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- 24 October 2025 AI summary Raised concern over death threats against an Opposition Member and the lack of security provided to Opposition parliamentarians. He cited the case of the Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman, who had reportedly informed the IGP and submitted affidavits about similar threats but did not receive protection, and urged attention to the security of affected Opposition Members. Security Concerns Raised by Opposition Members - Jagath Vithana Death Threat Law & OrderJustice & Human Rights Read →
- 24 October 2025 AI summary The Leader of the Opposition’s contribution consists only of a formal address to the Deputy Speaker. No substantive policy issue, proposal, question, or demand is presented in the provided text. Security Concerns Raised by Opposition Members - Jagath Vithana Death Threat Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 24 October 2025 AI summary Sajith Premadasa briefly raised a concern in Parliament, characterizing the matter before the House as very serious. No specific issue, proposal, or request was stated in the excerpt provided. Security Concerns Raised by Opposition Members - Jagath Vithana Death Threat Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 24 October 2025 AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa requested the Deputy Speaker to permit Hon. Jagath Vithana to raise a matter concerning his personal security. Security Concerns Raised by Opposition Members - Jagath Vithana Death Threat Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 24 October 2025 AI summary The Leader of the Opposition began addressing the House, but the provided transcript contains only the opening salutation to the Deputy Speaker. No substantive argument, proposal, question, or policy position is included in the excerpt. Security Concerns Raised by Opposition Members - Jagath Vithana Death Threat Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 24 October 2025 AI summary Raised concerns over insecurity faced by local authority leaders and Members of Parliament, alleging the spread of underworld violence and “state terrorism” affecting public service. He asked when the requested MIMD risk assessment for elected representatives would be conducted and when adequate protection would be provided. He also demanded action to apprehend those responsible for the daylight assassination of a Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman who had reportedly sought police protection, and urged engagement with the IGP to ensure security for citizens and elected representatives. Procedural Matters: Questions under Standing Order 27(2) and Security Concerns Law & OrderCorruption & Governance ReformSecurity & Defence Read →
- 24 October 2025 AI summary Sajith Premadasa raised a brief point following an oral question from the previous day, stating that it concerned the privileges of Members of Parliament. He indicated he would not take much time, framing the matter as a procedural issue regarding parliamentary privileges. Procedural Matters: Questions under Standing Order 27(2) and Security Concerns Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 24 October 2025 AI summary Sajith Premadasa sought clarification from the Minister on the timing of responses to two questions raised under Standing Order 27(2) by both government and opposition members. He asked whether the answers would be provided at the next available opportunity. Procedural Matters: Questions under Standing Order 27(2) and Security Concerns Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 24 October 2025 AI summary Sajith Premadasa noted that the scheduled time for Votes of Condolence had already begun and requested that the relevant answers be deferred to the next available opportunity, subject to Hon. Ravi Karunanayake having no objection. Procedural Matters: Questions under Standing Order 27(2) and Security Concerns Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 24 October 2025 AI summary The Leader of the Opposition requested permission to speak briefly for one minute. Point of Order and Procedural Matters - Budget-related Discussion Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 24 October 2025 AI summary Sajith Premadasa stated that the Opposition has not obstructed requests for time made under Standing Order 27(2). His remarks appear to respond to a procedural matter concerning the use of that Standing Order in Parliament. Point of Order and Procedural Matters - Budget-related Discussion Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 24 October 2025 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. Point of Order and Procedural Matters - Budget-related Discussion Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 24 October 2025 AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa questioned when responses would be provided on the 2025 Budget proposals, expenditure to date, and utilization percentages. He argued that these basic details were necessary before presenting the Budget Speech scheduled for the 7th. Private Notice Question: Appropriation Bill 2025 Budget Execution Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 24 October 2025 AI summary Sajith Premadasa questioned whether the Ministry of Finance has the basic data needed to prepare the Budget, noting that the President, as Minister of Finance, is due to present it on November 7. He argued that if such information is not currently available, it raises concerns about how the Budget is being formulated. Private Notice Question: Appropriation Bill 2025 Budget Execution Parliamentary ProcedurePublic Finance Read →
- 24 October 2025 AI summary Sajith Premadasa, raising a Private Notice Question under Standing Order 27(2), sought detailed information on the implementation of the 2025 Budget approved under Article 150 of the Constitution. He asked the Government to table financial and physical progress of Budget proposals by ministry, including allocations, responsible institutions, achieved targets, expenditure, unimplemented proposals and reasons, and progress on foreign-funded projects. He also requested current figures on key fiscal and external balances and details on 2025 foreign direct investment targets, actual realization, and plans for attracting FDI in 2026. Private Notice Question: Appropriation Bill 2025 Budget Execution Public Finance Read →
- 24 October 2025 AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa highlighted staff shortages in Allied Health Sciences faculties, particularly at Ruhuna University, where 250 students from the 2023 A/L cohort have not yet been admitted. He cited gaps between UGC-approved staffing ratios and actual academic staff numbers, including in nursing, and urged the Government to admit the students and begin the programme by recruiting academic and non-academic staff on contract if necessary. He linked the issue to national shortages of nurses, medical laboratory technologists and pharmacists, and asked the relevant Ministers to provide a solution. Oral Question: Health Service Delivery - Supplementary Questions and Answers EducationHealthcareEmployment Read →
- 23 October 2025 AI summary Sajith Premadasa accused the Government of failing on national security and allowing underworld, drug-related and violent criminal activity to grow, citing the death of a Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman as a matter for which the Government bears responsibility. He rejected claims linking his party to criminal gangs and said the Opposition would support lawful reforms and action to defeat such groups. He also warned against using crime suppression to target the Opposition and asked what steps would be taken to protect civilians, MPs and local representatives, noting that Opposition MPs’ security had been withdrawn despite requests to the IGP and authorities. Adjournment Debate: Organized Crime, Drug Trafficking and Nation Together Programme (Ratama Ekata) Security & DefenceLaw & OrderJustice & Human Rights Read →
- 23 October 2025 AI summary Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa argued that the rise in shootings and killings in 2025 amounts to a national security crisis and accused the Government of failing to uphold the rule of law. He cited the killing of Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Lasantha Wickramasekara, noting that Wickramasekara had written to the Inspector-General of Police requesting protection and had submitted an affidavit warning of an assassination threat; Premadasa tabled those documents. He questioned why security was not provided despite the request, referred to reported figures of 101 shootings, 52 deaths and 56 injuries in 2025, and demanded that the Government accept responsibility for the failure to protect the local authority chairman. Adjournment Debate: Organized Crime, Drug Trafficking and Nation Together Programme (Ratama Ekata) Law & OrderJustice & Human RightsSecurity & Defence Read →
- 22 October 2025 AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa, speaking during Global Breast Cancer Awareness Month, noted that Sri Lanka records over 5,000 new breast cancer cases annually and faces higher mortality due to delayed diagnosis, treatment delays, and limited access to diagnostics and therapies. He called for strengthened public education, training of primary healthcare staff, expanded district-level diagnostic facilities, timely referrals, and increased radiotherapy and oncology capacity across provinces. He urged the Government to prioritize physical and human resource allocation for breast cancer prevention and care, while stating the Opposition’s readiness to support such measures. Adjournment Motion: Promote Early Detection of Breast Cancer HealthcareWomen & ChildrenPublic Finance Read →
- 22 October 2025 AI summary Sajith Premadasa said increases in the Special Commodity Levy on potatoes and big onions must genuinely improve farmers’ cost recovery and not merely benefit importers through poor timing or pre-stocking. He cited production costs exceeding farm-gate prices, high import dependence, and difficulties faced by farmers in key growing areas, and called for levies to be timed with harvest cycles and set through the National Tariff Policy Committee and Cabinet after proper impact assessment. He also proposed reducing input and seed costs, improving coordination between Agriculture and Trade authorities, and introducing modern technologies and training for potato and big onion cultivation while maintaining fair consumer prices. Debate: Rules under Excise Ordinance and Special Commodity Levy Order (Session 1) Public FinanceAgricultureCost of Living Read →