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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
  • 18 June 2025 AI summary The Minister stated that route permit issuance had long been affected by corruption and political patronage, and said a full audit of past permits has begun to identify and correct irregularities. He said the current administration will issue no new permits without a tender process, including in response to requests from Members. He invited Members, through Coordinating Committees, to propose new sustainable bus routes, noting that bus imports have been permitted and that around 60–65 viable routes should be identified for tendered permits. Oral Questions: Questions 1–2 (School Projects, Ministers' Answers and Supplementaries) and Q.633/2025 (stood down), Q.636/2025 (Limestone Transport), Q.715/2025 (Kukuleganga Access Road), Q.724/2025 (Suwaseya Ambulance Service), Q.792/2025 (Bus Route Permits), Minuwangoda Shopping Complex, Tea Factories, and Social Media Provisions InfrastructureCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
  • 18 June 2025 AI summary The Minister stated that route permit holders who sold unroadworthy buses during the vehicle import suspension were unable to replace them until imports resumed, and many surrendered permits to the National Transport Commission during that period. He said written instructions had been issued, and reissued where necessary, to Provincial Road Passenger Transport Authorities to waive log sheet fees for periods when permit books and labels were held by authorities or buses were not in operation. He accepted that charging such fees for non-operational periods was unfair and said authorities are being reminded to grant the relevant exemptions. Oral Questions: Questions 1–2 (School Projects, Ministers' Answers and Supplementaries) and Q.633/2025 (stood down), Q.636/2025 (Limestone Transport), Q.715/2025 (Kukuleganga Access Road), Q.724/2025 (Suwaseya Ambulance Service), Q.792/2025 (Bus Route Permits), Minuwangoda Shopping Complex, Tea Factories, and Social Media Provisions InfrastructurePublic Finance Read →
  • 18 June 2025 AI summary The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake clarified that Sri Lanka Railways has not leased rail assets, but provides locomotives and wagons as needed on a market-rate service-hire basis. He stated that income from such services between 2015 and 2022 amounted to Rs. 273,409,766, citing annual figures, and advised that broader related policy proposals be discussed with the Minister of Industries. Oral Questions: Questions 1–2 (School Projects, Ministers' Answers and Supplementaries) and Q.633/2025 (stood down), Q.636/2025 (Limestone Transport), Q.715/2025 (Kukuleganga Access Road), Q.724/2025 (Suwaseya Ambulance Service), Q.792/2025 (Bus Route Permits), Minuwangoda Shopping Complex, Tea Factories, and Social Media Provisions Public FinanceInfrastructure Read →
  • 18 June 2025 AI summary The Minister said the question concerns the privatization of the State-owned Puttalam Cement Corporation around 1994–1995, a matter not directly under his purview, and noted that the privatization involved significant irregularities. He explained that agreements with Sri Lanka Railways for the dedicated rail track serving the plant were signed in 1999 with PCCL and later aligned after the company became Holcim Lanka in 2002. He stated that a response from the Ministry of Industries would be appropriate on how to maximize national benefit from the resource. Oral Questions: Questions 1–2 (School Projects, Ministers' Answers and Supplementaries) and Q.633/2025 (stood down), Q.636/2025 (Limestone Transport), Q.715/2025 (Kukuleganga Access Road), Q.724/2025 (Suwaseya Ambulance Service), Q.792/2025 (Bus Route Permits), Minuwangoda Shopping Complex, Tea Factories, and Social Media Provisions Corruption & Governance ReformPublic Finance Read →
  • 18 June 2025 AI summary Locomotives, coaches and other Sri Lanka Railways equipment have not been leased for limestone transport from Puttalam to the Aruwakadu quarry; instead, transport charges are collected under an agreement with the cement company now known as Siam City Cement Lanka Ltd. The Minister stated that the quarry rail track belongs to the company, locomotives are only hired when needed on a daily basis, and Sri Lanka Railways has earned no lease income from this transport arrangement. Oral Questions: Questions 1–2 (School Projects, Ministers' Answers and Supplementaries) and Q.633/2025 (stood down), Q.636/2025 (Limestone Transport), Q.715/2025 (Kukuleganga Access Road), Q.724/2025 (Suwaseya Ambulance Service), Q.792/2025 (Bus Route Permits), Minuwangoda Shopping Complex, Tea Factories, and Social Media Provisions Infrastructure Read →
  • 17 June 2025 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake said the Government had responded to all scheduled Oral Questions and an SO 27(2) matter, and that an adjournment question on the Iran–Israel conflict had also been allowed under procedure. He accused some Opposition MPs of misusing Standing Orders for disruption and media attention, including by blaming the Speaker during a visit by UN human rights representatives. He urged the Leader of the Opposition to take responsibility for the conduct of Opposition MPs and to ensure respect for Parliament and the Speaker. Procedural: Israel-Iran Conflict Discussion and Ministerial Statement on Energy Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 17 June 2025 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake’s intervention was incomplete, consisting only of the opening remark that “they have forgotten that—”. No substantive argument, proposal, question, or policy position was recorded in the provided excerpt. Procedural: Israel-Iran Conflict Discussion and Ministerial Statement on Energy Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 17 June 2025 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake remarked that by evening none of the relevant members would remain present in the Chamber. The statement was a brief observation concerning expected attendance during the parliamentary sitting. Procedural: Israel-Iran Conflict Discussion and Ministerial Statement on Energy Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 17 June 2025 AI summary An answer was tabled stating that there are 118 regional workshops and listing existing tyre retreading factories across several locations, including Ampara. It confirmed that a tyre retreading facility is proposed at the Medawachchiya Regional Workshop, with machinery and equipment estimated at Rs. 52.7 million, but no allocation was made in the 2025 Budget despite Treasury approval for construction. The response further stated that the proposed building has been fully renovated and that arrangements are expected to be completed within the year with proposed modern technology support from Sri Lankan expatriates. Oral Questions Second Round Q.875/2025 and Related Questions InfrastructurePublic Finance Read →
  • 17 June 2025 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake tabled an answer on delays in land acquisition and compensation for the four phases of the Central Expressway Project. The response attributed delays to survey and valuation processes, title document deficiencies, route changes, court proceedings, valuation appeals, and, particularly for Phase 4, Cabinet decisions following the 2022 economic crisis that suspended and later proposed resuming acquisitions. It provided phase-wise compensation data, noting that Phases 1 to 3 had paid most eligible claims while Phase 4 had paid only 207 of 3,505 acquired lots, and stated that payments proceed where titles are clear and valuations accepted, with disputes referred to courts or review bodies. Oral Questions Second Round Q.875/2025 and Related Questions InfrastructurePublic FinanceLand & Housing Read →
  • 17 June 2025 AI summary The Annual Report of the National Transport Commission for 2023 was tabled in Parliament. It was moved and agreed that the Report be referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Infrastructure Facilities and Strategic Development. Papers: Regulations, Annual Reports and Ministerial Consultative Committee Reports Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 6 June 2025 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake moved Votes of Condolence for former MPs Kosala Nuwan Jayaweera and Mavai S. Senathirajah. He outlined Jayaweera’s education, JVP/NPP political work, local government service, brief parliamentary tenure including COPE membership, and sudden death at 38, requesting that Parliament’s condolences be conveyed to his family. He also recounted Senathirajah’s long parliamentary service for Jaffna under the TNA, leadership of ITAK, educational and political background, and death at 82, asking that condolences be sent to his wife, children, and family. Debate: Votes of Condolence for Four Former MPs Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 6 June 2025 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake stated that, while he could read out an answer as Chief Government Whip, questions raised under Standing Order 27(2) by party leaders should properly be answered by the relevant Minister. He said the Government had no objection to proceeding as suggested by Rauff Hakeem and was ready to follow that approach. Procedural: House Conduct and Petition Examination Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 6 June 2025 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake said Ministers and MPs should attend Parliament on time, but noted that urgent circumstances sometimes require postponements. He explained that he had prepared a practical response to Kader Mastan’s request to run the “Koneswara” train from Kankesanthurai to Galkissa, after consulting railway officials and reviewing operational issues, including repairs to a new engine expected by the 9th. He stated that he was later informed the relevant Member could not attend due to an urgent matter, and asked that the House proceed while recognizing such procedural difficulties. Procedural: Standing Order 27(2) Questions and Points of Order Parliamentary ProcedureInfrastructure Read →
  • 6 June 2025 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake stated that such incidents have occurred previously in the current Parliament. He affirmed that Ministers respond to matters responsibly. Procedural: Standing Order 27(2) Questions and Points of Order Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 6 June 2025 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake stated that they were ready to answer and began to make a request to the Speaker. The excerpt contains no substantive policy issue, proposal, or question beyond that procedural intervention. Procedural: Standing Order 27(2) Questions and Points of Order Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 6 June 2025 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake said he had submitted a report on responses to Questions under Standing Order 27(2) and Oral Questions, noting that Ministers prepare and provide the answers. He explained that some SO 27(2) questions, particularly those requiring inter-ministerial coordination or extensive data, cannot be answered immediately, and said the Deputy Minister of Finance was ready to respond to Hon. Ravi Karunanayake’s question but was unable to do so because he had been urgently summoned by the President. Procedural: Standing Order 27(2) Questions and Points of Order Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 6 June 2025 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake informed the House that he was ready to answer Hon. Kader Mastan’s Standing Order 27(2) question on the Colombo–Kankesanthurai train service, but Mastan had requested that the response be given when he was present. Rathnayake stated that he had an answer, including a solution, and would provide it at the next opportunity when the question is raised. Procedural: Standing Order 27(2) Questions and Points of Order Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 6 June 2025 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake states that the matter is being raised not because of a delay, but due to an urgent necessity. The excerpt provided is incomplete and does not include details of the specific issue, proposal, or request being made. Procedural: Standing Order 27(2) Questions and Points of Order Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 6 June 2025 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake stated that the matter under discussion was not caused by a delay. Procedural: Standing Order 27(2) Questions and Points of Order Parliamentary Procedure Read →