Hon. Sajith Premadasa, M.P.
Leader of the Opposition in Parliament
Profession: ---
Speeches 691 #5 of 225·#2 in party
Attendance 8/8 days present (of recorded)
Top topic Parliamentary Procedure 333 speeches
Last spoke 10 June 2026 in Debate
Activity by sitting
126 sittings · counts only, no scoring.
Topic focus
AI summary AI-assigned tags, 1–3 per speech. Counts only — not a score.
Speech history
691 speeches- 10 June 2026 AI summary Sajith Premadasa raised concern over closures in the apparel sector, asking how many of the 200 apparel factories have shut down and stating that hundreds of thousands of jobs have been lost. He said he would table in Parliament a list of the factories that have closed. Debate: Central Bank Rules on Export Proceeds Repatriation and Essential Public Services Resolution Employment Read →
- 10 June 2026 AI summary Sajith Premadasa asked how many Brandix factories have closed, seeking specific information on closures within the company’s manufacturing operations. Debate: Central Bank Rules on Export Proceeds Repatriation and Essential Public Services Resolution Employment Read →
- 10 June 2026 AI summary Sajith Premadasa asked how many MAS Holdings factories had closed or relocated out of Sri Lanka, seeking a specific answer on the scale of factory closures or departures. Debate: Central Bank Rules on Export Proceeds Repatriation and Essential Public Services Resolution Employment Read →
- 10 June 2026 AI summary Sajith Premadasa questioned whether the relevant member was aware of how many Hirdaramani factories had closed. The remark raised concern about factory closures and their potential implications for employment and the industrial sector. Debate: Central Bank Rules on Export Proceeds Repatriation and Essential Public Services Resolution Employment Read →
- 10 June 2026 AI summary Sajith Premadasa’s recorded intervention contains only the form of address to the Deputy Chairperson of Committees and no substantive remarks, proposals, questions, or policy positions. No legislation, event, or issue is discussed in the provided excerpt. Debate: Central Bank Rules on Export Proceeds Repatriation and Essential Public Services Resolution Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 10 June 2026 AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa criticised the Government’s economic management, arguing that revenue and primary balance gains have been achieved mainly through higher taxation while poverty, job losses, business closures and cost-of-living pressures have worsened. He questioned why cigarette taxation had declined relative to WHO benchmarks while other taxes increased, claiming this had caused Rs. 17.3 billion in annual revenue loss that could fund relief measures. He also called for action against Sri Lanka becoming a “cyber-fraud hub” due to regulatory relaxations, and urged the restoration of the higher interest rate previously provided to senior citizens’ deposits. Debate: Central Bank Rules on Export Proceeds Repatriation and Essential Public Services Resolution EmploymentCost of LivingPublic Finance Read →
- 9 June 2026 AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa criticised the Government for failing to implement election promises to farmers, citing high input costs, poor-quality and scarce fertilizer, lack of guaranteed prices, and inadequate action on the human-elephant conflict. He called for the promised guaranteed paddy price, including the stated Rs. 150 per 8 kg pledge, to be delivered and for Treasury allocations to be used to protect livelihoods. He also raised concerns about Divisional Secretaries and other public officers lacking fuel allowances and facilities, and about the suspension of examinations and stalled registrations for over 700 traditional and specialist Ayurvedic practitioners under issues linked to Act No. 31 of 1961. Debate on Public Security Ordinance: Extension of State of Emergency Public FinanceEmploymentAgriculture Read →
- 9 June 2026 AI summary Sajith Premadasa, Leader of the Opposition, sought recognition from the Speaker to raise a question. No substantive issue or policy matter was stated in the provided excerpt. Oral Questions 8-27(2): Standing Order questions Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 9 June 2026 AI summary The Leader of the Opposition questioned the Government’s ability to govern, implying concern over the country’s management. The excerpt is incomplete and does not provide details on the specific issue, policy, or demand being raised. Oral Questions 8-27(2): Standing Order questions Corruption & Governance Reform Read →
- 9 June 2026 AI summary Sajith Premadasa argued that the Government cannot offer a clear solution because the Treasury and the Central Bank are giving conflicting positions. He specifically referred to a matter involving US$25 million, indicating concern over inconsistency in official financial information. Oral Questions 8-27(2): Standing Order questions Public Finance Read →
- 9 June 2026 AI summary Sajith Premadasa stated that people across multiple sectors, including farmers, fishers, workers, industrialists, MSMEs, the self-employed, salaried employees, and entrepreneurs, are facing hardships and expect practical solutions. He called for Government intervention to address their difficulties. Oral Questions 8-27(2): Standing Order questions Cost of LivingEmploymentAgriculture Read →
- 9 June 2026 AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa objected to interruptions while raising the difficulties faced by the public. His intervention was brief and focused on asserting the need to speak about people’s suffering without disruption. Oral Questions 8-27(2): Standing Order questions Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 9 June 2026 AI summary The Leader of the Opposition indicated he was concluding his remarks with a final point. No substantive policy position, proposal, or question is contained in the excerpt provided. Oral Questions 8-27(2): Standing Order questions Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 9 June 2026 AI summary Sajith Premadasa questioned the effectiveness of the proposed fiscal-monetary Coordination Council, citing differing positions of the Central Bank and Treasury over the alleged disappearance or theft of US$25 million. He also sought clarification on usable official reserves, arguing that import-cover adequacy should exclude non-convertible reserves such as yuan holdings. He further warned that non-compliance with IMF governance-linked bond conditions could result in the loss of an estimated US$70–80 million in coupon relief in 2026, and urged attention to the impact on the public. Oral Questions 8-27(2): Standing Order questions Corruption & Governance ReformPublic Finance Read →
- 9 June 2026 AI summary The Leader of the Opposition raised questions under Standing Order 27(2) on the Government’s economic policy framework, focusing on the coordination of fiscal and monetary policy within the IMF programme and related agreements with international institutions. He asked for details on policy instruments, targets, responsible institutions, risks, and assessments of impacts on inflation, interest rates, the rupee, investment, employment and cost of living. He also sought clarification on reported differences between the Treasury and Central Bank, including the alleged missing US$25 million, and requested that the Treasury’s report on the matter be tabled in Parliament. He further asked what measures are being taken to ease economic pressures on middle-income groups, professionals, MSMEs, farmers, fishers and low-income households, and to strengthen parliamentary oversight and public accountability. Oral Questions 8-27(2): Standing Order questions Cost of LivingPublic FinanceEmployment Read →
- 22 May 2026 AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa paid tribute to the late Hon. Chandradhasa Galappaththi, Hon. Nandana Gunathilaka, Hon. (Prof.) Tissa Vitarana, Hon. S.C. Muthukumarana, Hon. Janaka Mahendra Adhikari and Hon. Kanagasabai Thammapillai, outlining their political careers, public service and contributions to their respective districts, parties and national institutions. He conveyed condolences to their families and highlighted specific achievements including provincial and parliamentary service, policy and health-sector contributions, and development initiatives in Ampara, Anuradhapura, Batticaloa and other areas. He also marked 22 May as Republic Day, recalling the adoption of the 1972 First Republican Constitution and its role in ending Dominion status and affirming Sri Lanka’s sovereignty and unitary character. Statements of Condolence: Six Former Members of Parliament Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 22 May 2026 AI summary Sajith Premadasa argued that although requesting time to respond is procedurally permissible, delaying answers on CESS and PAL issues would worsen an already serious situation for domestic industries. He urged immediate solutions for industries affected by the removal of CESS and PAL and reiterated a call for the IMF to release US$ 700 million without conditions. Standing Order 27(2) Questions: CESS Phase-out and Currency Depreciation EmploymentPublic Finance Read →
- 22 May 2026 AI summary Sajith Premadasa raised a Standing Order 27(2) question on the Government’s plan, linked to IMF commitments, to phase out CESS and PAL by 2029. He asked what assessments and revenue plans support the policy, how affected industries such as cement, tyres, tiles, apparel, footwear and agriculture will be modernized and protected, and what measures will prevent job losses, higher import dependence and a wider trade deficit. He argued that export promotion must be accompanied by a coherent macroeconomic plan to strengthen domestic industry and protect consumers. Standing Order 27(2) Questions: CESS Phase-out and Currency Depreciation InfrastructureEmploymentPublic Finance Read →
- 21 May 2026 AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa expressed support for proposals to empower hill country communities and criticised the Government for failing to ensure their security, deliver promised cyclone relief, and address estate housing and infrastructure needs. He cited the Hatton Manifesto, the Nilagama Estate assault, Cyclone Ditwa impacts, and unmet relief commitments following the March 2026 declaration with the President. He urged action on land ownership, housing, education, health, nutrition, and social welfare, proposing that estate workers be enabled to become land-owning smallholders while pledging Opposition support for tangible measures. Adjournment Debate: Integration of Malaiyaha People into National Mainstream HealthcareEducationLand & Housing Read →
- 21 May 2026 AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa urged the Government to begin immediate negotiations for a successor IMF programme to take effect after the current Extended Fund Facility ends in March 2027, citing reserve shortfalls, rupee depreciation, rising fuel prices, weaker tourism earnings, and future debt service pressures from 2028. He argued that Sri Lanka’s usable reserves are well below the IMF target and that risks from oil prices, remittance dependence, and balance of payments pressures require extended timelines, stronger buffers, and a social safety net. He also referred to recent financial fraud incidents and mixed official signals as factors affecting investor confidence, and called for a comprehensive stakeholder review. Main Business: Debate on Regulations under Imports and Exports (Control) Act and Appropriation Act Resolutions Foreign AffairsPublic FinanceCost of Living Read →