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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
  • 27 November 2025 AI summary Minister Bimal Rathnayake made a special statement on heavy rainfall, floods and landslides, detailing NBRO warnings and recommendations for the Kadugannawa section of the Colombo–Kandy Road after rockfall and subsidence halted traffic. He said limited one-way traffic would be allowed only in dry conditions with barriers, flagmen, lighting and continuous monitoring, while the road would close during rain and alternative routes, including protected transport for A/L candidates, would be provided. He reported over 170 landslide-related incidents, 26 deaths, four missing persons and several road closures, and urged the public not to visit hazardous sites. He also tabled NBRO reports, including a 1999 Kadugannawa slope stability report, and said further decisions on protecting the historic corridor and relief measures would follow discussions with the President. Ministerial Statement: Heavy Rainfall, Floods and Landslides InfrastructureLaw & OrderEnvironment Read →
  • 27 November 2025 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake raised a procedural objection under Standing Order 28(g), arguing that the matter could not be taken up at that point because it must arise from the business of the day immediately before fresh business. He urged the Chair to follow the Standing Orders, warning that otherwise other Members may seek similar interventions. Standing Order 27(2) Question and Procedural Matters Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 27 November 2025 AI summary The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake informed Parliament that the President was in Committee Room No. 16 and had invited all Government and Opposition MPs from disaster-affected districts for a discussion. He noted that the Chief Opposition Organizer had been informed and asked Hon. V.S. Radhakrishnan also to attend. Oral Question: BYD Vehicles and Second Round Proceedings Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 27 November 2025 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake stated that any issue concerning the Deputy Minister appointed from his party would be addressed by the party. He said the Deputy Minister should respond directly to the specific question raised by the Member. Oral Question: Digital Identity Card Introduction (Q.552/2025) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 27 November 2025 AI summary Requested that the Deputy Minister be allowed to answer the Member’s question. Oral Question: Digital Identity Card Introduction (Q.552/2025) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 27 November 2025 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake requested that the relevant statement or portion be entirely expunged from the Hansard. Oral Question: Total Foreign and Domestic Debt 2020-2024 (Q.315/2024 (2)) with Points of Order Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 27 November 2025 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake defended the existing procedure for scheduling oral questions and Private Members’ Motions, stating that it follows an agreed process of the Committee on Parliamentary Business and the Standing Orders. He said Parliament can generally answer about 10 oral questions within the allocated time and urged adherence to the established practice, while noting that the Government is encouraging Ministers to provide answers and has reported on its performance. Oral Question: Total Foreign and Domestic Debt 2020-2024 (Q.315/2024 (2)) with Points of Order Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 27 November 2025 AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Justice and National Integration, Bimal Rathnayake requested two weeks to provide an answer to the question raised. The question was ordered to stand down. Oral Question: Permanent Three-Judge High Court for Anti-Corruption (Q.2/2024 (2)) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 27 November 2025 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake informed Parliament that the President had summoned Members from affected districts to discuss the ongoing disaster situation and that relevant Ministers and State Ministers were expected to visit affected areas, including Nuwara Eliya. He also noted that a ministerial statement on the disaster situation was listed on the Order Paper and said the Government was taking action while appreciating the cooperation received. Opening and Announcements Parliamentary ProcedureSecurity & Defence Read →
  • 27 November 2025 AI summary On behalf of the Prime Minister and relevant Ministers, Bimal Rathnayake presented customs import duty orders, a VAT regulation, and a Ports and Airports Development Levy order published in Extraordinary Gazettes on 7 November 2025, and moved that they be referred to the Committee on Public Finance. He also presented the Sri Lanka Cashew Corporation Annual Report for 2021 and moved that it be referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Agriculture and Sustainable Development; both motions were agreed to. Opening and Announcements Parliamentary ProcedurePublic Finance Read →
  • 26 November 2025 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake moved the motion that Parliament adjourn. The motion was formally proposed to the House. Adjournment Debate: Grant of Freehold Deeds to Occupants of State Lands Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 26 November 2025 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake said the remaining 2 km of an access road would be completed and that improvements to the road and online facilities were already being addressed. He acknowledged that ensuring train punctuality remains a major challenge and said efforts are being made to improve it. He also commended railway staff for helping an A/L student reach an examination on time and a resident who helped prevent a level-crossing accident between Kurunegala and Muttetugala. Oral Questions: Second Round - Colombo-Mannar Train Service and Related Questions Law & OrderInfrastructure Read →
  • 26 November 2025 AI summary The Minister answered questions on the Colombo Fort–Talaimannar rail service, stating that while it is not formally an office train for Colombo Fort commuters, its schedule serves commuters at several intermediate stations. He attributed delays to ageing locomotives, mechanical failures, track speed restrictions and the lack of a commissioned signalling system between Maho and Anuradhapura, and said locomotive overhauls and signalling installation are under way. He also outlined plans to improve the Mannar station access road at an estimated cost of Rs. 47.68 million, with work expected from December 2025 to March 2026, and noted the status of connecting SLTB buses and restored online ticketing facilities at Mannar station. Oral Questions: Second Round - Colombo-Mannar Train Service and Related Questions InfrastructurePublic Finance Read →
  • 26 November 2025 AI summary Vantharumoolai was described as a railway halt rather than a full station, where passengers may alight and must purchase boarding tickets from the nearest station. The Minister stated that ordinary trains and Colombo Fort–Batticaloa express services stop there, and that from 01.11.2025 the Batticaloa–Colombo Fort express also stops, with arrangements made for all trains except intercity and night mail services to stop based on passenger needs. Oral Questions: Second Round - Colombo-Mannar Train Service and Related Questions Infrastructure Read →
  • 25 November 2025 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake moved that the Committee report progress and seek leave to sit again. The motion was agreed to, and the Committee reported progress, with the next sitting scheduled for 26 November 2025. Debate: Committee Stage on Appropriation Bill 2026 - Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education (Fifteenth Allotted Day) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 25 November 2025 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake stated that additional time had been requested to provide an answer to the Question before the Committee. Question by Private Notice: Standardization of Preschool Education and Personal Explanation Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 25 November 2025 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake urged the Chair not to be deterred by shouting in the Chamber and to enforce the Standing Orders. Speaking as Leader of the House, he said he has a duty to prioritize Government business, move proceedings forward, and coordinate between the Executive and the Legislature, and requested that disorder or noise not be allowed to undermine parliamentary procedure. Procedural: Privilege Matter and Standing Orders Discussion Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 25 November 2025 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake objected to the manner in which proceedings were being conducted, stating that no Standing Order permits such behaviour. He urged the Deputy Speaker to enforce parliamentary rules, particularly the proper procedure for raising Questions of Privilege, and not to allow disorderly conduct or be intimidated by raised voices. Procedural: Privilege Matter and Standing Orders Discussion Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 25 November 2025 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake objected to an alleged breach of Standing Orders, arguing that parliamentary procedure should not be relaxed merely because a Member speaks loudly. He requested the Deputy Speaker to apply any such leniency equally to all Members. Procedural: Privilege Matter and Standing Orders Discussion Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 25 November 2025 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake urged the Chair to ensure that all Members, including the Opposition Leader, are treated according to the Standing Orders. He cautioned against setting procedural precedents based on personalities and called for proceedings to be conducted strictly under parliamentary rules. Procedural: Privilege Matter and Standing Orders Discussion Parliamentary Procedure Read →