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 November 2025 AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa said criticism and praise should both be accepted responsibly, referring to comments about Chathura and Chamuditha. He also alerted the Speaker, in a procedural manner, that he had received information about a snake entering the Speaker’s room and stressed that the matter was not intended as a joke or disruption. Ministerial Statement and Points of Order: 'Aruna' News Report (19.11.2025) and Related Procedural Matters Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 20 November 2025 AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa questioned whether the Government was attempting to create an autocracy. He stated that his claim was based on evidence and identified himself as the source of that assertion. Ministerial Statement and Points of Order: 'Aruna' News Report (19.11.2025) and Related Procedural Matters Corruption & Governance Reform Read →
- 20 November 2025 AI summary Sajith Premadasa briefly stated that he was concluding his remarks and emphasized that he was presenting facts supported by data. Ministerial Statement and Points of Order: 'Aruna' News Report (19.11.2025) and Related Procedural Matters Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 20 November 2025 AI summary The Leader of the Opposition raised concerns that applicants for police character certificates are being required to obtain recommendations from Community Police Committee Chairmen. He cited two cases in the Kirinda-Puhulwella and Kamburupitiya areas, naming the applicants, police stations, GN divisions and committee chairmen involved, and questioned whether such requirements create partisan control over community-level administration. Ministerial Statement and Points of Order: 'Aruna' News Report (19.11.2025) and Related Procedural Matters Corruption & Governance ReformLaw & Order Read →
- 19 November 2025 AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa raised concerns over pensioners, particularly those who retired between 2020 and 2024, and proposed a non-partisan committee, interim allowances, payment of arrears, and fulfilment of the pledged 15 per cent senior citizens’ interest scheme. He requested improved allowances and recognition for registrars, implementation of the Grama Niladhari service minute and related allowances, restoration of fuel support, and action against alleged politicization of welfare programmes. He also urged adequate benefits under Agrahara insurance, warned that proposed recurrent expenditure limits could weaken local authorities, and called for consultations with local council chairs. Referring to the Trincomalee incident and media allegations of narcotics links, he called for stronger action to preserve religious harmony, a National Cohesion Committee, proper law enforcement, and a survey and redeployment of surplus vehicles before any new vehicle procurement. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Committee Stage (Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government; Ministry of Labour) Law & OrderPublic FinanceEmployment Read →
- 18 November 2025 AI summary Sajith Premadasa proposed that Parliament issue a public statement advising citizens not to repay loans obtained from illegal online lenders charging exorbitant interest rates, and sought agreement from all Members on this position. He also urged the Government to address the welfare issues of disabled war veterans based on documents he had tabled. Referring to a temple-related incident in Trincomalee, he called for a national programme and a National Integration Committee to prevent similar incidents. Committee Stage Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Defence and Public Security Expenditure Heads Cost of LivingEthnic Reconciliation & DevolutionJustice & Human Rights Read →
- 18 November 2025 AI summary Sajith Premadasa questioned whether the handling of the Sri Sambuddha Jayanthi Bodhiraja Viharaya issue in Trincomalee, including police removal of a Buddha statue, was consistent with national security and religious coexistence. He proposed a President-led National Integration Committee and urged that the Amarapura Maha Nikaya Mahanayake Thero and relevant stakeholders be brought together at the Presidential Secretariat to resolve such disputes through leadership rather than police action. He also raised grievances affecting disabled war heroes, ex-servicemen, widows and parents, alleging that pension revisions approved in the 2025 Budget were being denied through Pensions Circular 02/2025 and decisions by the Director General of Pensions. He demanded immediate implementation of the Budget proposal, continuation of fixed allowances after age 55 for eligible families, and fair treatment in cases involving missing personnel, deaths outside active areas, and administrative delays in Medical Board processes. Committee Stage Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Defence and Public Security Expenditure Heads Religion & CultureJustice & Human RightsSecurity & Defence Read →
- 17 November 2025 AI summary Sajith Premadasa urged the Government and President to intervene in a dispute at the Sri Sambuddha Jayanthi Bodhiraja Viharaya in Trincomalee, arguing that police restrictions within a registered temple precinct should be resolved through consultation with the Maha Nayake Theras and in line with constitutional protections for Buddhism and other religions. He also asked that delayed fertilizer subsidy payments for the Maha season be expedited, particularly in areas such as Thalawa, Rajanganaya and Namal Oya. He called for higher allowances and better recognition for Inquirers into Sudden Deaths, proposed consideration of a Coronial Services Commission, and pressed for the absorption of Teacher Development Officers into the teaching service according to prior commitments and court settlement terms. He further urged respect for Parliament staff, criticised alleged misleading claims on teacher-related promises, and requested stronger regulation of foreign employment agencies to prevent exploitation. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage (Heads 110, 112, 228-236, 326) Religion & CultureJustice & Human RightsAgriculture Read →
- 15 November 2025 AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa urged the Government to honour pre-election commitments to resolve long-standing pension anomalies affecting retired teachers and principals, noting related court proceedings and union involvement. He argued that revenue and primary balance outcomes exceeding IMF targets had created fiscal space that should be redirected to poverty reduction, MSME revival, start-ups, and support for farmers, fishers, workers, the self-employed, and women. He also called for an investigation into alleged harassment of the Chairperson of the Aratchchikattuwa Pradeshiya Sabha and warned that macro-linked bonds in the debt restructuring could increase future debt service as growth improves. He further alleged politicization of the “Community Power” programme and related local structures, questioning whether this was consistent with the Government’s promised system change. Debate: Committee Stage - Appropriation Bill 2026, Special Spending Units (Heads 1, 2, 4-11, 13, 16-25) Corruption & Governance ReformEmploymentPublic Finance Read →
- 15 November 2025 AI summary Sajith Premadasa argued that the Government had failed to implement election pledges, including permanent appointments for teacher instructors, changes to the IMF Debt Sustainability Analysis, graduate employment commitments, and justice for the Easter Sunday attacks. He called for urgent action on distressed MSMEs, citing high closures, non-performing loans, parate executions, inadequate restructuring mechanisms, weak use of ADB credit support, and the impact of lowering the VAT registration threshold. He also urged a coherent national pension programme, restoration of promised senior citizens’ savings benefits, settlement of pension anomalies and arrears for retirees, and resolution of unresolved salary and pension issues affecting retired teachers and principals. Debate: Committee Stage - Appropriation Bill 2026, Special Spending Units (Heads 1, 2, 4-11, 13, 16-25) Cost of LivingPublic FinanceEmployment Read →
- 13 November 2025 AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa requested a government response on illegal online lending apps, citing harassment by such operators and the reported suicide of Gimhaya Sewwandi from Welagedara, Attanagalla. He named several alleged illegal loan apps, tabled a letter listing them, and asked what measures the Government will take to stop these operations and inform Parliament. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Second Reading (Fifth Allotted Day) Justice & Human RightsCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
- 12 November 2025 AI summary Requested that increased revenue be used to raise allocations to the Ministry of Buddhasasana at the current stage of budget consideration. Question by Private Notice: Reforms to Piriven Education (Standing Order 27(2)) Religion & CulturePublic Finance Read →
- 12 November 2025 AI summary Sajith Premadasa argued that the proposed allocation for Buddhasasana in 2026 falls by Rs. 1,330 million from the 2025 figure, and said such a reduction is inappropriate given the constitutional status accorded to Buddhism. He requested that the allocation be increased and urged the Government to expedite appointments for about 600 Dhamma University Higher Diploma holders and address the 14,000 who have passed the Dharmacharya Examination. He also stated that sufficient public revenue is available, citing high tax collections and revenue exceeding IMF expectations. Question by Private Notice: Reforms to Piriven Education (Standing Order 27(2)) Religion & CulturePublic Finance Read →
- 12 November 2025 AI summary The Leader of the Opposition asked the Minister to state the total amount being referred to in the discussion. Question by Private Notice: Reforms to Piriven Education (Standing Order 27(2)) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 12 November 2025 AI summary Under Standing Order 27(2), Sajith Premadasa sought Government clarification on proposed amendments to the Piriven Education Act, including whether powers of Chief Incumbents would be altered, and asked for details on curriculum revisions, affected subjects, and timelines. He questioned whether the Government has plans to protect the Sangha and address monks allegedly acting against the Sasana, including possible strengthening of relevant laws and Sections 41 and 42 of the Buddhist Temporalities Ordinance. He also requested information on 2025 budget allocations and progress under the Ministry of Buddhasasana, and on 2026 programmes and allocations for the development of the Sasana. Question by Private Notice: Reforms to Piriven Education (Standing Order 27(2)) Parliamentary ProcedureReligion & Culture Read →
- 11 November 2025 AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa argued that the 2025 Budget had shown weak implementation, citing low physical and financial progress in allocations for education, autism services, agriculture, sports, coconut development and land investment programmes, and questioned the credibility of the 2026 Budget proposals in that context. He accused the Government of failing to fulfil election promises, including pledges relating to the IMF agreement and debt sustainability framework, and said poor households, farmers, workers, youth, businesses, women, plantation communities and fisherfolk had been neglected. He demanded answers on measures to reduce the cost of living, the functioning of any Cabinet or official cost-of-living mechanism, and the Government’s plan for unemployed graduates. Debate: Second Reading of 2026 Budget Bill (Day 3, Morning) EmploymentAgriculturePublic Finance Read →
- 11 November 2025 AI summary Sajith Premadasa argues that the Government’s promise of “a prosperous country – a beautiful life” is contradicted by worsening economic hardship, rising costs, and unmet public expectations. He questions the Government’s policy direction and calls for practical measures to address people’s livelihoods and essential needs, framing the issue as a failure to deliver on stated commitments. Debate: Second Reading of 2026 Budget Bill (Day 3, Morning) Cost of Living Read →
- 24 October 2025 AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa paid tribute during Votes of Condolence to several late Members of Parliament, recalling their educational backgrounds, political careers, ministerial or public offices, and contributions to their constituencies and national life. He highlighted the services of Heenmahatmaya Liyanage, R.M.R. Chula Bandara, Dixon J. Perera, Dr. Mervyn D. de Silva, Y.G. Padmasiri, Lohan Ratwatte, and Manicavasagar Kanagasabapathy Eelaventhan across education, provincial and parliamentary service, agriculture, estate infrastructure, rights advocacy, and community development. He extended condolences to their families and acknowledged their respective roles in public service. Votes of Condolence: Seven Former Members of Parliament Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 24 October 2025 AI summary Sajith Premadasa urged the Deputy Speaker to take immediate action to provide security to the Member concerned, saying the matter should not be delayed until after harm occurs. Referring to the killing of the Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman, he said Members’ security had been raised for months and called for a clear response on how national security claims align with the safety needs of elected representatives and civilians. Security Concerns Raised by Opposition Members - Jagath Vithana Death Threat Security & DefenceLaw & Order Read →
- 24 October 2025 AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa stated that it is the Deputy Speaker’s responsibility to ensure the security and protection of the persons concerned. A related document or material was placed in the Library. Security Concerns Raised by Opposition Members - Jagath Vithana Death Threat Parliamentary Procedure Read →