on carbon trading and secure value for its existing emissions reductions from hydropower and wind energy. Adjournment Motion: Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability Read →