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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
  • 20 August 2025 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake invoked Standing Order 83, arguing that personal conduct of judges or judicial officers should not be raised in Parliament except by substantive motion. He stated that transfers and discipline of judges fall under the Independent Judicial Service Commission, chaired by the Chief Justice, and that criticism of such matters targets the judiciary and the JSC rather than the Government. He requested review under the Standing Orders and, if necessary, by the Speaker, contending that such statements should not be made under parliamentary privilege. Debate: Samurdhi (Amendment) Bill, Rubber Control (Amendment) Bill, Sports Law Regulations, and Judicature Act Rules Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 20 August 2025 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake outlined the legal and administrative history of converting foreign driving licences and issuing temporary permits to visitors, noting that the Department of Motor Traffic continues to handle these functions and that a one-month temporary licence currently costs Rs. 2,000 under the 2022 Gazette. He clarified that establishing a counter at Bandaranaike International Airport is intended to streamline access and reduce broker exploitation, not to create a new legal category. He further stated that temporary licences for tourists are limited to private light-vehicle use, excluding three-wheelers and any public or commercial transport operations. The Minister said a revised fee structure would be proposed to Cabinet and gazetted if approved, following concerns from tourism stakeholders that the current fee is too low. Ministerial Statement: Temporary Driving Licences for Foreign Tourists InfrastructurePublic Finance Read →
  • 20 August 2025 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake stated that the Jaffna airport runway will be rehabilitated to handle approximately 130-seat aircraft, with completion expected by mid-2026. He said further expansion for larger aircraft is not currently economically viable, noted that baggage allowances are determined by airlines, and indicated that reduced embarkation fees could be considered. He emphasized developing Jaffna as a stable and viable international airport while avoiding mistakes associated with Mattala. Question Under Standing Order 27(2): Jaffna International Airport Phase II InfrastructurePublic Finance Read →
  • 20 August 2025 AI summary Minister Bimal Rathnayake said Jaffna International Airport currently operates two daily flights to India and has shown improving revenue and operating profit, but expansion for larger aircraft would require major infrastructure investment and further feasibility studies. He said terminal improvement works are proceeding in stages under procurement procedures, with temporary passenger facilities already installed and further works expected around October. The Government intends to develop Jaffna as a commercially sustainable international airport, initially targeting safe runway rehabilitation to accommodate about 130-seat aircraft by mid-next year, while decisions on larger expansion, financing, and any further land acquisition will depend on demand, feasibility, and consultations with relevant agencies. Question Under Standing Order 27(2): Jaffna International Airport Phase II Public FinanceInfrastructure Read →
  • 20 August 2025 AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Science and Technology, the Minister presented the Ministry’s Annual Performance Report for 2024. He moved that the report be referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Science, Technology and Digital Transformation, and the motion was agreed to. Papers Tabled: Annual Reports and Performance Reports Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 19 August 2025 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake responded to criticism linking him to port sector issues, stating that the Government is rebuilding institutions affected by corruption and mismanagement rather than producing immediate results. He cited a reported 66 per cent increase in Sri Lanka Ports Authority profits in the first half of 2025, from Rs. 14,691 million to Rs. 24,418 million, and urged Members to acknowledge progress and not undermine port workers and professionals. Debate: Gambling Regulatory Authority Bill, Public Debt Management Act Regulations, and Foreign Exchange Act Regulations Corruption & Governance ReformInfrastructurePublic Finance Read →
  • 19 August 2025 AI summary The Minister presented the 2024 Annual Performance Report of the Parliament of Sri Lanka and moved that it be referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Governance, Justice and Civil Protection. The motion was agreed to by the House. Papers: Annual Reports and Sectoral Committee Reports Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 7 August 2025 AI summary Moved the adjournment of Parliament. The motion “that the Parliament do now adjourn” was proposed. Adjournment Debate: Current Economic Status of the Country Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 7 August 2025 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake moved that Parliament adjourn at the conclusion of the day’s business until 9.30 a.m. on Tuesday, 19 August 2025. The motion was put to the House and agreed to. Sittings of Parliament and Adjournment Resolution Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 7 August 2025 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake moved a procedural motion to set the sitting hours for Parliament on 7 August 2025, overriding Standing Order 88. The House agreed that sittings would run from 9.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and 1.00 p.m. to 5.30 p.m., with Standing Order 8(5) applying at noon and adjournment by the Speaker at 5.30 p.m. Sittings of Parliament and Adjournment Resolution Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 7 August 2025 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake stated that the constitutional requirement under Article 78(1) had been met, as the relevant Bill was published at least seven days before being placed on the Order Paper. He argued that Parliament’s authority to proceed was therefore clear. Points of Order - Presidents' Entitlements (Repeal) Bill Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 7 August 2025 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake clarified the timing of a Bill’s presentation following a point raised by Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, stating that the Gazette was printed before midnight on 30 July and therefore published from 31 July. He argued that the required seven-day period had elapsed by 6 August, making 7 August the eighth day and the Bill procedurally in order for presentation. He cited several past Bills as precedents for similar timing between gazetting and First Reading. Points of Order - Presidents' Entitlements (Repeal) Bill Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 6 August 2025 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake, as Leader of the House, formally moved the adjournment of Parliament. The motion “That Parliament do now adjourn” was then proposed for consideration. Adjournment: Parliamentary Adjournment and Adjournment Questions Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 6 August 2025 AI summary Moved approval of regulations made by the Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tea Board under the Tea (Tax and Control of Export) Act, No. 16 of 1959, as published in Gazette Extraordinary No. 2343/63 and presented to Parliament on 11 July 2025. He noted that Cabinet approval had been granted, and the motion was agreed to. Papers: Order under Tobacco Tax Act and Regulations under Tea Act Agriculture Read →
  • 6 August 2025 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake moved, on behalf of the Prime Minister and the Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, for approval of a Gazette Order under the Tobacco Tax Act imposing tobacco tax on beedi. The Order, issued by the Minister of Finance, Economic Stabilization and National Policies and published in Gazette Extraordinary No. 2430/16 of 1 April 2025, had Cabinet approval and was agreed to by the House. Papers: Order under Tobacco Tax Act and Regulations under Tea Act Public Finance Read →
  • 6 August 2025 AI summary Moved the Second Reading of the Bill and presented for approval two related items on the Order Paper: a Regulation under the Tobacco Tax Act and an Order under the Tea (Tax and Control of Exports) Act. The motion was then put before the House. Debate: Sri Lanka Electricity (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading, Committee and Third Reading Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 6 August 2025 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake objected to references made to JVP founder Rohana Wijeweera, stating that Wijeweera’s scholarship was funded by the Soviet Communist Party through the Communist Party of Sri Lanka, not by Sri Lankan public funds. He rejected attempts to draw Wijeweera into the exchange and urged members to give their own answers without invoking his party’s founder. Personal Explanations and Committee Resignations Religion & Culture Read →
  • 5 August 2025 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake acknowledged the Speaker’s authority but raised a procedural concern that extending the allotted time would create difficulties for Members. Debate: Resolution to Remove Inspector-General of Police T.M.W. Deshabandu Tennakoon Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 5 August 2025 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake raised a procedural concern about whether the sitting time was being extended, noting that such a change would affect other scheduled business. He said arrangements had been made, including withdrawing Minister Chandana Abeyratne’s scheduled speech, to enable a vote at 4.00 p.m., and emphasized the need for time management. Debate: Resolution to Remove Inspector-General of Police T.M.W. Deshabandu Tennakoon Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 5 August 2025 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake stated that he did not have authority to take the requested action. He noted that the vote needed to be taken at 4.00 p.m., addressing the Speaker on the timing of proceedings. Debate: Resolution to Remove Inspector-General of Police T.M.W. Deshabandu Tennakoon Parliamentary Procedure Read →