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Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
10th Parliament· 154 sittings on record · 30,475 speeches · latest 10 June 2026

Hon. Bimal Rathnayake, M.P.

Jathika Jana balawegaya (JJB)· National List

Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development and Leader of the House of Parliament

Profession: Politician

Roster profile ↗
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
  • 18 February 2026 AI summary The Minister stated that the proposed Millaniya access to the expressway had been discussed at the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Infrastructure and Strategic Development on 11 December 2025, but it is not currently being processed. He said residents of Millaniya, Kalutara North and Bulathsinhala can use the Gelanigama and Dodangoda interchanges, while Bulathsinhala may later access the planned Ingiriya Interchange on the Ruwanpura Expressway. He further explained that land had been acquired for access to the proposed Millaniya Investment Zone at the request of the Board of Investment, but funding has been suspended and no further acquisition is taking place. Oral Questions: Crime Statistics, Temple Jewellery, Police Releases, and Infrastructure (1745/2026 - 1851/2026) Infrastructure Read →
  • 18 February 2026 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake moved that Hon. Kitnan Selvaraj take the Chair. The motion was agreed to, after which Hon. Lakshman Nipuna Arachchi left the Chair and Hon. Kitnan Selvaraj assumed it. Procedural: Motion for Adjournment and Chair Change Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 18 February 2026 AI summary The Leader of the House moved the adjournment of Parliament. The presiding officer then proposed the question for the House’s consideration. Procedural: Motion for Adjournment and Chair Change Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 18 February 2026 AI summary The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake acknowledged the role of the tri-forces and public officials in maintaining current operations. He stated that reforms would continue, with attention to clearing backlogs and improving safety and service delivery. Debate: Special Commodity Levy Act and Related Orders (Main Business) Security & DefenceLaw & Order Read →
  • 18 February 2026 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake objected that the Opposition Leader had wasted parliamentary time and urged the House to proceed with the scheduled agenda. Procedural: Privilege Matters and Bill Introduction Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 18 February 2026 AI summary Moved that the privilege matter raised by Hon. Riyas Farook on 5 February 2026, alleging a breach of privilege by the Vice Chairman of the Akurana Pradeshiya Sabha, be referred to the Committee on Ethics and Privileges under the Standing Orders. The motion was put to the House and agreed to. Procedural: Privilege Matters and Bill Introduction Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 18 February 2026 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake raised a procedural objection under Standing Order 27(2), stating that only brief clarifications to an answer are permitted and that the exchange was turning into a debate. He said a separate debate could be arranged if necessary, urged that the business scheduled for 11.30 a.m. proceed, and called on the Leader of the Opposition to follow the Standing Orders without misusing the opportunity. Procedural: Ministry Statement and Standing Order Clarification Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 18 February 2026 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake tabled two reports of the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Transport, Highways and Urban Development concerning Orders and Regulations made under the Motor Traffic Act. The instruments had been published in Extraordinary Gazette Nos. 2463/04 of 17 November 2025 and 2467/52 of 17 December 2025, and were ordered to lie upon the Table. Opening and Papers Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 18 February 2026 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake, on behalf of the Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government, presented a report under Standing Order 119(4) on observations and actions taken regarding matters of the Colombo Municipal Council, following a report by the Committee on Public Accounts. He moved that the report be referred to the Committee on Public Accounts, and the motion was agreed to. Opening and Papers Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 18 February 2026 AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Health and Media, the Minister presented the 2024 Annual Report of the 1990 Suwaseriya Foundation to Parliament. He moved that the report be referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Health, Media and Women’s Empowerment, and the motion was agreed to. Opening and Papers Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 17 February 2026 AI summary The Leader of the House moved the motion for Parliament to adjourn. The Speaker then proposed the question on the adjournment motion. Adjournment Motion Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 17 February 2026 AI summary Agreed that there was no issue following the preceding clarification or assurance. Select Committee on Electoral Laws - Motion with Amendment Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 17 February 2026 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake stated that the matter should proceed by amending the Motion rather than further debate. He proposed suspending the Standing Order requiring five days’ notice so that the Motion on the Order Paper could be approved in amended form, as suggested by Hon. Ravi Karunanayake. Select Committee on Electoral Laws - Motion with Amendment Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 17 February 2026 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake stated that the reference to the “Provincial Council Elections Act” should be removed from the motion, as indicated by the mover and seconder, and said this could be addressed when framing the terms of reference. He supported proceeding separately because a Special Committee on Provincial Council elections already exists. Select Committee on Electoral Laws - Motion with Amendment Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 17 February 2026 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake stated that a Special Committee should involve both Government and Opposition participation and operate within a practical, defined scope. He said the proposed committee could proceed without the Provincial Council Elections Act component, while a separate Special Committee on Provincial Council Elections would continue under Minister Vijitha Herath. He indicated that another committee could be constituted under Minister Chandana Abeyratne and said the Government did not wish to prolong the political debate. Select Committee on Electoral Laws - Motion with Amendment Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 17 February 2026 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake stated that a separate Special Committee is already tasked with examining the electoral system for Provincial Council elections. He said the Motion had been discussed at the Parliamentary Business Committee and that its concerns could be considered when framing the Terms of Reference for the relevant Special Committees. Select Committee on Electoral Laws - Motion with Amendment Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 17 February 2026 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake stated that the Motion was brought by agreement and that any proposed amendment should be considered when the Committee meets. He said delaying the Motion would amount to an obstruction, noting that two Committees already exist to deal with the matter. Select Committee on Electoral Laws - Motion with Amendment Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 17 February 2026 AI summary Insufficient speech text was provided to summarize the remarks. Please provide the full or relevant excerpt of Hon. Bimal Rathnayake’s speech from 2026-02-17. Parliamentary Pensions (Repeal) Bill - Second Reading Debate Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 17 February 2026 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake supported the Bill to repeal parliamentary pensions, describing it as part of a wider effort to reduce political entitlements, restore public trust, and present governance as public service rather than privilege. He argued that past expansions of MP benefits, corruption, and nepotism damaged confidence in politicians and institutions, and said the Government is also cutting unnecessary vehicles, residences, and security while improving revenue collection and international confidence. He rejected claims that ending pensions would cause poverty or corruption, noted that abolishing presidential pensions would require a constitutional amendment, and said the reform supports national unity and a renewed political culture. Parliamentary Pensions (Repeal) Bill - Second Reading Debate Corruption & Governance ReformParliamentary ProcedurePublic Finance Read →
  • 17 February 2026 AI summary On behalf of the Prime Minister and the Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, Bimal Rathnayake requested two weeks to provide an answer to the question. The question was ordered to stand down. Oral Question Second Round and Ministerial Response (Q.1184/2025, Security Incident) Parliamentary Procedure Read →