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

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB)· Colombo

Profession: ---

Roster profile ↗

Speeches 141 #28 of 225·#11 in party

Attendance 8/8 days present (of recorded)

Speech history

141 speeches

22 July 2025 AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar presented the Sectoral Oversight Committee report on the Sri Lanka Electricity (Amendment) Bill, noting that the Committee met three times and consulted stakeholders including the Public Utilities Commission, the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, and the Solar Industries Association. He said the Committee prioritized consumer rights, agreed to submit a related report within one month, and began work toward a future National Energy Bill. He stated that the Ministry agreed to accelerate the unbundling of generation, transmission and distribution within one year to attract private investment for transmission upgrades, while ensuring State ownership of transmission corridors and land. The report also proposes professional criteria for advisory committee appointments, limits on multiple directorships to reduce political interference, and future Consumer Rights Regulations. Committee Reports: Environment, Education, Infrastructure Bills InfrastructurePublic Finance Read →
8 July 2025 AI summary Two petitions were presented on behalf of Mr. H. Wimalasiri Kaldera of Kohuwala and Mr. W. Anura Shantha of Madivela, Kotte. Petitions Presented by Members Parliamentary Procedure Read →
30 June 2025 AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar said the Fiscal Strategy Statement is a statutory requirement under the Public Financial Management Act, No. 44 of 2024, but argued that it lacks clear methods, targets and timelines for achieving its stated objectives. He asked the Government to provide time-bound plans on poverty reduction, rising household expenditure, job losses among business operators, SME relief with the reactivation of parate law, debt reduction, urban cost-of-living pressures, electricity tariff policy, and IMF exit targets. He also questioned the alleged USD 1 million penalty over delays relating to the FAO research vessel, future borrowing needs to bridge the budget deficit, expected revenue and investment targets, and whether senior citizens would receive the promised additional 3 per cent interest on fixed deposits from 1 July. Debate: Motion to Adjourn on Fiscal Strategy Statement 2026 EmploymentPublic FinanceCost of Living Read →
20 June 2025 AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar noted that the flood control project remains about 20 percent incomplete and thanked the Prime Minister for intervening, but questioned how it would address housing needs. He proposed that the Urban Development Authority implement a dedicated housing project in Kolonnawa, in addition to the 508 houses already mentioned, to accommodate residents of Salamulla and “66 Watta” who had been relocated or displaced by earlier development projects, the elevated highway, and the Meethotamulla issue. Oral Question: Homeless Families in Kolonnawa DS Division - Provision of Houses (Q.280/2024) InfrastructureLand & Housing Read →
20 June 2025 AI summary S.M. Marikkar clarified that his concern was the total number of homeless families in Kolonnawa, including sub-families living within the same house who may not have been counted. He said existing schemes such as “Laksanda Sevana” and “Sanhinda Sevana” are already occupied and therefore do not address current housing needs. He asked how many houses Kolonnawa would receive under the NHDA’s island-wide 3,000-house programme and where they would be constructed. Oral Question: Homeless Families in Kolonnawa DS Division - Provision of Houses (Q.280/2024) Land & Housing Read →
20 June 2025 AI summary The Hon. S.M. Marikkar asked the Minister of Urban Development, Construction and Housing to state the number of homeless families in the Kolonnawa Divisional Secretariat Division. He also sought details on whether any housing programme or course of action has been proposed for them, what that plan entails, and the expected timeframe for implementation, or otherwise the reasons for inaction. Oral Question: Homeless Families in Kolonnawa DS Division - Provision of Houses (Q.280/2024) Parliamentary ProcedureLand & Housing Read →
17 June 2025 AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar urged that temporary concessions be provided for low-income elderly electricity consumers facing disconnection. He criticized the Ceylon Electricity Board’s reliance on disconnections and Rs. 3,000 reconnection fees, arguing that reminder calls would be a cheaper and more compassionate alternative, and expressed dissatisfaction with the Minister’s response. Oral Question Q.279/2024: SMS Service for Electricity Bills Cost of LivingPublic Finance Read →
17 June 2025 AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar raised concerns about electricity disconnections, noting that consumers may face reconnection charges of around Rs. 3,000 and that SMS alerts may be missed by those using basic phones. He asked whether a reminder phone call could be made one day before disconnection. Oral Question Q.279/2024: SMS Service for Electricity Bills Cost of Living Read →
17 June 2025 AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar asked whether the Ceylon Electricity Board would introduce a telephone reminder system before disconnecting electricity for non-payment, particularly for elderly customers using basic mobile phones who may not notice SMS alerts. He emphasized that electricity is an essential service and noted that unexpected disconnections and high reconnection costs create hardship for consumers. Oral Question Q.279/2024: SMS Service for Electricity Bills Public FinanceLaw & Order Read →
17 June 2025 AI summary S.M. Marikkar asked the Minister of Energy for details on the implementation of sending electricity bills via SMS, including when the service began and whether all consumers have registered. He sought figures on unregistered consumers and asked what arrangements are in place to provide bills to those unable to register or without mobile phones. Oral Question Q.279/2024: SMS Service for Electricity Bills Infrastructure Read →
4 June 2025 AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar argued during the debate on regulations under the Anti-Corruption Act that anti-corruption enforcement should prioritize recovering stolen public funds, not only arrests and prosecutions. He questioned accountability over alleged wasteful spending, unresolved issues concerning 323 containers, and claims of Governors engaging in partisan activity by pressuring opposition councillors. He also called for project decisions to be based on return-on-investment assessments, warning against debt-generating infrastructure, and said the Opposition would support legal amendments needed to recover proceeds of crime. Debate: Anti-Corruption Act Regulations Justice & Human RightsCorruption & Governance ReformPublic Finance Read →
23 May 2025 AI summary S.M. Marikkar thanked the Prime Minister for the response and emphasized that trust is essential for harmony and effective functioning. Referring to the reported gap between around 2,000 Tamil teacher vacancies and only 69 recruitments, he urged the Government to complete the recruitments within six months and establish a formal mechanism from 1 January 2026. Oral Question 6: Compulsory Teaching of Languages in Schools (Q.222/2024) Ethnic Reconciliation & DevolutionEducation Read →
23 May 2025 AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar asked the Prime Minister whether second-language learning is compulsory or optional in schools, noting that Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim communities often live together across many provinces. He argued that Sinhala children learning Tamil and Tamil and Muslim children learning Sinhala is important for reconciliation, and asked whether the Government intends to make such language study compulsory if it is currently optional. Oral Question 6: Compulsory Teaching of Languages in Schools (Q.222/2024) Ethnic Reconciliation & DevolutionEducation Read →
23 May 2025 AI summary S.M. Marikkar asked the Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education whether the Government has plans to make Sinhala compulsory in Tamil-medium schools and Tamil compulsory in Sinhala-medium schools. He sought details on the implementation timeframe, availability of teachers for this purpose, and measures to fill any related teacher vacancies, or reasons if no such plan exists. Oral Question 6: Compulsory Teaching of Languages in Schools (Q.222/2024) Ethnic Reconciliation & DevolutionEducation Read →
8 May 2025 AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar argued that recent election results show a significant decline in support for the NPP and rejected claims that the Opposition had nothing to celebrate, citing seat and vote figures for the SJB, Opposition, and Government. He said the Opposition would support the Government on national economic issues such as US tax exposure, EU GSP+, growth, revenue, and investment, but urged the Government to stop misleading the public. He alleged attempts to buy local councillors in Colombo and Hambantota and questioned the source of funds, while also calling on the Government to table agreements with India and govern transparently now that no national election is imminent. Debate: Customs Ordinance - Resolution on Import Duties on Motor Vehicles Corruption & Governance ReformForeign AffairsPublic Finance Read →
9 April 2025 AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar warned that Sri Lanka must urgently pursue technical, state-level negotiations with the United States over newly imposed export tariffs, noting the U.S. is Sri Lanka’s largest export market and that the apparel sector, which supports over 300,000 jobs, is particularly exposed. He also urged the Government to ensure compliance with the EU’s 27 conventions to retain GSP+, arguing that losing both U.S. market access and EU preferences would seriously undermine export earnings and fiscal stability. He questioned the detention and subsequent release of a youth at a Colombo luxury mall, linking it to concerns over continued use of the PTA and delays in reform. He supported accelerating trade agreements with India, Thailand, and Pakistan, warning that lower tariffs for regional competitors could shift apparel investment and employment away from Sri Lanka. Debate: Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading (Afternoon Session and Reported Business) Public FinanceEmploymentForeign Affairs Read →
8 April 2025 AI summary Asked the relevant Minister to brief Parliament on actions taken regarding the 44% tariff imposed by the United States, which he said had been identified as needing attention before 9 April. He emphasized that the issue affects the country and sought an update on the Government’s response. Oral Question: EPF and ETF Files (276/2024) Foreign Affairs Read →
8 April 2025 AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar asked whether the Minister could establish a regular reporting mechanism to Parliament for the requested data, rather than requiring Members to request it each month. He sought detailed information to be provided periodically, including gender-based and sector-wise breakdowns, in addition to the proposed six-monthly publication on the website. Oral Question: EPF and ETF Files (276/2024) Public FinanceParliamentary Procedure Read →
8 April 2025 AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar asked the Minister of Labour whether newly opened EPF and ETF files could be treated as an indicator of economic development. He requested the separate numbers of EPF and ETF files opened in November 2024 and asked whether monthly figures from December 2024 onward would be presented to Parliament, including the date each month on which such information would be provided. Oral Question: EPF and ETF Files (276/2024) Public FinanceEmployment Read →
21 March 2025 AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar alleged continued non-collection of around Rs. 6 billion in taxes on imported crude coconut oil that is refined and sold locally, citing Inland Revenue correspondence and prior answers by the Prime Minister, and urged the Government and Finance authorities to issue instructions and act. He also requested scrutiny of Lanka Coal Company appointments and dealings, and called for formal inquiries into alleged irregularities in Shell Gas purchases and emergency fuel procurement during the economic crisis, including COPE’s inability to summon relevant officials. He framed these issues as matters that began under the previous Government but require action by the present administration. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Twenty-sixth Day) and Third Reading Corruption & Governance ReformPublic Finance Read →