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 June 2025 The Hon. Shantha Pathma Kumara Subasingha JJB AI summary Hon. Shantha Pathma Kumara Subasingha supported amendments to the National Transport Commission Act, citing high road death and injury figures from 2020-2024 as evidence of a transport and road safety crisis. He said the reforms should be accompanied by infrastructure development, stronger enforcement, fleet modernization, worker training, and regulation of passenger facilities, including rest stops and protections for women, persons with disabilities, pregnant women and clergy. He outlined government plans to resume expressway and railway projects affecting Ratnapura, including the Ruwanpura Expressway and Kelani Valley line, with compensation allocations, and highlighted proposed penalties, licensing reforms, route permit transfer provisions, and a new airport-Colombo premium bus service. Debate: National Transport Commission (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 5 June 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake – Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation and Leader of the House of Parliament AI summary Minister Bimal Rathnayake told Hon. Srineshan to submit complaints about alleged irregularities in Batticaloa road works to any government agency. He stated that the government is prepared to investigate such complaints thoroughly. Debate: National Transport Commission (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 5 June 2025 The Hon. Gnanamuththu Srineshan ITAK AI summary Gnanamuththu Srineshan welcomed amendments to the National Transport Commission Act, arguing that reforms are needed to reduce delays, corruption and malpractice in transport administration, including route permits, driver licensing, road works and procurement. He urged action on an alleged Rs. 760 million fraud in the Batticaloa–Trincomalee road rehabilitation tender, the recovery of misused public funds, and the prompt appointment of qualified Road Development Authority engineers following completed interviews. He requested phased rehabilitation and construction of several bridges in Batticaloa to improve connectivity across the lagoon, asked for restoration of the previous Colombo–Batticaloa rail timetable to suit onward commuters, and also called for expedited appointments to fill the shortage of school principals. Debate: National Transport Commission (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 5 June 2025 The Hon. Chandana Sooriyaarachchi JJB AI summary Chandana Sooriyaarachchi supported reforms to the National Transport Commission, stating that it had become too focused on permits and timetables rather than regulation, standards, and passenger welfare. He said the proposed framework would coordinate policy across buses, SLTB, rail, school and office transport, and three-wheelers, while addressing unsafe competition among buses through measures such as digital fare collection, GPS monitoring, driver and conductor training, and EPF/ETF coverage. He also referred to unresolved rail crossing safety issues and argued that the reforms seek lasting improvements for both passengers and transport workers. Debate: National Transport Commission (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 5 June 2025 The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka SJB AI summary Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka welcomed the amendments to the National Transport Commission Act, noting that they would extend regulation beyond inter-provincial buses to school transport, office transport, hired vehicles and three-wheelers. He highlighted major transport challenges including high household transport costs, rail staff shortages and delays, unsafe level crossings, road accidents, drunk driving, and the need for better driver training and enforcement. He urged rapid action to secure unprotected level crossings, improve long-distance bus rest-stop standards, strengthen student bus passes, regulate three-wheelers with better data, and ensure bus fares decrease when fuel prices fall. He also supported reforms allowing route permits to be transferred when buses are sold, while noting political overstaffing in the SLTB. Debate: National Transport Commission (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 5 June 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake – Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation and Leader of the House of Parliament AI summary Minister Bimal Rathnayake moved the Second Reading of a Bill to amend the National Transport Commission Act, No. 37 of 1991, describing it as the Government’s first major transport Bill and a long-overdue update to the framework for regulating passenger transport. He said the National Transport Commission’s role would be broadened beyond inter-provincial private bus route permits to cover three-wheelers, school vans, office transport and other road-based passenger services, with transparent tender-based route allocation, enforceable safety standards and penalties. Referring to the Gerandigala bus tragedy and recent inspections that found unfit long-distance buses, he said the Bill would support nationwide vehicle inspections and standards for long-distance buses and rest facilities. He also identified the transferability of route permits during fleet ownership changes as an issue to be addressed through the amendments. Debate: National Transport Commission (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 5 June 2025 The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka (on behalf of the Hon. W.H.M. Dharmasena) SJB AI summary Gayantha Karunathilleka, on behalf of W.H.M. Dharmasena, asked the Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education for details on construction projects begun in government schools in the Monaragala District under the “Nearest School–Best School” programme during the Good Governance period. The question sought the number of projects, expenditure incurred, how many were completed or remain incomplete, and what steps will be taken to complete the unfinished works promptly. Oral Questions: Azad Maulana Easter Attacks Statement and Government School Constructions in Monaragala (Tabled Answers) Read →
- 5 June 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe JJB AI summary The Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe stated that the Ministry has launched the “Irrigation Pride – Our Heritage” irrigation development project, with Rs. 78,000 million allocated in the Budget and 42 Mahaweli Authority tanks scheduled for rehabilitation this year. He said he could not confirm how many tanks in Dehiattakandiya are included, but indicated that any omitted tanks could be considered for the 2026 Budget and that prioritized proposals could be obtained from the Mahaweli Authority’s “C” Zone Regional Engineer. Oral Question: Dehiattakandiya Land Rights (Deputy Minister Agriculture Response) Read →
- 5 June 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) A.M.M.M. Rathwaththe JJB AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) A.M.M.M. Rathwaththe asked whether the Government has prepared a programme to expedite rehabilitation of the 22 small tanks serving 45 villages in Dehiattakandiya, Mahaweli Zone “C”. She noted that the area, established in 1982 and heavily dependent on agriculture, cultivates about 12,000 hectares of paddy per season, but irrigation capacity has declined because the tanks have not been rehabilitated for around 30 years and are silted. Oral Question: Dehiattakandiya Land Rights (Deputy Minister Agriculture Response) Read →
- 5 June 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe JJB AI summary Under the Agriculture Ministry’s “Wari Mahima” irrigation restoration programme, rehabilitation of Gal Oya in the Sainthamaruthu–Nainakadu area of Ampara is commencing under the leadership of the Minister of Agriculture. The member noted that numerous embankment breaches had been reported in Ampara and said funds had been allocated for related works in another inspected area, which are expected to begin within about one and a half months. Oral Question: Main Canal from Deegawapiya to Kaliodai Reconstruction (Q.702/2025) Read →
- 5 June 2025 The Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe SLMC AI summary Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe requested that canal works be expedited after the harvest and proposed extending the project up to the South Eastern University, which he said suffers flood damage and loss of books during floods. He asked when the works would commence. Oral Question: Main Canal from Deegawapiya to Kaliodai Reconstruction (Q.702/2025) Read →
- 5 June 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe - Deputy Minister of Land and Irrigation JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister stated that paddy lands had been damaged during the rainy season due to river outfalls being blocked by paddy cultivation, lowered bunds, and cultivation within river reservations, leading to bund breaches. He said estimates for repairs and reconstruction were being prepared, and that work at the breached locations would begin after the Yala harvesting season. Oral Question: Main Canal from Deegawapiya to Kaliodai Reconstruction (Q.702/2025) Read →
- 5 June 2025 The Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe SLMC AI summary M.S. Uthumalebbe asked the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation about the reconstruction of the main canal from Deegawapiya to Kaliodai. He sought information on whether the Government plans to rehabilitate or reconstruct the canal, the expected timeframe, and related measures to support irrigation and agricultural activities in the area. Oral Question: Main Canal from Deegawapiya to Kaliodai Reconstruction (Q.702/2025) Read →
- 4 June 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha JJB AI summary Dr. Anil Jayantha said district MPs should be informed of development allocations through the District Coordinating Committee, noting that opposition MPs attend the Gampaha District committee and that non-attendance by others should be examined. He argued that earlier practice of allocating decentralized budget funds per MP led to scattered spending with limited economic impact, and said the Government changed this approach in 2024 by allocating funds for district development rather than to individual MPs. Adjournment Questions: Tax Revenue and Decentralized Budget Provisions Read →
- 4 June 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha JJB AI summary Dr. Anil Jayantha provided the district-wise breakdown of Rs. 2,250 million allocated for development projects, clarifying that funds are allocated by district rather than directly to individual MPs, though the average is about Rs. 10 million per MP. He said expenditure is governed by Finance Ministry circulars setting six criteria, including food security, livelihood upliftment, value-chain development, infrastructure, entrepreneurship, and technology. He noted that project submission deadlines were extended to 20 May 2025, and that Rs. 2,243 million in projects has been approved, with the remaining proposals under review. Adjournment Questions: Tax Revenue and Decentralized Budget Provisions Read →
- 4 June 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha JJB AI summary On behalf of the Prime Minister, the Minister provided figures on decentralized budget allocations for MPs and district development. He stated that Rs. 15 million per MP was allocated in 2022, no allocation was made in 2023, and in 2024 allocations were made district-wise amounting to Rs. 50 million per MP, with Rs. 11,250 million allocated plus Rs. 2,000 million for suspended projects. For 2025, he said Rs. 2,250 million has been allocated for district-based development programmes and offered to provide a district-wise breakdown if required. Adjournment Questions: Tax Revenue and Decentralized Budget Provisions Read →
- 4 June 2025 The Hon. D.V. Chanaka SLPP AI summary Hon. D.V. Chanaka asked the Government to confirm whether two reported MoUs on an India–Sri Lanka electricity grid interconnection and a Trincomalee energy hub are genuine, and called for their disclosure if they are valid national agreements. While supporting regulations under the Anti-Corruption Act on recovering assets linked to false declarations, he argued that anti-corruption laws must be applied equally to the Government, Opposition and the public. He demanded updates or investigations into issues including the “323 containers” allegation, the use of “Dr.” before Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara’s name, alleged rice import fraud, and delays in connecting temple solar panels to the grid. He also objected to ministerial comments suggesting courts were not independent in the past, saying such remarks undermine judicial independence. Debate: Anti-Corruption Act Regulations Read →
- 4 June 2025 The Hon. K. Kader Masthan SLLP AI summary Hon. K. Kader Masthan raised questions under Standing Order 27(2) to the Minister of Transport regarding the restoration and expansion of Northern Province railway services. He requested the resumption of the suspended Sridevi and Uthradevi Colombo–Kankesanthurai services, the extension of Rajarata Rejini back to Vavuniya, weekday operation of the air-conditioned Colombo–Kankesanthurai express with possible extension to Kalutara, and restoration of Yal Devi services up to Kalutara. He argued that these services had generated revenue and that regularizing them would reduce inconvenience for passengers following suspensions caused by COVID-19 and track development. Question by Private Notice: Colombo–Kankesanthurai Train Service and Tourism Promotion Read →
- 4 June 2025 The Hon. Lal Premanath JJB AI summary Asked whether the Government has a plan to rehabilitate and complete large partially built projects on prime lands, which had been halted amid economic difficulties. He specifically proposed that such buildings be completed and handed over for the benefit of youth. Oral Questions: NYSC Training Centres, Preschools, and Education Reforms Read →
- 4 June 2025 The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB AI summary Ajith P. Perera presented to Parliament the Sectoral Oversight Committee report on Infrastructure Facilities and Strategic Development concerning the National Transport Commission (Amendment) Bill. The report was formally ordered to lie upon the Table. Papers: Annual Reports and Committee Reports Read →