Hon. Bimal Rathnayake, M.P.
Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development and Leader of the House of Parliament
Profession: Politician
Speeches 1,262 #1 of 225·#1 in party
Attendance 8/8 days present (of recorded)
Top topic Parliamentary Procedure 955 speeches
Last spoke 10 June 2026 in Debate
Activity by sitting
140 sittings · counts only, no scoring.
Topic focus
AI summary AI-assigned tags, 1–3 per speech. Counts only — not a score.
Speech history
1,262 speeches- 10 June 2026 AI summary The Minister addressed regulations under the Central Bank of Sri Lanka Act and a resolution under the Essential Public Services Act, while also referring to ongoing investigations into the 2019 Easter attacks. He argued that accountability should be pursued through scientific evidence and the courts, rejected political speculation and elite impunity, and stated that investigations into both the Easter attacks and corruption would continue despite obstruction or “theatrics.” On the “Rebuilding Sri Lanka” Fund, he said public contributions are lawfully received through Treasury accounts and credited to the Consolidated Fund, with expenditure requiring parliamentary authorization, and urged Members not to discourage donors by misrepresenting the mechanism. Debate: Central Bank Rules on Export Proceeds Repatriation and Essential Public Services Resolution Justice & Human RightsSecurity & DefencePublic Finance Read →
- 10 June 2026 AI summary Asked that the matter be raised during the debate scheduled for that day. Debate: Central Bank Rules on Export Proceeds Repatriation and Essential Public Services Resolution Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 10 June 2026 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake urged the Deputy Speaker to maintain order and continue proceedings without allowing the sitting to become disorderly. He noted that improper remarks may need to be expunged from the record, after which the Chair ordered an expungement and proceedings were to continue. Procedural: Motions on Standing Order Exemptions and Electoral System Committee Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 10 June 2026 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake stated that the multi-party Select Committee is tasked with recommending the electoral system and will report to the Speaker when its work is complete. He said the process is under the Speaker’s supervision, and that after the report is presented and adopted, the Government and Election Commission can take the necessary steps to conduct the election. He added that the delay preceded the current Government and emphasized that related laws must be prepared properly. Procedural: Motions on Standing Order Exemptions and Electoral System Committee Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 10 June 2026 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake noted that objections may be raised and that political parties may hold differing views. The remark was brief and did not advance a specific proposal or demand. Procedural: Motions on Standing Order Exemptions and Electoral System Committee Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 10 June 2026 AI summary Moved to extend, under Standing Order 102, the reporting deadline of the Select Committee on selecting the electoral system for Provincial Council Elections. The extension sought was until 17 September 2026, following the Committee’s original appointment by the parliamentary resolution of 06 January 2026, and the motion was agreed to. Procedural: Motions on Standing Order Exemptions and Electoral System Committee Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 10 June 2026 AI summary Moved a procedural motion to exempt the proceedings on Items 1 and 2 of the main business of the Order Paper from Standing Order 27 for that day’s sitting. The motion was put to the House and agreed to. Procedural: Motions on Standing Order Exemptions and Electoral System Committee Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 10 June 2026 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake asked the Deputy Speaker to obtain a determination from the Speaker’s Office on whether the Government or the Opposition takes more time in the forenoon proceedings, particularly outside the limits set by Standing Orders. Procedural: Questions of Privilege and Motions Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 10 June 2026 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake invoked Standing Order 77(1) and urged the Speaker to act against a Member whom he said had repeatedly disrupted proceedings by citing irrelevant Standing Orders. He argued that while Members have the right to raise points of order, persistent obstruction should be addressed using the Speaker’s powers under Standing Orders 77 and following. Procedural: Points of Order and Oral Question - Human-Elephant Conflict, Kurunegala District (Q.4) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 10 June 2026 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake cited Standing Order 38(7) to clarify that, after the Prime Minister answers a question, the Member who asked it may ask two supplementary questions and may permit another Member to ask one or more of them. He urged the Chair to proceed with the business and criticized Members he said were failing to understand the procedure. Procedural: Points of Order and Supplementary Questions Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 10 June 2026 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake raised a point of order. No substantive argument, proposal, or policy issue was stated in the provided excerpt. Procedural: Points of Order and Supplementary Questions Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 10 June 2026 AI summary The Minister states that two supplementary questions have already been asked, indicating that the allowed follow-up opportunities on the matter may have been exhausted. Procedural: Points of Order and Supplementary Questions Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 9 June 2026 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake provided details on the status of development and zoning plans for several local authority areas, including Ja-Ela, Minuwangoda, Katana, Negombo, and Gampaha. He stated that draft zoning plans are being implemented in Ja-Ela and Minuwangoda pending formal development plans, while the Negombo and Gampaha plans have been gazetted and are in legal operation. He noted that the Katana Development Plan (2024-2033) has received Urban Development Authority committee approval and has been referred to relevant local authorities and the Divisional Coordinating Committee for observations, with plans and annexes available through official websites or placed in the Library. Adjournment and Written Answers Land & HousingInfrastructure Read →
- 9 June 2026 AI summary The Minister responded to a question on development plans for local government institutions in the Ja-Ela, Minuwangoda, Katunayake-Seeduwa, Negombo and Gampaha electorates. He stated that a Ja-Ela Development Plan is being prepared for the Ja-Ela Urban Council and Ja-Ela Dandugamperuwa Pradeshiya Sabha areas, and that the Ja-Ela Interim Zoning Plan approved by the Urban Development Authority Director General on 18 December 2021 remains in force until the new plan takes effect. Adjournment and Written Answers Land & HousingInfrastructure Read →
- 9 June 2026 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake rejected allegations about “hackers” by arguing that corruption and economic mismanagement had caused Sri Lanka’s crisis, citing Supreme Court findings against former leaders and noting IMF engagement followed bankruptcy. He said tourism arrivals and private sector credit were improving, while acknowledging seasonal occupancy dips and fuel cost pressures. He outlined reforms at the Department of Motor Traffic, including referrals to the Attorney-General and CIABOC, clearing driving licence backlogs, reforming number plate issuance, expanding one-day services, integrating Customs, Ports Authority and DMT systems, and developing a genuine e-motoring platform. He also announced road-safety measures including medical-centre licence renewals, a demerit points pilot, updated Highway Code rules for expressways, quarterly inspections for passenger vehicles, and regulation of driving schools. Debate on Orders and Regulations (Items 1-5) Corruption & Governance ReformInfrastructureJustice & Human Rights Read →
- 22 May 2026 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake, as Leader of the House, reminded a Member to be brief because the House was scheduled to proceed with a vote of condolence. Ministerial Statement: Cybersecurity Incidents and Response Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 22 May 2026 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake stated that the Government and elected President are responsible for addressing the current national situation and are taking action. He noted that Parliament held a two-day debate on the dollar issue, that the Government had heard the Opposition’s views, and that a Parliamentary Business Committee meeting is expected in early June or at the end of the month. Procedural: Parliamentary Business Committee and Party Leaders' Meeting Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 22 May 2026 AI summary The Leader of the House stated that, as Parliament is next scheduled to sit on 9 June, the Parliamentary Business Committee would be convened in early June and members informed in advance. He said Government business would be arranged according to the orders received, with dates fixed by consensus after informing Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka, while any separate political discussions with the Speaker would be outside the Business Committee process. Procedural: Parliamentary Business Committee and Party Leaders' Meeting Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 22 May 2026 AI summary On behalf of the Prime Minister and the Minister of Education, the Minister presented Rules issued under the Central Bank of Sri Lanka Act, No. 16 of 2023, as published in Extraordinary Gazette No. 2479/54 of 12 March 2026, and moved that they be referred to the Committee on Public Finance. He also informed the House that the Parliamentary Business Committee would be convened in early June or at the end of May to arrange business ahead of the next sitting on 9 June, taking into account Opposition views expressed during the debate on the dollar issue. Opening and Papers Presented Parliamentary ProcedurePublic Finance Read →
- 21 May 2026 AI summary The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake acknowledged interruptions during his remarks and thanked the member who brought the Adjournment Motion. He stated that his side is also working to change the situation under discussion. Adjournment Debate: Integration of Malaiyaha People into National Mainstream Parliamentary Procedure Read →