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- 17 December 2024 AI summary The Leader of the Opposition informed the House that, in response to Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa’s request, he would table all certificates relating to his educational qualifications the following morning. The sitting then proceeded with a nomination for Hon. Dr. Kaushalya Ariyarathne to take the Chair. Adjournment Debate: International Sovereign Bond Restructuring and IMF Agreement Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 17 December 2024 AI summary Sajith Premadasa argued that officials such as Directors General and Secretaries should not merely accept committee recommendations but independently assess their accuracy. Referring to concerns raised about violations of religious and cultural practices, he requested basic aggregate statistics on affected persons and maintained that the process had targeted a community using false data. He called on the Government to initiate and lead a compensation programme for the families who suffered. Oral Question: Cremation of COVID-19 Victims (Q.9/2024) Religion & CultureJustice & Human Rights Read →
- 17 December 2024 AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa referred to the previous policy of forced cremations, arguing that it lacked medical basis, violated international conventions, and targeted a specific ethnic and religious community. He urged the Minister to draw the Government’s attention to providing compensation to affected families and to initiate a formal compensation programme. Oral Question: Cremation of COVID-19 Victims (Q.9/2024) Justice & Human RightsEthnic Reconciliation & Devolution Read →
- 17 December 2024 AI summary Sajith Premadasa raised concerns about the collapse and ineffectiveness of the Farmers’ Pension Scheme, noting the scale of paddy cultivation and the number of farmers affected. He asked the Deputy Minister whether the Government would study international models from India, Brazil, South Korea, and China and implement a stronger pension scheme, referring to a promise in the Government’s policy statement to replace the current weak system. Oral Question: Farmers' Pension Scheme Details (Q.77/2024) AgriculturePublic Finance Read →
- 17 December 2024 AI summary Sajith Premadasa congratulated the newly appointed Speaker and emphasized the Speaker’s responsibility to uphold the rights of all Members, ensure equal treatment in the Chamber, and strengthen democratic practice. He referred to the Opposition’s previous No-Confidence Motion against the former Speaker and expressed hope that such action would not be necessary again, stressing the need for a stable country with a strong Executive, Legislature and Judiciary. Opening: Parliament Meeting, Affirmations, and Speaker's Election Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 6 December 2024 AI summary Sajith Premadasa questioned whether the Government’s IMF-related debt agreement was based on its promised Alternative Debt Sustainability Analysis or the previous administration’s framework, arguing that the proposed external debt terms restart repayments too early and impose a heavier long-term burden than alternatives such as Ghana’s restructuring. He requested that Parliament be convened before 12 December to table, debate, and vote on the ISB agreement, proposing that Sri Lanka reject the current terms and seek a better deal. He also called for an extension of the suspension of parate execution beyond 15 December and for a structured support programme for SMEs addressing non-performing loans, blacklisting, and access to working capital. Debate on Vote on Account for Ministry of Public Administration and Related Matters Justice & Human RightsPublic FinanceEmployment Read →
- 6 December 2024 AI summary Sajith Premadasa stated that the Opposition had met the Speaker and submitted concerns regarding the nomination process, citing precedent and parliamentary tradition. He said they were awaiting the Speaker’s ruling and that, until it was given, it would be difficult for them to proceed with nominations. Vote on Account Debate (Introduction and Motion) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 6 December 2024 AI summary Sajith Premadasa requested that the membership of the Committee be increased to allow broader and fairer Opposition representation. He argued that such an increase would not violate Standing Orders or raise costs, and cited the previous Parliament’s practice of wider Opposition inclusion as a precedent for reaching consensus. Procedural Matters: Sitting Hours, Legislative Standing Committee, Committee on Parliamentary Business Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 4 December 2024 AI summary Sajith Premadasa reminded the House of Standing Order 91(1), which prohibits Members from imputing improper motives or referring to another Member’s private affairs. He noted that such remarks should be expunged from Hansard and urged Members to adhere to the Standing Orders. Debate: Government Policy Statement - Resumed Adjourned Debate Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 3 December 2024 AI summary Sajith Premadasa said the Opposition would support beneficial public programmes while opposing harmful measures, and urged the Government to stop using the Prevention of Terrorism Act against civil liberties and social media activists, in line with its pledge to repeal it. He called for urgent action on MSME debt restructuring before the parate moratorium lapses, disaster relief and early warning systems, health-sector shortages, fertilizer subsidy payments, Development Officers’ grievances, rice supply stabilization, and promised fuel price reductions. He also questioned whether the Government’s commitments on revising the IMF programme, debt sustainability agreement, tax thresholds and VAT had been included in the recent Staff-Level Agreement, and demanded that it be tabled for transparency. Debate: President's Policy Statement Cost of LivingJustice & Human RightsHealthcare Read →
- 21 November 2024 AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa congratulated the newly elected Speaker and emphasized the responsibility of the office to safeguard the democratic rights of all Members of Parliament. He urged the Speaker to act impartially, transparently, and in accordance with the Standing Orders and rules of the House. Election of Speaker of the Tenth Parliament Parliamentary Procedure Read →