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- 10 April 2026 AI summary Opposing a no-confidence motion debate on the Minister of Power and Energy, Sajith Premadasa alleged serious fraud in the importation of substandard coal and argued that the Minister’s position had become untenable. He cited PUCSL findings on reduced generation efficiency, low calorific value, increased fly-ash emissions, an estimated Rs. 8.497 billion loss from nine vessels, and risks of load shedding, and also referred to Auditor-General observations on unregistered suppliers, premature contracts, invalid quality accreditation, and emergency procurement issues. He further linked the coal issue to what he described as a government policy favouring fossil-fuel generation over renewable energy, stating that consumers face higher costs and weakened energy security. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Public FinanceEnvironmentCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
- 9 April 2026 AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa questioned reported contradictions between three DNA tests concerning “Sara Jasmine,” noting that a third test indicated her existence while the first two did not. He called for an impartial investigation focused on justice and truth, without politically motivated targeting of individuals. Adjournment Debate: Easter Sunday Attack of 21 April 2019 Justice & Human Rights Read →
- 9 April 2026 AI summary Sajith Premadasa called for transparent, depoliticized investigations into the Easter Sunday attacks and related incidents, with assistance from Scotland Yard, the FBI and other international bodies. He raised a series of questions on the Vavunativu police killings, alleged intelligence links and investigative interference, communications involving Zahran and others, the Saindamarudu blast, “Sara Jasmine” DNA evidence, the Galanigama lorry incident, and foreign warnings before the attacks. He also sought clarification on findings of previous committees and the roles of officials, including the then Eastern Province Governor, and urged that all those involved be identified and given maximum punishment. Adjournment Debate: Easter Sunday Attack of 21 April 2019 Security & DefenceCorruption & Governance ReformJustice & Human Rights Read →
- 9 April 2026 AI summary The Leader of the Opposition moved an adjournment motion calling for all investigative reports on the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks to be made public and for justice to be pursued through independent, transparent processes, including assistance from agencies such as Scotland Yard and the FBI. He reiterated earlier demands for the identification and prosecution of the masterminds and raised a series of specific matters for inquiry, including the Vavunativu police killings, alleged intelligence links and obstructed investigations, the actions of Jameel before the attacks, the Saindamarudu blast, and the conflicting claims about “Sara Jasmine.” He said the purpose should be to establish the truth and secure accountability for victims, not to use investigations for political advantage or vendettas. Adjournment Debate: Easter Sunday Attack of 21 April 2019 Corruption & Governance ReformSecurity & DefenceJustice & Human Rights Read →
- 9 April 2026 AI summary Sajith Premadasa said MSMEs, which the Finance Minister had acknowledged contribute 52% of GDP, are under severe pressure from recent crises and from the IMF-linked gradual removal of CESS protections. He argued that the suspension of parate execution was not accompanied by debt restructuring or relief for over-indebted SMEs, and asked whether the Government has a programme to protect them and develop export-oriented industry. He warned that major manufacturers such as Brandix and MAS Holdings are relocating operations to Indian states including Andhra Pradesh and Odisha, and proposed dedicated industrial parks and stronger support measures to retain factories and jobs in Sri Lanka. Ministerial Statements on Economic Policy Public FinanceInfrastructureEmployment Read →
- 9 April 2026 AI summary Sajith Premadasa alleged irregularities in coal procurement, stating that due to delayed vessel arrivals the Government was sourcing 300,000 metric tons from a supplier that had not previously met required specifications. He questioned why this decision was made and claimed that corruption in the process would impose costs on 7.5 million electricity consumers. Second Round of Oral Questions and Ministerial Statements Corruption & Governance ReformPublic FinanceLaw & Order Read →
- 9 April 2026 AI summary Sajith Premadasa questioned the Government’s proposed electricity tariff increase, linking it to alleged use of substandard coal and failures in power generation. He stated that although the Government now refers to a 15 percent increase, he believes the final increase will amount to 30 percent, and framed his remarks as the basis for further questions. Second Round of Oral Questions and Ministerial Statements Public FinanceInfrastructure Read →
- 9 April 2026 AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa sought permission to clarify a matter. No substantive policy position, proposal, or question was set out in the provided excerpt. Second Round of Oral Questions and Ministerial Statements Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 9 April 2026 AI summary Sajith Premadasa requested clarification during the proceedings. No specific issue, proposal, or policy matter was stated in the provided excerpt. Second Round of Oral Questions and Ministerial Statements Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 9 April 2026 AI summary Sajith Premadasa stated that he was raising the issue because it was a serious matter, without providing further details in the excerpt. Second Round of Oral Questions and Ministerial Statements Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 9 April 2026 AI summary Sajith Premadasa requested to make a few brief clarifications. No substantive policy position, proposal, or question is contained in the quoted remarks. Second Round of Oral Questions and Ministerial Statements Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 9 April 2026 AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa questioned the Government’s handling of coal procurement and maintenance-related power outages, arguing that PUCSL data, plant performance, coal consumption, calorific value and ash content suggested inferior coal had been supplied, preventing full 900 MW output from the three coal units. He asked why the tender was awarded to Trident Chemphar Limited despite alleged incomplete registration, and why laboratory certificates from labs with expired accreditations were accepted. Second Round of Oral Questions and Ministerial Statements InfrastructureCorruption & Governance ReformPublic Finance Read →
- 9 April 2026 AI summary The Hon. Sajith Premadasa raised a matter of national importance and requested that the relevant annex be sent. Second Round of Oral Questions and Ministerial Statements Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 9 April 2026 AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa objected that answers to Questions 1 and 2 had been referred to an annex rather than provided in the Chamber. He requested that the annex be sent to him so he could examine it and raise supplementary questions, asking how he could proceed without access to the annex. Second Round of Oral Questions and Ministerial Statements Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 9 April 2026 AI summary Sajith Premadasa raised a point of order. No substantive issue, proposal, or question was stated in the provided excerpt. Second Round of Oral Questions and Ministerial Statements Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 9 April 2026 AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa requested that at least the relevant annex be provided. The intervention appears to be a procedural demand for documentation needed in connection with the matter under discussion. Second Round of Oral Questions and Ministerial Statements Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 9 April 2026 AI summary Asked that the relevant averages be stated, without providing further substantive argument or context in the recorded excerpt. Second Round of Oral Questions and Ministerial Statements Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 9 April 2026 AI summary Sajith Premadasa requested that at least the average figures from the two sets of data be provided, so that Members could pose supplementary questions based on them. Second Round of Oral Questions and Ministerial Statements Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 9 April 2026 AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa questioned the Government on allegations that substandard coal supplied by Trident Chemphar Limited to the Lakvijaya Power Plant had reduced generation efficiency, increased coal consumption, created fly ash issues, and forced costly use of diesel and furnace oil. He requested vessel-wise data comparing Trident’s coal with the previous supplier on generation capacity, consumption rates, calorific value, fly ash output, delivery schedules, and losses. He also asked whether tender criteria were relaxed, whether the supplier was properly registered, what legal and technical advice was obtained, and how the Government would ensure uninterrupted peak-time electricity supply and recover any losses. Second Round of Oral Questions and Ministerial Statements Public FinanceEnvironmentInfrastructure Read →
- 9 April 2026 AI summary Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa objected to an alleged attempt to add new material on earlier coal procurements to a Special Audit Report already tabled and distributed in Parliament concerning Lanka Coal Company procurement for the Lakvijaya Power Plant for 2025/2026. Citing parliamentary practice and Articles 153 and 154 of the Constitution, he argued that doing so could undermine the Auditor General’s independence and infringe Members’ privileges. He proposed that earlier transactions be investigated separately and that a distinct Auditor General’s report with relevant annexures be submitted to Parliament. Second Round of Oral Questions and Ministerial Statements Parliamentary ProcedureCorruption & Governance ReformPublic Finance Read →