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- 3 February 2026 AI summary The Leader of the Opposition raised a point of order. No substantive argument, proposal, or policy issue was stated in the provided excerpt. Parliamentary Announcements and Ministerial Statement Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 3 February 2026 AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa objected to the Government seeking additional time to respond on an issue concerning women’s rights and Sri Lanka’s obligations under CEDAW. He argued that, given the Government’s stated commitments to protecting women’s rights and the presence of women in senior political positions, an immediate answer was required due to the issue’s international implications. Parliamentary Announcements and Ministerial Statement Justice & Human RightsWomen & Children Read →
- 3 February 2026 AI summary Sajith Premadasa questioned the Government on the functioning and independence of the National Commission on Women established under the Women’s Empowerment Act, No. 37 of 2024, following the resignation of its first Chairperson, Dr. Ramani Jayasundere. He cited reported concerns over the absence of budgetary allocations, office space and staff, alleged administrative interference by the line Ministry, and the appointment of an Executive Director without the Commission’s approval. He asked for details on the Commission’s mandate, funding, staffing and premises, and called for immediate steps, including possible supplementary allocations, to protect its statutory independence and support the Women’s Development Fund. He also linked the issue to Sri Lanka’s obligations under CEDAW, SDG 5 and the Act, and urged a Government response to concerns raised by women’s rights organizations. Parliamentary Announcements and Ministerial Statement Women & ChildrenCorruption & Governance ReformPublic Finance Read →
- 23 January 2026 AI summary Sajith Premadasa questioned whether proposed university regulations constitute genuine “system change,” arguing that changes to Dean and Head of Department appointments are insufficient without reforming appointments of Vice Chancellors, UGC officials, University Councils and Institute Boards. Citing a governance report co-authored by Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, he contrasted earlier calls for depoliticization and merit-based appointments with the present proposals. He also objected to a UGC Chairman’s letter instructing Vice Chancellors to halt ongoing appointments before the law is passed, calling it an unlawful interference with existing statutes and a move toward centralized control over universities. Debate: Universities (Amendment) Bill - Second and Third Reading Corruption & Governance ReformEducation Read →
- 23 January 2026 AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa proposed that all 225 Members of Parliament stand in support of the independence of the Attorney General. The remark framed the issue as a matter of institutional independence requiring collective parliamentary affirmation. Standing Order 27(2) Questions: Attorney-General Independence, Gold Jewellery Return Justice & Human Rights Read →
- 23 January 2026 AI summary The Leader of the Opposition requested an additional 15 seconds to conclude his remarks. No substantive policy point, proposal, or question was included in this excerpt. Standing Order 27(2) Questions: Attorney-General Independence, Gold Jewellery Return Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 23 January 2026 AI summary Sajith Premadasa condemned personal insults alleging misconduct, saying that if such claims are false they should be clearly denied. He stressed that the Attorney General’s independence, freedom, and impartial decision-making are essential to the democratic framework, and thanked the Minister of Justice for defending that principle. Standing Order 27(2) Questions: Attorney-General Independence, Gold Jewellery Return Law & OrderJustice & Human Rights Read →
- 23 January 2026 AI summary Sajith Premadasa objected to remarks implying a personal association between the Attorney General and the Minister of Justice in the context of discussing the Attorney General’s independence and decision-making. He sought an opportunity to respond and challenged the propriety of such a characterization during the debate. Standing Order 27(2) Questions: Attorney-General Independence, Gold Jewellery Return Justice & Human RightsCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
- 23 January 2026 AI summary Sajith Premadasa stated that the person referred to was not involved in the matter under discussion. He added that Minister Wijitha Herath, who was present in the House, was also not involved. Standing Order 27(2) Questions: Attorney-General Independence, Gold Jewellery Return Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 23 January 2026 AI summary Sajith Premadasa clarified that his remarks were not directed at Hon. Nalinda Jayatissa and stated that the Minister was not involved in the matter under discussion. He emphasized that he had not mentioned the Minister’s name and that the issue did not concern the Minister’s website. Standing Order 27(2) Questions: Attorney-General Independence, Gold Jewellery Return Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 23 January 2026 AI summary Sajith Premadasa, Leader of the Opposition, briefly indicated his intention to proceed with asking a question. No substantive policy issue, proposal, or demand was stated in the excerpt provided. Standing Order 27(2) Questions: Attorney-General Independence, Gold Jewellery Return Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 23 January 2026 AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa indicated he would conclude his remarks and begin setting out a proposal. The provided excerpt does not include the substance of the proposal or any specific policy, legislative, or procedural demand. Standing Order 27(2) Questions: Attorney-General Independence, Gold Jewellery Return Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 23 January 2026 AI summary Sajith Premadasa thanked the Minister for his answer and acknowledged his stated support for the independence of the Attorney General’s decision-making. He said the Minister had been attacked online over that stance, including allegations of protecting an associate, and urged him to examine the political affiliations of the websites involved. He emphasized the importance of the rule of law and basic legal principles such as hearing both sides and avoiding conflicts of interest, arguing that these underpin Sri Lanka’s legal and democratic institutions. Standing Order 27(2) Questions: Attorney-General Independence, Gold Jewellery Return Justice & Human RightsCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
- 23 January 2026 AI summary Sajith Premadasa, by a Question by Private Notice, asked the Government to clarify whether the Attorney-General’s office is constitutionally independent, including the role of the Constitutional Council under Article 41A in approving appointments. He sought assurances that the Attorney-General can perform prosecutorial, advisory and legislative-assistance functions free from political interference, and asked what safeguards exist under the Removal of Officers (Procedure) Act, No. 5 of 2002, against baseless allegations targeting the Attorney-General and the IGP. He further asked whether the Government recognizes an organized campaign against the Attorney-General’s official functions and what measures it will take to stop such campaigns and protect the office’s independence. Standing Order 27(2) Questions: Attorney-General Independence, Gold Jewellery Return Justice & Human RightsParliamentary ProcedureCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
- 23 January 2026 AI summary Sajith Premadasa briefly requested permission to raise a matter at that point in the proceedings, indicating that the timing necessitated immediate attention. No substantive policy issue or proposal was stated in the excerpt. Procedural Matters and Points of Order Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 23 January 2026 AI summary Sajith Premadasa stated that Members of Parliament should be facilitated to arrive on time on sitting days, describing this as a matter of parliamentary privilege. Procedural Matters and Points of Order Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 23 January 2026 AI summary Sajith Premadasa addressed the Speaker directly, appearing to question or remind him of his responsibility in the proceedings. The excerpt is incomplete and does not contain a substantive argument, proposal, or policy issue beyond that procedural reference. Procedural Matters and Points of Order Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 23 January 2026 AI summary The Leader of the Opposition raised a point of order under Standing Order 146 regarding a Staff Advisory Committee meeting on an alleged incident of sexual misconduct in Parliament. He stated that Members had only received a note on the Inquiry Officer’s report and its conclusion, and requested that the full report be provided before the Committee discussion. Procedural Matters and Points of Order Parliamentary ProcedureJustice & Human Rights Read →
- 21 January 2026 AI summary Sajith Premadasa said the Opposition cooperated in disaster relief but criticised delays in housing, land allocation, compensation and resettlement, questioning why the Government had not invoked Sections 11 and 12 of the Disaster Management Act to declare a state of disaster and mobilize resources. He sought clarity on promised compensation, renter support, safe relocation, and implementation circulars, and called for NBRO-led scientific interventions, stronger regulations, a dedicated disaster management Cabinet ministry, better equipment for relevant agencies, expedited Doppler radar installation, and an international donor conference. He also proposed Opposition support for any IMF renegotiation to ease programme conditions, urged relief for MSMEs affected by debt and CRIB blacklisting, and called for more respectful terminology and land grants for the estate community. Adjournment Debate: Post-Cyclone "Ditwah" Situation (Part 1) EnvironmentPublic FinanceInfrastructure Read →
- 21 January 2026 AI summary Sajith Premadasa objected to a remark by the Chief Government Whip about Opposition Members’ education levels. He argued that, irrespective of such comments, the Government must be held accountable for issues relating to Grade Six modules. Second Round of Oral Questions and Standing Order clarification Education Read →