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- 24 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. Papers: Annual Reports and Committee Reports Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 24 July 2025 AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Industry and Enterprise Development, the Minister presented the 2021/2022 Annual Report of BCC Lanka Ltd. and the 2021/2022 and 2022/2023 Annual Reports and Accounts of the National Salt Company. He moved that the reports be referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Economic Development and International Relations, and the motion was agreed to. Papers: Annual Reports and Committee Reports Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 23 July 2025 AI summary Assurances were given that any unanswered questions would be followed up through the Secretary-General’s Office and the Government Chief Whip’s Office to expedite responses. The member noted that the issue of mass graves had previously been answered by Hon. Naanayakkara, and said relevant Ministers would be alerted to provide further answers soon. Procedural: Standing Order 27(2) – Kankesanthurai Port Renovation Delay Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 23 July 2025 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake said Parliament had agreed to provide further opportunities, beginning the following day, for Government and Opposition MPs to discuss proposed education reforms, with continued debate if required. He stated that no final reform document exists yet and that the Government intends to develop it through consultation with MPs, educationists, teachers, officials, professionals and the public, rather than proceeding without transparency. He added that a final document and roadmap would be presented to Parliament before 1 January of the following year. Procedural: Standing Order 27(2) Questions – Sri Lanka Electricity Bill Scheduling EducationParliamentary Procedure Read →
- 23 July 2025 AI summary On behalf of the Prime Minister and Minister of Education, the response stated that 836 schools had been selected for development across all Divisional Secretary’s Divisions, of which 396 have been approved as National Schools and 23 have been processed through Standing Orders for declaration. The reply tabled annexes listing the relevant schools and province-wise expenditure for name boards, entrance gates, and related items in 2021–2022, with school-wise figures to be provided when available. It clarified that schools not approved as National Schools will remain under Provincial Councils, though their physical resources will be developed with planned support from the Line Ministry. Oral Question: Second Round Questions (Q.1, 2, 3/2025 – Second Round) Education Read →
- 23 July 2025 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake responded to a reference made to him in the debate, stating that he had spoken only briefly because his name had been mentioned and he had been targeted. He rejected the allegation that he had wasted Parliament’s time, arguing that he intervenes only on essential matters and that others were responsible for wasting time. Oral Question: Export of Rock Phosphate (Q.5/2025 – 857/2025) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 23 July 2025 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake stated that individuals accused of theft and murder would be dealt with through legal proceedings, including filing cases, taking them into custody, and bringing them before the courts. He emphasized that accountability would be pursued through the judicial process. Procedural: Points of Order and Interjections on Historical Matters Justice & Human RightsLaw & Order Read →
- 23 July 2025 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake alleged that individuals linked to violence, including a bomber, had contested under the United National Party, and invoked the 1988-89 period to accuse UNP leaders of responsibility for mass killings and torture chambers. He challenged any attempt to deny or ignore that history in the parliamentary debate. Procedural: Points of Order and Interjections on Historical Matters Security & DefenceCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
- 23 July 2025 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake alleged that during 1987-1989, members and ministers of the United National Party maintained private torture chambers. He further claimed that a person involved in detonating bombs later contested for votes in Kandy under that party. Procedural: Points of Order and Interjections on Historical Matters Justice & Human Rights Read →
- 23 July 2025 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake referred to statements he made at the United Nations Human Rights Council regarding the Matale mass grave, noting that 140 human bone fragments had been found there. He stated that investigations are being conducted and alleged that individuals connected to past murders and private torture chambers are currently represented in Parliament. Procedural: Points of Order and Interjections on Historical Matters Law & OrderJustice & Human Rights Read →
- 23 July 2025 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake presented additional reports on behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation for referral to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Agriculture and Sustainable Use of Resources. The House agreed to the question. Papers: Additional Reports Tabled AgricultureParliamentary Procedure Read →
- 23 July 2025 AI summary The Minister presented the 2024 Performance Report of the Office of the Leader of the Opposition and moved that it be referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Public Administration, Justice and Civil Security, which was agreed to. On behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation, he also presented reports relating to the Mahaweli Authority and several land and planning departments, and moved their referral to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Agriculture and Sustainable Use of Resources, which was also agreed to. Papers: Annual Reports and Performance Reports Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 22 July 2025 AI summary The Leader of the House moved the adjournment of Parliament. The question was then proposed by the Chair. Debate: National Minimum Wage of Workers and Budgetary Relief Allowance Bills (Second and Third Readings) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 22 July 2025 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake raised concerns about the handling of Questions under Standing Order 27(2), noting that lengthy and detailed questions on urgent public matters lead to extended ministerial replies and disrupt parliamentary time management. He proposed allocating a fixed time slot, such as 10 to 15 minutes per question, while maintaining ministers’ obligation to respond. SO 27(2) Question: Human-Elephant Conflict Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 22 July 2025 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake requested, under Standing Order 35, that the Speaker ensure the one-hour period allocated for Questions is managed efficiently so that scheduled debates and committee work are not disrupted. He also asked that, following the tabling of the parliamentary committee report finding IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon guilty, the House and the public be informed the same day about the procedural next steps to be taken by the Speaker. SO 27(2) Question: Human-Elephant Conflict Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 22 July 2025 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake drew attention to the day’s agenda, noting that a Bill requiring a two-thirds majority was scheduled for debate. He requested the Chair to manage the remaining Question Time, including oral answers and supplementary questions, since three questions were still pending before the 11.00 a.m. cutoff. Procedural: Leader's Time Management Notice Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 11 July 2025 AI summary Moved to suspend Standing Order 24(2) to allow Items 1 to 6 on the day’s Order Paper to be taken up, which the House agreed to. He then informed the House that three Members had submitted written notices of inability to attend, resulting in the deferral of Order Paper Items 1, 5 and 6 to a future date, and proceeded to call Item 2 to be moved by Hon. Rohana Bandara. Private Members' Motion No. 1: Co-operative Rural Banks Supervision Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 11 July 2025 AI summary The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake raised a point of order concerning disorder in the House. He urged the Deputy Speaker to maintain control so parliamentary proceedings could continue. Points of Order - Broadcasting and Warrant Matter Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 11 July 2025 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake denied allegations that he had intervened in the release of 323 containers, stating that he had no authority over such releases and had acted within legal limits. He challenged Opposition MPs who made the claims, including allegations about weapons, to provide evidence to the police or courts and cooperate with investigations. He argued that using Parliamentary Privilege to make unsupported accusations wasted Parliament’s time and created a national issue unless the claims were substantiated or withdrawn. Points of Order - Customs Container Matter and Questions of Privilege Justice & Human RightsCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
- 11 July 2025 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake denied allegations that he used authority to release Customs consignments or waive demurrage on Ramadan-related donations. He stated that the release of about 60 tonnes of donated dates raised by the Saudi Ambassador was delayed, but the Ministry of Cultural Affairs paid the full duty and demurrage, and he did not exercise any authority in the matter. Points of Order - Customs Container Matter and Questions of Privilege Corruption & Governance Reform Read →