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- 19 March 2025 The Hon. Anton Jayakody JJB AI summary Hon. Anton Jayakody stated that deficiencies in relevant offices had been assessed and budgetary and departmental funds would be used to remedy them, including constructing new offices where needed. He said the Government had requested vehicles from institutions including the Presidential Secretariat, and was coordinating with the Police, Pradeshiya Sabhas and Divisional Secretariats to secure vehicles for night mobile operations, with some already in use. Oral Question: Anti-Elephant Electric Fencing (Q.2/2025) Read →
- 19 March 2025 The Hon. Dinesh Hemantha JJB AI summary Hon. Dinesh Hemantha asked what steps are planned to expand the number of field or Beat Offices and provide additional vehicles to improve response times. He noted that officers had identified inadequate office coverage relative to the land area as a factor affecting management of the conflict. Oral Question: Anti-Elephant Electric Fencing (Q.2/2025) Read →
- 19 March 2025 The Hon. Sundaralingam Pradeep JJB AI summary The Member states that the largest ground in Nuwara Eliya is under discussion for transfer to the Ministry of Sports for management. He says consultations are being held with the Prime Minister and the Minister of Sports, and that the Government intends to assign the ground to the Ministry to address the needs of the people of Nuwara Eliya District. Oral Question: Saumyamoorthi Thondaman Memorial Foundation (Q.1/2025) Read →
- 19 March 2025 The Hon. Manjula Suraweera Arachchi JJB AI summary Asked what measures would be taken in Nuwara Eliya District to regulate the Thondaman Memorial Foundation’s control over sports facilities, particularly the Norwood sports ground. He said local youth access had been restricted and a Rs. 15,000 fee charged per football match, and called for curbing the Foundation’s undue authority and supporting sports development in the area. Oral Question: Saumyamoorthi Thondaman Memorial Foundation (Q.1/2025) Read →
- 18 March 2025 The Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha SJB AI summary Nalin Bandara Jayamaha raised concern that scrap iron exports are harming small industries working with lac, copper, and brass, affecting an estimated 10,000 to 15,000 people. He requested the Minister to look into the matter. Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-third Allotted Day - Committee Stage: Heads 149, 303, 194 and 219 (Industry and Entrepreneurship Development; Youth Affairs and Sports) Read →
- 18 March 2025 The Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha SJB AI summary Nalin Bandara Jayamaha urged the Government to prioritize adequate infrastructure funding for the existing Bingiriya Export Processing Zone rather than describing it as a new zone or spreading limited funds across multiple projects. He said the Rs. 900 million allocation is insufficient for Bingiriya’s required electricity, water, effluent and land development needs, despite existing investor interest, and also noted the potential to develop Hambantota EPZ. He raised difficulties faced by coconut-based industries due to high raw material and energy costs, taxes and import implementation barriers, and called for continued banking relief for industrialists affected by COVID-era debt restructuring and parate action. Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-third Allotted Day - Committee Stage: Heads 149, 303, 194 and 219 (Industry and Entrepreneurship Development; Youth Affairs and Sports) Read →
- 18 March 2025 The Hon. Chathuranga Abeysinghe - Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe defended the Ministry’s Estimates by arguing that Sri Lanka must build a production economy linked to global value chains, citing stagnant export earnings around USD 17 billion and weak growth as evidence of past policy failures. He outlined measures to support SMEs, improve market access, provide research, certification and skills support, address industrial land issues, improve ease of doing business, and coordinate entrepreneurship services across ministries and institutions. He also announced policy initiatives including a new SOP for vehicle assembly, changes for the gems and jewelry sector, an anti-dumping policy approved by Cabinet, duty-free raw materials for export production, and greater priority for local content in construction and development projects. Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-third Allotted Day - Committee Stage: Heads 149, 303, 194 and 219 (Industry and Entrepreneurship Development; Youth Affairs and Sports) Read →
- 18 March 2025 The Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC SJB AI summary Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper requested an additional Rs. 4 million to provide a dedicated electricity transformer needed to commission the Sandankeni swimming pool in Kalmunai, noting that about Rs. 60 million has already been spent and that the facility should be affordable for local Tamil and Muslim students. He welcomed the Rs. 150 million allocation in the 2025 Estimates for completing the adjacent indoor sports arena and asked that it include dedicated facilities for girls and women, such as a badminton court. He also raised concerns about small entrepreneurs’ access to capital and asked whether the government would further extend the moratorium suspending parate executions beyond 31 March. Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-third Allotted Day - Committee Stage: Heads 149, 303, 194 and 219 (Industry and Entrepreneurship Development; Youth Affairs and Sports) Read →
- 18 March 2025 The Hon. Elayathamby Srinath (Medical Practitioner) ITAK AI summary Called for the revival of abandoned factories, particularly the paper mill, through major investment. He noted that the Minister had given assurances at a recent consultative committee and expressed hope that a concrete plan would be implemented soon. Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-third Allotted Day - Committee Stage: Heads 149, 303, 194 and 219 (Industry and Entrepreneurship Development; Youth Affairs and Sports) Read →
- 18 March 2025 The Hon. Elayathamby Srinath (Medical Practitioner) ITAK AI summary Hon. Elayathamby Srinath urged the Government to give greater attention to youth employment, sports development and industry in the North and East, particularly Batticaloa, where he said post-war neglect has driven many young people abroad and left athletes without adequate facilities. He called for upgrades to Weber Stadium, proper sports grounds, appointment of sports officers and coaches, and support for successful local teams in kabaddi, basketball, karate and wrestling. He also requested national employment and investment programmes in agriculture, fisheries, livestock, agro-processing and revived industries such as the paper mill, while addressing issues including paddy processing, dairy grazing lands and environmentally harmful resource projects. He asked the Government to include Batticaloa in future national development plans, conduct district-level feasibility studies, and consult local experts and representatives. Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-third Allotted Day - Committee Stage: Heads 149, 303, 194 and 219 (Industry and Entrepreneurship Development; Youth Affairs and Sports) Read →
- 18 March 2025 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara highlighted sports infrastructure projects completed or advanced during his tenure and urged the Government to centralize management of provincial sports complexes under the Sugathadasa Stadium Board to prevent deterioration. He called for the revival or continuation of programmes such as the Presidential Sports Awards, talent identification, coach training, and the High-Performance Laboratory, while requesting urgent recruitment of specialist staff, doctors, physiotherapists, Sports Officers and Assistant Directors. He also raised concerns over unpaid Paralympic athletes, inadequate athlete nutrition and hostel conditions, and the lack of preparation for major 2025 and 2026 international competitions. He further cautioned that cricket administration and factional disputes tend to dominate ministerial attention at the expense of other sports. Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-third Allotted Day - Committee Stage: Heads 149, 303, 194 and 219 (Industry and Entrepreneurship Development; Youth Affairs and Sports) Read →
- 18 March 2025 The Hon. T.K. Jayasundara JJB AI summary Hon. T.K. Jayasundara argued that Sri Lanka’s industrial decline stemmed from devaluing labour, misusing land, weakening local entrepreneurship, and relying excessively on foreign capital after 1977. He cited the fall in tea exports and loss of value addition and brand protection for Ceylon tea as an example of failed industrial policy and regulation. Referring to the Budget responsibilities of the Ministry of Industries and Entrepreneurship Development, he called for stronger national policy, infrastructure, export linkages, entrepreneurship support, revival of traditional industries, and development of value-added Sri Lankan brands, particularly in spices and tourism-linked village industries. Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-third Allotted Day - Committee Stage: Heads 149, 303, 194 and 219 (Industry and Entrepreneurship Development; Youth Affairs and Sports) Read →
- 18 March 2025 The Hon. Sunil Handunnetti JJB AI summary Hon. Sunil Handunnetti corrected remarks about Northern industrial projects, stating that work has resumed at the Ottuchuddan tile and brick factory, including production of PV tiles and heat-reducing four-vent bricks for market release. He said funds have been allocated to develop a chemical manufacturing industrial zone at Parantan on 50 acres, requiring reconstruction after wartime destruction. He also announced that Elephant Pass salt would be released as a government product from the 29th and that salt production at Kurinjatheevu could be restarted, with employment limited to suitable local residents from the Northern Province. Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-third Allotted Day - Committee Stage: Heads 149, 303, 194 and 219 (Industry and Entrepreneurship Development; Youth Affairs and Sports) Read →
- 18 March 2025 The Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan ITAK AI summary Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan argued that Sri Lanka’s industrial and agricultural sectors have declined and urged the Government to prioritize reviving defunct industries in the North and East to create employment for youth. He specifically called for plans, data collection through Government Agents, and investment to restart the Kankesanthurai cement factory, Parantan chemical plant, Kurinjatheevu and Aanaivilunthaan salt works, Ottuchuddan brick factory, and Valachchenai Paper Mill. He also requested engagement with India for technology and support, particularly for the Kurinjatheevu salt works, and asked the Government to clarify plans and expected benefits regarding a possible Talaimannar-Rameswaram bridge. Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-third Allotted Day - Committee Stage: Heads 149, 303, 194 and 219 (Industry and Entrepreneurship Development; Youth Affairs and Sports) Read →
- 18 March 2025 The Hon. Waruna Liyanage SJB AI summary Hon. Waruna Liyanage welcomed the appointment of the Deputy Minister of Sports and urged expedited completion and proper staffing of the Ratnapura Provincial Stadium, including restoring a jogging track area that he said had been used for a shopping complex. He called for addressing vacancies in sports coaching, establishing youth squads at under-15, under-17 and under-19 levels, and improving maintenance of provincial and district sports facilities. Turning to industry, he raised concerns about a National Gem and Jewellery Authority circular requiring Rs. 20 million annually to renew licences for backhoe machine use in gem mining, arguing that the increase from Rs. 1 million would be unaffordable for many miners in Ratnapura. Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-third Allotted Day - Committee Stage: Heads 149, 303, 194 and 219 (Industry and Entrepreneurship Development; Youth Affairs and Sports) Read →
- 18 March 2025 The Hon. Namal Rajapaksa, Attorney-at-Law SLPP AI summary Hon. Namal Rajapaksa argued that industrial growth requires a more competitive tax regime, MSME financing reform, and policies that support local intellectual property and manufacturing, citing the Vega three-wheeler as an example of locally developed products being taxed like imports. He said sports policy should be treated as an economic sector rather than welfare, with investment in high-performance systems, sports tourism, e-sports, leisure sports, and sustainable use of national facilities ahead of events such as the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. He called for athlete and coach allowances, including for Paralympians, to be restored by increasing the share of the Ministry budget reaching athletes and youth to at least 21 percent next year. He also proposed reforming the 1973 Sports Law to reflect the modern sports economy. Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-third Allotted Day - Committee Stage: Heads 149, 303, 194 and 219 (Industry and Entrepreneurship Development; Youth Affairs and Sports) Read →
- 18 March 2025 The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF AI summary Chamara Sampath Dasanayake urged the Sports Minister not to interfere in Sri Lanka Cricket administration, citing the ICC suspension and loss of the 2024 Under-19 World Cup, and warned against risking Sri Lanka’s co-hosting of the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup and its expected economic benefits. Addressing the Industries Minister, he called for investigations into declining gem and jewellery exports and NGJA revenue, alleged conflicts of interest and delays in Ratnapura licensing, and requested faster licensing reforms. He also proposed action to revive or improve several state-linked industrial assets, including the Ottusuddan Tile Factory, Elephant Pass and Mannar salterns, BCC Lanka, Valachchenai Paper Mill, Kahatagaha Graphite, and Pelwatte and Sevanagala sugar companies, including restoration of worker and farmer incentives. Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-third Allotted Day - Committee Stage: Heads 149, 303, 194 and 219 (Industry and Entrepreneurship Development; Youth Affairs and Sports) Read →
- 18 March 2025 The Hon. Mayilvaganam Jegatheeswaran JJB AI summary Hon. Mayilvaganam Jegatheeswaran outlined efforts to revive and repurpose major industrial assets in the Northern Province, including Kankesanthurai Cement, Achchuveli Salt, Paranthan Chemical, the Mankulam industrial estate, and the Ottusuddan Tile Factory. He noted plans to begin iodized salt production, address salt workers’ welfare through insurance and output-sharing, invite investors to Mankulam, and restart or rehabilitate long-dormant factories to create local employment. He also proposed expanding coconut cultivation and strengthening palmyrah-based cottage industries through market linkages, tourism promotion, digitization, and monitoring to support exports and artisan incomes. Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-third Allotted Day - Committee Stage: Heads 149, 303, 194 and 219 (Industry and Entrepreneurship Development; Youth Affairs and Sports) Read →
- 18 March 2025 The Hon. Roshan Akmeemana JJB AI summary Hon. Roshan Akmeemana argued that cricket development should prioritize grassroots access rather than focus only on Sri Lanka Cricket governance or the national team. Drawing on his Trincomalee playing experience, he highlighted regional facility gaps, the growth of women’s cricket, and the value of soft-ball cricket as an accessible format for villages and low-income groups. He proposed recognizing village sports clubs, providing basic facilities, and organizing regular weekend leagues to broaden participation and engage youth. He also thanked the President and Minister for allocating Rs. 380 million for a provincial or national-level sports ground in Trincomalee. Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-third Allotted Day - Committee Stage: Heads 149, 303, 194 and 219 (Industry and Entrepreneurship Development; Youth Affairs and Sports) Read →
- 18 March 2025 The Hon. Sunil Handunnetti - Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development JJB AI summary Hon. Sunil Handunnetti outlined the Government’s plan to revive Sri Lanka’s productive economy by expanding industrial output, raising exports from US$16 billion to US$19 billion in 2025 and targeting US$28 billion in industrial exports by 2030. He identified limited industrial land, weak coordination, and slow approvals as key constraints, and said the Ministry is seeking to increase land allocated for industry, introduce entrepreneurship education after Grade 9, and coordinate agencies through district and divisional industry bodies. He also referred to the re-establishment of a Cabinet Committee on Exports and highlighted priority sectors including vehicle components, steel, footwear, apparel, gems and jewellery, event management, film, and beauty/cosmetics. Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-third Allotted Day - Committee Stage: Heads 149, 303, 194 and 219 (Industry and Entrepreneurship Development; Youth Affairs and Sports) Read →