Hon. S.M. Marikkar, M.P.

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB)· Colombo

Profession: ---

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Speeches 141 #28 of 225·#11 in party

Attendance 8/8 days present (of recorded)

Speech history

141 speeches

13 November 2025 AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar raised a privilege issue concerning a 31 October 2025 discussion chaired by the Speaker on Opposition MPs’ security, attended only by Opposition Members. He alleged that MP Samantha Viddyarathna, who was not present, made public media remarks about the discussion, including sensitive security-related matters, thereby undermining parliamentary freedom of speech under the Parliament (Powers and Privileges) Act and affecting his personal safety. He requested an inquiry and appropriate action for the alleged breach of privilege, including clarification on claims implying the Speaker had briefed the MP. Privilege Matters and Procedural Issues Security & DefenceParliamentary Procedure Read →
23 October 2025 AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar criticised the Government over public security following the killing of the Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman, arguing that authorities should not justify the murder by labelling him an underworld figure after the fact. He questioned why the Chairman had not been arrested earlier if allegations existed and said the Government must accept responsibility for failing to protect elected representatives. He also urged the Government to investigate past high-profile killings from the Rajapaksa era while ensuring that present governance does not continue what he described as criminal-state practices. Adjournment Debate: Organized Crime, Drug Trafficking and Nation Together Programme (Ratama Ekata) Corruption & Governance ReformLaw & OrderJustice & Human Rights Read →
21 October 2025 AI summary Hon. S. M. Marikkar raised a procedural concern that a writ application filed by the Sri Lanka Chamber of the Pharmaceutical Industry on the matter under discussion was pending before court, questioning whether it was appropriate for Parliament to debate it. He also asked for an assurance that there would be no medicine shortages in the following year, noting that tenders for 2026 were being processed during 2025. Oral Question 2 (825/2025): Ministry of Health - Purchase of Medicines HealthcarePublic Finance Read →
21 October 2025 AI summary Hon. S. M. Marikkar asked the Minister to state how much of the current year’s allocated funds remains unutilized. He also sought details on the number of pending tender awards and the quantity or scale of medicines yet to be procured as a result. Oral Question 2 (825/2025): Ministry of Health - Purchase of Medicines Public Finance Read →
8 October 2025 AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar stated that his side would support action against wrongdoing, including any effort by the Government to produce evidence and bring back Arjuna Mahendran. He said payments under the 100,000-kilometre road programme should be based on condition assessments and actual work completed, as discussed at the Sectoral Oversight Committee. He objected to an official allegedly telling contractors that payments would depend on a “complaints committee” and asked that the matter be examined and payments made according to due process. Debate: Supplementary Sum - Head 117 - Programme 02 (Ministry of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation) Law & OrderCorruption & Governance ReformInfrastructure Read →
8 October 2025 AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar questioned the reallocation of Rs. 36.609 billion for debt servicing under the Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation Ministry, arguing that funds could instead address road bottlenecks, widening projects, and rural road carpeting. He raised concerns over delays in Kankesanthurai Port development, BIA Terminal 2, and restricted airspace affecting tourism, and called for accountability for additional costs and project delays. He also demanded collection of alleged unpaid taxes on crude palm oil imports, safeguards to ensure new investor visas bring genuine foreign exchange, and stronger incentives for diaspora investment. He urged the Government to improve project planning, assess loan feasibility before budgeting, and prioritize practical measures to increase dollar earnings and reduce future supplementary estimates. Debate: Supplementary Sum - Head 117 - Programme 02 (Ministry of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation) Corruption & Governance ReformPublic FinanceInfrastructure Read →
25 September 2025 AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar criticised the Government for failing, after one year, to deliver on pledges in its manifesto, citing issues including prices of rice, fuel, electricity and essential goods, tax relief, recruitment targets, graduate employment, social security and pensions, Easter Sunday accountability, repeal or amendment of security and online laws, Provincial Council elections, and teachers’ salary anomalies. He questioned claims about investment, reserves, exports, tourism earnings and economic growth, arguing that the data did not support the Government’s presentation of progress. He also criticised the Government’s position on Palestine and relations with Israel, and urged it to answer these concerns and implement its promises in the coming year. Debate: Imports and Exports (Control) Act - Regulations for Vehicle Imports Cost of LivingEmploymentCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
25 September 2025 AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar said he would correct and resubmit a question later, then raised a second supplementary regarding NRR procurement. He asked why lower bidders were not awarded contracts due to the Central Bank’s lack of dollars, while higher-premium suppliers were paid on arrival or within short periods, and sought comment on instances where even USD 5 million was unavailable but paid months later. Oral Answers to Questions Public FinanceCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
25 September 2025 AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar asked what the current typical insurance premium is. No further context or substantive policy argument is provided in the excerpt. Oral Answers to Questions Public Finance Read →
25 September 2025 AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar asked a supplementary question about emergency fuel purchases, noting that the prior response covered 2022–2024 and suggesting the relevant period may include 2021. He requested details on the premium paid above the world market price per barrel for emergency purchases made around 2021–2022. Oral Answers to Questions Public Finance Read →
25 September 2025 AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar asked the Minister of Energy to provide annual details for 2022 to 2024 on crude oil and refined oil imports by the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation. He sought confirmation on whether prescribed procurement procedures were followed, reasons for any deviations, the quantities bought through emergency purchases, and the financial difference between emergency and normal procurement purchases. Oral Answers to Questions Public Finance Read →
19 August 2025 AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar questioned the Government’s debt management, citing public debt of about USD 106 billion by 31 March and asking why debt had risen despite claims that repayment was manageable. He called for a clear policy on loss-making State-owned enterprises, public sector recruitment, FDI outcomes, tourism revenue, port development including Kankesanthurai, and measures to strengthen debt servicing capacity before 2027. He also asked the Government to report specific results from presidential foreign visits and clarify claims about money printing, Treasury balances, and their inflationary implications. Debate: Gambling Regulatory Authority Bill, Public Debt Management Act Regulations, and Foreign Exchange Act Regulations InfrastructureEmploymentPublic Finance Read →
6 August 2025 AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar argued that the electricity sector reforms amount to accelerated unbundling and potential privatization despite government denials, and questioned how the proposed transmission upgrades requiring US$5 billion would be financed. He raised concerns over the Cabinet-approved Sahasdanavi plant assumptions on diesel prices, exchange rates and generation costs, and asked on what basis incentives had been granted. He also alleged increasing Israeli-linked activity in areas such as Pottuvil, Arugam Bay and Sinnavillu, urging the Government to act on visa, land-leasing and security concerns. He further called for the removal of the Ministry Secretary from the chairmanship of LTL Holdings due to a potential conflict of interest, proposing that an Additional Secretary be appointed instead. Debate: Sri Lanka Electricity (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading, Committee and Third Reading Security & DefenceForeign AffairsInfrastructure Read →
6 August 2025 AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar reported on the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Infrastructure and Strategic Development’s consideration of the Sri Lanka Electricity (Amendment) Bill ahead of its Second Reading. He stated that the Committee reviewed stakeholder views, sought the Attorney-General’s concurrence on several issues, approved amendments relating to LTL Holdings residual shares, PUCSL consumer protection proposals, and directors’ liabilities, and retained the principal Act’s provision on transmission schemes. He added that the Ministry had submitted the Attorney-General-based amendments to Cabinet and that the Committee confirmed on 5 August 2025 that the Cabinet Memorandum contained nothing beyond what had been discussed. Procedural: Record on Second Reading Debate - Sri Lanka Electricity (Amendment) Bill InfrastructureParliamentary Procedure Read →
5 August 2025 AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar requested the Minister to ensure that the Secretary sends the relevant document before 12.00 noon the same day. He said this would allow the Committee to consider it and complete the matter. Oral Questions: Education, Energy, President's Fund, Western Provincial Council Vehicles, Public Security, Pirivena Education, Hospitals in Matara, Land Settlement, Coastal Patrol, and Marawila Schools Parliamentary Procedure Read →
5 August 2025 AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar raised a supplementary question on the Sri Lanka Electricity (Amendment) Bill due to be presented the following day, referring to amendments previously agreed by the Sectoral Oversight Committee and approved by Cabinet. He requested that the fully approved Cabinet text be provided to the Committee that morning under Standing Order 50(2), to ensure it matches the Committee’s consensus and the version tabled in Parliament. Oral Questions: Education, Energy, President's Fund, Western Provincial Council Vehicles, Public Security, Pirivena Education, Hospitals in Matara, Land Settlement, Coastal Patrol, and Marawila Schools Parliamentary Procedure Read →
5 August 2025 AI summary Hon. S. M. Marikkar asked the Minister of Energy to provide details on the salary entitlements and allowances of the Chairman and Managing Director of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation, comparing 2023 with the current position. He also sought clarification on whether salaries are paid separately by the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation and Ceylon Petroleum Storage Terminals Limited, and requested details of payments made to the Chairman, Managing Director and other Directors, including Board meeting fees, salaries and monthly allowances. Oral Questions: Education, Energy, President's Fund, Western Provincial Council Vehicles, Public Security, Pirivena Education, Hospitals in Matara, Land Settlement, Coastal Patrol, and Marawila Schools Public Finance Read →
22 July 2025 AI summary S.M. Marikkar requested the Minister’s policy concurrence to facilitate, through State mediation, the purchase of land and construction of a mosque by donors. He noted that the previous mosque had been on State land and asked that the Government assist in resolving the matter procedurally. Oral Question: Mosque at Mahara Prison Premises Land & Housing Read →
22 July 2025 AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar raised concerns that a proposed five-perch site would cause congestion and Friday parking problems, potentially leading to Sinhala–Muslim misunderstandings. He asked whether the Government would mediate to enable donors to acquire and develop a larger plot at their own cost, with adequate parking and without requiring government funds. Oral Question: Mosque at Mahara Prison Premises Law & OrderReligion & Culture Read →
22 July 2025 AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar asked the Minister of Justice and National Integration whether the Government is aware that the long-standing mosque within the Mahara Prison premises has not functioned since 2019. He sought reasons for its closure and asked whether permission and facilities could be provided to resume its functions. Oral Question: Mosque at Mahara Prison Premises Justice & Human RightsReligion & Culture Read →