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- 20 January 2026 AI summary Sajith Premadasa asked the Minister to identify the “certain MP” referred to and stated that Opposition MPs had no involvement in coal procurement. He said he raised the matter due to public concern and sought clarification on whether the awarded supplier met tender eligibility criteria, including prior experience supplying at least one million metric tonnes of coal with 5,900 kcal/kg GCV. He also questioned why the normal April tender timeline had been departed from. Question under Standing Order 27(2): Coal Supply Tender Process Public FinanceCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
- 20 January 2026 AI summary Under Standing Order 27(2), Sajith Premadasa raised questions on alleged failures and lack of transparency in the coal procurement process for the Norochcholai Lakvijaya Power Plant. He asked the relevant Minister to explain the timing and conduct of the tender, the reported reduction of the bidding period, changes to technical and financial eligibility criteria, bid evaluation details, and the selected supplier’s experience. He also questioned reports of substandard coal, delayed testing, increased coal consumption, possible losses exceeding Rs. 10 billion, and risks to coal stocks, boiler performance, efficiency, and plant life. Question under Standing Order 27(2): Coal Supply Tender Process Corruption & Governance ReformPublic FinanceInfrastructure Read →
- 9 January 2026 AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa rose on a point of order and requested clarification amid interruptions. No substantive policy issue or proposal was stated in the excerpt. Answers to Questions under Standing Order 27(2) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 9 January 2026 AI summary Sajith Premadasa began raising a matter concerning the Buddha Dhamma, but the provided excerpt contains no substantive details, proposal, question, or argument beyond the introductory reference. Ministerial Statement: Education Reform Issues Religion & Culture Read →
- 9 January 2026 AI summary Sajith Premadasa argued that when shortcomings are raised in Parliament, Members should be given adequate opportunity to present them and seek responses. He emphasized the importance of allowing parliamentary scrutiny and discussion of issues brought before the House. Ministerial Statement: Education Reform Issues Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 9 January 2026 AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa rose on a point of order. No substantive argument, proposal, or question is included in the provided excerpt. Ministerial Statement: Education Reform Issues Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 9 January 2026 AI summary Sajith Premadasa questioned the Government’s handling of irregularities in education module preparation, arguing that accountability should extend beyond the NIE Director-General to other officials involved in preparing and overseeing the material. He highlighted continuing errors in the modules, including the use of the Ashoka Chakra instead of the Dharma Chakra in a Buddhism-related module, and asked whether any religious advisory body had approved it. He called for structured consultation on education reforms, correction of the identified mistakes, and opposed removing History from the optional subjects framework while supporting necessary modernization. Ministerial Statement: Education Reform Issues Religion & CultureCorruption & Governance ReformEducation Read →
- 9 January 2026 AI summary Asked the Government to study the referenced research and implement a new approach to disaster management. The intervention was framed as a request for policy action based on available evidence. Oral Question: Disaster Relief and Compensation (Q.7/726/2025) Security & Defence Read →
- 9 January 2026 AI summary The Leader of the Opposition indicated that he was proceeding to ask his question. Oral Question: Disaster Relief and Compensation (Q.7/726/2025) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 9 January 2026 AI summary Sajith Premadasa called for a fundamental restructuring of disaster management in response to increasing climate variability, including consolidating relevant agencies under a dedicated Ministry for Disaster Management, strengthening resources, and introducing a new Disaster Management Act. He proposed training unemployed graduates to form a climate and disaster management task force, citing India’s model. Referring to studies by Monash University and the British Medical Journal on post-cyclone mortality, he asked whether the Government would review the findings and develop a new disaster management work plan. Oral Question: Disaster Relief and Compensation (Q.7/726/2025) EnvironmentInfrastructureEmployment Read →
- 9 January 2026 AI summary Sajith Premadasa challenged the Speaker’s ruling or reading of a memo from a third party, arguing that it violated the Constitution, people’s sovereignty, and fundamental and human rights. He sought to place this objection on record during the parliamentary proceedings. Speaker's Ruling on Motion Inclusion in Order Book Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 9 January 2026 AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa objected to the Speaker’s ruling, arguing that it undermined the sovereignty of the people and violated the Constitution. He requested to be allowed to finish his remarks while making this constitutional objection. Speaker's Ruling on Motion Inclusion in Order Book Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 9 January 2026 AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa responded to the Speaker’s ruling, stating that he was not challenging it but emphasizing the supremacy of people’s sovereignty and the role of Parliament within the system of checks and balances. He argued that the Constitutional Council and Parliament have responsibilities to safeguard institutional independence, and said the Opposition’s request for a Select Committee was intended to protect and promote the independence of the Judiciary. Speaker's Ruling on Motion Inclusion in Order Book Justice & Human RightsParliamentary Procedure Read →
- 9 January 2026 AI summary Sajith Premadasa responded to the Speaker’s ruling by saying he was not challenging its substance, but wished to reaffirm democratic principles. He emphasized that the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary derive their authority from the people’s sovereignty under the Constitution, and that separation of powers and checks and balances must guide how each branch exercises its powers. Speaker's Ruling on Motion Inclusion in Order Book Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 9 January 2026 AI summary Sajith Premadasa, Leader of the Opposition, rose on a point of order. No substantive issue, proposal, or question is included in the provided excerpt. Speaker's Ruling on Motion Inclusion in Order Book Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 8 January 2026 AI summary The Leader of the Opposition urged the Government to develop a national policy for preschool education, citing long-standing informality, commercialization, unregulated fees, and inadequate pay and job security for teachers and caretakers. He argued that early childhood education should receive centralized national intervention rather than fragmented provincial approaches, given the importance of brain development before age five. He also proposed free and equitable preschool education and a national preschool nutrition programme in coordination with health authorities to address malnutrition. Standing Order 27(2) Questions and Ministerial Statements Cost of LivingEducation Read →
- 8 January 2026 AI summary The Leader of the Opposition questioned how positive macroeconomic indicators translate into benefits for individuals, households, entrepreneurs and firms. He raised concerns that cyclone “Ditta” assistance was being funded by repurposing existing project allocations rather than through additional resources, and urged the Government to seek new partner funding. He also asked for clarification on measures to provide micro-level relief to stressed MSMEs facing litigation from banks and finance companies. Standing Order 27(2) Questions and Ministerial Statements Public FinanceEmploymentCost of Living Read →
- 8 January 2026 AI summary Asked the Minister to state the relevant percentage, seeking a specific clarification during the exchange. Standing Order 27(2) Questions and Ministerial Statements Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 8 January 2026 AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa raised concerns under Standing Order 27(2) about the rollout of new subject-module reforms, particularly the Grade 6 English module, arguing that problems may affect children’s educational rights and calling for education, health, and related areas to be recognized as fundamental rights. He questioned the Government on the studies, standards, and procedures used to develop the syllabus and select website references, including whether any procurement process or financial benefit to private entities was involved. He also sought details on teacher training, ICT facilities, school infrastructure readiness, funding for future terms, and transparency over the framework for including or changing module content. Standing Order 27(2) Questions and Ministerial Statements Justice & Human RightsParliamentary ProcedureEducation Read →
- 8 January 2026 AI summary Sajith Premadasa raised concerns about delays in procuring a pancreatic enzyme medicine needed by children with chronic lung disease, food malabsorption and cystic fibrosis. He said the drug is not produced by the State Pharmaceuticals Corporation, private procurement costs about Rs. 178,000, and around 35 children have been unable to obtain it. He urged expedited procurement of quality medicines and asked that the reasons for the Corporation’s non-production of the drug be examined. Oral Questions to Ministers (Q.117/2024-(2) through Q.1715/2025) Public FinanceHealthcare Read →