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- 5 August 2025 AI summary The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake requested that the vote be taken at 4.00 p.m. He noted that when Government and Opposition speakers exceed their allotted speaking time, it reduces the time available for Members scheduled to speak later. Debate: Resolution to Remove Inspector-General of Police T.M.W. Deshabandu Tennakoon Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 5 August 2025 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake moved a procedural motion to vary 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 6.00 p.m. The motion also provided for Standing Order 8(5) to operate at 5.30 p.m. and for the Speaker to adjourn the House at 6.00 p.m.; it was agreed to. Procedural: Sittings of Parliament Motion Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 5 August 2025 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake argued that Standing Order 31 was not applicable but, since time had been granted, requested equal time for his side. He stated that public pressure can shape legal processes and that courts have properly reviewed presidential actions such as pardons and public expenditure where they may conflict with the purpose of the law. He emphasized that judicial oversight and scrutiny of abuses of power strengthen democracy, while noting that any fuller debate should be taken up under the appropriate procedure. Procedural: Standing Order 31 Matter and Question 27(2) on Transport Committee Parliamentary ProcedureJustice & Human Rights Read →
- 5 August 2025 AI summary Moved that the relevant reports be printed, following which the House agreed to the motion. The reports were ordered to be printed. Papers: Reports and Regulations Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 25 July 2025 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake formally moved that Parliament adjourn. The presiding member then put the adjournment question to the House. Adjournment Questions Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 25 July 2025 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake thanked the Supreme Court Bench for its judgment on the X-Press Pearl incident, noting its significance and the impact of the disaster on Sri Lanka. He stated that the Court had ordered compensation of US$1 billion and commended the judges, including a retiring senior justice, for acting within the law to safeguard national interests before moving the adjournment of the House. Condolence Debate: Late Hon. Members (R. Sampanthan, A. Pilapitiya, W. B. Ekanayake, Lucky Jayawardana, Malani Fonseka) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 25 July 2025 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake moved votes of condolence for former parliamentarians Rajavarothiam Sampanthan, W.B. Ekanayake, Lucky Jayawardana and A. Pilapitiya, outlining their political careers, public offices, family details and dates of demise. He paid particular tribute to Sampanthan’s long parliamentary service, leadership of ITAK/TNA, role as Leader of the Opposition, advocacy for peace and reconciliation within a united Sri Lanka, and his stance that constitutional reform should be approved by referendum. Rathnayake also recorded personal observations of Sampanthan’s conduct in Parliament, describing him as principled, courteous and careful in debate, and extended condolences to the families present. Committee on Ethics and Privileges - Referral Motion Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 25 July 2025 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake moved to refer Hon. Eranga Gunasekara’s privilege complaint of 08 April 2025 to the Committee on Ethics and Privileges under Standing Order 118, which was agreed to. He then noted the scheduled Votes of Condolence and urged the House to start such motions punctually on Fridays, or shorten earlier business, because family members of the deceased often wait for long periods. Committee on Ethics and Privileges - Referral Motion Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 25 July 2025 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake briefly informed a member that they could come later and meet the relevant person. No substantive policy issue, proposal, or parliamentary question was raised in this remark. Standing Order 27(2): Renewal of Pharmacy Licences and Training of Pharmacists Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 25 July 2025 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake reminded the House that, under the previous day’s agreement, the 30-minute period from 11.00 to 11.30 was to cover Standing Order 27(2) questions, privilege matters and ministerial statements. He stated that each SO 27(2) item, including the question and reply, was allotted 10 minutes, and clarified that any additional eight minutes should be allocated at the Speaker’s discretion, not by the Member speaking. Standing Order 27(2): Renewal of Pharmacy Licences and Training of Pharmacists Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 25 July 2025 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake requested the Speaker to obtain a response from the Secretariat and noted that the sitting was allocated for condolence motions for five late Members, with their families present. He urged Members not to prolong proceedings unnecessarily so the House could proceed with expressing condolences. Second Round Oral Questions and Procedural Matters Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 25 July 2025 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake rejected an interpretation of the Deputy Minister’s response on road responsibilities, saying the comment that the RDA would “look after” the roads was being misrepresented to suggest the Government was weakening Provincial Councils. He argued that the Government was working in good faith with MPs in the North and East and had increased allocations to Provincial Councils, including in the context of development work discussed at the Batticaloa District Coordinating Committee. He accused the Member who raised the issue of wasting parliamentary time and attempting to politicize the matter along communal lines. Oral Question: Gulf of Mannar - Exploration of Gas and Oil (Q.199/2024) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 25 July 2025 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake responded to concerns about Provincial Council funding, stating that capital allocations for road development, construction, and recruitment have been increased threefold despite the country’s financial difficulties. He clarified that although the Road Development Authority may construct roads belonging to Local Authorities or Provincial Councils, ownership and administrative responsibility remain with the relevant institution unless formally transferred. He rejected the claim that these arrangements weaken the Provincial Council system and said allocations would be increased further next year. Oral Question: Ambilanthurai–Kokkaddichcholai Road Reconstruction (Q.184/2024) Ethnic Reconciliation & DevolutionPublic FinanceInfrastructure Read →
- 25 July 2025 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake stated that investigations into the Easter attacks fall under the Ministry of Public Security, while the Prime Minister should answer only on matters within her responsibility. He noted that Standing Orders allow the relevant Minister to respond after the Prime Minister’s policy reply if necessary, and requested that the Minister of Public Security be permitted to speak without being disrupted by disorderly shouting. Oral Question: Ambilanthurai–Kokkaddichcholai Road Reconstruction (Q.184/2024) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 25 July 2025 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake moved that the Report be printed. The motion was put to the House, agreed to, and the Report was ordered to be printed. Committee on Public Accounts: Second Report Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 24 July 2025 AI summary Minister Bimal Rathnayake said education reform should be treated as a long-term national project shaping Sri Lanka’s society and workforce by 2050, and therefore must proceed through broad consultation rather than as a finalized proposal imposed on Parliament. He argued that a White Paper or framework should be debated widely, including beyond Parliament, because issues such as school structures, cultural and religious education, and subject combinations affect all communities and families. He proposed that all children learn the core values of the main religions to promote mutual respect, and cited the need for flexible subject combinations such as Combined Mathematics with Biology to meet modern industry requirements. Adjournment Debate: Proposed Educational Reforms (continued) EducationParliamentary Procedure Read →
- 24 July 2025 AI summary Requested, under Standing Orders, that Hon. (Dr.) Kaushalya Ariyarathne be afforded an opportunity to speak at a subsequent sitting. Adjournment Debate: Proposed Educational Reforms Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 24 July 2025 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake moved the adjournment motion, “That Parliament do now adjourn.” The motion was then proposed to the House. Adjournment Debate: Proposed Educational Reforms Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 24 July 2025 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake moved that Hon. Aravinda Senarath take the Chair. The House agreed to the motion, after which the Speaker left the Chair and Hon. Aravinda Senarath assumed it. Oral Question: Foreign Graduate Appointments (Q.7) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 24 July 2025 AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and Ocean Resources, Bimal Rathnayake requested two weeks to provide an answer. The question was ordered to stand down. Oral Question: Fisheries Matter (Q.2) and Procedural Remarks Parliamentary Procedure Read →