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 March 2025 The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB AI summary Hon. Ajith P. Perera opposed the Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill, arguing that increased taxation would discourage IT-sector entrepreneurs and undermine earlier government commitments to support investment and local enterprise. He also raised concerns over the stalled Milleniya Investment Promotion Zone, stating that substantial public funds had already been spent, land had been acquired and infrastructure initiated, yet the BOI was still turning away investors citing lack of suitable land. He alleged that attempts were being made to cancel the acquisition and return the land to Horana Plantations PLC due to private interests, and urged senior Ministers to ensure the project proceeds as a strategic investment hub for Kalutara District. Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading, Committee and Third Reading Read →
- 20 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma - Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning AI summary Deputy Minister Harshana Suriyapperuma responded to Opposition concerns on the Budget, stating that SriLankan Airlines’ legacy debts must be serviced while operational funding from Government will cease and restructuring continues. He outlined measures on parate execution relief for SMEs, including a 12-month extension, bank outreach and monitoring, while noting low uptake so far. He also reported progress on the National Single Window, QR-based student book allowances, monitored vehicle importation, reserve and exchange-rate stability, and plans to disburse the Rs. 1.3 trillion public investment allocation through strengthened project and Treasury monitoring. Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Committee Stage Debate Read →
- 20 March 2025 The Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC SJB AI summary Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper praised Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva’s evidence-based contribution and argued that Sri Lanka should build a disciplined, service-oriented economy drawing lessons from Japan, while recognizing a broader public mandate for a new political culture across parties. He identified priorities including education reform to align skills with workforce needs, stronger digital infrastructure, improved regulation, greater FDI, and development of high-value services. He called for the establishment of a fully equipped development bank and proposed better use of the railway network for freight, including possible tolls on fuel bowser transport by road to encourage rail-based transport. Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Committee Stage Debate Read →
- 20 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Upali Pannilage — Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment AI summary Minister Upali Pannilage defended the 2025 expenditure allocation of Rs. 714.1 billion for the Finance, Planning and Economic Development Ministry, arguing that the Budget establishes a Sri Lankan economic model rather than adopting foreign ideological labels. He said the Government had not promised across-the-board public sector salary increases but had undertaken pay-structure reforms, including an additional Rs. 110 billion, in line with commitments on dignity of labour and teachers’ salaries. He rejected ethnic interpretations of a Speaker’s ruling, highlighted regional income disparities and the Rs. 13,250 million allocation for district and regional development, and outlined expanded social protection measures, including increased elderly allowance coverage and higher disability-related grants and eligibility thresholds. Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Committee Stage Debate Read →
- 20 March 2025 The Hon. Ajantha Gammeddage JJB AI summary Ajantha Gammeddage supported the allocations under Head 912 of the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, arguing that disciplined revenue and expenditure management is restoring public confidence after the economic collapse. He said tax compliance is improving, borrowing should be limited to productive growth-oriented projects, and state-owned enterprises should be restructured through better management to become profitable rather than remain dependent on public funds. He also referred to plans in Matara to cultivate fallow paddy lands and to use future local government-level funding for rural roads, village development, and revival of the rural economy. Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Committee Stage Debate Read →
- 20 March 2025 The Hon. Chandana Thennakoon JJB AI summary Chandana Thennakoon supported the Budget allocations under the Finance, Planning and Economic Development Ministry, arguing that funds are being distributed across regions and sectors rather than concentrated in politically favoured areas. He highlighted allocations for rural roads, bridges, irrigation, drinking water, and human-elephant conflict mitigation, including specific projects in the Galgamuwa electorate and dry zone areas. He also cited increases in welfare benefits, education support, allowances for vulnerable groups, and relief measures for low-income families, presenting the Budget as focused on rural development and social support. Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Committee Stage Debate Read →
- 20 March 2025 The Hon. Muhammad Faizal JJB AI summary Hon. Muhammad Faizal supported the Budget’s proposed digital transformation and improved management of state assets, arguing that underutilized lands, buildings and vehicles have contributed to economic decline and lost revenue. He cited unused public buildings in Puttalam and Musali, including a tourist information centre, health facilities, a bus stand and staff hostel, and urged that such assets be leased or repurposed for public benefit and income generation. He requested a new Open University building in Puttalam and the operational upgrading of health facilities, while also calling for better use and oversight of long-leased state coconut estates and other state lands. Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Committee Stage Debate Read →
- 20 March 2025 The Hon. Chathuranga Abeysinghe - Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe defended the Budget as a shift from neoliberal policies to a development-oriented state role, arguing that the Government is managing IMF-related constraints while improving tax collection, reducing waste, and prioritizing expenditure to support recovery. He cited salary increases, welfare spending, capital expenditure, digital transformation, transport investment, SME support, skills development, and R&D as measures to stimulate demand and strengthen production. He said the Government would not pursue wholesale privatization of SOEs, instead using PPPs and strategic investment, while encouraging FDI in areas such as energy, the blue economy, and industrial parks. Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Committee Stage Debate Read →
- 20 March 2025 The Hon. Thilina Samarakoon JJB AI summary Hon. Thilina Samarakoon defended the Budget as necessarily based on prior-year allocations while accounting for recurring expenditure and ongoing projects, rejecting criticism that it lacks novelty. He highlighted a 64 percent increase in public servants’ basic salaries and argued that the Budget aims to expand production, demand, investment, and growth. He emphasized support for MSMEs, citing Rs. 38.6 billion for sector development, Rs. 20 billion for financing to be expanded up to Rs. 50 billion through state banks, measures to revive distressed enterprises, and the establishment of the National Credit Guarantee Institution Limited to address collateral constraints. Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Committee Stage Debate Read →
- 20 March 2025 The Hon. Chathuranga Abeysinghe JJB AI summary A Cabinet decision has been made to direct state institutions’ paper requirements to the relevant factory. The member stated that plastic and other waste recycling is a priority emerging industry and part of a national environmental protection programme, and said the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development would provide maximum support for such proposals from Batticaloa. Oral Question by Private Notice: Withholding Tax on Senior Citizens' Deposits and Valaichchenai Paper Factory Read →
- 20 March 2025 The Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan ITAK AI summary Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan proposed modernizing a 330-acre factory site to recycle waste paper and plastic into raw materials and paper products, creating large-scale employment. He noted that technologies already exist globally, including the use of banana fibre, and argued that local raw materials in Batticaloa District could support renewed paper production. Oral Question by Private Notice: Withholding Tax on Senior Citizens' Deposits and Valaichchenai Paper Factory Read →
- 20 March 2025 The Hon. Chathuranga Abeysinghe - Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe said the Valaichchenai paper factory, occupying 330 acres and inactive since 2014, has resumed operations after machinery repairs and the appointment of a new Board. He stated production is about 200 tons per month, with targets of 300 tons from April and 500 tons within the year, while the factory has reached break-even or operating profit. He outlined plans for a packaging materials plant through the Industrial Development Board, multi-product zones, and technology upgrades through public–private–people partnerships to expand employment beyond the current 120 workers. Oral Question by Private Notice: Withholding Tax on Senior Citizens' Deposits and Valaichchenai Paper Factory Read →
- 20 March 2025 The Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan ITAK AI summary Under Standing Order 27(2), Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan asked the Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development about the long-closed Valaichchenai Paper Factory in Batticaloa, noting its former role as a major employer and the potential for youth employment if revived. He sought details on the land extent, reasons for the failure to fully restart operations, whether alternative industrial uses have been studied or planned, and an explanation of previous revival attempts and why they failed. Oral Question by Private Notice: Withholding Tax on Senior Citizens' Deposits and Valaichchenai Paper Factory Read →
- 20 March 2025 The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka - Minister of Urban Development, Construction and Housing JJB AI summary The Minister tabled an answer on water supply coverage in several areas, stating that Nediyamadu has about 90 per cent piped water coverage while Unnichchai has about 50 per cent, with high-elevation areas and low pressure limiting further connections in several villages. He said the NWSDB has begun pipeline extension measures and proposed package treatment plants, with works for Unnichchai expected to take about one year subject to external conditions, while no new Community Water Supply projects have begun due to resource constraints. Oral Questions 2-5: Second Round (Multiple Questions) Read →
- 20 March 2025 The Hon. Eranga Weeraratne - Deputy Minister of Digital Economy JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister stated that the Government is pursuing digital economy initiatives to improve public service delivery, reduce administrative inefficiency, and increase transparency through streamlined processes, automated verification, and real-time data use. He cited immediate projects including the Sri Lanka Unified Digital Identity, online issuance of civil certificates for overseas Sri Lankans, and an online President’s Fund application portal. He also outlined cashless payment measures, including the GovPay rollout, promotion of LankaQR for SMEs, efforts to reduce merchant discount rates, and plans for a national digital payments card for domestic transport and related transactions. Oral Questions 2-5: Second Round (Multiple Questions) Read →
- 19 March 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Co-operative Development JJB AI summary The Minister stated that the institution responsible for supplying goods to Sathosa had previously been closed and is now being restarted. He announced plans to establish three wholesale trading centres in Colombo, Matara and Kurunegala within the year. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) Read →
- 19 March 2025 The Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC SJB AI summary Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper apologized and asked the House to note the connection between paddy cultivation and the paper mill industry, specifically the potential use of paddy straw for paper production. He requested that the matter be conveyed to the Minister of Industries and Enterprise Development. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) Read →
- 19 March 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister JJB AI summary Plans are underway to establish 150 new Sathosa outlets this year and expand the network from about 450 to 1,000 outlets within three years, including through large, medium, regular and franchise-type small outlets where viable. The Minister also said recruitment and training will resume for the Department of Co-operative Development, which had previously been earmarked for closure, with efforts to strengthen cooperative banks and consumer societies and integrate them into the national retail network while safeguarding depositors. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) Read →
- 19 March 2025 The Hon. Sujeewa Dissanayake JJB AI summary Hon. Sujeewa Dissanayake questioned why a proposed sports complex for the Kurunegala area, where he said there are many sports schools and youth, had been shifted to Bingiriya. He asked the Minister whether the relocation was based on personal preference or a private requirement, noting the presence of other complexes near Puttalam District. Oral Question: Government Sports Complexes (Q.3/2025) Read →
- 19 March 2025 The Hon. Sunil Kumara Gamage - Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports JJB AI summary The Minister provided written answers on the proposed North Western Province Sports Complex, stating that 19 locations were considered and that Cabinet approval was granted in 2016 to build it at the Bingiriya Public Playground and adjacent Kandakkuwatta state land. He outlined the indoor and outdoor sports facilities planned, including a swimming pool and gym, and said the estimated cost is Rs. 511.89 million. He further stated that the project is expected to be completed by 30 November 2025. Oral Question: Government Sports Complexes (Q.3/2025) Read →