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 April 2025 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake raised a procedural concern that the Leader of the Opposition was speaking beyond the submitted script. He requested that Party Leaders or the Secretariat examine the matter, citing implications for time management and the privileges of the House. Oral Question: MSME Tariff Crisis and Trade Negotiations (SO 27(2)) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 8 April 2025 AI summary Around 440 unprotected railway crossings remain, and the member noted that they could be staffed with gatekeepers paid modest allowances of Rs. 7,500 to Rs. 10,000. He stated that a programme has begun this year to convert most of these crossings into protected crossings, with the aim of carrying it out through CSR projects. Oral Question: Sri Lanka Transport Board and Railways (383/2025) InfrastructureSecurity & Defence Read →
- 8 April 2025 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake said the SLTB had been damaged by deliberate mismanagement, poor depot administration, and politically influenced staff placements. He stated that about 200 buses would be repaired and returned to service during the New Year period, while shortages of mechanics and drivers and cases involving over a thousand suspended personnel were being addressed. He added that staff assigned to inappropriate higher roles would be returned to their proper duties and that new agreements would be signed to strengthen mechanical divisions. Oral Question: Sri Lanka Transport Board and Railways (383/2025) Corruption & Governance ReformInfrastructureEmployment Read →
- 8 April 2025 AI summary In response to a question on public transport operations, Hon. Bimal Rathnayake provided statistics on Sri Lanka Transport Board depots, buses, and staffing, noting 107 main depots, 58 loss-making depots, 7,137 buses owned, 5,182 in operation, and 25,384 employees. He outlined measures to improve depot performance, including management changes, increased bus deployment, revenue targets, expenditure control, fuel management, staff training, ancillary commercial activity, and digitalization. He also reported that the railway network has 185 stations and 164 sub-stations, with 103 trains in operation and 116 withdrawn for repairs, and stated that the Railway Department has 14,733 employees against an approved cadre of 20,605. Oral Question: Sri Lanka Transport Board and Railways (383/2025) InfrastructurePublic Finance Read →
- 8 April 2025 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake commended the Chair and Members of COPE for presenting the first Report of the new Parliament and noted strong public interest in COPE’s work. He stated that the Government side intends to seek time for a future debate, potentially over several hours, on the Report. Petitions: Citizens' Petitions Presented Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 8 April 2025 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake moved that the referenced report be printed. The motion was put to the House, agreed to, and the report was ordered to be printed. Committee Reports: Justice and Governance Committee Reports Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 8 April 2025 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake stated that the Government is following the stipulated timeframe for Ministers to present Gazettes to Parliament. He added that this process is being carried out in accordance with instructions from the Attorney-General. Procedural: Welfare Benefits Gazette Discussion and Clarifications Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 8 April 2025 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake stated that the Gazette proposes to increase both the number of welfare beneficiaries and the payment amounts. He said the Parliamentary Business Committee considered the matter that day, and that it was being presented with the agreement of the Chief Opposition Whip and the understanding of Parliament, with no objection to further discussion in Committee. Procedural: Welfare Benefits Gazette Discussion and Clarifications Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 21 March 2025 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake marked the conclusion of the 27-day 2025 Budget debate, thanking the President as Minister of Finance, the Prime Minister, Finance State Ministers, government and opposition members, and parliamentary office-bearers for their participation and cooperation. He also acknowledged the work of parliamentary staff, Finance Ministry officials, security, medical services, interpreters, and other supporting institutions in conducting the proceedings. He expressed regret for any discomfort caused during debate and extended Sinhala and Tamil New Year wishes. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Twenty-sixth Day) and Third Reading Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 21 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake defended the Government’s early performance, citing the reopening of factories in the North, revival of the Elephant Pass salt factory, debt reduction at Milco, and electricity tariff reductions as evidence of delivery. He argued that the State should remain an active economic player in strategic areas while also attracting private investment, and referred to planned capital spending, the Central Expressway, ports, and large industries. He also highlighted the President’s recent foreign visits and diplomatic relations, and said rule of law and security matters, including Easter Sunday investigations and the Arugam Bay incident, were being handled professionally. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Twenty-sixth Day) and Third Reading Public FinanceForeign AffairsJustice & Human Rights Read →
- 21 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake stated that the Government had not promised a fertilizer subsidy for the last Maha season or a fuel subsidy for fishermen in its election manifesto. He said, however, that both subsidies were nevertheless provided, and responded to Opposition references to the Government’s manifesto by saying the Government had not forgotten its commitments. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Twenty-sixth Day) and Third Reading Agriculture Read →
- 21 March 2025 AI summary Minister Bimal Rathnayake defended the Government’s first Budget, saying it reflected the National People’s Power’s programme and mandate, while acknowledging fair criticism from some Opposition members. He rejected Opposition claims that the Government was “only talk,” arguing that it had already acted by avoiding nepotism in ministerial, presidential, prime ministerial, diplomatic, and state institutional appointments. He said the Government was prioritizing merit-based appointments and reducing public waste, contrasting this with past practices of family patronage in politics. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Twenty-sixth Day) and Third Reading Corruption & Governance ReformPublic Finance Read →
- 21 March 2025 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake called for maintaining constructive and democratic discourse during the Committee Stage. He stated that Members and Ministers should be allowed to provide clarifications or personal explanations without being subjected to threats. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Twenty-sixth Day) and Third Reading Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 21 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake moved that Item No. 1 of the Main Business on the Order Paper be exempted from Standing Order 88 and from the resolution passed by Parliament on 21 February 2025. The motion was put to the House and agreed to. Business of Parliament: Appropriation Bill Exemption Motion Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 21 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake clarified that his earlier statement was limited to saying that both parties were organizing the event. Personal Explanation and Procedural Matters Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 21 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake stated that the timing could be discussed and set to suit both the Opposition Leader and the Government. He noted that other committees were also scheduled that day and indicated willingness to accommodate accordingly. Personal Explanation and Procedural Matters Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 21 March 2025 AI summary The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake said the Government proposed holding a Party Business Committee meeting because it was the final day of the Budget debate, many Members were present, and Parliament would not reconvene for several weeks. He noted that the recently announced election date conflicted with the scheduled May sittings on the 6th to 9th, requiring adjustments, and therefore requested a party leaders’ meeting that day. Personal Explanation and Procedural Matters Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 21 March 2025 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake raised concerns about the use of Standing Order 27(2), arguing that it is intended for questions of public importance after notice to the relevant Minister, not for extensive data requests during Budget debates. He said some recent questions required hours of preparation and disrupted ministerial work, and proposed that such detailed matters be handled through normal oral questions, Consultative Committees, or discussion at the Parliamentary Business Committee. He urged the Opposition to use the procedure according to its purpose and said past misuse should not be continued. Question by Private Notice: Power Generation Policy Parliamentary ProcedurePublic Finance Read →
- 21 March 2025 AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation, Bimal Rathnayake requested one week to provide an answer to the question. The question was ordered to stand down. Questions Nos. 4-5 - Stand Down (294/2024, 305/2024) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 21 March 2025 AI summary The Minister presented the 2023 Annual Report of the Vocational Training Authority of Sri Lanka on behalf of the Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education. He moved that the report be referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Education, Manpower and Human Capital, and the motion was agreed to. Papers: Vocational Training Authority Report and Petitions EducationParliamentary Procedure Read →