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 June 2025 AI summary Sajith Premadasa questioned the continued use of the 2022 Aswesuma eligibility criteria, noting that both his side and the current President had previously opposed them, and called for a scientific, data-driven revalidation of targeting and poverty lines. He argued that poverty alleviation should go beyond cash transfers to include investment, savings, production, exports and consumption. He also urged the Government to strengthen trade facilitation by appointing a dedicated trade representative or agency staffed by capable public officers to retain and expand investments. Question under Standing Order 27(2): Aswesuma Welfare Programme (Leader of Opposition) Cost of LivingPublic Finance Read →
- 20 June 2025 AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa raised concerns that the Aswesuma welfare programme has excluded genuine beneficiaries and may provide insufficient support given current food prices and poor farmgate returns for small cultivators. He asked the Government to state the programme’s objectives, beneficiary numbers and expenditure by category and year, selection criteria, whether the targeting method is scientific, and whether all 8 million applications have been categorized. He also urged the Government to use World Bank and other poverty data to revise the scheme or present alternatives. Additionally, he requested urgent action to retain a Singaporean foam mattress export investor reportedly constrained by an export quota cap, warning of possible loss of investment and jobs. Question under Standing Order 27(2): Aswesuma Welfare Programme (Leader of Opposition) Cost of LivingPublic Finance Read →
- 19 June 2025 AI summary Sajith Premadasa urged the Government to adopt contingency measures in response to the Israel–Iran conflict, citing risks to Sri Lankan workers in Israel, remittances, fuel costs, tea exports, shipping, tourism, FDI, reserves, inflation and poverty. He called for energy security measures, including supplier diversification and strategic reserves, and urged diplomatic engagement to de-escalate the Gaza crisis while supporting a fair two-state solution for Palestine. He also demanded an impartial investigation into the alleged assault on Colombo Municipal Councillor Uluwaduge Sandamali and raised a procedural concern that parliamentary rulings should be given before adjournment on a point of order, citing parliamentary authorities and Commonwealth principles. Adjournment Debate: Special Audit Report on Advance Payment for Import of 15,000 Dairy Cattle and COPE Report on National Gem and Jewellery Authority Cost of LivingForeign AffairsSecurity & Defence Read →
- 18 June 2025 AI summary Sajith Premadasa thanked the Chair for granting the debate but argued that the seriousness of the issue warranted more than the allotted two hours. He requested additional time for the debate, either later that day or the following day. Procedural: Urgent Debate Motion on Israel–Iran War (Standing Order 19) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 18 June 2025 AI summary Under Standing Order 19(2)(a), Sajith Premadasa requested an urgent debate, with the support of more than twenty Members, on the implications of the Israel–Iran war for Sri Lanka. He highlighted concerns over the safety of 10,000–20,000 Sri Lankan workers in Israel, risks to tea exports to Iran, possible disruption to oil supplies via the Strait of Hormuz, and wider economic impacts on growth, industry, services, agriculture, and the public. He asked that Standing Orders be suspended to hold the debate immediately or the next day, and called for a formal Government position and plan rather than separate ministerial statements. Procedural: Urgent Debate Motion on Israel–Iran War (Standing Order 19) EmploymentPublic FinanceForeign Affairs Read →
- 17 June 2025 AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa objected to what he described as unequal treatment between the Chief Government Whip and the Chief Opposition Whip in parliamentary proceedings. He raised the issue as a procedural concern, implying that both positions should be afforded equivalent recognition or opportunity within the House. Procedural: Israel-Iran Conflict Discussion and Ministerial Statement on Energy Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 17 June 2025 AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa objected to the Speaker’s conduct, alleging that Opposition Members were not being allowed to present their views democratically. He stated that if such treatment continued, the Opposition could not continue to sit in the House. Procedural: Israel-Iran Conflict Discussion and Ministerial Statement on Energy Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 17 June 2025 AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa objected to what he described as unequal treatment in parliamentary proceedings. He urged that the Opposition be treated consistently and fairly under the same standards applied to others. Procedural: Israel-Iran Conflict Discussion and Ministerial Statement on Energy Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 17 June 2025 AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa objected that freedom of speech in the House was being obstructed and argued that the Chair has a duty to treat Government and Opposition members equally. He specifically protested that the Chief Government Whip was allowed to speak while the Chief Opposition Whip was denied the opportunity. Procedural: Israel-Iran Conflict Discussion and Ministerial Statement on Energy Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 17 June 2025 AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa objected that the Chief Opposition Whip was not being given the same opportunity to raise points as the Chief Government Whip. He raised a procedural concern about equal treatment of government and opposition representatives in parliamentary proceedings. Procedural: Israel-Iran Conflict Discussion and Ministerial Statement on Energy Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 17 June 2025 AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa requested the Speaker to allow him to speak, noting that time had been given to the Chief Government Whip to make observations. Procedural: Israel-Iran Conflict Discussion and Ministerial Statement on Energy Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 17 June 2025 AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa asserted the right of Members to speak in Parliament. No further substantive policy issue, proposal, or demand was raised in the excerpt provided. Procedural: Israel-Iran Conflict Discussion and Ministerial Statement on Energy Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 17 June 2025 AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa rose on a point of order. No substantive issue, proposal, or argument is recorded in the provided excerpt. Procedural: Israel-Iran Conflict Discussion and Ministerial Statement on Energy Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 17 June 2025 AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa asked the Government to provide a formal response to an issue being raised in Parliament, arguing that the House is the appropriate forum for presenting such matters. Procedural: Israel-Iran Conflict Discussion and Ministerial Statement on Energy Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 17 June 2025 AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa raised concerns over the escalating Israel-Iran military situation and its potential impact on Sri Lankan citizens living and working in Israel. He called on the Government to inform Parliament of measures taken to ensure their safety and protection. He also noted possible economic consequences for Sri Lanka, including through oil prices and effects on industry, tea, and exports. Procedural: Israel-Iran Conflict Discussion and Ministerial Statement on Energy Public FinanceForeign Affairs Read →
- 17 June 2025 AI summary Sajith Premadasa requested the Speaker’s permission to raise a matter of national importance, asking for about one to one and a half minutes to present it. Procedural: Israel-Iran Conflict Discussion and Ministerial Statement on Energy Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 17 June 2025 AI summary Sajith Premadasa sought the Speaker’s permission to be given an opportunity to speak. Procedural: Israel-Iran Conflict Discussion and Ministerial Statement on Energy Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 17 June 2025 AI summary Sajith Premadasa sought permission to raise a special matter, describing it as an issue of national importance. Question by Private Notice: Chemmani Cemetery and Related Issues (Q.27(2)) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 17 June 2025 AI summary The Leader of the Opposition, Sajith Premadasa, briefly requested the Chair’s permission to extend an invitation. No substantive policy issue, legislative matter, or detailed proposal was raised in this intervention. Question by Private Notice: Chemmani Cemetery and Related Issues (Q.27(2)) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 17 June 2025 AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa briefly seeks permission from the Chair to raise or invite attention to a different matter, clarifying that his intervention is not on the preceding issue. No substantive policy position or proposal is stated in the excerpt. Question by Private Notice: Chemmani Cemetery and Related Issues (Q.27(2)) Parliamentary Procedure Read →