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- 9 May 2025 AI summary Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa questioned the Government’s reported move to procure medicines through government-to-government agreements, asking which countries and medicines are involved, why normal competitive procurement is being bypassed, and whether the process complies with the NMRA Act and procurement guidelines. He sought confirmation of reported shortages of 313 medicines and 111 items without suppliers, requested hospital-wise shortage data, and asked whether local production capacity and industry impact had been assessed with stakeholder input. He also asked how transparency, quality assurance, and accountability would be ensured under G2G procurement, particularly if substandard medicines are supplied. He further raised delays in purchasing Elekta radiotherapy machines, disruptions to MRI and CT services at the National Hospital due to PACS issues, and the release of a CT scanner reportedly held at the port for Kalutara Hospital. Standing Order 27(2) Questions and Matters of Urgent Public Importance HealthcareCorruption & Governance ReformPublic Finance Read →
- 9 May 2025 AI summary Sajith Premadasa raised concerns over a reported abuse incident on 23 October 2024, subsequent pressure on the victim, humiliation at a tuition class, and the victim’s suicide on 29 April 2025, noting that the relevant teacher was transferred only on 8 May 2025. He said the matter was being raised based on direct information rather than social media, and called for proper procedures to prevent similar tragedies, while noting the Prime Minister’s assurance that action would be taken. Standing Order 27(2) Questions and Matters of Urgent Public Importance Justice & Human RightsEducation Read →
- 9 May 2025 AI summary The Leader of the Opposition raised the suicide of a 15-year-old schoolgirl following alleged sexual abuse at school and subsequent public disclosure of the incident by a tuition teacher. He questioned delays in action, including the alleged perpetrator’s transfer months after the incident, and noted that the National Child Protection Authority had not been properly informed despite police notification from a hospital doctor. He urged the Prime Minister to establish an automatic, coordinated mechanism for preventing abuse, ensuring immediate reporting to the NCPA and law enforcement, and taking action against those who further victimise children. Standing Order 27(2) Questions and Matters of Urgent Public Importance Women & ChildrenJustice & Human RightsEducation Read →
- 8 May 2025 AI summary Sajith Premadasa challenged the Deputy Minister’s claim that electricity tariff increases were not linked to IMF conditions, citing an IMF statement of 29 April 2025 referring to prior actions on electricity cost-recovery pricing and the automatic price adjustment mechanism. He argued that delays to the EFF tranche were connected to these conditions and asked the Government to clearly acknowledge that proposed tariff increases arise from commitments under the IMF agreement, tabling the relevant document. Questions under Standing Order 27(2) - IMF Conditions and Privilege Matters Foreign AffairsPublic Finance Read →
- 8 May 2025 AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa, raising a question under Standing Order 27(2), challenged the Government’s adherence to IMF-related economic policies despite its election pledges to renegotiate a stronger programme. He sought detailed answers on possible electricity tariff increases, the abolition of SVAT and its impact on exporters and SMEs, taxation of foreign digital service providers, and whether these measures stem from IMF conditions. He also asked about protections for vulnerable consumers, senior citizens’ deposit interest rates, withholding tax on children’s accounts, and the process for issuing TINs to those over 18. Questions under Standing Order 27(2) - IMF Conditions and Privilege Matters EmploymentPublic FinanceCost of Living Read →
- 9 April 2025 AI summary On the VAT (Amendment) Bill, Sajith Premadasa supported the continued operation of the Simplified VAT scheme for exporters until the export sector recovers from current difficulties. He warned that proposed 44 per cent US retaliatory tariffs from 9 April could seriously affect Sri Lankan exports and questioned the Government on whether a promised delegation had been sent, who was included, whom it met, and what outcomes were achieved. He also complained that Opposition attempts to raise proposals and concerns in Parliament were being interrupted. Debate: Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading (Morning Session) Cost of LivingForeign Affairs Read →
- 9 April 2025 AI summary Sajith Premadasa urged the Government to act in the national interest by engaging immediately with bipartisan U.S. Senators and House members involved in drafting legislation to limit the U.S. President’s unilateral tariff powers. He presented this as a brief proposal for diplomatic and legislative engagement. Ministerial Statement: SO 27(2) Question to Minister of Foreign Affairs and Procedural Matters Public Finance Read →
- 9 April 2025 AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa briefly requested time from the Deputy Speaker to make a suggestion. No substantive proposal or policy position is stated in the provided excerpt. Ministerial Statement: SO 27(2) Question to Minister of Foreign Affairs and Procedural Matters Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 9 April 2025 AI summary Sajith Premadasa argued that Sri Lanka should proactively engage members of the US Senate and House Sri Lanka Caucuses to address tariffs unilaterally imposed by the US administration. He said these concerns were foreseeable following President Trump’s election platform on retaliatory tariffs, and noted that bipartisan efforts in the US Senate were reportedly underway to restrict presidential authority to impose such tariffs. Ministerial Statement: SO 27(2) Question to Minister of Foreign Affairs and Procedural Matters Public FinanceForeign Affairs Read →
- 9 April 2025 AI summary Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa thanked the Government for announcing a limited suspension of Parate Law action but urged debt restructuring for NPL and CRIB-listed borrowers and working capital support for over 260,000 affected MSMEs. Raising a question under Standing Order 27(2), he asked for details of the Government’s response to the United States’ 44 per cent retaliatory tariff on Sri Lankan exports, including engagement with any Sri Lanka caucuses in the US Congress, progress by the appointed delegation, and a formal action plan to be presented to Parliament. He also sought information on export market diversification, FDI promotion, and whether the Government would renegotiate the 2028 external debt repayment profile with the IMF and creditors if tariffs adversely affect exports and growth. Ministerial Statement: SO 27(2) Question to Minister of Foreign Affairs and Procedural Matters Public FinanceForeign AffairsEmployment Read →
- 8 April 2025 AI summary Sajith Premadasa stated that his intervention was not intended as an argument with the Leader of the House, but that the issue was significant and not a routine matter. He justified raising points beyond the written Question on the grounds that the matter affects the entire population and the economy, and maintained that he was not violating parliamentary rules. Oral Question: MSME Tariff Crisis and Trade Negotiations (SO 27(2)) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 8 April 2025 AI summary Sajith Premadasa raised concerns over the unresolved difficulties facing MSMEs and the wider industrial sector, particularly after the expiry of the suspension of banks’ parate execution powers and the threat of new US reciprocal tariffs. He asked whether the Government would extend the parate suspension, table data and a Central Bank roadmap on parate execution, and introduce measures such as affordable working capital, interest relief, and loan restructuring for distressed and blacklisted businesses. He also sought clarification on the Government’s response to the proposed 44 per cent US tariff on Sri Lankan exports, including efforts to secure alternative market support such as an expanded Indian apparel quota, and called for an All-Party Conference to address the issue. Oral Question: MSME Tariff Crisis and Trade Negotiations (SO 27(2)) Foreign AffairsEmploymentPublic Finance Read →
- 21 March 2025 AI summary Sajith Premadasa stated that asking questions during the Budget debate is part of the Opposition’s duty and said Ministers may request additional time if new data is needed. He noted that he had previously allowed Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara time to provide answers and argued that relevant data and issues should already have been considered in the Budget process. Question by Private Notice: Power Generation Policy Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 21 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa tabled several questions previously raised by the Opposition under Standing Order 27(2), stating that the procedure followed was proper and consistent with past practice. He argued that the substantive issue was whether policy was protecting a “diesel mafia” or prioritizing renewable energy, particularly solar, and called for an answer on that matter. Question by Private Notice: Power Generation Policy Public FinanceEnvironment Read →
- 21 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa raised a point of order. No substantive policy issue, proposal, or argument was presented in the provided excerpt. Question by Private Notice: Power Generation Policy Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 21 March 2025 AI summary Sajith Premadasa stated that his series of questions was submitted in accordance with Standing Orders and was intended to address renewable energy policy, not to support diesel power interests. He urged the Government to maintain consistency between its election commitments and post-election policy on renewable energy and solar power. Question by Private Notice: Power Generation Policy Public FinanceEnvironment Read →
- 21 March 2025 AI summary Sajith Premadasa questioned the Government on whether recent decisions affecting solar power align with its policy commitment to add 2,000 MW of solar capacity to the national grid. He requested detailed information on existing coal and diesel plants, generation and purchase costs by source, solar capacity targets and achievements, rooftop and ground-mounted solar tariffs, pending project approvals, and the impact of new network limits imposed by a March 2025 circular. He also asked whether tariff reductions or regulatory delays could discourage investment, whether the Government was favouring diesel IPPs, and when amendments or a new Electricity Act would be presented to Parliament. Question by Private Notice: Power Generation Policy Public FinanceEnvironmentInfrastructure Read →
- 20 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa argued that Sri Lanka must achieve at least 5 percent growth by 2028 to support debt sustainability and resumed debt repayment, but said the Government had not presented clear sectoral plans for industry, agriculture, services, exports or investment. He questioned whether the Government was following IMF directions without an independent economic programme, citing unresolved promises on EPF/ETF losses from domestic debt restructuring and renegotiation with creditors. He also demanded relief for retirees through higher interest income, questioned the increase in Withholding Tax, and asked whether the absence of jobs for about 35,000 graduates was linked to IMF-driven public sector cuts. Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Committee Stage Debate EmploymentPublic FinanceAgriculture Read →
- 20 March 2025 AI summary Sajith Premadasa argued that the Government has violated commitments in its policy document “A Prosperous Country – A Beautiful Life” regarding economic management. He said the promised new Debt Sustainability Agreement had not materialized and criticized the Government for continuing the previous administration’s IMF, bilateral, and bondholder arrangements, which he claimed place excessive burdens on ordinary people. Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Committee Stage Debate Cost of LivingPublic Finance Read →
- 20 March 2025 AI summary Sajith Premadasa sought clarification on a ministerial response regarding a tax increase from 5 to 10 percent. He argued that tax efficiency is achieved through improved mechanisms within the tax system, not by raising tax rates, and requested the Minister to acknowledge and correct the statement. Oral Question by Private Notice: Withholding Tax on Senior Citizens' Deposits and Valaichchenai Paper Factory Parliamentary Procedure Read →