Environment

Hon. (Dr.) Dammika Patabendi tabled a written answer detailing the bicentennial commemoration of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Peradeniya, which began in 1822 and was marked throughout 2022–2023 with events including flower shows, cultural ceremonies, educational programmes, and the issuance of a commemorative postage stamp. The total expenditure on commemorative materials amounted to Rs. 7,211,360, covering plaques and books. The minister confirmed that remaining commemorative items are being utilised as gifts at official events and sold through botanic garden outlets, with plaques offered at revised prices from April 2024.

The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka, on behalf of the Hon. (Mrs.) Chamindranee Kiriella, posed Parliamentary Question No. 1370/2025 to the Minister of Environment. The question specifically sought information regarding the date on which the bicentennial celebration of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Peradeniya, was held. This appears to be the first part of a multi-part question seeking details about this commemorative event.

Hon. Chandrasekar responded to a fellow member's remarks on the beach seine fishing industry, disputing claims that the industry had collapsed and clarifying that only mechanised equipment (winches and tractors) had been halted. He criticised the previous administration for approving beach seine operations without adequate environmental assessments or NARA (National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency) reports, noting that net lengths had far exceeded the permitted 1.5-kilometre limit, reaching up to 10 kilometres, causing significant harm to over 5,000 small-scale fishermen and the marine environment. He stated that the government had consulted with affected parties six months prior and is currently in discussions, with Presidential involvement, to identify alternative methods such as the SND system or to establish regulated procedures for continuing traditional fishing practices.

Hon. Hector Appuhamy challenged the Minister over two energy-related issues: the management of the Trincomalee tank farm and environmental harm caused to residents near the Norochcholai power plant. He referenced a pre-election statement by the current President claiming his government would better manage fuel resources through the Trincomalee facility, implying the Government has failed to deliver on this promise. He also called on the Minister to detail specific measures to address environmental damage caused by the burning of substandard coal at Norochcholai and to report back to Parliament.

Minister Pannilage concluded his remarks by defending the current government's coal procurement process, asserting it followed national tender procedures with over ten competing firms at competitive prices, in contrast to previous administrations which COPE found had bypassed valid tender procedures. He cited specific historical instances of losses attributable to procurement failures — including a 24-day plant shutdown in 2011 costing an estimated Rs. 3,500 million and losses of Rs. 12,500 million in 2014–2015 — to challenge critics' credibility. The Minister outlined the government's broader energy strategy, targeting 70% renewable generation through expanded solar and wind capacity, given hydropower's diminishing headroom, with the stated goal of achieving energy security and avoiding future crises.

Hon. T.K. Jayasundara proposed the establishment of a district-level coordinating mechanism in Galle, to be led by the District Coordinating Committee Chairman and Secretary, that would meet regularly to identify and discuss areas requiring archaeological evaluation. The speaker asked whether any legal barriers exist to forming such a committee, framing the proposal as a means of advancing archaeological work at the district level.

Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar addressed the government's ban on winch machines and detectors used by shore seine fishers, explaining that a six-month warning period had been given prior to the ban's imposition to allow fishers to seek alternatives. He noted that a court case has been filed against the ban and that shore seine fishers had met with the President and conducted protests. Chandrasekar announced that a two-month study has been initiated, involving fisher association representatives and technical experts, to assess the environmental and coastal impacts of the prohibited equipment, including effects on crabs, turtles, and turtle eggs. He indicated that a permanent solution would be presented to the President following the study, while requesting fishers to continue traditional hand-hauling methods in the interim.

Hon. M.S. Abthul Wazeeth raised a supplementary question regarding the government's ban on winch machines used by shore seine fishers, introduced to protect the coastline and environment. He acknowledged the environmental rationale but highlighted the practical hardship caused to 16 named fishers in the Ampara District, specifically at Jalaldeen Square in Pottuvil and Kudukalveli, who have lost their livelihoods as a result. He noted that without winches, each fishing operation requires hiring 30–50 labourers, creating an unsustainable labour burden. He requested that the government reconsider the ban to allow winch use in a manner that avoids environmental harm while alleviating the labour shortage and economic hardship faced by affected fishers.

Dr. Nandana Millagala posed a supplementary question to the Minister regarding the use of underutilized lands in Nagastenna for resettlement purposes. He noted that areas including Sipoth and Berannawa were severely affected by a recent cyclone, and that Yatiyantota alone has over 300 high-risk houses. He specifically proposed that, subject to appropriate scientific clearances, portions of the Nagastenna lands could be allocated to resettle cyclone-affected families from these high-risk areas.

The Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure outlined the government's policy on land use within the plantation sector, emphasising the need to direct underutilised lands toward productive cultivation. He cited specific national targets, including increasing annual made-tea production from 262 million kg (2024) to 400 million kg by 2030 and growing export earnings from USD 1.4 billion to USD 2.5 billion over the same period. The Minister also addressed invasive alien species, stating government policy calls for their removal, while noting that fuelwood species on estates serve industrial fuel and revenue purposes. He confirmed that the Ministry of Environment's policy of replacing such species with indigenous cover where feasible would be followed in conjunction with these broader targets.