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- 20 May 2025 The Hon. Sundaralingam Pradeep - Deputy Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure JJB AI summary On behalf of the Minister, the Deputy Minister tabled a written answer on drinking water access in estate housing, stating that while most estate households rely on natural sources through communal or individual arrangements, less than 10 per cent have access to safe, protected drinking water. He said the community infrastructure division had not implemented UNICEF-initiated estate water schemes, but had implemented 27 drinking water schemes in 2023 and 2024 with a total allocation of Rs. 165,283,843.85. He also reported that the Poonagala LLG Capkade scheme had been completed on 20 September 2020, with the relevant annexes placed in the Library. Oral Questions: Plantation Community Infrastructure and Transport Issues Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. Darmapriya Wijesinghe on behalf of the Hon. Kitnan Selvaraj AI summary Asked the Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure for information on clean drinking water shortages in estate communities, with reference to UNICEF’s Plantation Sector Drinking Water Scheme begun in 1987. Requested details on the number, locations, current functionality, and status of UNICEF-initiated schemes, as well as drinking water projects implemented in Badulla District over the past five years, their allocations, and the status of the LLG Capkade New Housing Scheme project in Poonagala, Haldummulla. Oral Questions: Plantation Community Infrastructure and Transport Issues Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe JJB AI summary On behalf of the Minister, Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe stated that 257 major tanks are under the Department of Irrigation and 22 under the Mahaweli Authority, and explained how reservoir reservation boundaries are determined under the Irrigation Ordinance and Mahaweli regulations. He said Mahaweli reservoir reservations were gazetted in 1986, while Department-managed reservoirs rely on legally enforceable survey and engineering plans rather than separate gazette notifications. He further reported that 712 families have so far been identified within the Nuwara Weva reservation boundary through Bim Saviya surveys, with names and related details tabled in annexes, and noted that the number may increase after remaining surveys are completed. Oral Questions: Irrigation Reservoirs and Land Settlement (Q.578/2025 and Q.3519/2025) Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe JJB AI summary Dr. Susil Ranasinghe stated that encroachments in canal reservations obstruct drainage and increase flood risk, and said the relevant Department is taking action to prevent such obstructions. He invited specific proposals on Ridibendi Ella and Deduru Oya to be submitted to the District Coordinating Committee, where they would be discussed with the Department, funding identified, and necessary flood control works undertaken. Oral Questions: Irrigation Reservoirs and Land Settlement (Q.578/2025 and Q.3519/2025) Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. Sujeewa Dissanayake JJB AI summary Hon. Sujeewa Dissanayake raised concerns that areas in Wariyapola, Yapahuwa, and Nikaweratiya have experienced severe annual flooding since the construction of the Deduru Oya reservoir, damaging vegetable cultivation in Minuwangete and Bolapitiya. He noted proposals to divert excess water through the old Thalagalla canal to Thalagalla wewa and Palugama wewa, and questioned the ineffectiveness of the right bank canal due to lack of drainage. He asked whether the Department would take action to manage flooding and protect agriculture in the affected areas. Oral Questions: Irrigation Reservoirs and Land Settlement (Q.578/2025 and Q.3519/2025) Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe stated that while the Irrigation Department can maintain existing sites, its mandate does not cover developing new tourism infrastructure. He noted the tourism potential of department-owned tanks and rest houses and said discussions have begun on their possible use, proposing that the matter be taken up at the District Coordinating Committee with Irrigation Department engineers to prepare proposals. Oral Questions: Irrigation Reservoirs and Land Settlement (Q.578/2025 and Q.3519/2025) Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. Sujeewa Dissanayake JJB AI summary Hon. Sujeewa Dissanayake asked whether basic tourism infrastructure would be established around Deduru Oya, noting the presence of irrigation landmarks, reservoirs, and archaeological sites including ancient anicuts, Ridibendi Ella, Deduru Oya reservoir, Nuwarakannda, and Yapahuwa pre-historic cemeteries. He highlighted that the reservoir and surrounding lands fall under the Irrigation Department and sought clarification on re-establishing facilities to support tourism. Oral Questions: Irrigation Reservoirs and Land Settlement (Q.578/2025 and Q.3519/2025) Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. Sujeewa Dissanayake JJB AI summary Hon. Sujeewa Dissanayake asked the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation about the management and development of Irrigation Department lands near Deduru Oya in the Yapahuwa Kingdom. He sought information on renovating deteriorating holiday resorts, providing sanitary facilities for local tourists, improving the Ridibendi Ella anicut area for tourism, and addressing drainage problems from irregular constructions that affect agriculture. Oral Questions: Irrigation Reservoirs and Land Settlement (Q.578/2025 and Q.3519/2025) Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. Anton Jayakody JJB AI summary After rainy seasons, road damage has been exacerbated by shortages of machinery operators, drivers, and technical staff. Anton Jayakody stated that adequate drivers will be recruited and a qualified technical officer assigned, with coordination from the Department of Irrigation. He also said the Director General of Wildlife Conservation will be instructed to provide resources, including support through farmer organizations and military facilitation where necessary, and to ensure quick repairs to breakdowns inside the park. Oral Question: Yala National Park - Safari Jeeps and Employee Issues (Q.571/2025) Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. Athula Welandagoda JJB AI summary Hon. Athula Welandagoda raised concerns about delays in road maintenance inside Yala ahead of the August tourist peak, citing shortages of drivers, substitute staff, mechanics, and a local Road Development Authority examiner. He asked what interventions the Ministry would take within the next two months to expedite the works, including whether support from farmer organizations and the military could be used as in previous efforts involving fuel and resources. Oral Question: Yala National Park - Safari Jeeps and Employee Issues (Q.571/2025) Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. Anton Jayakody JJB AI summary Hon. Anton Jayakody addressed congestion at Yala’s Palatupana entrance to Block 1, noting that visitor pressure exceeds the ecosystem’s carrying capacity and risks environmental degradation. He outlined existing and proposed alternative entry points, including Katagamuwa, Galge, Thanamalwila-Kalupahana, Ginwewa, Angamuwa, and Bembawa, and said officials had inspected these sites. He stated that internet connectivity, adequate staffing, rapid ticketing, and standardized gate improvements would be provided to distribute visitors more evenly and reduce pressure on Block 1. Oral Question: Yala National Park - Safari Jeeps and Employee Issues (Q.571/2025) Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. Athula Welandagoda JJB AI summary Athula Welandagoda referred to the Minister and Deputy Minister’s recent visit to Yala and the congestion observed at the Palatupana and Katagamuwa gates at dawn. He asked what steps were being taken to open Bembawa as an additional entry point, noting that buildings, Civil Security personnel, and basic facilities were already available and that only limited staffing and ICT support would be needed. Oral Question: Yala National Park - Safari Jeeps and Employee Issues (Q.571/2025) Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. Athula Welandagoda JJB AI summary Hon. Athula Welandagoda asked the Minister of Environment about staffing shortages, employee housing, tourist facilities, toilets, roads, and common amenities at Yala National Park. He requested details on registered tourist jeeps, inactive registered jeeps, proposed action regarding them, and whether new jeeps would be registered as replacements. He also sought separate short-, medium-, and long-term measures to protect and develop Yala’s wildlife and ecosystem, noting the park’s importance for tourism and national income. Oral Question: Yala National Park - Safari Jeeps and Employee Issues (Q.571/2025) Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. Ananda Wijepala JJB AI summary Ananda Wijepala said the passport backlog was inherited from previous administrations and that daily issuance had been increased from about 1,200 to 4,000 while pending applications were being cleared. He outlined measures including 24-hour office operations, increased capacity at provincial offices, a forthcoming Jaffna office opening, tenders for an e-passport system, and recruitment of 186 officers to address staffing shortages in the Department of Immigration and Emigration. He also noted ongoing court action related to passports and said the Government had completed about 69 per cent of the steps needed to improve efficiency. Oral Questions: Question Nos. 1-6 Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. Harshana Rajakaruna SJB AI summary Harshana Rajakaruna raised concerns about continuing delays in issuing passports, citing a payment receipt for an application lodged on 11 July 2023 and noting that applicants are still receiving appointments up to six months later. He said the appointment system has reduced queues but not solved the underlying problem, and questioned whether the Government, after 7–8 months in office, has taken action to address the delays. Oral Questions: Question Nos. 1-6 Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. Anuradha Jayaratne, Attorney-at-Law NDF AI summary A question was raised to the Minister of Justice and National Integration regarding the proposed construction of new law chambers in Kandy. The request sought details on the project, including its planning, implementation, and relevant administrative arrangements. Oral Questions: Question Nos. 1-6 Read →
- 9 May 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma - Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning AI summary Deputy Minister Harshana Suriyapperuma supported the Motion to bring abandoned development structures into public use, stating that public funds and borrowings had been spent on assets that now create maintenance costs, illegal activity, waste dumping and health risks. He said the Government will identify expenditure and asset details, complete and repurpose such structures for markets, trade, tourism, business support, education and training, using Budget allocations and Public-Private-People partnerships, with asset data systems and dashboards being developed under the Ministry of Finance and Planning and the Comptroller General’s Office. He also updated the House on SME parate execution relief, noting that about Rs. 81 billion of Rs. 212 billion in stage 3 default loans had been brought to banks for negotiation, with around Rs. 6 billion restructured, and urged remaining SMEs to engage with banks. Private Members' Motion (P.38/2025): Utilization of Abandoned Development Projects Read →
- 9 May 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Hiruni Wijesinghe, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Hiruni Wijesinghe supported the Motion to put unused buildings from past development projects into public use, arguing that many were built without assessing local need, access, or economic value and have since remained abandoned. She cited unmet needs in education and health, including unfinished multi-storey structures at Chilaw General Hospital, and said the Government had cancelled problematic PPP-style agreements and allocated funds to complete such facilities. She also referred to reusing abandoned paddy stores, identifying underused ministry buildings, and creating a national inventory and data system for state-owned buildings, with funds allocated to bring halted projects to usable standards. Private Members' Motion (P.38/2025): Utilization of Abandoned Development Projects Read →
- 9 May 2025 The Hon. Ruwanthilaka Jayakody JJB AI summary Hon. Ruwanthilaka Jayakody supported the Motion to bring unused buildings constructed under past development projects into public use, arguing that many such projects were politically driven and not based on local needs. He cited Gampaha District, where he said about 289 buildings from various special projects remain unused or incomplete due to issues such as lack of electricity, sanitation, access roads, or clear purpose. He stated that the Gampaha District Development Committee has decided to prepare a report assessing the cost and steps needed to make these buildings usable and to adapt them for practical public purposes. Private Members' Motion (P.38/2025): Utilization of Abandoned Development Projects Read →
- 9 May 2025 The Hon. Nishantha Perera JJB AI summary Hon. Nishantha Perera seconded Hon. Lal Premanath’s Motion on repurposing old and partially built public structures, arguing that such unused buildings represent wasted national wealth and borrowed public funds. He cited examples from Elpitiya, including post-tsunami Pradeshiya Sabha buildings, a disputed library project, and a COVID-era building allegedly constructed on private land, and linked such waste to broader public hardships during the economic crisis. He urged the Government to act quickly to convert these structures into productive assets. Private Members' Motion (P.38/2025): Utilization of Abandoned Development Projects Read →