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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
  • 20 March 2025 AI summary Moved a procedural motion to alter the sitting hours for the day, notwithstanding Standing Order 8 and a prior decision of 21 February 2025. The House agreed that sittings would run from 9.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and 1.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m., with adjournment by the Speaker at 8.00 p.m. Procedural Motion: Sitting Hours Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 20 March 2025 AI summary The Minister said the issue should be addressed constructively within the Committee, noting agreement with Hon. Harsha de Silva’s approach and clarifying that the Deputy Minister had not opposed cigarette tax reform. He tabled an IPS policy paper on raising tobacco taxes, highlighting its estimate that a unified cigarette excise could have generated an additional LKR 23.6 billion in 2021. He stated that the cigarette tax structure showed signs of manipulation and urged the Committee to consider recommendations benefiting revenue and public health. Public Finance Committee Report and Procedural Exchanges Parliamentary ProcedurePublic Finance Read →
  • 19 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake explained that Opposition requests for increased representation on parliamentary committees had been considered through the Committee on Parliamentary Business and the Committee of Selection, resulting in additional Opposition places across several committees. He detailed the increases granted to the Opposition and stated that the Government would receive only moderated increases below its proportional entitlement in corresponding committees. He added that Government members would be appointed to these committees as required within those limits. Ministerial Motions: Standing Order Amendments (SO 112-129) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 19 March 2025 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake moved a procedural motion to vary Standing Order 129 and the Parliament’s 6 December 2024 resolution regarding the Backbencher Committee for the First Session of the Tenth Parliament. The motion, based on a determination by the Committee on Selections on 15 March 2025, provided for the committee to comprise the Chief Government Whip, the Chief Opposition Whip, and eight government and eight opposition backbenchers nominated by the Committee on Selections. The motion was agreed to. Ministerial Motions: Standing Order Amendments (SO 112-129) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 19 March 2025 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake moved a procedural motion to vary Standing Order 127 and a prior parliamentary resolution of 6 December 2024 regarding the composition of the Committee on High Posts. The motion, based on a determination by the Committee on Selections on 15 March 2025, provides that the Committee on High Posts will consist of 19 Members nominated by the Committee on Selections, and it was agreed to by Parliament. Ministerial Motions: Standing Order Amendments (SO 112-129) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 19 March 2025 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake moved a procedural motion to vary Standing Order 125 and an earlier parliamentary resolution of 6 December 2024, in line with a Committee on Selection decision made on 15 March 2025. The motion provided that the Committee on Public Petitions for the First Session of the Tenth Parliament would consist of 29 Members nominated by the Committee on Selection, and it was agreed to by Parliament. Ministerial Motions: Standing Order Amendments (SO 112-129) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 19 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake moved a procedural motion to vary Standing Order 124 and a previous resolution of 6 December 2024, in line with a Committee on Selection decision made on 15 March 2025. The motion set the membership of the Committee on Ways and Means for the First Session of the Tenth Parliament at 23 Members to be nominated by the Committee on Selection, and it was agreed to by the House. Ministerial Motions: Standing Order Amendments (SO 112-129) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 19 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake moved a procedural motion to vary Standing Order 121 and a prior parliamentary resolution regarding the composition of the Committee on Public Finance for the First Session of the Tenth Parliament. He proposed, as determined by the Committee on Selections on 15 March 2025, that the committee consist of 18 Members of Parliament nominated by that committee; the motion was agreed to. Ministerial Motions: Standing Order Amendments (SO 112-129) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 19 March 2025 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake moved a procedural motion to override Standing Order 120 and the Parliament resolution of 6 December 2024, enabling the Committee on Public Enterprises for the First Session of the Tenth Parliament to consist of 31 Members. He stated that the members would be nominated by the Committee on Selections, as determined at its meeting on 15 March 2025. The motion was put to the House and agreed to. Ministerial Motions: Standing Order Amendments (SO 112-129) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 19 March 2025 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake moved a procedural motion to vary Standing Order 119 and an earlier parliamentary resolution of 6 December 2024, based on the Committee on Selections’ decision of 15 March 2025. The motion provided that the Committee on Public Accounts for the First Session of the Tenth Parliament would comprise 31 Members nominated by the Committee on Selections, and it was agreed to by Parliament. Ministerial Motions: Standing Order Amendments (SO 112-129) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 19 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake moved a motion to vary Standing Order 118 and the earlier parliamentary resolution of 6 December 2024, allowing the Committee on Ethics and Privileges for the First Session of the Tenth Parliament to comprise 18 Members nominated by the Committee on Selections, as decided on 15 March 2025. The motion was put to the House and agreed to. Ministerial Motions: Standing Order Amendments (SO 112-129) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 19 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake moved a procedural motion to vary Standing Order 117 and a prior parliamentary resolution of 6 December 2024 regarding the composition of the House Committee for the First Session of the Tenth Parliament. The motion provided that the Committee would consist of the Speaker as Chair and 15 other Members nominated by the Committee on Selections, based on its decision of 15 March 2025. The House agreed to the motion. Ministerial Motions: Standing Order Amendments (SO 112-129) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 19 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake moved a motion to vary the application of Standing Order 116 and the earlier parliamentary resolution of 6 December 2024 regarding the composition of the Committee on Standing Orders for the First Session of the Tenth Parliament. The motion, based on a determination of the Committee on Selections made on 15 March 2025, provided that the Committee comprise the Speaker as Chair, the Deputy Speaker, the Deputy Chairperson of Committees, and ten other MPs nominated by the Committee on Selections. The motion was put to the House and agreed to. Ministerial Motions: Standing Order Amendments (SO 112-129) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 19 March 2025 AI summary Moved a procedural motion to vary Standing Order 115 and the Parliament resolution of 6 December 2024, in line with a decision of the Committee on Selections on 15 March 2025. The motion set the composition of the Committee on Parliamentary Business for the First Session of the Tenth Parliament, chaired by the Speaker and including specified office holders and 20 other MPs nominated by the Committee on Selections; it was agreed to by the House. Ministerial Motions: Standing Order Amendments (SO 112-129) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 19 March 2025 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake moved a procedural motion to vary Standing Order 113 and a prior parliamentary resolution of 6 December 2024 regarding the composition of the Legislative Standing Committee for the First Session of the Tenth Parliament. The motion, based on a determination of the Committee on Selections on 15 March 2025, provided for the Deputy Speaker as Chair, the Deputy Chairperson of Committees, and 15 other MPs nominated by the Committee on Selections; it was agreed to by the House. Ministerial Motions: Standing Order Amendments (SO 112-129) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 19 March 2025 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake moved a motion to vary Standing Order 112 and a previous parliamentary resolution to set the composition of Ministerial Consultative Committees for the First Session of the Tenth Parliament. The motion provides that each committee will be chaired by the relevant Minister and include the State Minister, Deputy Minister, and 29 other MPs nominated by the Committee on Selections, as determined at its meeting on 15 March 2025. The motion was put to the House and agreed to. Ministerial Motions: Standing Order Amendments (SO 112-129) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 19 March 2025 AI summary On behalf of the Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, Bimal Rathnayake requested two weeks’ time to provide an answer to the question before the House. The question was accordingly ordered to stand down. Oral Question: Question No. 5 - 517/2025 (Stand Down) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 18 March 2025 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake moved the adjournment of Parliament. The motion “That Parliament do now adjourn” was proposed. Adjournment Motion: Protection and Support for Migrant Workers Abroad Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 17 March 2025 AI summary Moved approval of the Galle Heritage Foundation’s 2021 Annual Report, submitted under the Galle Heritage Foundation Act, together with the Auditor General’s observations, noting its prior consideration by the relevant Sectoral Oversight Committee. The motion was agreed to, after which the speech made by Hon. Saroja Savitri Paulraj at the United Nations was tabled with permission. He then moved that Parliament adjourn. Galle Heritage Foundation Annual Report Motion Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 17 March 2025 AI summary Minister Bimal Rathnayake said the Government’s electoral mandate reflected public support for coexistence across ethnic and religious communities, and rejected allegations that it sought to change Muslim personal laws without consultation. He defended Minister Saroja Paulraj against what he described as unfair attacks, stating that any legal reforms affecting religious communities would be undertaken only after discussion with relevant stakeholders. He urged Muslim scholars and leaders to help address misinformation, and called for protection of all religious and cultural rights, greater institutional diversity, and inclusive recognition of Islamic, Catholic, Hindu, Buddhist and other heritage. He also proposed broader scholarly oversight of archaeological work and education reforms that present Sri Lanka’s history in a way that affirms the belonging and contributions of all communities. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate on Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and Ministry of Environment Religion & CultureEthnic Reconciliation & DevolutionWomen & Children Read →