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- 14 March 2025 The Hon. Arun Hemachandra JJB AI summary Hon. Arun Hemachandra stated that the Ministry intends to address both sectoral production issues, including palmyrah and hill-country tea, and communities’ basic infrastructure needs. He emphasized the aim of providing permanent solutions through the Ministry. Appropriation Bill 2025: Committee Stage - Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure (Heads 135, 293, 337) Read →
- 14 March 2025 The Hon. Arun Hemachandra - Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment JJB AI summary Arun Hemachandra argued that plantation sectors such as coconut, palmyrah, tea and cinnamon had declined due to past mismanagement, poor land use, the chemical fertilizer ban, weak value addition and lack of reliable data. He said the Government is beginning scientific approaches to issues such as animal damage and agricultural statistics, while also developing the palmyrah sector through a non-political board and seeking to strengthen export earnings. He emphasized that estate communities require basic rights, including addresses, land, housing and education, and that rebuilding tea and other plantation industries should proceed alongside environmental protection. Appropriation Bill 2025: Committee Stage - Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure (Heads 135, 293, 337) Read →
- 14 March 2025 The Hon. Mohamed Sali Naleem AI summary Hon. Mohamed Sali Naleem urged Government action to revive cashew cultivation in Eravur, including inputs, saplings, funding and relief for small traders affected by import arrangements, noting Sri Lanka’s production shortfall against national demand. He called for the stalled Mundeni Aru River Basin Development Project to be urgently resumed to reduce flooding in Batticaloa, expand cultivation, improve water supply and fisheries, and support paddy production. He also raised local infrastructure, health, land, boundary, electricity and water issues in Eravur and surrounding areas, including hospital services and road repairs. He concluded by announcing that he would resign from his National List seat and contest the forthcoming Eravur Urban Council election under his party. Appropriation Bill 2025: Committee Stage - Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure (Heads 135, 293, 337) Read →
- 14 March 2025 The Hon. Sundaralingam Pradeep - Deputy Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure JJB AI summary In the Committee Stage debate on the Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure allocations, the Deputy Minister outlined Budget provisions of about Rs. 16,738 million for plantation crop development and social infrastructure in estate communities. He highlighted funding for vocational training, nutrition programmes for upcountry children, land deeds, roofing support, housing construction with Indian assistance, and the revival of institutions such as the upcountry new villages development authority. He also proposed improvements to schools, cultural centres, waste management, disaster relief, estate hospitals, pre-schools, drinking water and sanitation, with particular emphasis on replacing line rooms through single-house construction. Appropriation Bill 2025: Committee Stage - Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure (Heads 135, 293, 337) Read →
- 14 March 2025 The Hon. Ajith Agalakada JJB AI summary Hon. Ajith Agalakada highlighted the difficulties faced by Malaiyaha communities in Monaragala District, including housing, education, sanitation, national identity cards, and birth certificates. He noted that the Budget has allocated funds for their housing and infrastructure and pledged his support as a Monaragala representative to ensure successful implementation. Appropriation Bill 2025: Committee Stage - Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure (Heads 135, 293, 337) Read →
- 14 March 2025 Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna – Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure AI summary The Minister said housing assistance in plantation and landslide-affected areas would be prioritized based on need and National Building Research Organisation risk reports, rather than political patronage. He cited families still displaced in Haputale and Kegalle, past failures including the Meeriyabedda landslide, and underuse or misuse of some previous housing schemes. He stated that new houses would be built for vulnerable estate line-room residents, including about 2,000 families in Badulla District, and that the Malaiyaha community would receive individual single-storey houses on 10-perch plots rather than high-rises. Appropriation Bill 2025: Committee Stage - Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure (Heads 135, 293, 337) Read →
- 14 March 2025 The Hon. Mano Ganesan SJB AI summary Mano Ganesan urged the Government to use its parliamentary majority and ministerial representation from the Hill Country Tamil community to address long-standing estate sector marginalization through practical governance rather than political rhetoric. He cited past initiatives including seven-perch land allocations, individual housing and “New Villages,” new Pradeshiya Sabhas and Divisional Secretariats, amendments enabling local authority spending in estate areas, and land allocations for estate schools, calling for their continuation and implementation. He asked that Norwood Divisional Secretariat not be shifted, that estate roads and companies’ contributions be addressed, the NVDA be revitalized, and that promised wage increases and stakeholder status for estate workers be delivered. Appropriation Bill 2025: Committee Stage - Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure (Heads 135, 293, 337) Read →
- 14 March 2025 The Hon. (Ms.) Ambika Samivel JJB AI summary Hon. Ambika Samivel focused on housing conditions in the Hill Country, citing overcrowded line rooms and associated social and educational problems, and thanked India for continued housing assistance. She said 62 housing projects begun between 2016 and 2021 remained incomplete despite contractor and supervision payments, and noted that 1,300 Indian-funded houses still require completion. She stated that the Government plans a 10,000-house programme with infrastructure, seven-perch land and title deeds, including 6,000 houses this year, prioritising disaster victims and vulnerable families rather than political beneficiaries. She also referred to plans under “Clean Sri Lanka” to renovate 75 line-room clusters and to allocate Rs. 2,450 million to revive vocational training and livelihood support for estate youth. Appropriation Bill 2025: Committee Stage - Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure (Heads 135, 293, 337) Read →
- 14 March 2025 The Hon. Danushka Ranganath JJB AI summary Hon. Danushka Ranganath supported the 2025 Budget allocation for the Ministry of Plantation Industries and Community Infrastructure Facilities, highlighting its focus on sustainable plantation development, export growth, and improving the socio-economic conditions of plantation communities. He outlined rubber-sector targets, including expanded cultivation, replanting, quality plant distribution, rain guards, income diversification, and measures to address New Leaf Fall disease through government intervention and research. He requested increased allocations for estate community infrastructure and specifically urged action on 17 landslide-risk houses in Maragahadeniya Estate, Palindanuwara, which have remained unresolved since 2017. Appropriation Bill 2025: Committee Stage - Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure (Heads 135, 293, 337) Read →
- 14 March 2025 The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna JJB AI summary K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna stated that action has been taken regarding the Hanthana matter, including enforcement of the law. He said the contractor’s work has been suspended and investigations are ongoing. Appropriation Bill 2025: Committee Stage - Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure (Heads 135, 293, 337) Read →
- 14 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB AI summary The answer tabled states that heavy rain in November 2024 caused the Irayivellikkandy canal to overflow, inundating the surgical theatre, ICU and dialysis unit of the hospital and disrupting services until the waters receded. It reports total assessed damage of Rs. 910,250, including repairs to dialysis machines and the generator, and notes immediate action to restore electricity, dialysis services, the generator and wastewater treatment plant. Proposed preventive measures include obtaining technical guidance from the Regional Irrigation Engineer, raising generator room floor levels and upgrading the wastewater treatment plant, as discussed at the Ampara District Development Committee. Oral Questions and Answers Read →
- 14 March 2025 Hon. Kumara Jayakody - Minister of Energy JJB AI summary Hon. Kumara Jayakody stated that Cabinet decisions in 2023 and 2024 set electricity tariff revisions first at six-monthly and then three-monthly intervals, with the latest revision taking effect on 18 January 2025. He said the CEB will submit the next quarterly tariff proposal to the PUCSL under the approved methodology after assessing the full billing impact, which is expected to be clear by mid-April. He explained that revenue adequacy will be evaluated using factors including fuel prices, hydrology, plant dispatch, interest rates, macroeconomic conditions, demand, allowed revenue, and government policy guidelines. Oral Questions and Answers Read →
- 14 March 2025 Hon. Kumara Jayakody JJB AI summary Hon. Kumara Jayakody said renewable energy procurement, particularly solar and wind, would proceed through competitive tenders except in genuine government-to-government cases, and that unsolicited proposals would not be accepted. He noted that Mannar has about 400 MW of wind potential, with 103 MW already operated by the CEB and another 50 MW planned, while the remaining capacity previously earmarked for Adani is stalled due to pending court cases. He also said a 234 MW Pooneryn wind project given to Adani under an MoU is being reviewed, and that if clarifications are not provided promptly, the Government will move to price-competitive tenders. Oral Questions and Answers Read →
- 14 March 2025 Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB AI summary Hon. Ajith P. Perera requested that a relevant letter cited by the Minister be placed in the Library. He argued for transparent, competitive tenders for renewable energy projects, particularly wind and solar opportunities in Mannar and the Northern seas, noting that competition could secure lower prices while maintaining good relations with India. He questioned why the Government was not swiftly calling fresh tenders and tenders for remaining tracts through simple and transparent procurement processes. Oral Questions and Answers Read →
- 14 March 2025 Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB AI summary Hon. Ajith P. Perera questioned the Government’s characterization of the Adani energy project as a government-to-government agreement, arguing that India and Adani should not be treated as the same entity under the Electricity Act. He referred to election pledges to cancel the agreement and claimed that competitive bidding could have secured a lower electricity price than the reported USD cents 8.26 per unit. He also asked the Minister to disclose the contents of Adani’s written notification regarding its reported withdrawal from the project, citing its national importance. Oral Questions and Answers Read →
- 14 March 2025 Hon. Kumara Jayakody - Minister of Energy JJB AI summary Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody stated that the Adani Group wind power project in Mannar and Pooneryn was intended to add 484 MW toward Sri Lanka’s target of 70% renewable electricity by 2030, and tabled the relevant MoU, Cabinet memoranda, decisions, and related documents. He said the project was treated as a government-to-government initiative under the Sri Lanka Electricity Act and that Cabinet decided on 30 December 2024 to re-evaluate it through appointed committees and seek the Attorney-General’s advice. He further informed Parliament that Adani had indicated on 12 February 2025 an intention to withdraw, and that the Ministry has sought and received a written position from Adani Green Energy SL Limited, which is now under study. Oral Questions and Answers Read →
- 14 March 2025 Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB AI summary Hon. Ajith P. Perera raised Question 155/2024 seeking details of the Government’s agreement with the Adani Group on solar and wind power generation. He requested information on the terms of the agreement, pricing or tariff arrangements, project scope, implementation status, and any related approvals or procurement procedures. Oral Questions and Answers Read →
- 12 March 2025 The Hon. (Prof.) A.H.M.H. Abayarathna - Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government JJB AI summary No formal disclosure has been made on the criteria for creating new local authorities or Divisional Secretaries’ divisions, but previous delimitation processes considered population, area, urban or rural character, topography and environmental factors. The Minister stated that the Government intends to consider public requests and current needs, and that an expert committee has proposed criteria including population and housing density, service and infrastructure capacity, commercial and industrial distribution, employment and self-generated income, based on the 1999 Local Government Reforms report. He added that Cabinet approved these criteria in 2017 and that ethnic or political considerations are not used in establishing or upgrading local authorities. Written Answers to Questions Read →
- 12 March 2025 The Hon. T.B. Sarath - Deputy Minister of Housing JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister said the Nilwala salinity barrier, built as part of a Rs. 3,000 million water supply project intended to serve about 800,000 people, has caused serious post-construction flooding impacts, damaging more than 20,000 acres of farmland. He outlined immediate measures including widening openings, removing a temporary sandbag barrier, and clearing river obstructions, while a University of Peradeniya team will conduct a comprehensive study with input from engineers, farmers and the public. He said the Government will convene a broader discussion with Matara District MPs and allocate funds for a durable, scientifically based solution. Adjournment Motion: Mitigation of Floods Caused by Nilwala Salinity Barrier Read →
- 12 March 2025 The Hon. Arkam Ilyas JJB AI summary Hon. Arkam Ilyas seconded the Adjournment Motion on recurrent flooding in the Nilwala River basin, noting severe impacts on several Matara District divisional areas, paddy lands, public property, and towns. He questioned the effectiveness of the downstream salinity barrier and past incomplete river development projects, and proposed an expert committee including state agencies, engineers, and affected communities to identify solutions. He also suggested short-term relief measures such as partial removal of sheet piles near the salinity barrier and widening a temporary canal, while calling for speedy and sustainable flood, drinking water, and irrigation solutions. Adjournment Motion: Mitigation of Floods Caused by Nilwala Salinity Barrier Read →