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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
  • 17 December 2024 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake’s recorded contribution for 17 December 2024 consists only of addressing the Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees, with no substantive remarks, questions, proposals, or policy positions included in the provided text. Debate: Supplementary Sum for School Stationery Allowance (Head 102, Programme 01) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 17 December 2024 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake raised a procedural concern that an Opposition Member had reportedly not been allocated speaking time by the Opposition and was under pressure despite having the right to speak in Parliament. He requested that the matter be discussed and resolved either by the Leader of the Opposition or through the Chair. Debate: Supplementary Sum for School Stationery Allowance (Head 102, Programme 01) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 17 December 2024 AI summary Moved that the business relating to Item No. 1 of the day’s Order Paper be exempted from the provisions of Standing Order 121(2). The motion was put to the House and agreed to. Procedural: Personal Explanation and Suspension Order Motions Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 17 December 2024 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake moved a procedural motion to vary the sitting hours of Parliament for the day, setting sittings from 9.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and 1.00 p.m. to 6.30 p.m. notwithstanding Standing Order 8. The motion also provided for Standing Order 8(5) to operate at 3.00 p.m. and for Parliament to be adjourned by the Speaker at 6.30 p.m. without question put; it was agreed to. Procedural: Personal Explanation and Suspension Order Motions Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 17 December 2024 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake briefly notes that the addressee is expected to attend Parliament the following day. No substantive policy issue, legislative matter, or specific demand is raised in the statement. Procedural: Ministerial Statement and Points of Order Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 17 December 2024 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake challenged a statement by Nalin Bandara Jayamaha that certain detainees were apprehended under the Prevention of Terrorism Act, noting that the Minister of Public Security had contradicted it. He requested that the remark be withdrawn, arguing that references to PTA arrests carry international implications for Sri Lanka. Procedural: Ministerial Statement and Points of Order Justice & Human RightsLaw & OrderParliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 17 December 2024 AI summary The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake stated that the proposal could be considered in the context of the upcoming Budget by the Ministry of Finance, with a more precise response to be provided at that stage. He also said the concern would be referred to the relevant Ministry. Procedural: Ministerial Statement and Points of Order Public Finance Read →
  • 17 December 2024 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake responded to concerns about compensation for families of COVID-19 victims who were forcibly cremated, noting the Minister had cited legal constraints and would seek the Attorney General’s advice. He said monetary compensation may not adequately address the pain caused, but that any committee recommendation on compensation could be considered comprehensively. He then proposed moving to the next item of business due to time constraints and prior discussion. Oral Question: Cremation of COVID-19 Victims (Q.9/2024) Public FinanceJustice & Human Rights Read →
  • 17 December 2024 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake described the forced cremation of COVID-19 victims as a communal crime justified through misused scientific claims, causing severe distress to Muslim families and forcing some to transport bodies long distances to Ottamavadi at significant cost. He said the issue went beyond administrative action and involved political decisions, and stated that the Government would consider legal and governmental measures, within the law, to hold those responsible accountable. Oral Question: Cremation of COVID-19 Victims (Q.9/2024) Corruption & Governance ReformEthnic Reconciliation & DevolutionJustice & Human Rights Read →
  • 17 December 2024 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake objected to interruptions during parliamentary proceedings and questioned whether Opposition Members were deliberately disrupting the session. He noted that the matter had already taken more than 10 minutes and requested that proceedings be allowed to continue, leaving the decision to the Speaker. Oral Question: Ungazetted Livestock Grasslands in Batticaloa District (Q.64/2024) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 17 December 2024 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake requested the Speaker to manage the time of the House, while acknowledging a Member’s right to raise a point of order. His intervention concerned maintaining order and time discipline during proceedings. Oral Question: Ungazetted Livestock Grasslands in Batticaloa District (Q.64/2024) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 17 December 2024 AI summary The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake drew attention to Standing Order 33 governing supplementary questions, noting that Members may ask no more than two and that preliminary remarks before supplementaries are not provided for. He emphasized that supplementary questions must remain within the scope of the original question and be used only to clarify matters arising from the answer, and reminded the Chair that the Speaker may disallow non-compliant questions and limit the time for them. Oral Question: White Onion Fraud and Trade Ministry Investigation (Q.52/2024) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 17 December 2024 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake requested the Speaker to allow Members to ask supplementary questions while ensuring that irrelevant or disruptive conduct is noted. He emphasized that, given the limited time agreed for the next debate through the Parliamentary Business Committee and the Leader of the Opposition, the Speaker should protect all Members’ rights by preventing any one Member from taking excessive time. Oral Question: White Onion Fraud and Trade Ministry Investigation (Q.52/2024) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 17 December 2024 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake moved that the referenced Report be printed. The motion was agreed to, and Parliament ordered that the Report be printed. Papers: Auditor-General's Report and Reports Tabled Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 17 December 2024 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake seconded the Prime Minister’s proposal nominating Hon. Jagath Wickramaratne, MP, as suitable for the office of Speaker of the Tenth Parliament. Opening: Parliament Meeting, Affirmations, and Speaker's Election Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 6 December 2024 AI summary The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake requested the Deputy Speaker to limit interventions to ensure scheduled speakers have time to speak. He specifically noted that the first-ever visually impaired Member of Parliament was due to deliver his maiden speech that day. Debate on Vote on Account for Ministry of Public Administration and Related Matters Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 6 December 2024 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake noted the time constraint that proceedings needed to conclude by 5.30 p.m. and urged speakers to keep to time so remaining Members, including senior Opposition figures, could participate. He specifically asked Hon. Harsha to proceed in order to allow the next speaker to take the floor. Debate on Vote on Account for Ministry of Public Administration and Related Matters Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 6 December 2024 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake requested the Leader of the Opposition to submit the Opposition’s nominees for the Parliamentary Business Committee, noting that 16 members had been approved. He said the Committee was scheduled to meet at 2.00 p.m. that day to decide the agenda for the following parliamentary week. Vote on Account Debate (Introduction and Motion) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 6 December 2024 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake said speaking time constraints require parties to organize internally, noting similar past constraints and offering to assist Opposition Members where possible. He then moved a series of motions under the Standing Orders to constitute key parliamentary committees for the First Session of the Tenth Parliament, including Standing Orders, House, Ethics and Privileges, COPA, COPE, Public Finance, Ways and Means, Public Petitions, High Posts, and the Backbencher Committee. He noted that the Committee on Public Finance is to be chaired by the Opposition and that the Backbencher Committee’s membership had been increased by agreement. Procedural Matters: Sitting Hours, Legislative Standing Committee, Committee on Parliamentary Business Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 6 December 2024 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake clarified that Standing Order 111(1) applies to Sectoral Oversight Committees, not the Committee on Parliamentary Business, and argued that proportional allocation is not applied uniformly across all committees. He stated that the Opposition would receive one additional seat and requested its fair allocation. He then moved that the Committee on Parliamentary Business be fixed at 16 members. Procedural Matters: Sitting Hours, Legislative Standing Committee, Committee on Parliamentary Business Parliamentary Procedure Read →