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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
  • 8 November 2025 AI summary Funds have been allocated to recommence work on the Heda Oya (Atimunei) bridge in 2026, though the relevant bridges are not on Road Development Authority roads. For the Bryanthurai Kandam bridge, approval through the District Coordinating Committee was requested so it can be considered under the rural bridges programme, as direct RDA funding is not possible. The Minister also noted LKR 26 billion allocated for rural roads in 2026 and cited several Ampara District bridge allocations. Oral Question: Construction of Bridges Across Bryanthurai Kandam River and Heda Oya in Ampara (Q.1212/2025) InfrastructurePublic Finance Read →
  • 8 November 2025 AI summary The Minister stated that the Heda Oya (Atimunei) and Bryanthurai Kandam River bridges are on roads outside the Road Development Authority’s purview, though RDA prepared designs and estimates in 2013 and invited tenders in 2014 without awarding a contract. He said the Heda Oya bridge was later proposed under the Rural Bridges Programme in 2021, but work stopped during the economic crisis when the State Development and Construction Corporation halted activities. Steps are now being taken to redesign and tender the Heda Oya bridge through the RDA for implementation in early 2026, while no decision has been taken to include the Bryanthurai Kandam River bridge in RDA plans. Oral Question: Construction of Bridges Across Bryanthurai Kandam River and Heda Oya in Ampara (Q.1212/2025) Infrastructure Read →
  • 8 November 2025 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake moved that the specified report be printed. The motion was agreed to, and Parliament ordered the report to be printed. Auditor-General's Report: Parts XVIII, XX, XXI, XXII Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 7 November 2025 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake moved the adjournment of Parliament. The motion was agreed to, and Parliament was adjourned at 5.52 p.m. until 9.30 a.m. on 8 November 2025, in line with the Resolution of Parliament dated 23 October 2025. Adjournment Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 7 November 2025 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake moved to adjourn the ongoing debate. The motion was agreed to, and the debate was scheduled to resume on 08 November 2025. Waste Disposal Bill, 2026: Debate Postponement and Amendment Procedures Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 7 November 2025 AI summary Moved that Parliament be exempted at the day’s sitting from the provisions of Standing Order 88 in relation to Item No. 1 under Main Business on the Order Paper. The motion was put to the House and agreed to. Procedural Motion: Exemption from Standing Order 88 Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 9 October 2025 AI summary Minister Bimal Rathnayake stated that travelling to Switzerland to discuss federalism would not produce any practical outcome. He implied that such efforts are ineffective or irrelevant in the Sri Lankan political context. Adjournment Debate: Implementation of Manifesto - Continued Discussion Ethnic Reconciliation & Devolution Read →
  • 9 October 2025 AI summary The Minister responded to remarks by Hon. Ponnambalam, stating that the Government has decided to develop Palaly International Airport with budgetary allocations and procurement procedures in place, including runway improvements, a temporary shelter, and a planned terminal. He also said a report and committee process, involving ONUR and the Justice Minister, are addressing the Thayyiddy Vihara issue, with a solution expected within weeks. Adjournment Debate: Implementation of Manifesto - Continued Discussion Religion & CultureInfrastructure Read →
  • 8 October 2025 AI summary The Minister responded to a motion on Trincomalee Port, stating that the Government supports both developing the port and related industries and granting land rights to long-settled residents living on adjacent lands, irrespective of ethnicity or religion. He said delays in issuing titles since the 1984 Gazette should be examined, and outlined recent discussions involving the Prime Minister, relevant ministers, the SLPA, and other officials. He noted complications arising from prior lease agreements granted to solar power companies before the current Government, saying any changes require due process. He announced that titles would be issued to eligible residents, including some without documentation after verification, on 790 hectares identified as not required by the SLPA, where about 4,000 families live. Adjournment Motion: Release of Sri Lanka Ports Authority Lands in Trincomalee District Public FinanceLand & HousingInfrastructure Read →
  • 8 October 2025 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake moved the motion that Parliament adjourn. The Presiding Member then proposed the question to the House. Debate: Supplementary Sum - Head 117 - Programme 02 (Ministry of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 8 October 2025 AI summary Funds have been allocated to renovate the Kankesanthurai jetty and provide passenger facilities. The Minister stated this in response to a concern raised earlier, noting that the issue had also been brought to his attention by a professor from Kandy. Debate: Supplementary Sum - Head 117 - Programme 02 (Ministry of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation) Infrastructure Read →
  • 8 October 2025 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake challenged an earlier claim of clear corruption in the 100,000-kilometre road programme and demanded that details be provided. He also questioned the consistency of forming a government with the same individuals, including Ranil Wickremesinghe, who were associated with the alleged corruption. Debate: Supplementary Sum - Head 117 - Programme 02 (Ministry of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation) Corruption & Governance Reform Read →
  • 8 October 2025 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake objected to media descriptions of a fatal road accident that emphasized the driver was a woman, arguing such framing is inappropriate and undermines efforts to encourage women’s participation in industry. He requested that reports refer simply to the “driver” rather than “woman driver.” He also informed the House that the Opposition’s requested Adjournment Debate would be held on Friday from 3.30 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. Debate: Supplementary Sum - Head 117 - Programme 02 (Ministry of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation) Women & ChildrenLaw & Order Read →
  • 8 October 2025 AI summary The Minister moved a Supplementary Estimate of Rs. 36.609 billion under Head 117 to reallocate anticipated savings from highway and railway allocations that cannot be spent in 2025 due to suspended foreign disbursements, lender issues, contractor disputes, and project delays. He said approval is needed to redirect these funds, mainly to reduce the Road Development Authority’s high-cost domestic bank debt, while also noting reallocations already made under Financial Regulation 66 for rural roads and SLTB depot improvements. He cited stalled projects including flyovers, Indian railway upgrades, Chinese-financed expressway works, and the BIA terminal project, and stated that negotiations on the Central Expressway financing with China had been pursued following the 2022 suspension of disbursements. Debate: Supplementary Sum - Head 117 - Programme 02 (Ministry of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation) Public FinanceInfrastructure Read →
  • 8 October 2025 AI summary Minister Bimal Rathnayake responded to a Standing Order 27(2) question on the Kankesanthurai Port rehabilitation project, outlining delays caused by cost increases from the original USD 45.27 million Indian Exim Bank loan estimate to USD 61.5 million in the 2021 Detailed Project Report and the absence of confirmed additional financing. He said the Sri Lanka Ports Authority had meanwhile completed several works with its own funds, including repairs, security infrastructure, utilities, a passenger terminal, a warehouse and weighbridge, and was proceeding with breakwater rehabilitation and rail extension. He stated that India had in March 2024 indicated willingness to fund the full revised cost, but Sri Lanka is negotiating amendments to certain MoU clauses considered potentially adverse before proceeding. The Environmental Impact Assessment was completed in 2018, and procurement and construction are expected to take about three years once the amended MoU is concluded. Ministry Statements: Brain Drain, Kankesanthurai Port, Government Translators Service InfrastructurePublic FinanceForeign Affairs Read →
  • 8 October 2025 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake said the Government supports appropriate private sector involvement but criticized long-running outsourced services lacking technical value-add as politically enabled corruption. Citing driving licence printing, he said a 28-year arrangement had been stopped, new machines were being installed at the Department of Motor Traffic, and issuance was expected to resume from 18 October while clearing an 800,000-card backlog. He stated that in-house printing would reduce the cost from Rs. 534.54 to Rs. 368.16 per card, saving Rs. 166 per card, while the Government would continue to use private providers where necessary. Second Round Questions and Standing Order 27(2) Questions Public FinanceCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
  • 8 October 2025 AI summary Procurement for new vehicle number plates is at its final stage and awaiting an Appeals Board decision, following the expiry of the previous contract with Access International (Pvt) Ltd on 30 April 2025. As of 30 September 2025, 165,512 vehicles were awaiting number plates, while police, CCTV units, the State Intelligence Service and the public have been given database or app-based access to retrieve vehicle registration details. The Minister said any national security threat from non-issuance must be assessed by investigative agencies, and further details on resumption of issuance would be provided after the procurement process concludes. Second Round Questions and Standing Order 27(2) Questions Law & OrderPublic Finance Read →
  • 8 October 2025 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake stated that, under the Standing Orders, Ministers have the authority to convene Ministerial Consultative Committees. He requested that parliamentary business not be obstructed on this issue and noted that all such committees, including those convened by the President, are being held. Oral Questions Nos. 03, 04, 05: Prison Inmates, Mahiyangana Fair, GN Offices in Vavuniya Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 7 October 2025 AI summary Moved that Parliament adjourn, initiating the formal adjournment procedure. No substantive policy matters or proposals were raised. Adjournment and Adjournment Questions Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 7 October 2025 AI summary Moved that the relevant report be printed, and the motion was agreed to by the House. The report was accordingly ordered to be printed. Auditor-General's Report - Tabling and Printing Parliamentary Procedure Read →