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- 6 June 2025 The Hon. Susil Ranasinghe - Deputy Minister of Land and Irrigation JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Susil Ranasinghe outlined a ten-week Mahaweli-related regional programme implemented across ten regions, aimed at improving links between officials, institutions, farmer organizations and communities while reviving Mahaweli operations at low cost. He stated that 1,689 activities were conducted at a cost of Rs. 52.75 million, and that progress is being reviewed through regional reports. Oral Question: Mahaweli Re-awakening Week (Q.619/2025) Read →
- 6 June 2025 The Hon. Kins Nelson SJB AI summary Asked for an update on the progress of 13 activities that have been initiated across ten Mahaweli regions under the relevant programme. The question sought the current implementation status as a second supplementary query. Oral Question: Mahaweli Re-awakening Week (Q.619/2025) Read →
- 6 June 2025 The Hon. Susil Ranasinghe - Deputy Minister of Land and Irrigation JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister, responding on behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation to Question No. 619/2025, confirmed that the “Mahaweli Punaruda Sathiya” programme was implemented with objectives including accelerating Mahaweli development, poverty alleviation, infrastructure improvement, community participation, and alignment with the Clean Sri Lanka National Programme. He stated that Rs. 52.758 million was spent and listed activities undertaken, including voluntary work programmes, agricultural, fisheries, livestock, irrigation, road, community, environmental, medical, anti-drug, land development, and staff training initiatives. Oral Question: Mahaweli Re-awakening Week (Q.619/2025) Read →
- 6 June 2025 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara raised a supplementary question to the Minister concerning longstanding railway safety and staffing issues, specifically referring to around 2,100 unprotected railway gate watchers. He sought attention to this matter within the Minister’s portfolio, in the context of efforts to address railway-related safety concerns. Procedural and Oral Question: Airport and Aviation Services and Standing Orders Clarification Read →
- 6 June 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Bimal Rathnayake rejected allegations by a trade union and said the procurement of diesel straddle carriers involved fraud, leading to legal action and the inability to import 15 units. He stated that a USD 18 million tender was revived and signed shortly before the 2024 Presidential Election under the previous administration, but was later cancelled on Attorney General’s advice, with fresh Cabinet approval obtained and new tenders now being called. He added that port equipment must be built to order, that the Colombo East Terminal work has now begun after delays since 2023 with completion expected around 2027, and that no new port workers have been recruited while the Government seeks to address operational shortcomings. Oral Question: Major Ports Revenue and Expenditure (Q.95/2024) Read →
- 6 June 2025 The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB AI summary Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri clarified that his earlier reference to port charges was linked to Customs processes involved in container handling, following the Minister’s explanation. He then raised a supplementary question on port development, asking whether media reports were accurate that the planned opening of the East Terminal on 30 June had been delayed due to shortcomings of newly appointed officials and government decisions, causing losses and additional expenditure. Oral Question: Major Ports Revenue and Expenditure (Q.95/2024) Read →
- 6 June 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Bimal Rathnayake provided a written answer listing Sri Lanka’s major ports and stating that income and expenditure figures from 2015 to 2024 are given in an annex. He outlined current development plans, including investment for Colombo West Container Terminal II, preparatory work for Colombo North Port, efforts to complete at least 50 per cent of the East Container Terminal this year, and logistics or industrial development plans for Trincomalee and Kankesanthurai. He said Galle Port’s proposed investment-model development is not being broadly implemented due to environmental and social issues, and that large-scale commercial development of Kankesanthurai is not being pursued because feasibility studies did not support it. Oral Question: Major Ports Revenue and Expenditure (Q.95/2024) Read →
- 6 June 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa stated that although the postal network and staff base remain strong, several profitable services have been removed from the postal sector. He said the Government is working to restore such services while addressing constraints in vehicles and staffing, including seeking approvals and funding to renew the vehicle fleet. He outlined postal modernization, profitability, and a review of the post and sub-post office structure as key objectives. Oral Question: Sub Post Office Building (Q.74/2024) Read →
- 6 June 2025 The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam said district-level requests would be submitted through the District Coordinating Committee. He suggested modernizing Sri Lanka Post beyond traditional mail services, potentially with international assistance, using its existing network and locations as a convenience-service model similar to Australia Post. Oral Question: Sub Post Office Building (Q.74/2024) Read →
- 6 June 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa stated that requests for new sub post offices are being reviewed against public need, revenue, geography, and community links, noting that some loss-making offices must still be maintained due to location. He said the Budget allocated Rs. 600 million to build 12 post offices and 2 sub post offices, and Rs. 700 million for repairs. He emphasized that expansion must be gradual because the Postal Department operates at a loss and depends on Treasury support, with new SPOs to be opened based on necessity and sustainability. Oral Question: Sub Post Office Building (Q.74/2024) Read →
- 6 June 2025 The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK AI summary Rasamanickam highlighted continued reliance on post offices in rural Batticaloa and cited long-standing unmet needs in Maankadu, Pattipalai, Ambalangoda and Kokkatticholai, including lack of basic utilities and poor location. He asked whether the Ministry would implement a special programme to identify rural postal service needs across the North, East and South, establish new Sub Post Offices where necessary, and improve facilities and resources at existing rural post offices. Oral Question: Sub Post Office Building (Q.74/2024) Read →
- 6 June 2025 The Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi SJB AI summary Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi asked the Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Co-operative Development to provide details on Dedicated Economic Centres in Sri Lanka, including their number, locations, and the objectives behind their establishment. He also sought information on measures to regularize the business and administrative activities of those centres, and requested reasons if such information could not be provided. Oral Question: Dedicated Economic Centres (Q.12/2024) Read →
- 5 June 2025 The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam supported the motion on threats to fishermen’s livelihoods, recalling that similar concerns were raised in 2022 and that promised enforcement action had not resolved the issue. He identified an enforcement gap between Fisheries Inspectors and Police and proposed joint operations with the Navy, while clarifying that the alleged group was from the Kaluwanchikudy Divisional Secretariat area rather than the village itself. He also highlighted wider fisheries infrastructure needs in Batticaloa, including a beacon light at Kaluvankerni and more landing sites, and said he was prepared to work with relevant development authorities and seek possible World Bank support. Adjournment Motion: Prevention of Criminal Activities Affecting Livelihood of Fishermen of Ampara and Batticaloa Read →
- 5 June 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 National Transport Commission’s School and Rural Services are being subsidized by Rs. 1.5–2.0 billion annually for routes where private buses are not viable, and asked Members to identify underserved localities while the Government works to improve reimbursement rates. He noted that 500 SLTB buses are being repaired, with about 300 already deployed, and invited proposals for feasible new inter-regional routes that reduce reliance on Colombo and other hubs. He also outlined action on unsafe railway level crossings, elephant-train collisions through visibility, signage and sensor pilots, and said the Government would address corruption in transport agencies, citing recent arrests at the Department of Motor Traffic. Debate: National Transport Commission (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 5 June 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Prasanna Gunasena - Deputy Minister of Transport and Highways JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Prasanna Gunasena defended the National Transport Commission (Amendment) Bill as a timely response to rising road deaths and recent public concern following the Giriulla bus tragedy. He said the Bill would expand NTC authority from only inter-provincial private buses to all public service buses, school transport, office transport, and public-use three-wheelers, applying safety inspection standards, fare regulation, permit controls, training powers, and stronger penalties nationwide. He also outlined planned reforms including card payments to reduce revenue leakage, GPS-based unified timetables, online booking, CCTV monitoring, driver drowsiness detection, and a national public transport data repository. He additionally challenged an earlier Member’s allegations linking containers, terrorism, foreign travel, and arms, asking that they be repeated outside Parliament or expunged. Debate: National Transport Commission (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 5 June 2025 The Hon. Sujeewa Dissanayake JJB AI summary Hon. Sujeewa Dissanayake supported the amendment to the National Transport Commission Act, noting that the 1991 law has not been significantly modernized despite major changes in passenger transport. He argued that regulation should cover buses, railways, three-wheelers, ferries, school transport and pedestrian safety, citing recent fatal crashes, unsafe ferry services in the North, overloaded vehicles and unsafe vehicle modifications. He called for stronger safety oversight and the integration of technology across transport systems, stating that the amendment is timely. Debate: National Transport Commission (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 5 June 2025 The Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe SLMC AI summary M.S. Uthumalebbe urged Members to maintain decorum in Parliament, noting the presence of schoolchildren and the need to respect parliamentary dignity. He requested the Government to resume halted infrastructure projects in the Eastern Province, including two RDA-tendered bridges in Pottuvil and the Majithpuram–Vedatheevu bridge linked to resettlement in Muthur. He also called for basic facilities at the upgraded Pottuvil bus depot, reopening of the Sammanturai sub bus depot, and restoration of the Kalmunai railway seat reservation office to reduce inconvenience for passengers. Debate: National Transport Commission (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 5 June 2025 The Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe SLMC AI summary Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe addressed issues relating to transport, highways and ports, framing them as key national development sectors. He indicated concern with the functioning and improvement of these areas, but the provided extract does not include specific proposals, questions, or demands. Debate: National Transport Commission (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 5 June 2025 The Hon. K. Ilankumaran JJB AI summary Hon. K. Ilankumaran responded to references made to him by Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna, rejecting allegations of inaction or self-interest. He stated that a committee of local shop owners and residents had been formed to improve the Jaffna bus stand area, including painting, cleaning, and installing CCTV cameras. He also criticized public claims made on YouTube and defended his work as focused on delivering for the Tamil people. Debate: National Transport Commission (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 5 June 2025 The Hon. Dewananda Suraweera JJB AI summary Hon. Dewananda Suraweera supported the amendment to the transport law after 30 years, arguing it is needed to restore discipline and safety in a disordered passenger transport sector. He said the Bill extends regulation beyond buses to school transport, office transport and three-wheelers under a unified framework to protect the public and improve standards. He emphasized that regulation would bring dignity, order and social protection to three-wheeler drivers while addressing crime and misconduct by a minority in the sector. Debate: National Transport Commission (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading Read →