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 April 2026 AI summary Sajith Premadasa briefly rose on a point of order. No substantive argument, proposal, or policy matter was presented in the provided excerpt. Second Round of Oral Questions and Ministerial Statements Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 9 April 2026 AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa stated that he would raise the relevant issue after the session on Questions for Oral Answers. Oral Questions and Answers Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 9 April 2026 AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa informed the Chair that he would raise the relevant issue after the session’s Questions for Oral Answers. Oral Questions and Answers Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 8 April 2026 AI summary The Leader of the Opposition alleged that the Government was planning a 53 percent electricity tariff increase in May, following an 11 percent increase in April, to recover costs linked to diesel generation after substandard coal purchases, and demanded that the proposed hike be withdrawn. He also called for relief for LPG consumers, lower fuel prices following a reported ceasefire and reduced oil prices, and urgent action on shortages of fertilizer and essential supplies. He criticized the Government’s handling of paddy prices, farmer relief, health services, medical transfers and difficult-service hospital classifications, while proposing grievance officers or ombudsmen at Divisional Secretariat level to address public complaints such as excessive electricity bills. Adjournment Debate: Mitigate the Impact of Middle Eastern War on Sri Lanka's Economy HealthcareCost of LivingAgriculture Read →
- 7 April 2026 AI summary Sajith Premadasa disputed the Government’s claim that 100,000 MT of fertilizer is sufficient, stating that farmers face shortages of urea, MOP, and TSP and urging verification in farming areas. While welcoming initial relief measures, he called for them to be substantially expanded using a larger portion of the reported Rs. 1.4 trillion in savings so that the public receives tangible relief. Debate: Social Security Contribution Levy (Amendment) Bill and Related Orders - Continuation (Post-Lunch) Public FinanceAgriculture Read →
- 7 April 2026 AI summary The Leader of the Opposition said the Government’s relief package followed opposition protests and urged that it be implemented promptly, citing earlier unmet pledges to victims of Cyclone “Michaung.” He questioned the adequacy and economic basis of the proposed Rs. 100 billion package, argued that IMF negotiations should have sought greater flexibility in light of recent crises, and requested that international partners be allowed to meet all political parties freely. He also raised concerns over substandard coal and reduced output at Lakvijaya, and demanded expanded relief, particularly for LPG-using households, noting that the package represents only a small share of claimed budgetary savings from higher taxes. Debate: Social Security Contribution Levy (Amendment) Bill and Related Orders - Continuation (Post-Lunch) Cost of LivingPublic FinanceEnvironment Read →
- 7 April 2026 AI summary Asked when the Government would implement its election promise to provide fuel at the port-landing price, referencing commitments made during the presidential and general election campaigns. Oral Question: SriLankan Airlines - A330-200 Aircraft Acquisition and Fertilizer Distribution Cost of Living Read →
- 7 April 2026 AI summary The Leader of the Opposition raised concerns over recent increases in fuel and LPG prices, citing rises of around 24–30 per cent for petrol, diesel and kerosene and about 19–23 per cent for domestic gas. He argued that consumers had not been given relief despite relief measures in other countries, and asked when the Government would fulfil its promise to sell fuel to consumers at port-landing price. Oral Question: SriLankan Airlines - A330-200 Aircraft Acquisition and Fertilizer Distribution Public FinanceCost of Living Read →
- 7 April 2026 AI summary In the context of global conflict and potential fuel supply disruptions, Sajith Premadasa sought detailed information from the Minister of Energy on Sri Lanka’s fuel costs, taxes, pricing formula, consumption, imports, storage, refinery output, and procurement premiums. He requested that the Government table reports covering per-litre costs from import to retail, shipment-wise import data for January to March 2026, the Sapugaskanda refinery’s capacity and utilization, and current fuel orders and premiums. He also questioned why the Government had not implemented its earlier commitment to pass port-landing prices to consumers and asked whether Treasury balances could be used to reduce fuel prices for the public, particularly low- and middle-income groups. Oral Question: SriLankan Airlines - A330-200 Aircraft Acquisition and Fertilizer Distribution Public FinanceInfrastructureCost of Living Read →
- 20 March 2026 AI summary Sajith Premadasa criticized the Government for reversing its stance on QR code use and reiterated several Opposition proposals. He called for using excess Treasury balances for a tourism stimulus, providing tax relief and salary increases to reduce brain drain, renegotiating the IMF programme, and immediately implementing poverty relief measures. Adjournment Debate (Continuation): Effects of Current Global Situation on Our Economy Public FinanceEmploymentCost of Living Read →
- 20 March 2026 AI summary Sajith Premadasa argued that despite increased tourist arrivals, tourism revenue has declined compared to the previous year. He called for immediate tax relief and salary adjustments to address accelerating brain drain, urged renegotiation of the IMF framework, and demanded an urgent poverty eradication programme. He also called for the suspension of parate actions against MSMEs and measures to protect micro, small, and medium enterprises. Adjournment Debate (Continuation): Effects of Current Global Situation on Our Economy Public FinanceCost of LivingEmployment Read →
- 20 March 2026 AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa criticised the President’s response to the wartime situation, arguing that neutrality should not prevent Sri Lanka from condemning alleged violations of international law and the UN Charter. He questioned whether maritime domain awareness agreements with the United States had been breached in relation to reported military activity near Sri Lankan waters, and disputed the President’s interpretation of rights in the Exclusive Economic Zone under UNCLOS and related law. He also accused the Government of failing to use a temporary sanctions pause to pursue Russian oil purchases, warned of energy security risks from under-generation at the Lakvijaya coal plant, and proposed measures including a tourism support programme, steps to stem professional emigration through tax and salary reforms, and renegotiation with the IMF. Adjournment Debate (Continuation): Effects of Current Global Situation on Our Economy Security & DefenceForeign AffairsPublic Finance Read →
- 19 March 2026 AI summary Sajith Premadasa disputed the Government’s claim that there is no crisis, citing reduced generation at the Norochcholai coal power plant and alleging that substandard coal has increased ash output, caused repeated breakdowns, and threatens power supply reliability. He warned of environmental and health risks from excess fly ash, especially during the New Year closure of cement companies that normally purchase it, and referred to possible power cuts noted by the Public Utilities Commission. He argued that the resulting fuel and electricity pressures are affecting farmers, fishers, industries, transport workers and SMEs, and called for a relief programme using Treasury resources for vulnerable households and economic sectors. He also questioned whether investment and FDI can be attracted amid electricity instability and an ineffective QR fuel system. Debate: Colombo Port City Economic Commission Act Regulations Approval EnvironmentInfrastructureCost of Living Read →
- 19 March 2026 AI summary The Leader of the Opposition raised concerns about rising poverty and income inequality amid economic pressures and cost-of-living increases, including effects attributed to Middle East conflict-related fuel and price rises. He requested updated district-level poverty data, definitions and indicators used for the National Poverty Line and multidimensional poverty, and information on impacts on sectors such as manufacturing, self-employment, MSMEs, and the wider economy. He asked the Government to detail current social protection and income-support programmes, assess the adequacy of Aswesuma, and clarify whether a National Poverty Alleviation Policy exists with timelines and components. He also sought data and targeted measures for vulnerable groups, including children, mothers, persons with disabilities, the elderly and youth, and asked for short-, medium- and long-term policies to address multidimensional poverty, job losses and factory closures. Questions under Standing Order 27(2): Economic Challenges and Aviation Sector EmploymentPublic FinanceCost of Living Read →
- 17 March 2026 AI summary Sajith Premadasa criticized the Government’s handling of energy and fuel risks amid the Middle East conflict, arguing that it had failed to undertake scenario planning despite earlier warnings about possible disruption around the Strait of Hormuz and opportunities such as temporary US sanctions relief on Russian oil. He attributed current electricity risks to domestic procurement failures, particularly alleged low-quality coal supplies to Norochcholai, and cited generation deficits and PUCSL warnings about possible scheduled cuts during peak months. He questioned the adequacy and fairness of the fuel QR quota system for sectors including transport, farming, fisheries, SMEs and exports, and demanded that the Government honour its promise to sell fuel at landed cost by removing added taxes and levies. He also objected to the adjournment of Parliament during the crisis and said the Opposition would support genuine solutions while opposing actions that endanger energy security. Debate: Approval of Remuneration and Service Conditions of CIABOC Officers and Employees Foreign AffairsPublic FinanceEmployment Read →
- 17 March 2026 AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa questioned whether a stated matter was a printing error before seeking clarification on the Government’s preparedness for escalating Iran-Israel-US tensions. He argued that strategic and scenario planning should have anticipated impacts on energy security, citing reduced Norochcholai output over several days and the resulting reliance on diesel generation amid possible global shortages. He referred to PUCSL warnings of power cuts in April, June and July, and demanded a clear, data-driven plan to prevent load-shedding and consumer price increases. Clarification on Country's Energy Security under Standing Order 27(2) Public FinanceCost of LivingInfrastructure Read →
- 17 March 2026 AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa raised a procedural point noting that Standing Order 27(2) questions were listed for 11.00 to 11.30 a.m. despite the sitting beginning late. He asked whether the printed time allocation for those questions was an error. Clarification on Country's Energy Security under Standing Order 27(2) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 17 March 2026 AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa questioned what measures the Government was providing to support the tourism sector. He also asked whether, during the 30-day pause on sanctions relating to Russia, the Government pursued negotiations or forward purchase agreements for crude oil supplies from Russia, and whether it sought similar arrangements in light of the International Energy Agency’s planned release of 400 million barrels despite Sri Lanka’s limited storage capacity. Clarification on Country's Energy Security under Standing Order 27(2) Cost of LivingForeign Affairs Read →
- 17 March 2026 AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa pressed the Government to answer a newly added question relating to tourism, saying such issues change rapidly and require a response. He criticized the Government’s prior promises made to the public, arguing that those commitments had contributed to the current difficulties. Clarification on Country's Energy Security under Standing Order 27(2) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 17 March 2026 AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa indicated that he was posing a question. No substantive policy issue, proposal, or legislative matter is contained in the provided speech excerpt. Clarification on Country's Energy Security under Standing Order 27(2) Parliamentary Procedure Read →