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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
  • 15 November 2025 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake raised a Point of Order citing Standing Order 83(1) and (2), arguing that the personal conduct of judges of superior courts cannot be discussed except through a substantive motion. He referred to a 1958 Speaker’s ruling to support the position that even indirect references to courts or judges are out of order, and suggested using relevant case numbers instead of naming judges where necessary. He requested the Chair to ensure the Standing Orders are applied rather than allowing discussion based on personal preference. Debate: Committee Stage - Appropriation Bill 2026, Special Spending Units (Heads 1, 2, 4-11, 13, 16-25) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 15 November 2025 AI summary The Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government has prepared a proposal to establish a Special Parliamentary Committee on Provincial Councils and elections. It will be presented on the Ministry’s Head day for further parliamentary action. Debate: Committee Stage - Appropriation Bill 2026, Special Spending Units (Heads 1, 2, 4-11, 13, 16-25) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 15 November 2025 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake noted that although officers are well educated, technology adoption remains low, citing underuse of previously procured GPS equipment and continued manual record-keeping for minimal freight movement on a rail network originally designed for freight. He urged officers and professionals to support modernization and embrace change. The sitting then proceeded to a question on details of a concessional loan scheme for small and medium-scale rice mill owners, including its Cabinet approval date, objectives, loan criteria, beneficiaries, amounts, and monitoring method. Oral Question: Q.562/2025 - Lands Belonging to Sri Lanka Railways: Lease Public FinanceAgriculture Read →
  • 15 November 2025 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake acknowledged concerns about railway administration and land use in Anuradhapura, noting that the General Manager of Railways had been sent for special discussions after the District Coordinating Committee meeting. He said official quarters are needed but many are derelict, and referred to unverified reports of subletting during Poson and tourist seasons. He stated that the Department is trying to prioritize departmental and public needs, address administrative sluggishness, recruit more staff, and improve services in the coming months. Oral Question: Q.562/2025 - Lands Belonging to Sri Lanka Railways: Lease Law & OrderInfrastructure Read →
  • 15 November 2025 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake stated that the identified extent currently belongs to the Railway Department. Oral Question: Q.562/2025 - Lands Belonging to Sri Lanka Railways: Lease Infrastructure Read →
  • 15 November 2025 AI summary The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake provided a land extent figure in response to a query, stating that the total area is 5,739.85 hectares. He also gave the equivalent imperial measurement as 14,183 acres, 2 roods and 38.928 perches. Oral Question: Q.562/2025 - Lands Belonging to Sri Lanka Railways: Lease Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 15 November 2025 AI summary The Minister answered a question on Sri Lanka Railways land, stating that the Department owns 5,739.85 hectares, with a district-wise schedule to be placed in the Library. He said about 520 acres, or around 10 per cent, is currently leased for up to five years, generating Rs. 882.56 million from 2020 to 30 June 2025. He added that a detailed plan is being prepared to identify unauthorized occupations, with action to be taken under State Lands recovery laws and through Fiscal’s Orders where necessary, while future leases will follow ministry circulars, valuation assessments and railway land disposal procedures. Oral Question: Q.562/2025 - Lands Belonging to Sri Lanka Railways: Lease InfrastructureLand & HousingPublic Finance Read →
  • 15 November 2025 AI summary Moved that the report be printed, and the motion was agreed to by the House. The report was ordered to be printed. Opening: Parliament Meeting and Auditor-General's Report Presentation Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 14 November 2025 AI summary The Minister defended the 2026 Budget, arguing that it maintains fiscal discipline, broadens the tax base, accelerates digitalization, and prioritizes production, MSMEs, investment promotion, wage adjustments, anti-corruption, anti-narcotics measures, and social welfare. He said the Budget includes around Rs. 1,400 billion in capital projects beyond the President’s speech, urged critics to read the full document, and cited measures such as bank-card payments for bus fares and increased assistance to poor hill-country families. He also criticized the Opposition and some plantation-sector political actors, while stating that reforms, including action on informal economies and pavement trading, would be implemented gradually with alternatives. Debate: Second Reading of Appropriation Bill 2026 – Sixth Allotted Day Public FinanceLaw & OrderCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
  • 14 November 2025 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake moved that Standing Order 88 be suspended in relation to Item No. 1 of the Main Business on the Order Paper for that sitting. The motion was put to the House and agreed to. Procedural Motion: Suspension of Standing Order 88 Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 14 November 2025 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake said a road built between 2016 and 2019 at a cost of about Rs. 1,500 million had deteriorated badly, and while he could not confirm corruption or political influence, funds had been allocated for repairs. He outlined ongoing road works in the North, including the Maruthankerny road, Sorampattu-Thallady road, Vattuvakal Bridge, Kurikattuvan Jetty, and the road to Valaiypadu, and invited the Member to inspect them. He also stated that the Water Supply Minister would visit the desalination project on the 19th or 20th, with a handover to the public expected in the coming weeks. Procedural Matters: Standing Order 91(k) and Points of Order InfrastructureCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
  • 14 November 2025 AI summary The Minister responded to a Standing Order 27(2) question on the Point Pedro–Maruthankerny (B371) road in Vadamarachchi East, stating that the deteriorated section runs from Km 15.000 to Km 31.435 of the 31.435 km road. He said the road was developed during 2016–2019 under a Maga Neguma work order, with deterioration attributed to weak subgrade soil, and that the RDA’s Internal Audit Division is conducting a preliminary inquiry before any further investigation or action against responsible parties. An estimate of Rs. 398 million has been prepared for rehabilitation, with funds earmarked and work expected to begin in January 2026. Procedural Matters: Standing Order 91(k) and Points of Order Infrastructure Read →
  • 13 November 2025 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake moved a motion to suspend Standing Order 75(2) for Friday, 5 December 2025, in relation to consideration of the Appropriation Bill (2026). The motion set the sitting hours for that day from 9.00 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and 1.30 p.m. to 6.00 p.m., with adjournment at 6.00 p.m.; it was agreed to by the House. Sittings Motions and Adjournment of Debate Order Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 13 November 2025 AI summary Parliament approved a motion to vary the usual Friday sitting arrangements for the Consideration of the Appropriation Bill (2026). On 21 and 28 November 2025, the House will meet from 9.00 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and 1.30 p.m. to 6.30 p.m., with specified Standing Orders applying at 6.00 p.m. and adjournment at 6.30 p.m. Sittings Motions and Adjournment of Debate Order Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 13 November 2025 AI summary A motion was moved to vary the sitting hours, notwithstanding Standing Order 75(2), for specified dates in November and December 2025 to consider the Appropriation Bill (2026). It provided for sittings from 9.00 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and 1.00 p.m. to 6.30 p.m., with Standing Orders 8(5) and (6) operating at 6.00 p.m. and adjournment at 6.30 p.m.; the motion was agreed to. Sittings Motions and Adjournment of Debate Order Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 13 November 2025 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake moved a motion to vary sitting hours, notwithstanding Standing Order 75(2), for 17 and 24 November and 1 December 2025 during consideration of the Appropriation Bill (2026). The motion set sittings from 9.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and 1.00 p.m. to 6.30 p.m., with Standing Orders 8(5) and (6) to operate at 6.00 p.m. and adjournment at 6.30 p.m.; it was agreed to by the House. Sittings Motions and Adjournment of Debate Order Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 13 November 2025 AI summary Moved a motion under Standing Order 75(5) to allot specified dates in November and December 2025 for consideration of the Appropriation Bill (2026). The motion was put to the House and agreed to. Sittings Motions and Adjournment of Debate Order Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 13 November 2025 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake requested the Speaker’s attention to the Parliament (Powers and Privileges) Act, following issues raised by the COPE Chair. He emphasized COPE’s role in parliamentary oversight of public finances and noted that it is an investigative committee without enforcement powers. He urged that an alleged breach of privilege involving public insults to Parliament or its officers be treated as a priority with zero tolerance. Privilege Matters and Procedural Issues Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 13 November 2025 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake said the Ministry and RDA acknowledge the need for road widening and will try to include the proposal in the 2027 Budget, though no commitment can be made for funding this year. On traffic lights, he requested that proposals be submitted through the DDC or 19190 with Police concurrence, after which a traffic survey will determine whether signals should be installed next year. He also stated that about 700 RDA workers have been regularized, while around 300 more must sit the G.C.E. (O/L) exam in February before being considered for regularization, with no pass threshold required. Oral Question: Kinniya-Colombo Main Road Widening (1350/2025) InfrastructureEmploymentPublic Finance Read →
  • 13 November 2025 AI summary Minister Bimal Rathnayake answered that not all roads in Trincomalee District require widening, but identified congestion and inadequate pedestrian facilities on the Thambalagamuwa–Kinniya Road (B-541) from km 13.5 to km 15.2, especially during school hours. He said widening needs also arise on the Ambepussa–Kurunegala–Trincomalee Road (A006) from km 193 to km 196, and provided current road-width details for relevant sections. He stated that no widening work has yet begun, the route is a two-way road, and the project is not in the Ministry’s 2026 Action Plan, though funding will be sought under “widening and improvement” in 2027, with land acquisition expected to take 12 to 18 months. Oral Question: Kinniya-Colombo Main Road Widening (1350/2025) Infrastructure Read →