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- 23 September 2025 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake moved that Hon. Chanaka Madugoda take the Chair. The House agreed, after which Hon. Sanjeewa Ranasingha vacated the Chair and Hon. Chanaka Madugoda assumed it. Second Reading Debate: National Building Research Institute Bill Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 23 September 2025 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake raised a point of order noting that the House was 25 minutes behind schedule. He requested that the Government’s main business of the day commence immediately, emphasizing its importance. Procedural: Transition to Public Business Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 23 September 2025 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake said current vehicle emission tests are conducted at idle speed and do not reflect real-world conditions, noting that moves are under way to introduce more realistic testing and that the VET Fund arose from a Supreme Court directive. Referring to the Ella bus accident, he cited vehicle repair costs and the driver’s apparent lack of rest, and said Rs. 1,000 million had been allocated to install guard mirrors on winding hill-country roads as part of broader accident-prevention efforts. He also stated that, following a court order on accessibility at railway stations, the Government had instructed the Railways Department to improve facilities for persons with disabilities and had informed Court of its policy to maximize accessibility in stations and public places. Oral Questions under Standing Order 27(2): Unemployment and Vehicle Emission Testing Justice & Human RightsLaw & OrderEnvironment Read →
- 23 September 2025 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake provided data on vehicle emission testing, revenues, fees, and government tax receipts, noting that all vehicles requiring revenue licences must obtain emission certificates, while military vehicles are tested separately. He said Cabinet has approved reforms from 2028 to integrate annual roadworthiness testing with emissions testing, strengthen enforcement, update penalties and regulations, accredit garages, and consider scrappage of very old vehicles. He also outlined road safety measures including special permits for public transport drivers, expanded inspections of school and office transport, and upgrading the Road Safety Council. Referring to the Ella accident report, he said driver fatigue and brake defects were identified and sought Parliament’s support for roadworthiness checks before public transport vehicles enter service. Oral Questions under Standing Order 27(2): Unemployment and Vehicle Emission Testing EnvironmentPublic FinanceLaw & Order Read →
- 23 September 2025 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake noted that the response should adhere to the text of the Question and informed the Deputy Speaker that the Prime Minister had indicated an answer would be provided later. Oral Questions under Standing Order 27(2): Unemployment and Vehicle Emission Testing Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 23 September 2025 AI summary The Minister moved that the relevant reports be printed, and the motions were agreed to by the House. Orders were subsequently made for the reports to be printed. Papers: Annual Reports and Committee Reports Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 11 September 2025 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake stated that a motion had been copied and submitted, implying a procedural or authorship concern regarding the motion before Parliament. National Audit (Amendment) Bill Second Reading and Supplementary Estimates Debate Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 11 September 2025 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake said the Government had accommodated the Opposition by extending an adjournment debate from 30 minutes to two hours, while limiting time on a Bill concerning the removal of privileges for former Presidents. He argued that the Opposition used the time to speak and leave rather than pursue solutions, contrasting this with how his side had handled adjournment motions when in Opposition. He urged Members to use adjournment debates responsibly and improve the quality of parliamentary proceedings. National Audit (Amendment) Bill Second Reading and Supplementary Estimates Debate Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 11 September 2025 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake requests that microphones be set up for participants on the Parliament Ground. National Audit (Amendment) Bill Second Reading and Supplementary Estimates Debate Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 11 September 2025 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake instructed the Minister not to hand documents directly to other Members and to submit them instead to the Secretary-General. He noted that the documents would then be copied through the proper parliamentary procedure. National Audit (Amendment) Bill Second Reading and Supplementary Estimates Debate Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 11 September 2025 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake criticized the Opposition Leader for allegedly disrupting proceedings and urged him to distinguish between a Censure Motion and a No-confidence Motion. He suggested the Opposition Leader should seek instruction on parliamentary procedure. National Audit (Amendment) Bill Second Reading and Supplementary Estimates Debate Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 11 September 2025 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake stated that the issue was not about reports, and argued that the Opposition Leader did not understand the procedure for bringing a no-confidence motion. National Audit (Amendment) Bill Second Reading and Supplementary Estimates Debate Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 11 September 2025 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake argued that Ministers responsible for questions must be present to provide answers in Parliament. He said Members who cannot remain until an answer is given should not bring adjournment motions, and requested a ruling on whether Ministers are required for adjournment matters or Oral Questions. National Audit (Amendment) Bill Second Reading and Supplementary Estimates Debate Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 11 September 2025 AI summary The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake stated that the procedural issue concerned the Opposition’s allotted time for an adjournment debate, noting that the rule provides 30 minutes. He said the Opposition had requested two hours the previous day but was absent when the debate took place later. National Audit (Amendment) Bill Second Reading and Supplementary Estimates Debate Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 11 September 2025 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake sought the Speaker’s permission to briefly address the House. No substantive issue, proposal, or question was raised in the excerpt provided. National Audit (Amendment) Bill Second Reading and Supplementary Estimates Debate Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 11 September 2025 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake objected that the actions being taken amounted to overturning established parliamentary procedure. The intervention raised a procedural concern rather than addressing a substantive policy matter. National Audit (Amendment) Bill Second Reading and Supplementary Estimates Debate Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 11 September 2025 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake objected to a procedural practice in Parliament, arguing that if members asking Oral Questions are not required to remain present, Ministers could likewise defer their answers to another day. He raised this as a point about consistency and accountability in the handling of Oral Questions. National Audit (Amendment) Bill Second Reading and Supplementary Estimates Debate Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 11 September 2025 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake criticized the Government’s handling of an Opposition adjournment debate, questioning why the relevant Minister was not present or expected to respond. He argued that failing to provide a ministerial answer undermines Parliament and wastes parliamentary time, staff resources, public funds, and allocated voting time. National Audit (Amendment) Bill Second Reading and Supplementary Estimates Debate Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 11 September 2025 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake briefly stated that a referenced item need not be shown, asserting that it appeared false. He suggested that the person concerned may not recognize his mistake. National Audit (Amendment) Bill Second Reading and Supplementary Estimates Debate Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 11 September 2025 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake condemned an insulting remark directed at Hon. Lakmali Hemachandra, arguing that failing to correct such conduct after it is identified is unacceptable. He recalled having warned during the Women’s Affairs Vote that the 22 women MPs should be protected, and said the person responsible had still not accepted fault even after the Prime Minister pointed it out, while also alleging that a related social media post was false. National Audit (Amendment) Bill Second Reading and Supplementary Estimates Debate Women & ChildrenParliamentary Procedure Read →