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 March 2026 AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa appealed to the Chair to allow him to present his full question, arguing that the matter concerned the public’s vital interests and should not be constrained solely by time limits. Clarification on Country's Energy Security under Standing Order 27(2) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 17 March 2026 AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa asked the Government to provide current, accurate data on petroleum stocks and the number of days they would last, questioning recent price increases despite earlier assurances on fuel reserves. He called for the removal of all taxes on fuel in line with promised ex-wharf pricing, and requested details of any strategic reserve, contingency plans, and impact assessments for global oil price rises and Middle East supply disruptions. He also raised concerns over the reactivated QR-based fuel distribution system, including inadequate quotas, registration problems after vehicle transfers, and the need to revise allocations for transport, agriculture, fisheries, health, tourism, and other essential sectors. Clarification on Country's Energy Security under Standing Order 27(2) Public FinanceInfrastructureCost of Living Read →
- 17 March 2026 AI summary Sajith Premadasa raised a point of order regarding the scheduled debate on the impact of the Middle East war. Noting that Friday may mark the beginning of Ramadan and could be declared a holiday, he proposed moving the Friday sitting of the debate to Wednesday and requested the Chair’s ruling to allow it. Committee Reports and Petitions Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 6 March 2026 AI summary Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa challenged the Government’s justification for the state of emergency, citing an alleged torpedo attack within Sri Lanka’s EEZ and questioning surveillance capability, maritime security readiness, and diplomatic action. He warned that closure of the Strait of Hormuz and war-risk surcharges could raise fuel, food, medicine, LNG/LPG, tourism, tea export, and remittance-related pressures, and called for immediate engagement with India and Russia to secure fuel supplies. He also demanded plans to address possible marine environmental damage, protect Sri Lankan migrant workers in the Middle East, and clarify the type of submarine involved, while alleging that low-grade coal procurement and electricity tariff increases were undermining energy security under emergency cover. Debate: Resolution on Public Security Ordinance - Extension of State of Emergency Foreign AffairsSecurity & DefenceCost of Living Read →
- 6 March 2026 AI summary Under Standing Order 27(2), Sajith Premadasa questioned the Government on paddy procurement, alleging that farmers are unable to obtain the promised Rs. 120 per kg guaranteed price and are selling to middlemen at Rs. 70–80 per kg. He sought details on 2025 Yala purchases, expenditure, storage, stock release, losses, and the procurement target and storage arrangements for the 2025/2026 Maha season. He also asked how the guaranteed price was calculated amid rising input costs and crop losses, whether small and medium millers are being involved, and whether the Government plans rice imports in 2026 due to possible production shortfalls. Standing Order 27(2) Questions and Ministry Statements Public FinanceCost of LivingAgriculture Read →
- 5 March 2026 AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa supported the proposed National Care Policy but argued that its effectiveness depends on practical implementation and an independent National Women’s Commission. He questioned whether current economic conditions, including high prices and utility costs, protect women’s dignity, and cited low female labour force participation and high female unemployment as requiring concrete action plans. He also called for safeguards against exploitative microfinance and online lending, a national programme on maternal and child nutrition, better data for poverty-related policymaking, support for women-headed households, and protections for women and children in digital environments. Adjournment: National Care Policy and International Women's Day EmploymentCost of LivingWomen & Children Read →
- 5 March 2026 AI summary The Leader of the Opposition questioned the Government about a policy matter involving a second vessel near the Colombo Port, asking whether authorities were aware of it and what action would be taken. He requested that information be presented to Parliament, stating that the issue related to national security and sovereignty rather than domestic political controversy. Procedural: Indian Ocean Security Matter and Parliamentary Debate on Sovereignty Foreign AffairsSecurity & Defence Read →
- 5 March 2026 AI summary Sajith Premadasa raised concerns that allowing military activity in Sri Lanka’s Exclusive Economic Zone would undermine national security, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. He argued that under the principles of due regard and peaceful purposes, the EEZ should be used for economic activities and not for military action. Procedural: Indian Ocean Security Matter and Parliamentary Debate on Sovereignty Foreign AffairsSecurity & Defence Read →
- 5 March 2026 AI summary Sajith Premadasa requested additional speaking time from the Speaker, stating that the matter under discussion was important. Procedural: Indian Ocean Security Matter and Parliamentary Debate on Sovereignty Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 5 March 2026 AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa argued that an incident 19 nautical miles offshore occurred within Sri Lanka’s Exclusive Economic Zone and invoked UNCLOS Articles 56, 58 and 88 to state that activities there must be peaceful and conducted with due regard. He said the resulting environmental harm, damage to marine resources and loss of life were contrary to international law. He also pressed the Government to answer his earlier question about a second vessel reportedly near the Port of Colombo. Procedural: Indian Ocean Security Matter and Parliamentary Debate on Sovereignty EnvironmentSecurity & DefenceForeign Affairs Read →
- 5 March 2026 AI summary Sajith Premadasa raised concerns over reports that the Iranian naval vessel “IRIS Dena” was attacked and sank near Galle, asking the Government to confirm the exact location, whether it occurred within Sri Lanka’s maritime zones, and what security measures have been taken. Citing UNCLOS, the UN Charter, the San Remo Manual and international humanitarian law, he argued that Parliament must be officially informed of any international armed incident near Sri Lankan waters. He requested clarification from the Defence Ministry amid conflicting reports about a submarine strike, asked about reports of another Iranian vessel near Colombo, and urged provision of refrigerated containers for bodies reportedly brought to Galle. Procedural: Indian Ocean Security Matter and Parliamentary Debate on Sovereignty Foreign AffairsSecurity & Defence Read →
- 5 March 2026 AI summary The Leader of the Opposition stated that since the question had already been raised, the Minister should proceed to read the response even if the Member who asked it was not present in the Chamber. The remark was made in the context of a statement by the Deputy Minister of Defence on proactive use of opportunities under the Colombo Security Conclave. Ministry Statement: Reply to Question on Proactive Utilization (Standing Order 27(2), 18.11.2025) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 4 March 2026 AI summary The Leader of the Opposition criticized the Government’s proposed microfinance-related measures, arguing that they would disadvantage community-based lending groups, women-led credit programmes, and poor and informal-sector borrowers while favouring banks, finance companies, and licence-holders. He said regulation should target loan sharks, online illegal lenders, and large institutions that commercialized microfinance and contributed to debt distress, rather than grassroots organizations such as community credit groups and funeral aid societies. He called for amendments to the Bill to protect women, women-headed households, rural self-employed people, estate and North-East communities, and other vulnerable borrowers. Debate: Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority Bill - Second Reading (Continued) Cost of LivingWomen & ChildrenPublic Finance Read →
- 4 March 2026 AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa criticized the Government’s selective use of Standing Orders, arguing that they are suspended when politically convenient but invoked to deny the Opposition representation. He demanded that Standing Orders be suspended in this case to allow the Opposition to hold the Chair and majority in the relevant Committee, warning that the Government’s approach was moving toward a one-party State. Debate: Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority Bill - Second Reading Parliamentary ProcedureCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
- 4 March 2026 AI summary Sajith Premadasa, identifying himself as Leader of the Opposition, asked the Deputy Speaker to accord him the appropriate parliamentary courtesy. Debate: Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority Bill - Second Reading Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 4 March 2026 AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa rose on a point of order. No substantive argument, proposal, or question is recorded in the excerpt beyond the procedural intervention. Debate: Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority Bill - Second Reading Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 4 March 2026 AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa briefly rose on a point of order during the sitting, but no substantive argument, proposal, or question was recorded in the provided excerpt. Debate: Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority Bill - Second Reading Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 4 March 2026 AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa questioned the Government’s handling of a proposed Special Select Committee on the “Ditva” cyclone and said the Opposition had requested that both the chairmanship and majority membership be given to the Opposition to ensure an impartial inquiry. He also asked why the Government was pursuing select committees in a manner he alleged could delay Provincial Council elections, and specifically sought confirmation on whether the Opposition would be given control of the cyclone-related committee. Debate: Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority Bill - Second Reading Corruption & Governance ReformParliamentary Procedure Read →
- 4 March 2026 AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa rose on a point of order. No substantive argument, proposal, or question was recorded in the provided speech text. Debate: Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority Bill - Second Reading Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 4 March 2026 AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa stated that planning should be based on worst-case scenarios, with any better outcome regarded as an additional benefit. Standing Order 27(2) Question: Middle East Crisis and Strait of Hormuz Parliamentary Procedure Read →