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- 21 January 2025 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake moved that Hon. Chanaka Madugoda take the Chair. The House agreed to the motion, after which Hon. Sanjeewa Ranasingha left the Chair and Hon. Chanaka Madugoda assumed it. Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 21 January 2025 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake requested a clear answer to an earlier question, noting that the President had assigned the relevant subject to him. He asked the Member not to evade the matter and, if unable to answer during the speech, to provide the information later, including who had made the referenced statement. Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 21 January 2025 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake, speaking as Minister of Transport, demanded a direct answer to his question and asked the Member to identify who made the relevant statement. He indicated that if the answer could not be provided immediately, it should be given later, while pressing for clarity in the exchange. Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 21 January 2025 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake challenged a claim that there would be no issue regarding accessories once payment was made. He asked the relevant party to identify who had made that statement. Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 21 January 2025 AI summary The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake sought a specific response or clarification from the relevant party. The intervention was procedural in nature and did not include a substantive policy argument or detailed proposal. Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 21 January 2025 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake briefly corrected the record, stating that a prior characterization of his remarks was inaccurate. No substantive policy proposal or legislative issue was raised in this intervention. Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 21 January 2025 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake, as Minister in charge of Transport, challenged the assertion that making a payment would resolve the matter under discussion. He asked the Member to identify who had provided that information. Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme Corruption & Governance Reform Read →
- 21 January 2025 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake rejected allegations made against the Governor of the Western Province, stating that he was appointed as a respected public figure and not for party affiliation or government business interests. He urged Members to act responsibly when referring to public officials who are not present in the House and to rely on evidence rather than hearsay. He also responded to remarks on Clean Sri Lanka expenditure, saying any claims or bills could be presented and noting that some activities may have been carried out without government spending. Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme Corruption & Governance Reform Read →
- 21 January 2025 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake began his contribution during the Committee Stage by addressing the Deputy Chairperson, but no substantive remarks, arguments, questions, or proposals are included in the provided excerpt. Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 21 January 2025 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake formally moved the motion “That Parliament do now adjourn.” The Deputy Speaker then proposed the question to the House. Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 21 January 2025 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake, with the leave of the House, withdrew Item No. 5 on the Order Paper, a resolution concerning supplementary provision. The motion was accordingly withdrawn. Procedural: Sitting Hours and Withdrawal of Resolution Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 21 January 2025 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake moved a procedural motion to vary the day’s sitting hours, scheduling sittings from 9.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and 1.00 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. He also proposed suspending Standing Order 8(5) at 11.30 a.m. and adjourning the House at 5.30 p.m. without a question being put; the motion was agreed to. Procedural: Sitting Hours and Withdrawal of Resolution Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 21 January 2025 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake said the incident involving Hon. Shritharan at the airport would be inquired into through the Deputy Minister of Defence and referred to Immigration and Emigration, while asking that the related privileges complaint be forwarded to the Government. He stated that it was unclear whether the PTA was involved, denied that the incident reflected Government policy or direction, and assured the House that the Member’s privileges would be protected. He added that, while new legislation is being drafted, existing laws must be used cautiously to maintain governance. Question of Privilege: Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan (Travel Ban) Justice & Human RightsParliamentary Procedure Read →
- 21 January 2025 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake urged that Members’ right to ask Oral Questions be protected within the limited one-hour period and cautioned against creating an impractical precedent. He sought clarification on which entities the Member wanted information about, noting that SriLankan Airlines had been requested and asking whether the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation was also required, with reference to the relevant details in the document before the House. Oral Questions (Multiple Questions) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 21 January 2025 AI summary The Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation and Leader of the House stated that he would assist the Deputy Minister. He clarified that SriLankan Airlines was listed under row No. 28, likely in reference to a document or agenda item before the House. Oral Questions (Multiple Questions) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 10 January 2025 AI summary Moved votes of condolence for former MPs Kumara Welgama, Tudor Gunasekera, and H. Nandasena, noting their parliamentary service, political careers, ministerial or public roles, and contributions to their districts. He highlighted Welgama’s long representation of Kalutara and ministerial work, Gunasekera’s service as Mahara MP and first District Minister of Gampaha, and Nandasena’s service in Anuradhapura and provincial politics. The House was asked to convey its condolences to their families and to record respect for their public service. Votes of Condolence: Hon. Kumara Welgama, Hon. H. Nandasena, and Hon. Tudor Gunasekera Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 10 January 2025 AI summary A motion was moved to suspend Standing Order 88 for the sitting day and set Parliament’s hours from 9.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and 1.00 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. It further provided that the Speaker would adjourn Parliament at 5.30 p.m. without putting a question; the motion was agreed to. Procedural Matters: Oral Questions Postponement and Sitting Hours Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 9 January 2025 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake stated that establishing the Clean Sri Lanka fund under the Treasury Secretary is appropriate because government funds should be placed under the Treasury. He also asked the Member who cited figures on payments to a singer and others to submit those details either orally or in writing. Adjournment Debate: Government Performance and Commodity Prices Public FinanceParliamentary Procedure Read →
- 9 January 2025 AI summary Moved approval of an Order under Section 3(4) of the Strategic Development Projects Act relating to Colombo West International Terminal (Pvt) Ltd., originally gazetted on 10 September 2024 and presented on 17 December 2024. He stated that Cabinet approval had been granted, and the motion was agreed to by the House. Special Commodity Levy Act: Orders and Related Motions Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 9 January 2025 AI summary Moved approval of the “Aswesuma” Welfare Benefit Payment Scheme under Section 9 of the Welfare Benefits Act, No. 24 of 2002, as published in Extraordinary Gazette No. 2415/66 of 21 December 2024 and presented to Parliament on 7 January 2025. He stated that Cabinet approval had been granted, and the motion was agreed to. Special Commodity Levy Act: Orders and Related Motions Public Finance Read →