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- 26 September 2025 The Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe SLMC AI summary Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe urged the Government to resume direct flights between Sri Lanka and Saudi Arabia, including to Jeddah, citing high fares, long transit times, the needs of Sri Lankan migrant workers, and the cost of Hajj and Umrah travel. He also requested the revival of domestic air services from Ratmalana to the Northern and Eastern Provinces and the resumption of suspended seaplane services to destinations such as Batticaloa, Pottuvil, Arugam Bay, and Akkaraipattu. He argued these measures would support pilgrims, migrant workers, regional connectivity, tourism, investment, and foreign exchange earnings. Adjournment Debate: Fourth Report of the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) Read →
- 26 September 2025 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara raised concerns over the BIA Development Project tender process, citing past delays, consultant payments despite limited progress, and repeated extensions that he said appeared to accommodate deficiencies in Sojitz’s Power of Attorney documentation. He questioned the involvement of Sojitz and Larsen & Toubro, referring to alleged problems in other projects, and urged that the airport project not be undermined by further delays. He also called for action by the Bribery Commission regarding reported foreign currency and cryptocurrency holdings by public figures under the Anti-Corruption Act, and sought clarification on allegations about political links involving a Bribery Commission official, arguing that anti-corruption laws must be applied equally. Adjournment Debate: Fourth Report of the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) Read →
- 26 September 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) M. L. A. M. Hizbullah SLMC AI summary Hon. (Dr.) M. L. A. M. Hizbullah raised concerns that Batticaloa Airport, though gazetted as an international airport, lacks adequate facilities and has no foreign or domestic flight operations. He requested the resumption of Sri Lanka Air Force-operated low-cost flights to Batticaloa, Ampara, Trincomalee, and Palaly, citing difficulties for travel to the North and East and the unreliability and high fares of private operators. He also urged the Government to engage Saudi Arabia to restore Saudia Airlines services to Sri Lanka and to pursue bilateral agreements to support pilgrims, migrant workers, investment, and wider economic cooperation. Adjournment Debate: Fourth Report of the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) Read →
- 26 September 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa acknowledged Sri Lanka’s high ICAO aviation security rating but urged further strengthening of domestic aviation safety following several recent aircraft incidents. He proposed regional emergency response and search-and-rescue capacity, GPS tracking, improved radar, ATC and navigation coverage, decentralized maintenance, upgraded communications and weather systems, and expanded aviation human resources and digital safety technologies. He also called for a stronger, independent aircraft accident investigation mechanism meeting international standards, while noting that the measures may be costly but should be pursued to save lives. Adjournment Debate: Fourth Report of the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) Read →
- 26 September 2025 Hon. Asitha Niroshana Egoda Vithana JJB AI summary Hon. Asitha Niroshana Egoda Vithana rejected an allegation by Hon. Mujibur Rahuman that buses were not operating on the Mattakkuliya–Soyzapura 155 route. He stated that, as of the previous day, one private bus and six Sri Lanka Transport Board buses were operating around 20 trips on the route, and said the current Government was responding to public transport concerns. Adjournment Debate: Fourth Report of the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) Read →
- 26 September 2025 Hon. Speaker AI summary Environmental Impact Assessments were presented as essential for development projects, with Mattala and the Hambantota human–elephant conflict cited as examples of risks from inadequate environmental planning. The remarks clarified that work on only a 200-metre stretch of a 37-kilometre section of the 378-kilometre Central Expressway was briefly halted over a tree-related issue, later resolved by a Cabinet decision, while the wider project continued. It was stated that past signing failures and alleged corruption increased costs from an estimated Rs. 5.2 billion to Rs. 6.29 billion per kilometre, and that discussions are under way with China’s Exim Bank to reduce interest, with completion targets of December 2026/January 2027 for the Rambukkana section and mid-2028 for the Galagedara section. Ministerial Statement: Central Expressway Project Read →
- 26 September 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation and Leader of the House of Parliament JJB AI summary Bimal Rathnayake said the Kadawatha–Mirigama section of the Central Expressway had been stalled due to earlier procurement, financing, exchange-rate, and debt-suspension issues, causing local disruption and significant arrears. He stated that Cabinet had approved settlement of USD 189.51 million in arrears, paid as Rs. 57 billion, and that China EXIM Bank had agreed to provide a Yuan-equivalent USD 500 million facility to resume work. He argued that continuing with the existing contractor would cost about Rs. 217 billion, compared with an estimated Rs. 263 billion if the contract were terminated and re-procured, and rejected claims that the project would cost Rs. 450 billion or Rs. 12 billion per kilometre. Ministerial Statement: Central Expressway Project Read →
- 26 September 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation and Leader of the House of Parliament JJB AI summary The Minister provided budget and implementation details for Palaly Airport and Kankesanthurai Port, stating that Palaly received Rs. 651 million in 2025 allocations with Rs. 150 million spent by 21 September, while requested allocations for KKS had not been disbursed because rehabilitation works remained stalled pending Indian EXIM Bank and Government of India approvals. He said Palaly land acquisitions from 1950 were legally completed with compensation paid, while any current land acquisitions for expansion are handled by the Ministry of Defence. He stated that KKS is not presently economically viable as an international commercial port due to limited hinterland, high dredging costs, and unresolved financing issues, whereas Palaly Airport has become profitable and will be developed gradually using Katunayake Airport revenues. Question under Standing Order 27(2): Palaly Airport Allocations Read →
- 26 September 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna raised a Standing Order 27(2) question to the Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation following a Jaffna coordinating committee meeting, seeking details on 2025 allocations and expenditure for Palaly Airport, Kankesanthurai, and Northern small harbours, with documentary evidence. He asked for clarification on land acquisition, legal ownership, compensation, and land releases connected to Palaly Airport, including whether similar uncompensated acquisitions occurred elsewhere. He also questioned the Government’s decision not to develop KKS as an international port, sought projections for Palaly’s viability as an international airport, and asked whether airport development was being used to retain land for military or political purposes. Question under Standing Order 27(2): Palaly Airport Allocations Read →
- 26 September 2025 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody - Minister of Energy JJB AI summary Adani Green Energy Limited had signed a 2022 MoU with several Sri Lankan institutions to promote wind power, but the Government later decided to re-examine the purchase tariffs agreed by the previous administration and appoint committees for that purpose. The Minister stated that Adani informed the Board of Investment on 12 February 2025 that it was withdrawing its project proposal, so cancellation does not arise. For future large-scale renewable projects, the CEB and Sustainable Energy Authority will complete preparatory work, use competitive international bidding with dollar-denominated tariffs, and discuss a payment guarantee mechanism with the World Bank. Oral Questions: Energy (Adani Power Plant) and Agriculture (Sri Lanka Mahaweli Authority) Read →
- 26 September 2025 The Hon. Gayantha Karunatilleka (on behalf of the Hon. Hector Appuhamy) SJB AI summary Asked the Minister of Energy whether the Government is aware of the previous Government’s agreement with India’s Adani Company for a power plant project and whether the current Government intends to revise or cancel it. The question also sought details on measures to attract international investors to Sri Lanka’s renewable energy sector, and reasons if no action is planned. Oral Questions: Energy (Adani Power Plant) and Agriculture (Sri Lanka Mahaweli Authority) Read →
- 26 September 2025 The Hon. Rauff Hakeem, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Rauff Hakeem raised the fatal incident at the Nauwuyana forest monastery in Melsiripura and called for preventive measures for mechanized transport systems operating in difficult terrain. He urged that such facilities be inspected, licensed, and subjected to annual checks by the Ministry of Transport and Highways or local authorities, and requested the Minister to inform the relevant agencies. Oral Question: Shabbat House and Religious Institutions (Q.8/2025) Read →
- 26 September 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Chamindranee Kiriella, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Chamindranee Kiriella raised concerns about reported air pollution in Kandy city, particularly around the Kandy Lake roundabout where heavy traffic and schools are located. She cited reports from the Kandy General Hospital of children receiving treatment for respiratory problems, including COPD, and asked what action the Minister would take to address the issue. Oral Question: Air Quality in Kandy City (Q.2/2025) Read →
- 26 September 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Urban commuters face inadequate public transport and high taxi costs due to weaknesses in SLTB operations and depot management. District-level officials and Police OICs have been asked to intervene to improve depot performance, with some successful coordination between private and SLTB services, such as on the Kalutara–Colombo route. In response to concerns about Route 155, it was stated that 20 trips had operated the previous day and that specific lapses should be reported for inquiry. Oral Question: Container Release from Colombo Port (Q.1/2025) Read →
- 26 September 2025 The Hon. Mujibur Rahuman SJB AI summary Requested that the Minister inquire into the suspension of several bus services in Colombo, specifically noting that the recently launched Route 155 Mattakkuliya–Fort service had ceased operating after its ceremonial commencement. Oral Question: Container Release from Colombo Port (Q.1/2025) Read →
- 26 September 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Bimal Rathnayake said the driving licence backlog of about 1.1 million had been cleared by April, while acknowledging earlier delays and long-standing problems at the Department of Motor Traffic involving weak institutional capacity, vendor dependence, expired contracts, and alleged corruption. He stated that new licences with updated features are being developed and that tender procedures for number plates have been completed. He said number plates with enhanced security features are expected to be issued by 15 November, with possible interim arrangements before then. Oral Question: Container Release from Colombo Port (Q.1/2025) Read →
- 26 September 2025 The Hon. Mujibur Rahuman SJB AI summary Mujibur Rahuman raised concerns about delays in issuing driving licence cards and vehicle number plates, noting that applicants since 2023 still rely on temporary paper licences and that many vehicles reportedly lack plates despite fees of around Rs. 5,000 being charged. He asked the relevant Minister how long it would take to resolve these administrative backlogs. Oral Question: Container Release from Colombo Port (Q.1/2025) Read →
- 26 September 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake provided a written answer on the 2018 agreement to re-engineer Department of Motor Traffic services for vehicle registration, transfers and related activities using new technology. He stated that the agreement was approved by Cabinet and signed on 19 July 2018 with Metropolitan Advanced Technologies (Pvt) Ltd., selected through a SCAPC procurement process with TEC evaluation. He further said no government expenditure was borne, no related issue had been reported, and other parts of the question were not applicable. Oral Question: Container Release from Colombo Port (Q.1/2025) Read →
- 26 September 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Vacancies in certain Sri Lanka Ports Authority grades have been approved for recruitment, reportedly for about 215 posts, under the Prime Minister’s committee, with further proposals pending. Bimal Rathnayake said SOR-related issues are being addressed, bonuses have been paid, Port profitability has increased by about 100 percent, and partial operations at the East Container Terminal are beginning. He urged public officers to act prudently and in good faith in light of past mismanagement. Oral Question: Container Release from Colombo Port (Q.1/2025) Read →
- 26 September 2025 The Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha SJB AI summary Asked the Minister whether staffing shortages at the newly established Blue Mandal inspection bay for expediting Customs clearance would be addressed urgently. He also sought assurance that Customs officers would be given reasonable discretion to make good-faith decisions without being deterred by fear or lengthy State approval procedures. Oral Question: Container Release from Colombo Port (Q.1/2025) Read →