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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
  • 10 April 2026 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake argued that no specific allegation beyond moral responsibility had been made against Minister Jayakody regarding the tender issue. He stated that the Minister had not negligently interfered with or unilaterally altered the process, but had presented the tender award to Cabinet within an existing procedure. He said the matter should be examined to determine whether the reported error, including the lower calorific value, arose from the process, an individual act, or other circumstances. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Corruption & Governance ReformParliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 10 April 2026 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake stated that responsibility for transport shortcomings is shared, including by the Minister, but argued that ministerial resignation should not be demanded for every operational failure such as a late bus. He suggested that applying such a standard uniformly would make daily resignations inevitable across Parliament. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 10 April 2026 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake joked about a colleague’s confusion before addressing the substance of the debate. He stated that Keheliya had altered a process for corrupt purposes, while Jayakody had no such aim and did not interfere with the process. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Corruption & Governance Reform Read →
  • 10 April 2026 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake stated that Wasantha had not been present the previous day because he was attending a new rice ceremony. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 10 April 2026 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake indicated that his position on whether to resign would be made clear at the conclusion of the matter. He added that the outcome of the division would demonstrate the position taken. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 10 April 2026 AI summary Argues that while Keheliya Rambukwella’s case may be a relevant comparison because actions were taken under a specific Act, it differs from Minister Jayakody’s case. He states that Keheliya allegedly altered or undermined procedures for the purpose of theft, whereas Jayakody neither intended wrongdoing nor changed the established process. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Justice & Human Rights Read →
  • 10 April 2026 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake said that, although coal procurement procedures may have been followed without ministerial interference, the lower output from received coal indicates a lapse that must be examined for causes and remedies. He argued that ministers carry a degree of moral responsibility for failures within their sectors, even where systems are imperfect, and referred to responsibilities in reducing technical losses, generation costs, and uncertainty in electricity generation. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Public FinanceInfrastructure Read →
  • 10 April 2026 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake argued that the Opposition had not presented a specific, evidence-based charge against the Minister. He acknowledged, however, that electricity generation output from imported coal had been lower than expected and indicated willingness to address that issue further if necessary. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) EnvironmentPublic Finance Read →
  • 10 April 2026 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake rejected allegations that Minister Jayakody interfered with a lawful procurement process, arguing that any such claims should be proven in court with documents. He stated that procurement timelines vary under National Procurement Commission rules and maintained that the existing process was not altered for corrupt or improper purposes. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Corruption & Governance ReformPublic Finance Read →
  • 10 April 2026 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake stated that a Minister does not have authority to shorten or extend procurement periods, noting that such decisions lie with the High-level Procurement Committee. He also referred to the National Procurement Commission and its prescribed timelines governing procurement processes. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 10 April 2026 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake defended the procurement process, stating that it had not been changed and that no procedural fault or ministerial interference had occurred. He challenged critics of the no-confidence motion to take legal action if they believed there was wrongdoing, and asked them to identify any specific act by the Minister that distorted the established process. He contrasted this with typical forms of procurement manipulation, such as emergency purchases or changing laboratories, and denied that such subversion had taken place. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Parliamentary ProcedureCorruption & Governance ReformPublic Finance Read →
  • 10 April 2026 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake objected to a limitation on speaking time, arguing that the debate should continue until 8.00 p.m. He noted that officials would be compensated for work beyond 5.30 p.m. and requested the Speaker’s permission to continue. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 10 April 2026 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake made a brief remark asserting that the unity among his side would intimidate others, suggesting that opponents were retreating. He also noted that his speaking time was running out. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 10 April 2026 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake stated that a person referred to in the debate was “not a thief” and asked members to sit down. He also noted that his parliamentary group had met the previous day. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 10 April 2026 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake asks for the chamber’s attention and indicates that he intends to speak truthfully. No specific policy issue, proposal, or demand is presented in the excerpt. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 10 April 2026 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake stated that the relevant matters had been properly answered with documents that could be tabled, and argued that no substantive allegation had been made regarding the process. He said planned corruption would involve altering procedures and reducing safeguards, which had not been shown, and noted that legal action remained available while predicting the motion would be defeated. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Parliamentary ProcedureCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
  • 10 April 2026 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake outlined the coal procurement process, stating that the established stages and approval barriers—Master Procurement Plan by Lanka Coal Company, bid evaluation by Cabinet-appointed committees, delivery scheduling, legal clearance by the Attorney General, and Cabinet award—remain unchanged. He emphasized that Ministers are not involved in bid evaluation and asked opponents to identify any specific stage in the process that had been altered, noting that no such change had been demonstrated in their speeches. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Parliamentary ProcedurePublic Finance Read →
  • 10 April 2026 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake said the Government had continued the existing coal procurement procedure, involving tender evaluation by Bid Evaluation Committees, approval by High-level Procurement Committees, and final award by Cabinet. He outlined the established quality control process for coal shipments, including testing at loading, insurance mechanisms, testing on arrival, and penalties or procedures if standards are not met. He argued that any allegation of wrongdoing should identify whether the Minister of Power interfered with or changed this established process during the past 18 months. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Corruption & Governance ReformPublic Finance Read →
  • 10 April 2026 AI summary The Minister said the no-confidence motion against the Minister of Energy was not supported by all Opposition parties and outlined its three allegations relating to coal supply for Norochcholai, action under Gazette 2412/08 on reducing losses and costs in the power sector, and an indictment under the Bribery Act. He argued that the coal procurement procedure now being used was established in 2023 before the current Minister took office, and that the Government is operating and enforcing the inherited tender system rather than introducing a new process. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Public FinanceParliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 10 April 2026 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake moved procedural motions to reorder the day’s business so that item No. 83 would be taken first, set the sitting hours for the day from 9.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and 1.00 p.m. to 5.30 p.m., and provide for adjournment at 5.30 p.m. He also moved that Parliament adjourn until Tuesday, 05 May 2026, at 9.30 a.m.; all motions were agreed to. Order of Business Motions and Agenda Setting Parliamentary Procedure Read →