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- 22 January 2025 AI summary The Leader of the Opposition raised a series of sectoral grievances, urging Government action on rising shootings and drug-related crime, passport issuance delays, alleged tax losses from coconut oil imports, port container congestion, and the restoration of a 15 per cent interest scheme for senior citizens. He also called for consultations on vehicle and safari jeep regulations, employment solutions for unemployed graduates, pathways for Development Officers into teaching, expedited recruitment to the Sri Lanka Teacher Educators’ Service, and new student nurse intake gazettes. He further requested expanded B.Ed. technology education opportunities, remedies for Grama Niladhari service issues, and implementation of the Government’s pledged one-third electricity tariff reduction, noting that the PUCSL had approved only a 20 per cent cut. Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme (Postponed from 2025-01-21) Law & OrderEmploymentPublic Finance Read →
- 10 January 2025 AI summary Sajith Premadasa paid tribute to former Members of Parliament Kumara Welgama, H. Nandasena and Tudor Gunasekera, recalling their political careers, ministerial roles and public service. He highlighted Welgama’s contributions to infrastructure, health and welfare projects and his candid political style; Nandasena’s advocacy for CKDu-affected communities and fertilizer subsidy issues in Anuradhapura; and Gunasekera’s service in Mahara, Gampaha District education and health initiatives, and diplomatic posts. He conveyed condolences to their families and expressed respect for their service. Votes of Condolence: Hon. Kumara Welgama, Hon. H. Nandasena, and Hon. Tudor Gunasekera Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 10 January 2025 AI summary Sajith Premadasa raised an urgent concern during a sitting reserved for Votes of Condolence, noting the absence of Oral Questions. He asked the Prime Minister to address the alleged injustice faced by the 2023 G.C.E. Advanced Level cohort due to the non-publication of the university admissions gazette and reported refusal by some universities to recognize certain degree certificates. Procedural Matters: Oral Questions Postponement and Sitting Hours Justice & Human RightsEducation Read →
- 8 January 2025 AI summary Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa questioned the continued operation of the Prevention of Terrorism Act, arguing that it is being used beyond its original purpose and may conflict with Sri Lanka’s international human rights obligations. He asked the Government to state whether it will repeal, amend, or replace the PTA, and requested data on detentions, prosecutions, rehabilitation, releases, and safeguards concerning detention powers, arrest without warrant, and remand procedures. He also called for justice in the assassination of Lasantha Wickrematunge and attacks on media institutions, including Sirasa and Siyatha TV, urging accountability for those responsible. Procedural: Standing Order 27(2) Question and Exemption Motion Corruption & Governance ReformLaw & OrderJustice & Human Rights Read →
- 7 January 2025 AI summary Sajith Premadasa raised concerns about unresolved education-sector issues, including unpaid salary arrears for teachers, stating that two-thirds of the dues remain unpaid. He said further discussions were needed with the relevant Minister on matters affecting non-academic staff, teachers, principals, advisors, educationists, and administrators, and rejected the suggestion that members had merely gone for lunch. Adjournment Debate: 2024 Mid-Year Fiscal Position Report EducationParliamentary Procedure Read →
- 7 January 2025 AI summary Sajith Premadasa rose to address the Deputy Speaker, but no substantive remarks or arguments are included in the provided excerpt. No policy position, proposal, question, or demand can be identified from the text supplied. Adjournment Debate: 2024 Mid-Year Fiscal Position Report Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 7 January 2025 AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa questioned whether continuing the existing IMF programme without a new debt sustainability analysis reflected the public mandate, and demanded relief measures including the promised fertilizer subsidy increase, electricity tariff reductions, fuel relief, and redress for EPF/ETF losses after domestic debt restructuring. He urged stronger support for MSMEs beyond the Parate moratorium, criticized the unresolved passport shortage and changes to the 1990 Suwaseriya board, and argued that economic “stability” must be assessed against poverty, unemployment, malnutrition, and business closures. He also called on the Government not to deport Rohingya refugees who arrived in Mullaitivu, citing non-refoulement and urging consultation with UNHCR. He said national recovery should involve Government, Opposition, civil society, business, donors, and international institutions while protecting sovereignty. Adjournment Debate: 2024 Mid-Year Fiscal Position Report EmploymentPublic FinanceCost of Living Read →
- 7 January 2025 AI summary The Leader of the Opposition offered a brief expression of thanks. No substantive policy position, proposal, question, or demand was raised. Adjournment Debate: 2024 Mid-Year Fiscal Position Report Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 7 January 2025 AI summary Sajith Premadasa requested an exception to the scheduled proceedings, noting that the understanding was for all matters between 9.30 a.m. and 10.30 a.m. to be concluded within that time. He said the Announcements had taken more than 15 minutes, affecting the agreed schedule. Adjournment Debate: 2024 Mid-Year Fiscal Position Report Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 7 January 2025 AI summary The Leader of the Opposition asked for the Chair’s consent for a procedural allowance limited to that day’s sitting. Adjournment Debate: 2024 Mid-Year Fiscal Position Report Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 7 January 2025 AI summary The Leader of the Opposition requested a procedural accommodation for that day only, citing the importance of the debate. Adjournment Debate: 2024 Mid-Year Fiscal Position Report Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 7 January 2025 AI summary Sajith Premadasa requested that the half-hour normally allotted for lunch be used to continue the debate, citing time lost to Questions and other proceedings. He sought the Deputy Speaker’s consent and indicated this could proceed with the Prime Minister’s agreement. Adjournment Debate: 2024 Mid-Year Fiscal Position Report Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 7 January 2025 AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa called for Parliament to begin 2025 with a renewed democratic political culture and a collective commitment to meet public expectations. He urged the Speaker to implement, from the New Year, the long-standing allowance scheme for parliamentary officials in lieu of unused vacation leave, noting that it had been approved by the Staff Advisory Committee and had operated for 21 years. He also expressed readiness to work collaboratively toward building a prosperous and hopeful nation. Opening Statement: Leader of the Opposition Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 18 December 2024 AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa states that the relevant documents or materials will be submitted to the Hansard Department. He asks members not to be alarmed about the matter. Debate: Supplementary Estimate – Head 102, Programme 01 (School Supplies Grant) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 18 December 2024 AI summary Sajith Premadasa raised a Point of Order addressed to the President, urging consideration of Hon. Nalin Bandara’s proposal regarding Committee Chair positions. He referred to their recent experience working together in Opposition and asked for an open-minded and positive response to the suggestion. Procedural Matters and Points of Order Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 18 December 2024 AI summary Sajith Premadasa requested that Parliament allocate additional time equivalent to the hour lost from Questions for Oral Answers due to statements being made. He argued that without compensation, Members from both sides would lose their opportunity to raise questions. Procedural Matters and Points of Order Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 18 December 2024 AI summary Sajith Premadasa set out a detailed account of his educational and professional records in response to remarks made the previous day, stating that he would table supporting documents from his schooling in Sri Lanka and the UK, his A/Level results, his LSE degree, University of Maryland postgraduate transcripts, and later Open University coursework. He denied allegations regarding false or unfavourable examination records, invited verification from the relevant institutions and examination boards, and said he was prepared to resign from Parliament, the Opposition Leadership and politics if any statement he made was proven false. Procedural Matters and Points of Order Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 17 December 2024 AI summary Sajith Premadasa asked the Acting Finance Minister to table the Staff-level Agreement in Parliament. He also requested details of the currency swaps, interest payments, and other external debt obligations due in the following year. Adjournment Debate: International Sovereign Bond Restructuring and IMF Agreement Public Finance Read →
- 17 December 2024 AI summary Sajith Premadasa, Leader of the Opposition, rose to address the Chair, but the provided excerpt contains only the opening form of address and no substantive remarks. No policy position, question, proposal, or demand is included in the text supplied. Adjournment Debate: International Sovereign Bond Restructuring and IMF Agreement Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 17 December 2024 AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa moved an adjournment motion calling for transparency on the Government’s debt restructuring process, particularly the restructuring of International Sovereign Bonds and whether the new Government has altered or continued the previous IMF programme. He questioned the equity between domestic debt restructuring and ISB terms, citing the macro-linked bond mechanism, and demanded that the IMF staff-level agreement, ISB understanding, bilateral loan agreements, future debt obligations, swap details, and reserve adequacy be tabled in Parliament. He also raised concerns over delayed electricity and fuel price relief, reduced senior citizens’ deposit interest, fertilizer support, compensation promises, high prices, and promised tax changes, arguing that the Government should explain its position and honour its mandate. Adjournment Debate: International Sovereign Bond Restructuring and IMF Agreement Corruption & Governance ReformPublic Finance Read →