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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
  • 11 September 2025 AI summary Minister Bimal Rathnayake stated that the Government was prepared to face any motion brought according to parliamentary procedure and approved by the Speaker, but argued that the current attempt was wasting Parliament’s time. He cited a 2007 precedent involving a motion against Hon. Mervyn Silva, noting that former Speaker Joseph Michael Perera did not allow it to proceed as a No-Confidence Motion because the member concerned was a State Minister rather than a Cabinet Minister. The speech was interrupted when Opposition Members entered the Well of the House and caused an uproar. Procedural Matters and No-Confidence Motion Dispute Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 11 September 2025 AI summary Moved that the relevant reports be printed. The motion was agreed to, and Parliament ordered that the reports be printed. Opening and Speaker's Certificate Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 10 September 2025 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake called for a division on the Presidents’ Entitlements (Repeal) Bill. The electronic vote recorded 151 Ayes, 1 No, and no abstentions, and the Bill was read a Second time by a majority of 150 votes. It was then referred to a Committee of the whole Parliament, considered clause by clause, and reported without amendments. Presidents' Entitlements (Repeal) Bill - Voting and Third Reading Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 10 September 2025 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake reported on the status of responses to questions raised under Standing Order 27(2), listing how many questions from several Members had been answered and which remained pending. He then moved a motion altering the day’s sitting hours notwithstanding Standing Order 88, setting sessions from 9.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and 1.00 p.m. to 5.30 p.m., with adjournment at 5.30 p.m.; the motion was agreed to before proceeding to Public Business on the Presidents’ Entitlements (Repeal) Bill. Debate: Presidents' Entitlements (Repeal) Bill - Second Reading Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 10 September 2025 AI summary Leader of the House Bimal Rathnayake said Questions to the Prime Minister are answered after gathering information from relevant Ministries and that the Government has generally provided such responses. Referring to Standing Order 27(2), he noted that urgent matters should be raised concisely, but some submissions are lengthy and difficult to answer immediately. He rejected accusations that the Government was not responding, stating that answers have been provided and that a full report was prepared on issues raised by Hon. Kader Mastan. Oral Question: Ceylon Electricity Board (Q.1/2024) and Digital Economy Initiatives (Q.2/2025) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 10 September 2025 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake stated that once the Speaker has delivered a ruling, Standing Orders do not permit further debate on it, though the Government accepted the Speaker’s discretion to allow discussion given the importance of the matter. He said the Government was ready to debate the motion if it complied with the Constitution and Standing Orders, but procedural requirements for presenting parliamentary business must be followed. He urged Members not to create a precedent of continuing to argue after a Speaker’s ruling. Procedural: Points of Order regarding No-confidence Motion and Speaker's Ruling Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 10 September 2025 AI summary On behalf of several Ministers, Bimal Rathnayake presented a series of annual and performance reports from public institutions, including ITN, the Department of Posts, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Department of Agrarian Development, science and technology bodies, and the Ceylon Electricity Board. He moved that each report be referred to the relevant Sectoral Oversight Committee, and the House agreed to the motions. Tabling of Reports and Papers (Annual Reports and Performance Reports) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 9 September 2025 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake moved that the sitting time be extended until the conclusion of the day’s debate. Division Vote on UAE Agreement Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 9 September 2025 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake said comprehensive international agreements such as the UAE agreement require two-thirds parliamentary approval, which he described as a constitutional safeguard, and stated the Government had sufficient support to pass it. He highlighted realized FDI of about US$1.015 billion within the past year, attributed improved investor confidence to the current administration, and said an investment protection bill would be brought with the Budget. He also referred to Sri Lanka’s position before the UN Human Rights Council, asserting a non-communal governing policy, and said the Government would pursue criminal infiltration linked to narcotics without political obstruction. He reiterated Government support for a free Palestine while recognizing Israel, and raised concern about Sri Lankan media personnel visiting the Israeli Embassy in India. Debate: Agreement between Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates on Investment Promotion and Protection Public FinanceLaw & OrderForeign Affairs Read →
  • 9 September 2025 AI summary Moved that the relevant report be printed. The motion was agreed to, and Parliament ordered the report to be printed. Papers Tabled and Committee Reports Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 22 August 2025 AI summary The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake stated that an appointment would be made. No further details were provided in the excerpt. Adjournment Motion: Human Rights Issues Faced by the Tamil Community in the North, East and Hill Country Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 22 August 2025 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake stated that the appointment in question would be made. Adjournment Motion: Human Rights Issues Faced by the Tamil Community in the North, East and Hill Country Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 22 August 2025 AI summary A Muslim scholar will be appointed to the relevant body or process, in response to a prior request. Adjournment Motion: Human Rights Issues Faced by the Tamil Community in the North, East and Hill Country Religion & Culture Read →
  • 22 August 2025 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake responded to the Adjournment Motion on human rights by citing the 12 August UN High Commissioner for Human Rights report as evidence of a shift toward a more inclusive national identity and of early government action on economic and social rights. He highlighted the inherited economic crisis, including food insecurity and child malnutrition, and pointed to measures such as tax threshold increases, VAT removals on some foods, higher health and education allocations, increased Aswesuma funding, and meeting the IMF social safety net target. He also cited the Proceeds of Crime Act, the National Anti-Corruption Plan, and recent corruption convictions and investigations as signs of action against corruption, arguing that human rights concerns must be considered alongside economic recovery and accountability efforts. Adjournment Motion: Human Rights Issues Faced by the Tamil Community in the North, East and Hill Country Justice & Human RightsEthnic Reconciliation & DevolutionCost of Living Read →
  • 22 August 2025 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake formally moved the motion to adjourn Parliament. The motion, “That the Parliament do now adjourn,” was then proposed for consideration. Adjournment Motion: Human Rights Issues Faced by the Tamil Community in the North, East and Hill Country Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 22 August 2025 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake moved an amendment to the Motion to change the specified time from 11.30 a.m. to 10.40 a.m. The amendment was put to the House and agreed to. Procedural Matters and Sittings of Parliament Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 22 August 2025 AI summary On behalf of the Prime Minister, Bimal Rathnayake requested two weeks to provide the relevant answers to Parliament. Oral Questions (Second Round and Standing Order 27(2) Questions) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 22 August 2025 AI summary On behalf of the Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, Bimal Rathnayake tabled a written answer on President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s official visit to Germany from 11 to 13 June 2025. The answer stated that the visit sought to strengthen bilateral and EU-related economic ties, promote investment, tourism, vocational training and cooperation in sectors including renewable energy, IT, logistics and hospitality, with meetings held with German political leaders and business bodies. It reported investor interest and possible expansion by German companies in Sri Lanka, and placed the visit expenditure at Rs. 2,533,748.91 with an annexure in the Library. Oral Questions (Second Round and Standing Order 27(2) Questions) EducationForeign AffairsInfrastructure Read →
  • 22 August 2025 AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation, Bimal Rathnayake tabled an answer on the “Urumaya” Programme, stating that it began in 2024 and was reviewed by an expert committee appointed under a Cabinet decision of 24 February 2025. The committee’s recommendations were submitted to Cabinet on 11 July 2025 and approved on 21 July 2025, after which the programme will continue as a regular initiative rather than an emergency measure. The answer also noted that about 3,800 prepared free grant deeds are being readied for issue, and further information may be obtained from Divisional Secretaries or the Land Commissioner General. Oral Questions (Second Round and Standing Order 27(2) Questions) Land & Housing Read →
  • 22 August 2025 AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure, Bimal Rathnayake tabled a written answer on plantation lands in Monaragala District. The answer stated that Kurunegala, Elkaduwa and Puttalam Plantation Companies manage no lands there, while 1,754.02 hectares have been leased by JEDB and SLSPC to Hapugastenne and Namunukula Plantation Companies. It further stated that no portions of those Monaragala lands have been sub-leased, making the remaining sub-questions not applicable. Oral Questions (Second Round and Standing Order 27(2) Questions) Agriculture Read →