Politick Parliament. On record. For every citizen.
Sri Lanka
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
  • 10 March 2025 AI summary Rs. 2,000 million has been allocated in 2025 for compensation payments related to land acquisitions for the Ruwanpura Expressway, with the aim of completing those payments within the year. The Minister also stated that issues concerning local authority rates could be discussed with the relevant Pradeshiya Sabha to determine appropriate action. Oral Answers to Questions InfrastructureLand & HousingPublic Finance Read →
  • 10 March 2025 AI summary In response to a matter concerning land acquisition in Homagama, the Minister clarified that the relevant Grama Niladhari divisions are Kahatuduwa North, West, East and South, and Kirigampamunuwa. He stated that the correct number of plots is 560, not 592, with 448 plots under Section 10(1) notices, 15 under Section 17, and 15 decided by the LARC. Payments are ongoing for 9 plots, with a further 6 under LARC, and the acquisition process is continuing. Oral Answers to Questions Land & Housing Read →
  • 10 March 2025 AI summary Minister Bimal Rathnayake stated that land acquisition for the Ruwanpura Expressway began in 2016 and covers about 210.1 hectares, including 2,910 plots, with compensation governed by the Land Acquisition Act, 2013 compensation regulations, and LARC/Super LARC committee procedures. He said project stoppages and Cabinet decisions had caused delays and hardships for affected residents, including delayed compensation, higher rebuilding costs, loss of income, and incomplete houses. He reported that Rs. 5,098 million had been paid by the end of 2024, with further allocations made from 2022 to 2025 and Rs. 129.66 million paid in 2025 for 31 plots. Oral Answers to Questions Public FinanceLand & HousingInfrastructure Read →
  • 10 March 2025 AI summary The Minister presented the Report of the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation concerning the 2023 Annual Reports of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority and Jaya Container Terminals Ltd. The reports were ordered to lie upon the Table. Papers Presented and Ministerial Consultative Committee Reports Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 8 March 2025 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake moved the adjournment of Parliament. The motion “That Parliament do now adjourn” was proposed for consideration. Adjournment Motion: ILO Convention No. 190 - Empowerment of Women at Workplace Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 8 March 2025 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake said the President of Jamiyyathul Ulama had informed him that the organization had alerted authorities in 2020 about the group referred to in the debate. He expressed appreciation for responsible actions by Muslim citizens and organizations, and stated that, although the government had only been in office for a few months, the security authorities and Public Security Ministry would take appropriate action. Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Women and Child Affairs Security & DefenceReligion & Culture Read →
  • 8 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake apologized for omitting remarks about Hon. Krishnan Kalaichelvi, MP for Nuwara Eliya, and read supportive comments recognizing her as the first in her family to enter politics. He acknowledged her sacrifices, strength, and longstanding political dedication, noting his personal knowledge of her since childhood. Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Women and Child Affairs Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 8 March 2025 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake’s intervention consisted only of addressing the Presiding Member and did not include any substantive argument, proposal, question, or reference to legislation, policy, or events. Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Women and Child Affairs Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 8 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake marked International Women’s Day by arguing that women must be enabled to participate fully as citizens, including in social, cultural and political life beyond employment, household work and childcare. He said public policy should create conditions for women to freely engage in civic life after work, and linked this to the historical denial of women’s opportunities in knowledge, science and public life. He noted that women hold 22 seats in Parliament, about 10 percent, and placed on record public commendations of several women Members’ maiden speeches as encouragement for greater women’s representation. Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Women and Child Affairs Parliamentary ProcedureWomen & Children Read →
  • 8 March 2025 AI summary The Minister tabled a written answer on the Ambatale–Grandpass road, stating that the Colombo Municipal Council section is in suitable condition while two Road Development Authority sections require rehabilitation. He said work is planned using National Water Supply and Drainage Board funds, but has been delayed because further household water pipe-laying must be completed before the RDA can begin or resume rehabilitation. He noted that Rs. 288 million had been deposited, of which Rs. 203 million remains for the rehabilitation after routine maintenance expenditure, and that completion dates cannot yet be given because handover dates from the Water Board are not fixed. Oral Question: Road from Ambatale to Grandpass: Development (Q.274/2024) Infrastructure Read →
  • 7 March 2025 AI summary Moved Committee Stage amendments to the Appropriation Bill, 2025, on behalf of the Minister of Finance, revising allocations for the Ministry of Transport, Highways and Civil Aviation. The amendments increase the Ministry’s capital provision to Rs. 435.1 billion, including an additional Rs. 13 billion under Head 117 and Rs. 1.1 billion under Head 306, with allocations linked to specified Budget Proposals. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Heads 117, 123, 306, 307, 309-311, 332, 336) Public FinanceParliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 7 March 2025 AI summary The Minister addressed concerns raised on several matters, noting that Wildlife officers had acted in the case involving the removal of “Sumedha” the elephant’s tusk and that the lorry driver had been remanded under case B/332/2025. He stated that the East Container Terminal of Colombo Port would not be privatized and outlined a phased completion schedule from March 2025 to full completion in 2026, with oversight by officials, unions, experts and a Steering Committee. He said alternative designs for the port access road would be assessed before a decision, emphasizing the strategic importance of Colombo Port. He also alleged inflated contractor claims in the Ruwanpura Expressway project, saying the Government would investigate, prosecute malpractice, and support legitimate contractors, including through overseas opportunities. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Heads 117, 123, 306, 307, 309-311, 332, 336) InfrastructureLaw & OrderCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
  • 7 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake asked for clarification on which authority was responsible for the road closure near Batticaloa Airport, specifically whether it was the Air Force, the Sri Lanka Army, or Airport and Aviation Services. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Heads 117, 123, 306, 307, 309-311, 332, 336) InfrastructureSecurity & Defence Read →
  • 7 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake responded to concerns about unprotected railway level crossings, stating that official data identifies 429 such locations across several railway lines. He said the Government plans to convert all of them to protected crossings within the year, with support from artists and the private sector. He noted that relying on low-paid gatekeepers is not a sufficient solution and that the Railway Department intends to install electronic and traffic light control systems as the preferred approach. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Heads 117, 123, 306, 307, 309-311, 332, 336) Law & OrderInfrastructure Read →
  • 7 March 2025 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake asked the Deputy Minister to clarify whether the group under discussion includes persons who had already received compensation. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Heads 117, 123, 306, 307, 309-311, 332, 336) Public Finance Read →
  • 7 March 2025 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake said the National Transport Commission’s “Sisuseriya” school bus service, currently operating 1,500 buses, is expected to expand to 2,000 buses this year, and requested that schools, particularly in difficult areas, be informed of its availability through the Ministry of Education. He also stated that amendments enabling NTC licence ownership transfers have been submitted to Cabinet, with the Gazette being prepared, and that transfers are expected to be possible within the next few months after Parliament passes the Bill. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Heads 117, 123, 306, 307, 309-311, 332, 336) EducationInfrastructure Read →
  • 7 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake clarified that his earlier reference was limited to the issue of a Ferrari licence. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Heads 117, 123, 306, 307, 309-311, 332, 336) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 7 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake informed the House that the bus conductor involved in the previous day’s Nuwara Eliya incident had been suspended and was subject to a disciplinary inquiry. He said the Ministry regretted and apologised to the affected schoolchildren, noting that a decision was already in place that no passenger, including students using season tickets, should be left behind. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Heads 117, 123, 306, 307, 309-311, 332, 336) Public FinanceLaw & Order Read →
  • 7 March 2025 AI summary Funds have been allocated for the Kurinchakerny Bridge, and concerns raised over a Sri Lanka Ports Authority tender for 15 straddle carriers have been referred to the Presidential Investigation Unit, with related matters before court. Bimal Rathnayake said the procurement involved serious irregularities, including alleged manipulation of a Cabinet paper in September 2024, bypassing of procedures, and approvals and award of the tender immediately before the Presidential Election. He stated that the Government has decided to re-tender the procurement and argued this would not cause unusual delay, urging Members to verify facts before making claims. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Heads 117, 123, 306, 307, 309-311, 332, 336) Public FinanceCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
  • 7 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake raised a procedural concern that ministry officials unable to sit in the officials’ box are placed in the gallery, where phone use is prohibited, limiting their ability to provide timely clarifications during debate. He requested the Secretary-General and the Serjeant-at-Arms to implement an arrangement, from the same day or the following day, to facilitate communication with heads of institutions. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Heads 117, 123, 306, 307, 309-311, 332, 336) Parliamentary Procedure Read →