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- 21 May 2025 AI summary The Minister moved that the two reports be printed, and the House agreed. He further stated that the Government expects to request a debate on the reports to be scheduled in due course. Papers - Annual Reports Tabling Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 20 May 2025 AI summary The Minister said the Government has no intention of appropriating private land or pursuing a nationalist settlement agenda, and argued that the relevant Gazette applies to all nine provinces rather than only the North. He stated that Cabinet has agreed to a programme by the Lands and Environment Ministers to address land demarcation issues, particularly in the North where traditionally occupied and cultivated lands lack proper boundaries. A joint Cabinet Paper will propose a special committee aimed at resolving disputes and returning the maximum possible extent of land to affected people. Adjournment Motion: Land Settlement Gazette Notification 2430/2025 (Tamil Lands in North and East) Land & HousingEthnic Reconciliation & Devolution Read →
- 20 May 2025 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake urged adherence to the Chair’s ruling to adjourn the House at 5.00 p.m. and allow the Deputy Minister to continue the reply on behalf of the President. He argued that the Opposition Chief Organizer had been allowed to raise a point of order but had no special privilege to extend proceedings, and suggested any further clarification be taken up with the Speaker and Secretariat the following day. He cited parliamentary practice that Deputy Ministers, including those handling defence matters, have replied in such debates. Debate: Order under the Excise (Special Provisions) Act - Electric Vehicle Tax Revision (Continued) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 20 May 2025 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake clarified his role as Leader of the House and stated that he would first respond to the point of order raised by Harsha de Silva. Debate: Order under the Excise (Special Provisions) Act - Electric Vehicle Tax Revision (Continued) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 20 May 2025 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake stated that he is the Leader of the House. Debate: Order under the Excise (Special Provisions) Act - Electric Vehicle Tax Revision (Continued) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 20 May 2025 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake only begins to address the Presiding Member, with no substantive remarks, questions, proposals, or arguments recorded in the provided excerpt. Debate: Order under the Excise (Special Provisions) Act - Electric Vehicle Tax Revision (Continued) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 20 May 2025 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake stated that the Deputy Minister was speaking on behalf of the Minister and that the Presiding Member had already ruled on the matter. He urged Members not to create further debate in both the House and the Committee and requested the Presiding Member to proceed. Debate: Order under the Excise (Special Provisions) Act - Electric Vehicle Tax Revision (Continued) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 20 May 2025 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake briefly stated that there was no anger in the exchange and characterized the interaction as cordial. Debate: Order under the Excise (Special Provisions) Act - Electric Vehicle Tax Revision (Continued) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 20 May 2025 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake urged that the House proceed in line with the Presiding Member’s explanation, which he said was based on advice from the Table. He indicated that the matter could be raised again later. Debate: Order under the Excise (Special Provisions) Act - Electric Vehicle Tax Revision (Continued) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 20 May 2025 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake objected to further debate at that moment, noting that the Presiding Member had already issued a ruling. Debate: Order under the Excise (Special Provisions) Act - Electric Vehicle Tax Revision (Continued) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 20 May 2025 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake stated that a point of order had already been raised and ruled on by the Presiding Member, who allowed the Deputy Minister to speak on behalf of the Minister. He indicated that the Member concerned could speak later, noting that the opportunity to raise a point of order had already been provided. Debate: Order under the Excise (Special Provisions) Act - Electric Vehicle Tax Revision (Continued) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 20 May 2025 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake rejected the implication that only the Opposition represents the public, stating that the Government also represents Sri Lanka’s 22 million people. He defended the Public Security Minister’s detailed response, acknowledged existing challenges, and said plans had been presented to address them while continuing to protect the public. Standing Order 27(2) Matter: Public Security and Gang Violence; Special Statement on Tamil Genocide Memorial Law & Order Read →
- 20 May 2025 AI summary The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake tabled a response confirming that the Batticaloa and Chenkalady lagoons divide land into Eluwankarai and Paduwankarai, limiting road connectivity and causing difficulties in accessing health services, markets, and schools. He stated that proposed connectivity improvements require detailed feasibility studies, including economic, environmental, and social assessments, and that no 2025 allocations have been made because the relevant locations fall under local authorities. Oral Questions: Plantation Community Infrastructure and Transport Issues Land & HousingInfrastructure Read →
- 20 May 2025 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake drew the Speaker’s attention to the conduct of proceedings, noting that another Member had asked two supplementary questions. He requested the Speaker to ensure order in the Chamber. Oral Question: Yala National Park - Safari Jeeps and Employee Issues (Q.571/2025) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 20 May 2025 AI summary Moved that the report be printed. The House agreed to the motion and ordered that the report be printed. Papers Presented and Committee Reports Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 20 May 2025 AI summary Moved that the reports be printed. The House agreed to the motion, and the reports were ordered to be printed. Papers Presented and Committee Reports Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 9 May 2025 AI summary Moved a procedural motion to exempt Order Paper Items 1 to 6 from Standing Order No. 24(2) for that sitting. The motion enabled the enlistment of Private Members’ Motions for debate, and it was agreed to by the House. Procedural Matters: Standing Order Exemptions and Private Members' Bills Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 9 May 2025 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake urged the Speaker to ensure fairness in the debate, noting that the Opposition Leader and others had already spoken. He appealed for the tragedy under discussion not to be politicized. Standing Order 27(2) Questions and Matters of Urgent Public Importance Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 9 May 2025 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake stated that the Minister for Women and Children’s Affairs had alerted a senior police officer to act before any complaint was received by the NCPA. He noted that subsequent public protests may have affected the timing of action, while emphasizing the importance of formal complaints in such matters. Standing Order 27(2) Questions and Matters of Urgent Public Importance Women & ChildrenLaw & Order Read →
- 9 May 2025 AI summary The Minister stated that the Speaker had already ruled on the matter and that the requested opportunity could not be granted. Opening and Announcements Parliamentary Procedure Read →