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- 12 September 2025 AI summary Sajith Premadasa indicated that he would read from prepared remarks while also emphasizing certain points. No substantive policy issue, proposal, question, or demand is contained in the provided excerpt. Questions by Private Notice: Issues in Education and Higher Education Sectors (Standing Order 27(2)) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 12 September 2025 AI summary Sajith Premadasa indicated that he would read from prepared remarks and possibly add further comments. The provided excerpt is too brief to identify the substantive issue, proposal, or question being raised. Questions by Private Notice: Issues in Education and Higher Education Sectors (Standing Order 27(2)) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 12 September 2025 AI summary The Leader of the Opposition acknowledged and expressed respect for the Speaker’s statement. Questions by Private Notice: Issues in Education and Higher Education Sectors (Standing Order 27(2)) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 12 September 2025 AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa raised concerns about teacher shortages, inadequate university infrastructure, and their impact on students’ rights, degree quality, and future employment. He requested a categorized report on teacher vacancies in National and Provincial schools and a timeframe for filling them. He also asked about appointments for Dharmacharya-qualified candidates who passed the 2019 examination, including whether petitions before the Public Petitions Committee would receive priority. He further questioned why School Development Officers who have been teaching for several years have not been absorbed into the teaching service under previously proposed conditions, citing precedents and their service during the COVID-19 period. Questions by Private Notice: Issues in Education and Higher Education Sectors (Standing Order 27(2)) Public FinanceEmploymentEducation Read →
- 12 September 2025 AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa asked the Deputy Minister to clarify reports that the Ceylon Fisheries Corporation was to be closed. Referring to a prior denial at the Advisory Committee, he requested a categorical public confirmation on whether the Corporation would be closed. Oral Question: Ceylon Fisheries Corporation Fish Purchases (Q.2/2025) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 11 September 2025 AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa urged the Speaker to permit a debate on the Easter Sunday attacks, invoking the 269 lives lost as the basis for granting the request. He framed the appeal as a matter of fairness and parliamentary necessity. Procedural Matters and No-Confidence Motion Dispute Security & DefenceJustice & Human Rights Read →
- 11 September 2025 AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa requested permission to conclude his remarks. No substantive policy argument, proposal, or question was made in the provided excerpt. Procedural Matters and No-Confidence Motion Dispute Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 11 September 2025 AI summary Sajith Premadasa requested permission to conclude his remarks. No substantive policy position, proposal, or question was raised in this statement. Procedural Matters and No-Confidence Motion Dispute Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 11 September 2025 AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa briefly requested permission to finish the point he was making, without adding substantive policy or procedural content in the quoted portion. Procedural Matters and No-Confidence Motion Dispute Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 11 September 2025 AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa stressed that the public, especially the Catholic community and victims of the Easter attacks, are awaiting clarity on the truth behind the attacks. He said the proposed debate should focus on identifying the mastermind or masterminds responsible, and made a specific request in that context. Procedural Matters and No-Confidence Motion Dispute Security & DefenceJustice & Human Rights Read →
- 11 September 2025 AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa asked the Speaker to reconsider the decision delivered the previous day in light of Articles 46(1) and 47(3) of the Constitution. He argued that Deputy Ministers form part of the Executive, sometimes answer in Parliament on behalf of Cabinet Ministers, and therefore their appointment and removal powers require attention under those constitutional provisions. Procedural Matters and No-Confidence Motion Dispute Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 11 September 2025 AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa, Leader of the Opposition, rose to raise a point of Order. No substantive issue or argument was presented in the provided excerpt. Procedural Matters and No-Confidence Motion Dispute Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 10 September 2025 AI summary Sajith Premadasa argued that the absence of an express Standing Order on no-confidence motions against Deputy Ministers does not preclude such motions or censure motions. Citing Articles 46(1) and 45(3) of the Constitution and Westminster procedural authorities, he said a Deputy Minister exercises executive authority and can therefore be subject to parliamentary no-confidence or censure. He requested that the Attorney-General’s advice and the Parliamentary Secretariat’s report on the matter be tabled. Procedural: Points of Order regarding No-confidence Motion and Speaker's Ruling Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 10 September 2025 AI summary Sajith Premadasa challenged the Speaker’s ruling on the admissibility of a no-confidence motion against a Deputy Minister, arguing that parliamentary practice and constitutional provisions allow such motions against executive office-holders. Citing Erskine May, Kaul and Shakdher, former Secretary-General Priyani Wijesekera, and Articles 45(3) and 46(1) of the Constitution, he contended that silence in the Standing Orders does not bar no-confidence or censure motions. He requested that the Attorney-General’s advice and the Parliamentary Secretariat’s report relied on in the ruling be tabled. Procedural: Points of Order regarding No-confidence Motion and Speaker's Ruling Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 9 September 2025 AI summary Sajith Premadasa condemned Israel’s military actions in Gaza as violating UN General Assembly Resolutions 242 and 338 and undermining the internationally supported two-state solution. He described the situation as a humanitarian catastrophe involving attacks on hospitals, civilians and aid workers, and called for Sri Lanka to state its position clearly in defence of human rights. He proposed that the Government engage through the UN Human Rights Council to support the two-state solution, seek an immediate halt to the violence, and, where possible, play a mediating role. Debate: Agreement between Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates (Continued) Foreign AffairsJustice & Human Rights Read →
- 9 September 2025 AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa asked the Minister to reinstate the officer as Director General, arguing that the officer had issued the correct instructions. He noted that the Minister had now confirmed those instructions were followed. Oral Question: Government Schools in Eastern Province - Teacher Vacancies (Q.1112/2025) Justice & Human Rights Read →
- 9 September 2025 AI summary The Leader of the Opposition, Sajith Premadasa, sought permission to intervene, stating that the matter was important. No substantive policy issue, proposal, or question was set out in the quoted speech. Oral Question: Government Schools in Eastern Province - Teacher Vacancies (Q.1112/2025) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 9 September 2025 AI summary The Leader of the Opposition briefly noted that the matter under discussion was important. No specific proposal, question, or policy position was elaborated in the provided remarks. Oral Question: Government Schools in Eastern Province - Teacher Vacancies (Q.1112/2025) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 9 September 2025 AI summary Sajith Premadasa questioned why historical Special Commodity Levy data from 2007 onwards was not readily available for decisions on levy changes, while acknowledging post-sugar tax scandal reforms including the Food Policy and Security Committee and the Treasury’s National Tariff Policy Committee. He stressed the need for confidentiality in tariff decisions to prevent market manipulation, but raised concern over the removal of Trade and Investment Policy Director-General Pradeep Kumara, alleging it followed his refusal to impose levies without due procedure. He requested that Kumara be reinstated if proper process had been followed. Oral Question: Government Schools in Eastern Province - Teacher Vacancies (Q.1112/2025) AgricultureCorruption & Governance ReformPublic Finance Read →
- 9 September 2025 AI summary The Leader of the Opposition questioned the Government’s decision, by Gazette of 25 August 2025, to raise the Special Commodity Levy on imported big onions and potatoes, arguing that it increases costs for consumers while its benefit to local farmers remains unclear. He asked for data on the number of onion and potato farmers, harvesting seasons, 2024 production volumes, and the share of domestic demand met locally. He also requested details of relief provided through the levy, whether it adequately protects farmers, and historical data since 2007 on imports, duties, Gazette notifications, and revenue, including figures for August 2025. Oral Question: Government Schools in Eastern Province - Teacher Vacancies (Q.1112/2025) AgricultureCost of Living Read →