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

19 March 2025 AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar said his objective was to prevent fraud and noted that, regardless of differing figures, VAT on refined domestic sales should be paid in addition to import levies. He requested the Minister to obtain the relevant details from the Inland Revenue Department, stating that the companies and quantities had been recorded in Hansard. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) Public FinanceCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
19 March 2025 AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar questioned the Government’s failure to deliver promised VAT relief on food, education and health, arguing that food prices have not fallen six months after the President assumed office. He demanded action to recover over Rs. 6 billion in alleged unpaid VAT and SSCL on imported crude coconut oil refined and sold locally, citing replies from the Prime Minister, the Inland Revenue Department and Fiscal Policy Department, and asked what steps would be taken against three companies allegedly involved. He also raised concerns over paddy storage losses, burnt warehouses and the Government’s dependence on private rice millers, calling for measures to curb the “rice mafia” while protecting both farmers and consumers. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) Cost of LivingCorruption & Governance ReformPublic Finance Read →
15 March 2025 AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar concluded his remarks and thanked the House. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-first Allotted Day - Committee Stage, Head 112 (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
15 March 2025 AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar asserted his right to use his allotted speaking time and stated that he was not required to submit a document unless he explicitly said he was tabling it. The remark appears to address a procedural dispute over whether material referred to during debate had to be formally produced. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-first Allotted Day - Committee Stage, Head 112 (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
15 March 2025 AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar called for a more coordinated tourism strategy focused on increasing arrivals and per-capita spending, including better use of the Tourism Development Levy, centralized promotion through missions and tourism agencies, commercial use of Ratmalana Airport, development of the Negombo–Kalpitiya–Wilpattu tourism corridor, and upgraded wildlife tourism facilities and visitor services. He argued that Sri Lanka should monetize cultural, wildlife and geographic attractions through improved infrastructure, trained guides, taxi networks and marketing, rather than relying on nightlife-related tourism. Referring to the Batalanda Commission Report, he supported action against alleged torturers but urged that accountability be applied comprehensively to all political violence and victims, without selectivity. He also objected to unsupported religious criticism in Parliament and said reforms such as those concerning the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act should be handled through proper expert and religious processes. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-first Allotted Day - Committee Stage, Head 112 (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism) InfrastructureForeign AffairsJustice & Human Rights Read →
7 March 2025 AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar moved the customary Rs. 10 cut under the relevant expenditure heads and focused on the construction, housing, urban development and ports sectors. He argued that the construction industry is in crisis due to high interest rates, raw material costs, currency pressures and heavy taxation, and called for tax rationalization, public-private housing models, smart city planning, and pilot projects outside the Western Province. He welcomed committee action on flood control in Kolonnawa and Colombo drainage, while urging coordinated implementation. He also asked the Government to regularize title deeds for relocated urban apartment residents, waive unfair penal interest, improve maintenance or allow resident management, and sought progress on the East Container Terminal. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Heads 117, 123, 306, 307, 309-311, 332, 336) InfrastructureLand & HousingPublic Finance Read →
6 March 2025 AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar stated that unpaid arrears from previous periods remain liabilities that must eventually be settled. He argued that when a new administration assumes management, it inherits both the positive and negative obligations left behind. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Health and Mass Media Public Finance Read →
6 March 2025 AI summary S.M. Marikkar urged the Government to act against alleged corruption in the health sector under the previous administration, including the supply of adulterated medicines, and to disclose accountability details relating to the forced cremation of COVID-19 victims, particularly Muslims, during the Gotabaya Rajapaksa Government. He questioned the financial viability and competitiveness of state media institutions, calling for improved programming, marketing plans, higher advertising market share, VAT compliance, and a path to profitability while maintaining public responsibilities. He also called for the repeal and comprehensive revision of the Online Safety Act through consultations with journalists, media institutions and experts, arguing that the existing law is being used against media and political opponents. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Health and Mass Media Ethnic Reconciliation & DevolutionCorruption & Governance ReformHealthcare Read →
3 March 2025 AI summary Hon. S. M. Marikkar questioned the Government’s failure to remove the Rs. 50 fuel levy and reduce fuel-related taxes despite earlier promises, noting that prices had not fallen after three months. He also referred to rice import duties and alleged past corruption at the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation, stating support for genuine government-to-government measures to curb corruption while criticizing inconsistencies over the Trincomalee oil tanks and regional export hub policy. Committee Stage Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 119 (Ministry of Energy) Public FinanceCorruption & Governance ReformCost of Living Read →
3 March 2025 AI summary Hon. S. M. Marikkar criticised the Government for not reducing electricity, water and essential costs as promised, citing electricity bills for 200 and 300 units as substantially higher than regional averages. He alleged that the Government had used the “76-year curse” narrative and social media messaging to win votes, but had not delivered tax or tariff relief after five months. He questioned whether current power-sector decisions remain influenced by a “mafia,” referring to COPE discussions, repeated extensions of a private power plant agreement, and high generation costs. He also asked about the status of rooftop solar expansion, claiming solar installations are being restricted while coal and diesel generation continue to be favoured. Committee Stage Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 119 (Ministry of Energy) Public FinanceCost of LivingCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
3 March 2025 AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar criticized the Government’s handling of the recent electricity blackout explanation and questioned whether commitments in its policy document had been implemented. He asked whether installment payment arrangements for electricity and water connection charges for low-usage households and MSMEs had been introduced after five months. He also cited the policy pledge to reduce electricity prices through competitive procurement and a shift to solar and wind power, arguing that household tariffs remain among the highest in South Asia. Committee Stage Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 119 (Ministry of Energy) InfrastructurePublic FinanceEnvironment Read →
28 February 2025 AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar asked for clarification on which projects or initiatives previously referred to had actually commenced. Oral Question 1 - UDA Lands in Colombo City (Q.258/2024) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
28 February 2025 AI summary S.M. Marikkar asked for clarification on the status of 20 listed projects, specifically whether all had commenced or only some were underway. Oral Question 1 - UDA Lands in Colombo City (Q.258/2024) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
28 February 2025 AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar questioned the accuracy of the Urban Development Authority’s reported 125.98 hectares of land within the city and asked for independent verification, stating that he believed the extent was higher. He noted that only 15–20 hectares appeared to be allocated to 20 listed projects and asked what plans existed for the remaining roughly 100 hectares, including whether the Government had prepared or was preparing an overall development plan. Oral Question 1 - UDA Lands in Colombo City (Q.258/2024) Land & HousingPublic FinanceInfrastructure Read →
28 February 2025 AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar asked the Minister of Urban Development, Construction and Housing whether the Urban Development Authority has identified its land holdings within Colombo city, with details for each parcel. He further requested information on which of those lands are earmarked for investment projects and the specific projects planned for each land, and asked for reasons if such information is not available. Oral Question 1 - UDA Lands in Colombo City (Q.258/2024) Land & HousingPublic Finance Read →
25 February 2025 AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar criticised the 2025 Budget, arguing that the Government had broken election promises on borrowing, debt repayment, taxation, public sector salary increases, senior citizens’ deposits, and relief on food, health and education costs. He questioned the credibility of projected revenue and borrowing figures, warned that welfare and capital expenditure could be cut if targets are not met, and said the Budget continued policies associated with the previous administration, including asset sales, SOE listing and private use of state land. He also raised concerns over taxes on book inputs under the UNESCO Florence Agreement and alleged reduced allocations for women and child affairs. Second Reading Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 (Continuation Day 7) EmploymentCost of LivingPublic Finance Read →
18 February 2025 AI summary Hon. S. M. Marikkar supported Hon. Mujibur Rahman’s motion, arguing that Muslim children in the Dehiwala–Ratmalana–Moratuwa area must have access to education in their preferred language and to religious education under the national syllabus. He urged the Government to address the long-standing lack of facilities at Meelad without allowing the issue to fuel ethnic tensions, and proposed using unused government buildings or land for immediate relief. He also supported making S. D. S. Jayasinghe Vidyalaya a National School and suggested it become tri-lingual to promote integration among Sinhala and Tamil children. Adjournment Debate: Additional Building for Meelad Vidyalaya, Dehiwala EducationEthnic Reconciliation & Devolution Read →
5 February 2025 AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar questioned the Minister about the limited issuance of deeds, stating that only 167 out of 5,000 had been issued despite an earlier assurance that all would receive deeds. He asked whether Colombo residents who stopped paying housing instalments after former President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s instruction at a deed-giving ceremony are now required to pay the arrears demanded by the Urban Development Authority. Oral Question: UDA Housing Units and Deed Distribution (Q.295/2024) Corruption & Governance ReformLand & Housing Read →
5 February 2025 AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar questioned the Minister on housing delivery and title deeds, noting that only about 5,000 houses had been built over 14 years. He referred to the previous Government’s assurance that deeds would be issued to all, and asked whether it was correct that only around 1,678 units had deeds prepared and only 137 had actually received them. Oral Question: UDA Housing Units and Deed Distribution (Q.295/2024) Land & Housing Read →
5 February 2025 AI summary Asked the Minister to state the aggregate total number of housing units. Oral Question: UDA Housing Units and Deed Distribution (Q.295/2024) Land & Housing Read →