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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
  • 19 February 2025 AI summary The Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation and Leader of the House undertook to examine the matter raised and take appropriate action. Papers Presented: Annual Reports and Ministry Statements Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 19 February 2025 AI summary The Minister stated that although a District Coordinating Committee decision carries political and social significance, existing licences remain valid legal instruments for companies. He said the issue should be addressed by the relevant Ministers taking responsibility and visiting the area rather than relying on correspondence, and assured Parliament that Ministers would be informed to meet affected people urgently, explain the situation, and determine the next steps. Papers Presented: Annual Reports and Ministry Statements Parliamentary ProcedureCorruption & Governance ReformLaw & Order Read →
  • 19 February 2025 AI summary A licence to explore mineral sands in Mannar had been issued under a previous Government, though questions remain about whether proper public procedures were followed. Relevant agencies and Ministers are to examine whether the matter falls under industries or energy, with guidance from the District Coordinating Committee. The Minister stated that any project harming livelihoods or public interests in the low-lying Mannar Island should not proceed, and that the Government will act cautiously and in line with public opinion. Speaker's Announcements: Opposition Representation in Parliamentary Committees Parliamentary ProcedurePublic FinanceEnvironment Read →
  • 19 February 2025 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake stated that the Government and Opposition had agreed to increase Opposition representation in six parliamentary committees, including the Committee on Parliamentary Business, COPE, COPA, Public Petitions, Ministerial Consultative Committees, and the Backbenchers’ Committee. He noted that some memberships had already been increased while certain Opposition nominations were still pending, and said further discussions could be held with the Speaker’s concurrence to settle the matter more fairly. Speaker's Announcements: Opposition Representation in Parliamentary Committees Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 18 February 2025 AI summary The Leader of the House asked Members to allow the Government’s allotted time to proceed after others had already spoken. He requested that the House move on to the Budget debate and called on Deputy Minister Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe to speak next. Adjourned Debate on Second Reading of the 2025 Budget Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 17 February 2025 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake raised a procedural objection, stating that once a Division has been called, Members may no longer make speeches. Local Authorities Elections (Special Provisions) Bill: Third Reading and Division Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 17 February 2025 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake participated in the Government debate on 17 February 2025. No further substantive remarks, policy positions, questions, or proposals are provided in the supplied text. Local Authorities Elections (Special Provisions) Bill: Second Reading Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 17 February 2025 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake read out a list of Members, including government and opposition representatives, in reference to an event or attendance matter dated 25 November. He added that the person addressed was not in Parliament that week, implying they would otherwise have attended. Local Authorities Elections (Special Provisions) Bill: Second Reading Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 17 February 2025 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake cited a 25 November 2024 Party Leaders’ Meeting decision that all party leaders agreed Local Authorities Elections should be held with fresh nominations. He argued that the election could be conducted after the Budget Debate concludes on 21 March, subject to the Election Commission’s timetable, and rejected suggestions to delay elections for political advantage. He also stated that his side does not use State property or State media for campaigning. Local Authorities Elections (Special Provisions) Bill: Second Reading Parliamentary ProcedureCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
  • 17 February 2025 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake questioned the Minister regarding a court case related to the Delimitation Report, asking whether the Minister had appeared as a lawyer in that matter. He also pressed the Minister to clarify whether he had opposed the same Delimitation Report that he had tabled, highlighting the apparent inconsistency and repeatedly seeking a direct answer. Local Authorities Elections (Special Provisions) Bill: Second Reading Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 17 February 2025 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake supported the Bill to cancel the 2023 local government nominations and call fresh nominations, citing party leaders’ consensus after the new Parliament met and practical changes in parties, candidates and public mandate since the postponed poll. He referred to the Supreme Court’s findings on the 2023 election postponement, including the violation of fundamental rights and the Court’s determination that this Bill requires a two-thirds majority, while stressing that the election must be held expeditiously. He argued that statutory timelines allow polling around late April after the Budget, supported refunding candidate deposits, and noted proposed 25% youth nomination allocation and strengthened women’s representation. Local Authorities Elections (Special Provisions) Bill: Second Reading Public FinanceParliamentary ProcedureCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
  • 14 February 2025 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake moved the adjournment of Parliament. The motion was agreed to, and Parliament adjourned at 9.55 a.m. until 10.30 a.m. on Monday, 17th February 2025, pursuant to a resolution adopted that day. Adjournment Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 14 February 2025 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake stated that he expected the relevant Minister or the Ceylon Electricity Board to respond to the matter raised concerning “Baws.” Adjournment Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 14 February 2025 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake moved that Parliament adjourn at the end of the sitting until 10.30 a.m. on Monday, 17 February 2025. The motion was put to the House and agreed to. Motions at Commencement of Public Business Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 14 February 2025 AI summary Moved a procedural motion to extend the scope of Ministerial Consultative Committees until 28 February 2025, notwithstanding earlier parliamentary motions. The motion allows the Committees to examine not only Bills under Article 152 of the Constitution but also other Bills or Agreements, institutional Annual and Performance Reports, and matters referred by Parliament, other Committees, or Ministers within their mandates. The motion was put to the House and agreed to. Motions at Commencement of Public Business Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 14 February 2025 AI summary Moved a procedural motion to temporarily amend Standing Order 50(2) by substituting “Ministerial Consultative Committees” for “Sectoral Oversight Committees,” notwithstanding prior motions of 03 December 2024 and 24 January 2025. The amendment was to remain in force until 28 February 2025, and the House agreed to the motion. Motions at Commencement of Public Business Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 14 February 2025 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake stated that points of order cannot be raised while a motion is being moved or while any Member is speaking. He emphasized that Standing Orders should be applied properly during parliamentary proceedings. Motions at Commencement of Public Business Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 14 February 2025 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake, as Leader of the House, formally introduced or moved to the second motion on the Order Paper. No substantive argument, proposal, or policy detail is contained in the excerpt provided. Motions at Commencement of Public Business Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 14 February 2025 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake moved a procedural motion to suspend Standing Order 111 until 28 February 2025, overriding relevant motions passed on 3 December 2024 and 24 January 2025. The motion was put to the House and agreed to. Motions at Commencement of Public Business Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 14 February 2025 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake stated that a Member raising a point of order must cite the relevant Standing Order and follow established parliamentary procedure. He emphasized that matters of urgent public importance cannot be raised arbitrarily under the guise of a point of order. Points of Order and Procedural Matters: Supreme Court Determination and Parliamentary Procedures Parliamentary Procedure Read →