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- 5 May 2026 The Hon. Nalinda Jayatissa JJB AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Energy, Nalinda Jayatissa provided annual Ceylon Electricity Board profit and loss figures from 2015 to 2025, showing major losses in most years, profits in 2023 and 2024, and a loss again in 2025. He stated that the main reason for accumulated losses was the absence of tariff revisions from 2014 to 2022 despite changes in fuel prices and exchange rates, and said a detailed report had been tabled in the Library. He added that the CEB is not currently making a profit, but any future profit would be passed to consumers through tariff revisions; questions on payments to unspecified “companies” could not be answered. Oral Questions Q.7-Q.9: Education Statistics, Aquaculture, CEB and SriLankan Airlines Read →
- 5 May 2026 The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka JJB AI summary Hon. Anura Karunathilaka stated that the Government is planning and implementing base infrastructure to expand electricity connections across the entire country, including islands and other remote areas. He said specific completion dates cannot be given until implementation progresses, and that expansion will depend on available financial capacity. Oral Question Q.5 (642/2025): Committees Investigated into Nationwide Power Failure on 09.02.2025 Read →
- 5 May 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna asked when electricity supply would be provided to the island areas. Oral Question Q.5 (642/2025): Committees Investigated into Nationwide Power Failure on 09.02.2025 Read →
- 5 May 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna congratulated the newly elected Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and then raised concerns about inadequate electricity supply in the island areas of the Northern Province, particularly Neduntivu (Delft). He stated that some residents receive no proper electricity for most of the week and asked when reliable power would be provided to those communities. He also referred to the Katchatheevu issue and the President’s position that it cannot be ceded. Oral Question Q.5 (642/2025): Committees Investigated into Nationwide Power Failure on 09.02.2025 Read →
- 5 May 2026 The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka JJB AI summary Additional costs from substandard coal cannot yet be quantified because they depend on shipment-specific generation levels and coal quality parameters, and the relevant process has not been completed. It was clarified that any shortfall is not met entirely through diesel generation; solar, hydropower, and other sources are used where possible, with diesel used only at critical times. Oral Question Q.5 (642/2025): Committees Investigated into Nationwide Power Failure on 09.02.2025 Read →
- 5 May 2026 The Hon. Kins Nelson SJB AI summary Kins Nelson asked the Minister about the impact of allegedly inferior coal at the Norochcholai power plant, noting that output had fallen from 810 MW to about 630–690 MW and required increased diesel-based generation. He highlighted the cost difference between diesel and coal generation and requested a clear statement of how much had been spent to date on generating electricity using diesel. Oral Question Q.5 (642/2025): Committees Investigated into Nationwide Power Failure on 09.02.2025 Read →
- 5 May 2026 The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka JJB AI summary The Minister answered a question on investigations into a power system incident, stating that two committees were appointed by the Ministry of Energy and the then CEB, and listing their membership. He said the Ministry Committee recommended measures including reviewing spinning reserve and under-frequency load-shedding criteria, using plants as synchronous condensers, implementing storage and blackout restoration arrangements, improving Lakvijaya restart procedures, promoting battery-backed rooftop solar, tariff incentives, BESS procurement, and renewable energy forecasting desks. He added that neither report identified specific officials as directly responsible, both reports were placed in the Library, and the CEB had been instructed to implement the Ministry Committee’s recommendations through a four-member committee. Oral Question Q.5 (642/2025): Committees Investigated into Nationwide Power Failure on 09.02.2025 Read →
- 5 May 2026 The Hon. Kins Nelson SJB AI summary Hon. Kins Nelson asked the Minister of Energy for details on the nationwide power failure of 09.02.2025, including whether the Minister was aware of it and how many committees were appointed by the Ministry and the Ceylon Electricity Board to investigate it. He requested the membership of each committee, their findings, the officials identified as directly responsible, and the actions to be taken based on the reports. Oral Question Q.5 (642/2025): Committees Investigated into Nationwide Power Failure on 09.02.2025 Read →
- 5 May 2026 The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka JJB AI summary The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka stated that losses from substandard coal would not be transferred to electricity consumers. He said part of the loss would be recovered from the responsible party through the prescribed procedures, in line with the President’s position. Oral Question Q.4 (568/2025): Loans Obtained from State Banks by CEB Read →
- 5 May 2026 The Hon. Rohana Bandara AI summary Hon. Rohana Bandara linked CEB borrowing and possible tariff increases to cost-recovery failures and the coal procurement issues affecting the Norochcholai power plant. He argued that reduced coal generation had forced greater use of costly liquid fuels and asked whether losses from coal-quality problems would be passed on to consumers through a proposed 20 per cent tariff increase or financed through bank borrowing. Oral Question Q.4 (568/2025): Loans Obtained from State Banks by CEB Read →
- 5 May 2026 The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka - Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation and Minister of Energy JJB AI summary In response to a question on Ceylon Electricity Board borrowings, the Minister stated that the CEB had obtained loans from the Bank of Ceylon, National Savings Bank, and People’s Bank, with an outstanding balance of Rs. 11.67 billion as of 28 February 2026 for loans held as of 31 December 2024. He said detailed schedules were tabled in the Library and noted that tariffs are generally structured on a cost-reflective basis, with efforts to reduce generation and operating costs in order to minimize future bank borrowing. Oral Question Q.4 (568/2025): Loans Obtained from State Banks by CEB Read →
- 5 May 2026 The Hon. (Prof.) Ruwan Ranasinghe JJB AI summary Hon. (Prof.) Ruwan Ranasinghe said regulation of online accommodation platforms must be handled carefully because many small guesthouses depend on them for bookings and could be harmed if platforms delist properties in response to taxation measures. He stated that discussions have begun with the platforms to bring them into a tax payment framework, which would support oversight, and that SLTDA is implementing registration to bring informal accommodation providers into compliance. Oral Question Q.3 (467/2025): Tourist Arrivals from 2010 - Details Read →
- 5 May 2026 The Hon. (Prof.) Ruwan Ranasinghe - Deputy Minister of Tourism JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister provided tourism sector data on behalf of the relevant Minister, including 31 registered star-class hotels with 4,787 rooms, annual tourist arrivals and earnings from 2010 to 2025, average length of stay, repeat visitor estimates, and country-wise arrivals, while noting several categories of data were unavailable with the SLTDA. He reported that tourist arrivals recovered to 2.36 million in 2025 with earnings of USD 3.219 billion, and that repeat visitors account for about 18 per cent of arrivals based on exit surveys. He also identified key weaknesses in the tourism industry, including inadequate provincial attraction planning, limited digitalization and destination marketing, weak coordination, insufficient investment, limited community participation, disaster-risk gaps, and inadequate data, and outlined associated negative impacts on competitiveness, satisfaction, regional development, and sector resilience. Oral Question Q.3 (467/2025): Tourist Arrivals from 2010 - Details Read →
- 5 May 2026 The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Harshana Nanayakkara responded to concerns regarding the Panadura court premises, noting discussions with the Panadura Bar about repairs and vacant official quarters. He said the Judicial Service Commission had been informed that an additional official residence would be required if another Court of Appeal division is established there, and that engineers had identified a water-level issue affecting construction on part of the premises. He stated that the matter would be discussed further with the engineering team to take necessary steps. Oral Question Q.1 (233/2024): Establishment of Provincial High Court for Western Province Read →
- 5 May 2026 The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB AI summary Ajith P. Perera raised concerns about the reduced status and public inconvenience at the Panadura Courts Complex and highlighted the abandoned construction of two official quarters for judges on de Silva Mawatha near the District Court. He asked whether the Minister intends to complete those residences and consider renovating the old building near the courts complex to provide facilities and space needed for the new court. Oral Question Q.1 (233/2024): Establishment of Provincial High Court for Western Province Read →
- 10 April 2026 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake said that, although coal procurement procedures may have been followed without ministerial interference, the lower output from received coal indicates a lapse that must be examined for causes and remedies. He argued that ministers carry a degree of moral responsibility for failures within their sectors, even where systems are imperfect, and referred to responsibilities in reducing technical losses, generation costs, and uncertainty in electricity generation. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Read →
- 10 April 2026 The Hon. Arjuna Sujeewa Senasinghe, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Arjuna Sujeewa Senasinghe alleged corruption in coal procurement for the Norochcholai power plant, citing reduced output, substandard coal, non-accredited testing certificates, and possible overpayment for low-quality coal. He criticized the conduct and independence of the COPE Chair and questioned the absence of the Lanka Coal Company Chairman during proceedings. He called for an independent COPE Chair and a proper investigation, warning of major financial losses, higher electricity bills, industrial disruptions, and load-shedding. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Read →
- 10 April 2026 The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF AI summary Chamara Sampath Dasanayake criticized the Government for focusing on past administrations despite holding a large mandate, and urged it to address issues arising since 2024. Referring to the resignation letter of the Lanka Coal Company Chairman, he argued that responsibility for the coal controversy should not be placed solely on the General Manager and said the relevant Minister and Secretary should also be held accountable if arrests are made. He also cited recent political controversies involving no-confidence motions and defended past power projects, warning the Government not to impose power cuts on citizens or obstruct energy development while later claiming credit. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Read →
- 10 April 2026 The Hon. Arkam Ilyas JJB AI summary Hon. Arkam Ilyas said the coal agreement was signed after Auditor General concurrence and incorporation of recommendations, with relevant documents available to be tabled. He rejected claims of an Rs. 8,000 million loss as based on assuming the full energy shortfall was replaced by diesel generation, arguing that actual costs depend on the dispatch mix and different fuel costs. He stated that about Rs. 9.6 billion has been withheld from the supplier through unpaid amounts and a bid bond, with penalties also being pursued for delayed vessels, and said future tenders have been adjusted in line with audit observations. He assured that no costs arising from the coal issue would be passed on to consumers through electricity bills. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Read →
- 10 April 2026 The Hon. M.S. Abthul Wazeeth SLMC AI summary Hon. M.S. Abthul Wazeeth raised several service delivery needs in Pottuvil and surrounding areas, including urgent teacher vacancies, a separate Pottuvil Zonal Education Office, a teacher training centre, and the attachment of trainee teachers to underserved schools. He requested increased fuel QR allocations for tourism-related three-wheelers, upgrades and infrastructure for Paalamunai and Irakkamam hospitals, completion of the Savalakadai Youth Corps Training Centre, land deeds and basic services for resettled families in Pottuvil, and appointment of a dental doctor to Pottuvil Base Hospital. He also urged compensation for two teachers who died in a 2010 duty-related accident and recorded thanks to individuals associated with the formation and protection of Al-Hutha village in 1990. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Read →