Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen, M.P.

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB)· Vanni

Profession: Civil Engineer

Roster profile ↗

Speeches 55 #90 of 225·#28 in party

Attendance 4/8 days present (of recorded)

Speech history

55 speeches

9 April 2026 AI summary Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen corrected media reports, stating he had not alleged the presence of US military bases in Saudi Arabia and emphasized Saudi Arabia’s assistance to Sri Lanka. In the debate on the Easter attacks, he expressed confidence in Shani Abeysekara and Ravi Seneviratne, said the Opposition should support credible investigations, and urged the Government to identify the forces behind Zaharan and the attacks. He called for compensation not only for affected Catholic victims but also for Muslims who were unjustly detained, humiliated, or economically harmed, citing cases involving Hejaaz Hizbullah and his brother as examples of alleged misuse of investigations. Adjournment Debate: Easter Sunday Attack of 21 April 2019 Religion & CultureJustice & Human RightsSecurity & Defence Read →
8 April 2026 AI summary Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen raised concerns over rising essential food prices, particularly the lack of effective price control for Keeri Samba rice, and urged the Government and Consumer Affairs Authority to ensure fair prices for both consumers and paddy farmers. He called for a permanent, non-discriminatory solution to the long-standing garbage dumping issue at Salambaikulum in Vavuniya, warning against racializing the matter and asking local politicians to support alternative arrangements within one month. He also commented on international developments involving the United States, Iran, Israel and Palestine, expressing hope for fair talks and criticizing actions he said had worsened regional tensions. Adjournment Debate: Mitigate the Impact of Middle Eastern War on Sri Lanka's Economy Ethnic Reconciliation & DevolutionCost of LivingEnvironment Read →
19 February 2026 AI summary Rishad Bathiudeen acknowledged the Government’s anti-drug efforts and the President’s stated firmness, but questioned whether ministers were acting consistently and without racial bias. He cited funds allocated under the previous government for Muslim refugee returnees in Jaffna—Rs. 80 million for resettlement and Rs. 40 million for road development—which he said were returned and not restored despite assurances. He urged the Government to stop discriminatory actions affecting returnee communities. Debate (continued): Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Bill and Judicature (Amendment) Bill Ethnic Reconciliation & DevolutionCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
19 February 2026 AI summary Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen raised concerns over a fatal shooting of two youths from Mannar in Colombo, requesting urgent action to prevent such killings, ensure medical treatment for the survivor, and compensate the affected family. He asked the Attorney General’s Department to expedite long-pending cases against officials linked to a bus transport case in which he said he had already been acquitted. He also alleged weaknesses in anti-narcotics enforcement, including inadequate action against implicated officers and political links to smugglers, and called for investigations. Additionally, he urged removal of restrictions on importing Qur’ans and Islamic books, reopening of the Mahar Mosque during Ramadan, and reopening or providing an alternative to the Mannar–Puttalam road, warning of protests if the issue remains unresolved. Debate (continued): Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Bill and Judicature (Amendment) Bill Religion & CultureJustice & Human RightsLaw & Order Read →
5 February 2026 AI summary Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen opposed the Government’s position on the Mannar–Puttalam road, arguing that it is a long-established public B-class road whose closure would unfairly affect residents and travellers by adding about 100 kilometres to journeys between the North-West and the North. He said that past administrations and relevant agencies had previously supported public use of the road, but alleged that under the current Government the Forest and Wildlife authorities had effectively sided with petitioners seeking its closure, without a court order mandating such closure. He called on the Government to honour earlier commitments, including President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s stated pledge to open the road, and warned that his side would oppose any move to permanently close it. Debate: Institute of Real Estate Professionals, Container Depot Operators Licensing, and Shipping Agents Licensing Bills (Second Reading) InfrastructureJustice & Human RightsEthnic Reconciliation & Devolution Read →
19 December 2025 AI summary Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen urged faster and more consistent disaster relief following widespread damage in several districts, stating that fishers, farmers, salt producers, small cultivators, and displaced families had suffered severe livelihood and property losses. He criticized delays and inconsistent procedures in distributing announced payments of Rs. 25,000 and Rs. 50,000, and called for Divisional Secretaries and local institutions to facilitate immediate disbursement and infrastructure repairs. He also warned against politicizing relief distribution, thanked religious groups, citizens and foreign governments for assistance, and called for proper planning, effective use of aid, stronger laws and long-term measures to prevent future disasters. Debate: Supplementary Estimate – Head 240 – Programme 02 – Cyclone Disaster Relief (Rs. 500 Billion) Public FinanceInfrastructureCost of Living Read →
25 November 2025 AI summary Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen supported education reforms aimed at improving graduate employability and reducing reliance on government jobs, while urging consultation with teacher unions. He requested action on a separate education zone for Kuchchaveli, completion of stalled school buildings including Vavuniya Muslim National School, and urgent use of Northern Provincial allocations before funds lapse. He highlighted teacher shortages in war-affected and remote districts, proposing district-based teacher deployment and coordinated transport schemes for teachers and students. He also asked for regulation of Colombo school van services and strict controls on school-based parental fund collections to reduce burdens on families. Debate: Committee Stage on Appropriation Bill 2026 - Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education (Fifteenth Allotted Day) InfrastructureEducationEmployment Read →
25 November 2025 AI summary Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen raised the shortage of space and classrooms at the 73-year-old Dehiwala Meelad Tamil School, noting that around 500 students attend, some study outdoors, and many applications remain pending. He said earlier plans to use the unused Sumangala school were obstructed, and urged the relevant area representative to allocate one of four alternative sites identified by education officials. He proposed retaining the current premises as a primary school and establishing facilities for Grades 6 and above elsewhere, with community and business funding for construction, to address overcrowding and avoid further tensions. Debate: Committee Stage on Appropriation Bill 2026 - Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education (Fifteenth Allotted Day) EducationEthnic Reconciliation & Devolution Read →
22 November 2025 AI summary Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen urged the Government to secure foreign funding or a special allocation of Rs. 17 billion to develop and upgrade the hospital into a District General Hospital within one or two years. He said the facility serves about 100,000 displaced people and patients from areas including Aanaimadu, Karuwalagaswewa, and Kalpitiya, and requested an indication of the expected timeline for the upgrade. Debate: Committee Stage - Heads of Expenditure 111, 210, 211, 220 and 308 (Health and Mass Media) HealthcarePublic Finance Read →
22 November 2025 AI summary Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen requested additional time and raised concerns over the stalled development of Puttalam Hospital. He stated that although a master plan has been completed, it remains with the Provincial Council and has not been forwarded to the relevant Ministry. He alleged that the Provincial Council is neglecting the hospital and obstructing development, noting that promised 4MDI funds have not been released. Debate: Committee Stage - Heads of Expenditure 111, 210, 211, 220 and 308 (Health and Mass Media) Ethnic Reconciliation & DevolutionHealthcare Read →
22 November 2025 AI summary Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen raised concerns about the condition and capacity of Puttalam Hospital, noting that it serves around 450,000 people but has only 400 beds despite a daily requirement of 750–800. He recalled earlier efforts under the Yahapalana Government to develop a master plan and seek foreign funding, and said subsequent governments had not addressed the issue. He asked the Minister for a clear roadmap, timeline, and budget allocation to upgrade the hospital to a District General Hospital, arguing that provincial allocations were unlikely to be sufficient. Debate: Committee Stage - Heads of Expenditure 111, 210, 211, 220 and 308 (Health and Mass Media) InfrastructurePublic FinanceHealthcare Read →
22 November 2025 AI summary Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen requested the Minister to review proposals from the Sri Lanka Muslim Media Forum regarding the SLBC Islamic Service, arguing that programme time has been reduced due to increased advertisements and should be restored and properly structured. He also urged action to reopen the closed Al-Qasimi City Hospital in Puttalam, established for displaced communities, noting that facilities remain available but no doctor has been appointed. He further asked that doctor shortages at Hidhaithnagar, Karambai, Kandakkuda, and Alankuda hospitals be addressed. Debate: Committee Stage - Heads of Expenditure 111, 210, 211, 220 and 308 (Health and Mass Media) HealthcareReligion & Culture Read →
22 November 2025 AI summary Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen urged the Health Ministry to address rural health disparities and use the Mass Media portfolio to educate the public on disease prevention. He requested the resumption of a halted hospital project in Nintavur on land donated by residents, ambulances for several areas in Mannar District, and a CT scanner for Mannar Hospital, while noting India’s Rs. 600 million support for the district hospital. He also called for the urgent upgrading of Silavathurai Hospital in Musali to a Base Hospital, citing long travel distances for patients, post-war resettlement hardships, and prior approval of the required cadre. Debate: Committee Stage - Heads of Expenditure 111, 210, 211, 220 and 308 (Health and Mass Media) InfrastructureHealthcare Read →
22 November 2025 AI summary Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen questioned the absence of the relevant Minister during discussion of what he described as an important Ministry. He sought clarification from the Chair on whether the Minister was present. Debate: Committee Stage - Heads of Expenditure 111, 210, 211, 220 and 308 (Health and Mass Media) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
21 November 2025 AI summary Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen supported the Adjournment Motion on salt production in Kinniya, noting the area’s dense population and potential to expand local production. He argued that promoting salt production in Kinniya and other suitable districts could create employment, support regional development, reduce imports, and improve foreign exchange outcomes. He requested the Minister to send a study team, prepare work plans, provide training and loan facilities, and allocate funds in the next Budget to support salt producers. Adjournment Motion: Improvement of Facilities for Salt Production in Kinniya DS Division Public FinanceEmploymentAgriculture Read →
21 November 2025 AI summary Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen urged the Government to expedite the proposed integration of institutions such as the IDB and NEDA, improve coordination among industrial estates, and address shortcomings in estates under the Ministry and IDB. He highlighted delays and alleged administrative obstacles faced by exporters, particularly GI wire producers, and proposed delegated approval mechanisms and regular Exporters’ Forums to resolve issues quickly. He called for work to begin on the Kondachchy industrial estate in Mannar using existing land and funds, and advocated public-private partnerships, incubator programmes linked to universities, and stronger support for SMEs and export-oriented ventures. Appropriation Bill, 2026 – Committee Stage Debate: Twelfth Allotted Day InfrastructurePublic FinanceEmployment Read →
12 November 2025 AI summary Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen welcomed several Budget allocations, including funds for the Malwathu Oya project, the Ashraff Cultural Centre, estate worker wage support, and housing in war-affected areas, while urging that displaced Muslims in Jaffna be included in housing and infrastructure programmes. He called for non-political action against drug trafficking and requested urgent progress on stalled projects in Mannar, including the co-op hospital, Silavathurai hall, Mannar–Puttalam road, and Talaimannar jetty rehabilitation. He also sought clarity and public consultation on wind power and mineral sands plans in Mannar, proposing that further wind projects be shifted away from Mannar Island to protect tourism and fisheries potential. Appropriation Bill, 2026 - Second Reading Debate InfrastructureLand & HousingPublic Finance Read →
12 November 2025 AI summary Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen alleged that the OIC of Norochcholai Police was facilitating drug distribution, citing a recorded phone call in which the officer purportedly instructed a logistics handler on arrangements and payment. He asked the Deputy Minister of Defence to investigate the allegation and take action, noting that no action had been taken so far. Appropriation Bill, 2026 - Second Reading Debate Corruption & Governance ReformLaw & Order Read →
12 November 2025 AI summary Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen requested one minute from the Deputy Speaker to continue or make a brief intervention. No substantive policy issue, proposal, or question was raised in the provided excerpt. Appropriation Bill, 2026 - Second Reading Debate Parliamentary Procedure Read →
12 November 2025 AI summary Rishad Bathiudeen briefly sought confirmation from the Chair or proceedings staff that time remained available for him to speak or continue. No substantive policy issue, proposal, or question beyond the allocation of speaking time was raised. Appropriation Bill, 2026 - Second Reading Debate Parliamentary Procedure Read →