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- 18 March 2025 The Hon. Sundaralingam Pradeep - Deputy Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure JJB AI summary Provided details on drinking water projects in Badulla District estates, noting that only about 10 per cent of estates and surrounding households have access to safe drinking water despite existing natural and scheme-based sources. He reported 103 projects implemented from 2004 to 2024 at an approximate total cost of Rs. 209.1 million, including Government/Plantation Human Development Trust and NWSDB/WASSIP projects, and confirmed completion and full funding release for the Punagala LLG Kepkade housing scheme water project. In response to supplementary questions, he said older UNICEF-era schemes had deteriorated due to poor design and ageing pipelines, announced future estate water projects across several districts, and undertook to conduct and submit an audit on the Punagala scheme. Oral Questions: Teachers' Service and Principals' Service Salary Anomalies (Q.502/2025), Estates in Badulla District Drinking Water Projects (Q.505/2025), Damage to Cultivations by Wild Animals (Q.498/2025) Read →
- 17 March 2025 Hon. Chamara Sampath Dassanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Chamara Sampath Dassanayake raised delays in issuing GSMB quarrying permits and environmental clearances, citing problems in areas such as Ampara and arguing that decentralised offices have not necessarily delivered faster services. He urged the Government to reduce unnecessary documentation, expedite permits, and improve administrative efficiency rather than continue blaming previous governments. He also criticised the Government’s failure to amend local government laws despite its parliamentary majority, warning that fragmented local council results could make councils unstable and calling on the Government to show tangible results before seeking further local authority control. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate on Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and Ministry of Environment Read →
- 17 March 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa SJB AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa called for a specialized national ecotourism plan modelled on India’s Project Tiger, arguing that Sri Lanka could conserve elephants, leopards, whales and dolphins while generating foreign exchange and community benefits. He urged systematic human-wildlife conflict mitigation, stronger institutional capacity, insurance mechanisms, continuity across administrations, and greater priority for animal welfare. He also proposed establishing an international environmental university through public-private partnerships, regularizing long-serving volunteers and stabilizing multipurpose officers in wildlife work, and using scientific censuses and private monitoring initiatives to support conservation, ecotourism and national development. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate on Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and Ministry of Environment Read →
- 17 March 2025 The Hon. Kins Nelson SJB AI summary Hon. Kins Nelson proposed developing an access road from Angammedilla National Park to Wasgamuwa to retain tourists within Polonnaruwa, while requiring them to enter and exit via Angammedilla. He raised concerns about cattle being released into Maduru Oya National Park, impacts on wildlife habitat and human-elephant conflict, and called for designated environmentally appropriate areas for dairy cattle outside protected zones. He also requested regulated subsistence access for villagers near wildlife zones, support for small traditional gem miners, and the permanent absorption of experienced national park guides whose numbers have declined despite an allowance increase. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate on Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and Ministry of Environment Read →
- 17 March 2025 The Hon. Kins Nelson SJB AI summary Hon. Kins Nelson moved the traditional token reduction of Rs. 10 under the relevant Heads during the Committee Stage debate and focused on the Ministry of Environment, particularly the human-elephant conflict. He said Wildlife Conservation staffing vacancies, inadequate guard huts, poorly maintained electric fences, and the absence of funding for new fencing were contributing to rising human deaths, elephant deaths and property damage, citing recent national and Polonnaruwa District figures. He proposed strengthening field staff, improving guard huts with electricity and water, repairing and expanding fencing, and creating a structured response programme. He also raised concerns about Yala National Park’s congestion, limited entry points, inadequate operational funding, poaching risks in underused blocks, and derelict bungalows, proposing additional gates, more guides, better monitoring and rehabilitation of accommodation. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate on Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and Ministry of Environment Read →
- 15 March 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Hiruni Wijesinghe, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary The member welcomed the creation of a unified Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism and commended its work in strengthening foreign relations, attracting investment and promoting tourism. She highlighted tourism as the third-highest foreign exchange earner, cited targets of over 3 million tourist arrivals in 2025, allocations of Rs. 600 million for tourism-zone infrastructure, and rising tourism investment in early 2025. She proposed expanding beyond traditional destinations through ecotourism, geotourism, medical and research tourism, including development of sites in the North Western Province, old forts, canal routes, Kalpitiya, Puttalam and a new Wilpattu access point via Eluwankulama. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-first Allotted Day - Committee Stage, Head 112 (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism) Read →
- 15 March 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Hasara Liyanage, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Hasara Liyanage argued that Sri Lanka had lacked a coherent tourism policy and national brand, and said the Government is addressing this through institutional reorganization and the proposed National Tourism Commission. She cited 600,000 tourist arrivals so far in 2025 and highlighted a Rs. 600 million Budget allocation under Clean Sri Lanka to improve sanitation, information centres, rest facilities and basic infrastructure at selected destinations. She emphasized expanding rural benefits through agro-, eco- and integrated tourism, and noted that a longstanding drinking water issue in Bentota is being addressed with expected results by May. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-first Allotted Day - Committee Stage, Head 112 (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism) Read →
- 15 March 2025 The Hon. S.M. Marikkar SJB AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar called for a more coordinated tourism strategy focused on increasing arrivals and per-capita spending, including better use of the Tourism Development Levy, centralized promotion through missions and tourism agencies, commercial use of Ratmalana Airport, development of the Negombo–Kalpitiya–Wilpattu tourism corridor, and upgraded wildlife tourism facilities and visitor services. He argued that Sri Lanka should monetize cultural, wildlife and geographic attractions through improved infrastructure, trained guides, taxi networks and marketing, rather than relying on nightlife-related tourism. Referring to the Batalanda Commission Report, he supported action against alleged torturers but urged that accountability be applied comprehensively to all political violence and victims, without selectivity. He also objected to unsupported religious criticism in Parliament and said reforms such as those concerning the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act should be handled through proper expert and religious processes. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-first Allotted Day - Committee Stage, Head 112 (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism) Read →
- 15 March 2025 The Hon. (Prof.) Ruwan Ranasinghe - Deputy Minister of Tourism JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister defended the Government’s tourism policy, citing recent international recognition of Sri Lanka as evidence of improved global perception and disputing Opposition claims about inaction. He outlined initiatives for tourism development in the North and North-Central, including plans related to Mannar, Talaimannar, Wilpattu access, and the Talaimannar–Rameswaram ferry, and denied that SLTDA land in Kuchchaveli had been allocated for sand mining. He reported increased tourism FDI, clearance of a 5,000-plus SLTDA registration backlog, planned expansion of training, regulation of informal accommodation, and Budget allocations for city-based promotion and upgrading 100 attractions. He also said the Government would introduce a contributory pension scheme and social protection fund for tourism workers while expanding tourism benefits to less-developed areas. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-first Allotted Day - Committee Stage, Head 112 (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism) Read →
- 15 March 2025 The Hon. Aboobucker Athambawa JJB AI summary Hon. Aboobucker Athambawa supported the allocations for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism and argued that improved domestic stability and international confidence are increasing tourist arrivals and foreign exchange earnings. He highlighted the Eastern Province’s tourism potential, including Trincomalee, Pasikuda, Arugam Bay, Kumana and related natural and cultural attractions, and proposed upgrading the Pottuvil aerodrome into a runway and developing a rail link from Batticaloa to Pottuvil/Arugam Bay. He also raised concern over the relocation of the Foreign Employment Bureau office from Kalmunai and urged that foreign employment and tourism services be made accessible to people across the Eastern Province. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-first Allotted Day - Committee Stage, Head 112 (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism) Read →
- 15 March 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake urged the Government to provide targeted incentives for high-remitting migrant workers, including higher duty-free allowances and improved airport services, arguing that legal remittances are a major source of foreign exchange. He also called for a stronger tourism strategy to reach higher visitor and revenue targets by 2030, including rapid airport development, expanded international flight frequencies, revival of domestic scheduled air services, and better regulation of online booking platforms to retain foreign exchange locally. He proposed airport information centres, tourist credit card benefits, benchmarking against regional competitors, and reforms to address scams and procedural weaknesses at Cultural Triangle sites and other tourist infrastructure. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-first Allotted Day - Committee Stage, Head 112 (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism) Read →
- 15 March 2025 The Hon. Ruwan Wijeweera JJB AI summary Ruwan Wijeweera argued that Sri Lanka’s foreign service had been weakened by politicization, nepotism and crony appointments, citing media reports of political family members in diplomatic posts, and said the NPP Government would restore professionalism through merit-based appointments. He emphasized Monaragala District’s underused tourism and agricultural potential and outlined plans to develop Kataragama through city branding, create and upgrade tourism zones, and support a national target of three million tourists. He also proposed easing congestion at Yala National Park through a Maligawila entrance and linking heritage and natural sites such as Maragala, Yudaganawa, Siyambalanduwa and Pottuvil into a district tourism strategy. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-first Allotted Day - Committee Stage, Head 112 (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism) Read →
- 15 March 2025 The Hon. Namal Rajapaksa, Attorney-at-Law SLPP AI summary Hon. Namal Rajapaksa argued that foreign policy should be closely integrated with national security and economic policy, maintaining a non-aligned and friendly approach while ensuring foreign investment agreements are favourable to Sri Lanka. He urged the Government and Foreign Ministry to respond strategically to changing global trade conditions, promote Colombo Port City as a financial hub, and work with economic institutions to protect sovereignty and maximize commercial benefits. He also called for expanded airport capacity, including development of Mattala and Jaffna through private partnerships, to support higher tourism targets, and for incentives and streamlined formal channels for foreign remittances. He additionally linked foreign policy to addressing organized crime and drugs while safeguarding national unity in international forums. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-first Allotted Day - Committee Stage, Head 112 (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism) Read →
- 15 March 2025 The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam raised concerns that coastal lands in Hambantota, Tissamaharama and Thalaimannar, initially given for exploration, were being moved toward mining permits, alleging a conflict of interest involving a former GSMB Chairman now consulting for James Global (Pvt) Ltd. He warned that allocating such lands for mining would undermine tourism development, particularly in the North and East, where he said airport, ferry, harbour and connectivity projects remain undeveloped. He also urged the Minister to update the Government’s estimate of average tourist daily spending, noting that the current figure is based on a 2018 survey. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-first Allotted Day - Committee Stage, Head 112 (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism) Read →
- 15 March 2025 The Hon. Vijitha Herath - Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism JJB AI summary The Minister said the integration of Foreign Affairs, Tourism and Foreign Employment was intended to increase foreign inflows through tourism, remittances and investment while restoring Sri Lanka’s international standing after the economic crisis and debt restructuring process. He outlined ongoing diplomatic and economic engagements with India, China, the UAE, Japan, the EU, the US and multilateral bodies, including planned MoUs, grant-funded projects, refinery proposals, GSP+ review preparations, and measures to address potential US tariff impacts through market diversification and investment promotion. He also reported progress on consular digitization, including online applications for civil certificates through missions abroad, and said discussions with Italy on driving licence recognition are continuing after issues arose over differing Sri Lankan licence formats. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-first Allotted Day - Committee Stage, Head 112 (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism) Read →
- 15 March 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation and Leader of the House of Parliament JJB AI summary The Minister tabled an answer stating that part of the Kolonnawa Junction–Gothatuwa road is in poor condition, with 600 metres scheduled for rehabilitation under the 2025 work programme while interim maintenance continues. He said the final section has already been widened to standard two lanes, and the remaining Km 0+000 to Km 2+770 is planned for widening after land acquisition begins in 2026, with funding expected in 2027 through Treasury provisions to the Road Development Authority. Oral Question: Road from IDH to Kolonnawa Junction Development (Q.275/2024) Read →
- 15 March 2025 The Hon. Dinindu Saman Hennayake JJB AI summary Asked whether the Ceylon Electricity Board has identified isolated villages and individual houses without electricity, including in Badulla. Requested details on urgent measures to extend electricity supply to those areas. Oral Question: Provisions for Electricity to Isolated Villages and Houses (Q.429/2025) Read →
- 15 March 2025 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody JJB AI summary Hon. Kumara Jayakody stated that an irregularly proceeding project was temporarily halted pending inquiry. He said only essential works needed to provide supply to villagers were later allowed, and assured that politically driven irregular provision of power would not be permitted in future. Oral Question: Provisions for Electricity to Isolated Villages and Houses (Q.429/2025) Read →
- 15 March 2025 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody - Minister of Energy JJB AI summary Minister Kumara Jayakody responded to a question on two rural electrification projects, Annaasigala and Unakanda Ambakolaara, explaining their origins from requests made to the President’s Secretariat and to the CEB, and stating that the CEB Board approved implementation on 7 May 2024 after technical review and estimates. He gave the project costs as Rs. 36.64 million and Rs. 36.23 million respectively, noted that Forest Conservation approval for tree removal had been sought but the Department instead instructed construction through surveyed land without removing trees, and said relevant documents were placed in the Library. He stated that both projects had been temporarily suspended due to a contentious situation, with physical progress at 60% and 75% at the time of suspension. Oral Question: Provisions for Electricity to Isolated Villages and Houses (Q.429/2025) Read →
- 15 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nishantha Samaraweera JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nishantha Samaraweera asked the Deputy Minister what steps the Ministry intends to take regarding unused allocated areas at the Galle Techno Park, including space earmarked for a conference hall. Oral Question: Projects Planned on Land of Walahanduwa Estate, Galle (Q.255/2024) Read →