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- 21 January 2026 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake requested that the Chief Opposition Organizer read in full the portion following Standing Order 33(1). Procedural matters - Supplementary questions and Standing Orders dispute Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 21 January 2026 AI summary A decision has been taken to refer the matter for further consideration, with recommendations to be obtained. The Parliamentary Business Committee will finalize the relevant guidelines based on those recommendations. Point of Order - Question allocation fairness (Standing Order 32) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 21 January 2026 AI summary The Minister stated that the issue had been raised at the Parliamentary Business Committee and that the Secretariat had submitted a report on it. He said both Government and Opposition leaders had sought time to study the report, which is with the Chief Opposition Whip, and proposed that it be discussed at a future Business Committee meeting before a decision is made. Point of Order - Question allocation fairness (Standing Order 32) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 20 January 2026 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake challenged the Opposition to clarify whether it intends to proceed with collecting signatures against the office of the Prime Minister. He argued that such action would affect the country’s stability and asked the Chief Opposition Whip to state the Opposition’s position. Procedural - No-Confidence Motion Discussion Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 20 January 2026 AI summary The Minister stated that the reported collection of Opposition signatures for a No-Confidence Motion against the Prime Minister was a serious matter and should not remain unsubmitted. He said the Government had arranged the agenda for the next four sitting days but was prepared to allocate 22 and 23 January entirely for a debate if the motion was presented, and asked whether the Opposition intended to move it. Procedural - No-Confidence Motion Discussion Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 9 January 2026 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake addressed the Speaker’s Ruling on a proposed Special Select Committee concerning judicial affairs, arguing that constitutional separation of powers requires Parliament to avoid overreach into areas such as the Judicial Service Commission. He contrasted past Executive-Judiciary conflicts with what he described as an unusual Opposition attempt to scrutinize the Judiciary at a time when investigations into past political and financial crimes are advancing. He alleged that the move was intended to pressure judicial and investigative institutions and shield former officeholders facing scrutiny, while also defending the Government over the Auditor-General vacancy by noting that the Constitutional Council had rejected four presidential nominations. Debate: Shop and Office Employees (Regulation of Employment and Remuneration) Regulation Amendment Parliamentary ProcedureCorruption & Governance ReformJustice & Human Rights Read →
- 9 January 2026 AI summary Commending the Speaker for presenting a considered position, Bimal Rathnayake said Parliament’s powers must not be undermined or diverted. He argued that the objective of others was to create complete disorder within Parliament. Speaker's Ruling on Motion Inclusion in Order Book Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 9 January 2026 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake defended the Speaker’s ruling on a constitutional matter, stating that such decisions should be informed by legal advice and parliamentary experience. He rejected criticism of reliance on legal experts, cited Hon. Anura Bandaranaike’s precedent, and asserted that Parliament’s powers should not be diminished or diverted. He also alleged that the opposition’s aim was to disrupt parliamentary proceedings. Speaker's Ruling on Motion Inclusion in Order Book Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 9 January 2026 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake welcomed the Speaker’s determination on the matter and reminded the House that, under Standing Orders, a Speaker’s ruling cannot be debated. He argued that there was therefore no valid point of order, and contrasted past government pressure on the Judiciary with what he described as current attempts by others to pressure it. Speaker's Ruling on Motion Inclusion in Order Book Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 8 January 2026 AI summary Moved the motion that Parliament do now adjourn. The Presiding Member then proposed the question to the House. Adjournment Motion: Child Safety in Urban Housing Complexes Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 8 January 2026 AI summary The motion sought approval for regulations made under several sections of the Motor Traffic Act and published in Gazette Extraordinary No. 2455/29 of 25 September 2025, which had been presented to Parliament on 18 December 2025. It was noted that Cabinet approval had been obtained, and the motion was agreed to. Motor Traffic Act Regulations Debate Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 8 January 2026 AI summary A procedural motion was moved to have Hon. Sanjeewa Ranasingha take the Chair. The House agreed, after which Hon. Chanaka Madugoda left the Chair and Hon. Sanjeewa Ranasingha assumed it. Motor Traffic Act Regulations Debate Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 8 January 2026 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake said vehicle registrations are available online at five branch offices for all categories except 32, 64, 65 and certain “O/1/11” series, which he said are frequently used in fraud. He noted that even the Narahenpita Head Office does not offer one-day service for those categories and that an officer linked to such fraud had recently been transferred, stating that the restrictions are intended to prevent abuse. Motor Traffic Act Regulations Debate Corruption & Governance ReformLaw & Order Read →
- 8 January 2026 AI summary Moved approval of the Motor Traffic (Drugs) Regulations, No. 1 of 2025, and presented related Motor Traffic Act regulations, stating that they create procedures for testing drivers suspected of drug impairment where previous rules covered only alcohol. He said police may refer suspected drivers to authorised medical officers for examination and obtain bodily samples, and noted plans to use mobile laboratory buses at bus stands for rapid, free drug testing in coordination with health authorities, police, local officials and transport bodies. He also introduced Motor Traffic (Expressway) Regulations linked to seat belt requirements and road safety on expressways. Motor Traffic Act Regulations Debate Law & OrderParliamentary ProcedureInfrastructure Read →
- 8 January 2026 AI summary The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake stated that the Government is making maximum efforts to investigate the 2009 assassination of Lasantha Wickrematunge and attacks on media institutions, including the “Sirasa” institution. He noted that previous Governments and Ministers had failed over 17 years to identify and prosecute those responsible, and said the current Government would take necessary action to find the perpetrators and deliver justice. Standing Order 27(2) Questions and Ministerial Statements Law & OrderJustice & Human Rights Read →
- 8 January 2026 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake sought to speak in relation to the Standing Orders, but his remarks were interrupted. No substantive argument, proposal, or question was recorded in the excerpt. Procedural Matters and Points of Order Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 8 January 2026 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake noted that a similar incident or situation had occurred previously in Parliament, amid an interruption. Procedural Matters and Points of Order Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 8 January 2026 AI summary Agreed sitting arrangements are generally intended to take place on Thursdays or Fridays of a sitting week, subject to consensus. The Member noted that circumstances may require changes to this practice in particular weeks. Procedural Matters and Points of Order Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 8 January 2026 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake said the Parliamentary Business Committee would not meet that week because two Government Bills were awaiting the conclusion of judicial proceedings and a possible Vote of No-Confidence, if tabled, would take priority under Standing Orders. He stated that party leaders would be informed depending on developments, while noting that procedural fairness, including the usual time needed to pass a resolution, would be observed alongside Government business priorities. Procedural Matters and Points of Order Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 8 January 2026 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake clarified the procedure followed before tabling a transfer under the Virements Procedure, citing Section 24(4) of the State Finance Management Act, No. 44 of 2024, and Section 59 of the Appropriation Act, No. 3 of 2025. He stated that such documents are checked for legality and timeliness by multiple authorities, including the Finance Ministry, the Office of the Leader of the House, the Secretary-General’s Office, and the Speaker, before being presented to Parliament. On the specific transfer in question, he noted that the first transaction occurred on 07 July and reached Parliament within less than a month. Procedural Matters and Points of Order Parliamentary ProcedurePublic Finance Read →