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- 23 September 2025 The Hon. Manjula Suraweera Arachchi JJB AI summary Manjula Suraweera Arachchi supported giving the National Building Research Organisation statutory status, noting its long operation through Cabinet decisions and its role in landslide, disaster-risk, geotechnical, environmental and structural services. He highlighted landslide risks across 14 districts, including 1,252 reported landslides in 2024 and pending casework in Nuwara Eliya, and called attention to staff, funding and equipment constraints. He also placed the Bill within the Government’s broader 2025 legislative programme, citing several recent amendments and laws, and said the Government would continue its policy agenda on stability, public services, and law and order. Second Reading Debate: National Building Research Institute Bill Read →
- 23 September 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) V.S. Radhakrishnan SJB AI summary The Hon. (Dr.) V.S. Radhakrishnan welcomed the Bill to establish the National Building Research Institute, citing recent landslides and building collapses in hill-country plantation areas, including the collapse of a school in Kenilworth Estate. He linked the need for such an institute to ongoing vulnerabilities in plantation settlements and referred to NEVIDA, established under Act No. 32 of 2018, as a body responsible for housing, water and other development services for plantation communities. Second Reading Debate: National Building Research Institute Bill Read →
- 23 September 2025 The Hon. R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara SJB AI summary R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara supported the NBRI Bill, noting that it followed a Cabinet proposal he submitted in 2019 as Minister of Disaster Management and emphasizing the NBRO’s role in regulating construction and assessing landslide and environmental risks. He cited past disaster responses, including the Aranayake Samasara landslide resettlement, and urged the Government to provide adequate funding to the institution. He asked whether the natural disaster insurance scheme under the National Insurance Trust Fund was still operating, called for its reinstatement, and requested action to relocate identified high-risk line-room residents at Dehigala Watta and Welawatta. Second Reading Debate: National Building Research Institute Bill Read →
- 23 September 2025 The Hon. Major General (Rtd.) G.D. Sooriyabandara JJB AI summary The Hon. G.D. Sooriyabandara supported the Bill establishing the National Building Research Institute, noting the NBRO’s past work on landslide hazard mapping and road-sector landslide mitigation. He argued that climate change has increased disaster risks and that the new institute should provide technical guidance, identify vulnerable areas, raise awareness, support mitigation, and enforce relevant laws. He also highlighted concerns over clause 12(1) and (2), which require owner consent for inspections of hazardous land or buildings, and noted that an amendment was expected. Second Reading Debate: National Building Research Institute Bill Read →
- 23 September 2025 The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka - Minister of Urban Development, Construction and Housing JJB AI summary The Minister supported the Bill to establish the National Building Research Institute, arguing that it gives a long-needed legal basis to an institution responsible for landslide risk mapping, early warnings, building safety assessments, construction criteria in hazardous areas, and related public safety functions. He contrasted this with past laws he said were used to consolidate power or benefit rulers, stating that the Government’s task is to repeal such laws while enacting necessary public-interest legislation. He also addressed unrest among CEB workers, saying the new electricity sector law keeps five successor companies fully state-owned, preserves employee rights and benefits, and already addresses many union demands, while rejecting demands he described as financially excessive or political. Second Reading Debate: National Building Research Institute Bill Read →
- 23 September 2025 The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK AI summary Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam supported giving the proposed National Building Research Institute a legal mandate but urged that its functions include assessment of flood risks and road planning in disaster-prone areas such as Batticaloa, where flood-damaged roads remain unrepaired. He also called attention to environmental risks from sand mining and ilmenite extraction permitted in areas such as Thirukkovil and Vakarai. He criticized the Government’s first year in office for failing to address Tamil people’s key concerns, including military-occupied lands, pastureland at Mayilathamadu Maathavanai, Forest Department land release, and unresolved human rights issues. Second Reading Debate: National Building Research Institute Bill Read →
- 23 September 2025 The Hon. Ravindra Bandara AI summary Ravindra Bandara argued that the Government’s first year showed a new policy approach, citing improved performance at MILCO, Triposha and SriLankan Airlines despite earlier claims that they would fail or be sold. He said public debate should focus on substantive issues such as drug trafficking and illegal accounts rather than short-lived controversies. Referring to the Bill before Parliament, he said it would provide a needed legal foundation for the construction sector, help prepare the country for future challenges including natural disasters, and strengthen the relevant institution. Second Reading Debate: National Building Research Institute Bill Read →
- 23 September 2025 The Hon. Ravindra Bandara AI summary Ravindra Bandara supported the NBRI Bill as a long-delayed legal framework to regulate construction and reduce disaster risks, citing landslides in Aranayake, Haputale/Kabaragala, Meeriya Bedda, and Haldummulla, and noting that some displaced families still lack permanent solutions and basic services. He said stronger regulation is needed to prevent future vulnerability and improve institutional safeguards. He also addressed concerns about CEB reforms, stating that core electricity functions would remain fully government-owned, that there were no plans for mass layoffs, and that worker benefits would be protected. He called for greater transparency, efficient procurement, renewable energy integration, smart grids, smart meters, and AI-enabled forecasting to modernize the energy system. Second Reading Debate: National Building Research Institute Bill Read →
- 23 September 2025 The Hon. Waruna Liyanage SJB AI summary Hon. Waruna Liyanage supported the Bill to establish the National Building Research Institute, citing repeated disaster losses in Ratnapura and Kegalle from landslides and floods as reasons for strengthening preventive institutional capacity. He proposed adding a nominee from the Ministry responsible for Plantation Industries to the governing body, given the plantation-related nature of many disaster-prone districts. He also urged that NBRI officers be granted lawful land-entry powers for urgent inspections without requiring police accompaniment, and that local authorities be trained on construction and excavation limits to reduce landslide risks. Second Reading Debate: National Building Research Institute Bill Read →
- 23 September 2025 The Hon. Anton Jayakody - Deputy Minister of Environment JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Anton Jayakody supported the Second Reading of the National Building Research Institute Bill, which gives statutory status to the existing National Building Research Organization after 41 years and renames it as an institute. He said the institution’s work in landslide risk management, geotechnical assessment, materials testing, environmental monitoring and structural safety needs legal backing, particularly because current reports and circular-based requirements have limited enforceability. He cited past landslide disasters, rainfall-related slope instability, expansive soil problems, and the institute’s monitoring network and risk mitigation projects as reasons for establishing a formal legal framework for safer and more sustainable construction. Second Reading Debate: National Building Research Institute Bill Read →
- 23 September 2025 The Hon. K. Kader Masthan SLLP AI summary K. Kader Masthan urged the Government to strengthen road safety measures by improving vehicle testing beyond current emission checks. He proposed a centralized certification programme covering engines, brakes, signal lights, tyres and other safety components, arguing that proper standards for vehicles in transport would help reduce daily road accidents and improve transport services. Oral Questions under Standing Order 27(2): Unemployment and Vehicle Emission Testing Read →
- 23 September 2025 The Hon. K. Kader Masthan SLLP AI summary Hon. K. Kader Masthan raised a Standing Order 27(2) question to the Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation on the effectiveness of Sri Lanka’s vehicle emission testing system, citing concerns over discrepancies in emissions data and visible pollution from government vehicles. He requested data on vehicle testing numbers and revenue over five years, 2024 testing of private and government vehicles including military, police and public transport fleets, and any reviews or recommendations on the VET system. He also asked whether fee revisions are proposed and whether a stronger mechanism can be introduced to assess vehicle condition and roadworthiness amid increasing road accidents. Oral Questions under Standing Order 27(2): Unemployment and Vehicle Emission Testing Read →
- 23 September 2025 The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka JJB AI summary A Weerambugedara Water Supply Scheme has been proposed, with plans currently being prepared. Once implemented, it is expected to serve the areas previously mentioned in the question. Oral Question Q.10/2025: Alawwa Water Scheme Read →
- 23 September 2025 The Hon. Ashoka Gunasena JJB AI summary Hon. Ashoka Gunasena asked whether water from the Pothuhera tank could be used to supply nearby Weerambugedara, noting that the area lacks a natural water source and faces difficulties even in identifying sources for community water schemes. He requested ministerial intervention to provide an alternative solution if use of the Pothuhera tank is not feasible. Oral Question Q.10/2025: Alawwa Water Scheme Read →
- 23 September 2025 The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka JJB AI summary About 80 high-elevation locations cannot be supplied through the main water supply scheme design. Studies and planning are underway to provide drinking water to 64 of these GN divisions, with implementation dependent on completion of plans and securing funding. Oral Question Q.10/2025: Alawwa Water Scheme Read →
- 23 September 2025 The Hon. Ashoka Gunasena JJB AI summary Hon. Ashoka Gunasena raised a supplementary question about water supply gaps in high-elevation areas of Polgahawela and Alawwa under the relevant scheme. He stated that the NWSDB had identified around 1,400 families in 48 locations as urgently needing water and asked why the project was not addressing these highland areas where demand is greatest. Oral Question Q.10/2025: Alawwa Water Scheme Read →
- 23 September 2025 The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka - Minister of Urban Development, Construction and Housing JJB AI summary Minister Anura Karunathilaka stated that the Polgahawela–Pothuhera–Alawwa integrated water supply project is planned to cover 167 Grama Niladhari divisions across five DS divisions in Kurunegala District by 2037, with four GN divisions in Polgahawela excluded on technical grounds and alternative arrangements being considered. He said the 2025 Budget allocation is for settling certified interim bills and completing remaining distribution pipeline works in the Pothuhera and Boyagane zones, but will not immediately resolve supply issues. He added that about 80 per cent of key project components are being taken over by the NWSDB, while reduced distribution scope due to financial constraints and studies for high-elevation areas will guide further implementation once funding is secured. Oral Question Q.10/2025: Alawwa Water Scheme Read →
- 23 September 2025 The Hon. Ashoka Gunasena JJB AI summary Hon. Ashoka Gunasena questioned the Minister of Urban Development, Construction and Housing on the Alawwa Water Scheme in Pothuhera, Polgahawela, asking which areas it will serve and why 13 Grama Niladhari Divisions in the Polgahawela DS Division, reportedly comprising over 2,500 families facing acute drinking water scarcity, are excluded. He sought reasons for any deviation from the original plan, details on the use of 2025 Budget allocations, whether the scheme has been taken over by the National Water Supply and Drainage Board, and what measures will be taken to supply water to the excluded families, including the exclusion of the Weerambugedara DS Division. Oral Question Q.10/2025: Alawwa Water Scheme Read →
- 23 September 2025 The Hon. Eranga Weeraratne - Acting Minister of Digital Economy JJB AI summary Acting Minister Eranga Weeraratne said Sri Lanka Telecom had become loss-making by 2023 due to management weaknesses, falling subscribers, and declining revenue, but had returned to profitability under the current Government. He cited figures showing SLT Mobitel moved from a Rs. 1.1 billion loss in the first half of 2024 to a Rs. 1.1 billion profit in the first half of 2025, while the SLT-Mobitel Group recorded a Rs. 4,276 million profit compared with a Rs. 323 million loss the previous year. He attributed the turnaround to new management, higher revenue, reduced operating and capital expenditure, integration of SLT and Mobitel operations, and a Rs. 13 billion reduction in Group debt. Oral Question Q.9/2025: Sri Lanka Telecom Employment Read →
- 23 September 2025 The Hon. Sunil Rathnasiri JJB AI summary Hon. Sunil Rathnasiri asked why Sri Lanka Telecom, despite its long history from the origins of the country’s communications network, has fallen behind a newer competitor and now holds only about 30 per cent of telephone subscribers. He sought the primary reason for SLT’s decline in market position. Oral Question Q.9/2025: Sri Lanka Telecom Employment Read →