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- 8 May 2025 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake compared the 2025 local government results with previous elections, arguing that the NPP’s current position represents a significant advance from the JVP’s 431 councillors and no council control in 2018 to majorities in 267 councils and over 3,500 councillors. He contrasted this with declines in the SJB and SLPP, stating that the SJB had fallen from 34 councils and 2,433 councillors to about 14 councils and 1,700 councillors, while the SLPP had fallen from 231 incumbent chairmen and 3,436 councillors to no councils under its control and about 742 councillors. He argued that opposition councillors have limited national political impact and said the JVP/NPP’s earlier experience in organizing local councillors gave it an advantage over rival parties. Debate: Customs Ordinance - Resolution on Import Duties on Motor Vehicles Corruption & Governance Reform Read →
- 8 May 2025 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake objected to interruptions and endorsed the Chair’s use of Standing Orders to remove a Member from the Chamber, denying claims that the action was racially motivated. He said his party had acted with restraint despite holding significant national and local political power, and that privilege issues concerning the removed Member had been or could be referred to the Ethics and Privileges Committee. He also compared local government election results from 2011 and 2018, arguing that past governments and parties retained power despite electoral setbacks and questioning current calls for his party to relinquish authority. Debate: Customs Ordinance - Resolution on Import Duties on Motor Vehicles Parliamentary ProcedureCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
- 8 May 2025 AI summary Minister Bimal Rathnayake argued that the Government has gained significant international recognition under President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, citing visits and engagements with India, China, Vietnam, Dubai, and the World Bank. He said World Bank support of USD 1 billion was linked to low corruption and discipline, and explained that Vietnam facilitated a private jet for the President’s return to vote and meet the World Bank President. He defended continuing with the existing IMF framework as it had already been signed and made law before the Government took office, and said Sri Lanka would engage diplomatically on regional economic issues including Maldives’ request for support. He also claimed the Government had won majorities in 267 local authorities and warned against bribery or “horse-trading” of elected members. Debate: Customs Ordinance - Resolution on Import Duties on Motor Vehicles Foreign AffairsCorruption & Governance ReformPublic Finance Read →
- 8 May 2025 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake moved a resolution, on behalf of the Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, seeking parliamentary approval for import duty changes under Section 235 of the Customs Ordinance. The resolution relates to Extraordinary Gazette Notification No. 2421/05 of 27 January 2025, had received Cabinet approval, and was formally put to the House for consideration. Debate: Customs Ordinance - Resolution on Import Duties on Motor Vehicles Public Finance Read →
- 8 May 2025 AI summary The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake announced the sudden death of Mr. Vajira Nilantha Dhammage, Senior Parliamentary Interpreter of the Sinhala/English/Sinhala Section. He noted Mr. Dhammage’s more than 20 years of service in Parliament, including interpretation during the President’s first State visit and discussions with foreign dignitaries, and placed on record appreciation for his service. Procedural - Committee Matter and Staff Notice; Bills Presented Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 8 May 2025 AI summary The Minister stated that he requires one week to respond to Hon. Shritharan’s question raised under Standing Order 27(2). Questions under Standing Order 27(2) - Land Acquisition in North and East; Ministry Statements on Rice and Finance Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 8 May 2025 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake said that three letters had been submitted and criticized remarks made both inside and outside the House. He requested the Secretariat to formally inform the House and provide clarifications on the matter, emphasizing that proceedings should not be disrupted without cause. Questions under Standing Order 27(2) - IMF Conditions and Privilege Matters Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 8 May 2025 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake asked that the Chair obtain a direct clarification from the Secretary-General on whether any relevant communication had been received. He argued that a clear procedural response would prevent the matter from being unnecessarily prolonged. Questions under Standing Order 27(2) - IMF Conditions and Privilege Matters Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 8 May 2025 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake denied that his side had agreed to make a public apology and rejected allegations of discrimination against Tamil, Sinhala, or Muslim people. He said any Privilege issue raised by the Member should be investigated through proper procedure, and requested that the Secretariat inform the Chair if such a complaint had been submitted. Questions under Standing Order 27(2) - IMF Conditions and Privilege Matters Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 8 May 2025 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake cited Standing Order 33(1) to argue that Supplementary Questions must remain within the scope of the original Question and that even the original questioner cannot go beyond it. He stated that another Member may ask a supplementary only with the original Member’s consent and subject to the Chair’s decision, and said the dispute could have been avoided if such courtesy had been observed. Questions under Standing Order 27(2) - IMF Conditions and Privilege Matters Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 8 May 2025 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake objected to a Supplementary Question being asked by a Member other than the one who posed the original Question, without that Member’s consent. He challenged the Secretariat to identify any precedent for such a practice and requested that the matter be handled in accordance with Standing Orders 32 and 33. Questions under Standing Order 27(2) - IMF Conditions and Privilege Matters Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 8 May 2025 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake raised a Point of Order urging that the House move to the main Business by 11.30 a.m. and seeking clarification from the Secretariat on the application of Standing Orders regarding Supplementary Questions. He stated that only the Member who asked the original Question may ask Supplementary Questions and referred to a prior ruling on the matter, while also making a political criticism of the UNP and SJB’s electoral performance in Municipal Councils. Questions under Standing Order 27(2) - IMF Conditions and Privilege Matters Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 8 May 2025 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake requested the Speaker to allow members from his side to speak during the proceedings. Questions under Standing Order 27(2) - IMF Conditions and Privilege Matters Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 8 May 2025 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake addressed the procedure for oral questions under Standing Orders 31, 32 and 33, emphasizing that supplementary questions are limited to the Member who placed the original question unless that Member consents to another Member asking one. He argued that this restriction preserves the scope of the original question and protects the rights of the Member who submitted it. He urged adherence to the Standing Orders and to the Chair’s rulings where parliamentary practice is involved. Questions under Standing Order 27(2) - IMF Conditions and Privilege Matters Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 8 May 2025 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake briefly called on Hon. Mujibur Rahman to proceed with asking his question. Questions under Standing Order 27(2) - IMF Conditions and Privilege Matters Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 8 May 2025 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake requested the Speaker to allow Hon. Ajith P. Perera to speak. Questions under Standing Order 27(2) - IMF Conditions and Privilege Matters Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 8 May 2025 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake objected to the procedure for supplementary questions, stating that only the Member entitled to ask them may do so unless consent is given to another Member. He cited a recent example involving the Member for Gampaha and Faiszer Musthapha and urged Members to follow the Standing Orders to avoid wasting parliamentary time. Oral Questions: Martyrs' Day Commemorations and OPD Attendance (Q.10/2024, etc.) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 8 May 2025 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake states that only the relevant Member is entitled to that opportunity, indicating a procedural point about participation or speaking rights in the House. Oral Questions: Martyrs' Day Commemorations and OPD Attendance (Q.10/2024, etc.) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 8 May 2025 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake urged the member to avoid wasting Parliament’s time. Oral Question: Currency Printed/Minted Since 2015 (Q.9/2025) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 8 May 2025 AI summary The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake stated that the matter in question could only proceed if the individual concerned consented. He emphasized that, if the person was not making the request himself, any request on his behalf required his approval. Oral Question: Currency Printed/Minted Since 2015 (Q.9/2025) Parliamentary Procedure Read →