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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
  • 5 December 2024 AI summary The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake stated that the matter before the House arose from the lawful conduct of elections and the consequent timetable, rather than from any delay by his side. He requested that the Hon. Professor be permitted to commence the debate. Debate on Vote on Account and Procedural Matters (with Chair exchanges and points of order) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 5 December 2024 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake stated that the disruption in the House began when another member started speaking. He indicated he had nothing further to add. Debate on Vote on Account and Procedural Matters (with Chair exchanges and points of order) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 5 December 2024 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake defended the Speaker’s handling of proceedings, saying Members had been allowed latitude and should use it responsibly. He read out the Attorney-General’s letter stating there was no legal impediment to submitting the Vote on Account resolution under Article 150 of the Constitution and the Public Financial Management Act for the period 1 January to 30 April 2025. He requested that the scheduled debate proceed, arguing that the legal position was clear. Debate on Vote on Account and Procedural Matters (with Chair exchanges and points of order) Parliamentary ProcedurePublic Finance Read →
  • 5 December 2024 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake requested that the microphone be provided, addressing the Speaker procedurally. No substantive policy issue, proposal, or legislative matter was raised in this intervention. Debate on Vote on Account and Procedural Matters (with Chair exchanges and points of order) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 5 December 2024 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake rose to speak, but no substantive remarks or arguments were recorded in the provided excerpt. Debate on Vote on Account and Procedural Matters (with Chair exchanges and points of order) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 5 December 2024 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake interjected to request that a member state their party affiliation before speaking about the law. The remark appears to challenge or clarify the political position of the person addressing the legal matter. Debate on Vote on Account and Procedural Matters (with Chair exchanges and points of order) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 5 December 2024 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake said the Government was presenting the Vote on Account in accordance with the relevant legal provisions, arguing that Parliament may do so where the Appropriation Bill has not been presented and passed. He criticized earlier procedural objections and attempts to suspend Standing Orders prematurely, attributing them to political eagerness, and said the matter had been discussed and clarified. He urged the House to conclude the issue and proceed with the day’s main business, preferably by agreement among party leaders. Debate on Vote on Account and Procedural Matters (with Chair exchanges and points of order) Parliamentary ProcedurePublic Finance Read →
  • 5 December 2024 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake argued that presenting a Vote on Account is permitted under Section 23(1) of the State Public Financial Management Act, No. 44 of 2024, where the Appropriation Bill for the following year has not been passed by 31 December. He stated that since the Appropriation Bill had not even been presented, there was no violation of the Act, and referred the point to the Chief Opposition Whip. Debate on Vote on Account and Procedural Matters (with Chair exchanges and points of order) Parliamentary ProcedurePublic Finance Read →
  • 5 December 2024 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake clarified that the suspension of Standing Orders was necessary because the Committee on Public Finance had not yet been constituted in the new Parliament, rejecting the claim that the Government was bypassing procedure for political reasons. He said the five-day laying requirement for the Resolution had been discussed and agreed upon, and that procedural defects in a late letter were set aside after the Speaker permitted it, particularly given the money-related matter. He requested the relevant Minister to clarify the reference to a Bill so the House could proceed responsibly. Debate on Vote on Account and Procedural Matters (with Chair exchanges and points of order) Public FinanceParliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 5 December 2024 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake briefly invited the Chief Opposition Whip to speak, asking whether he intended to make a statement. No substantive policy issue or legislative matter was raised. Debate on Vote on Account and Procedural Matters (with Chair exchanges and points of order) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 5 December 2024 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake stated that the Speaker had already allowed Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara to present the contents of his letter, despite procedural concerns over how the matter was raised before the Committee on Parliamentary Business. He urged that the debate should now proceed, allowing the Chief Opposition Whip to speak if necessary, and requested that the proceedings not be turned into a media spectacle. Debate on Vote on Account and Procedural Matters (with Chair exchanges and points of order) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 5 December 2024 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake presented the resolution for a Vote on Account under Article 150(2) of the Constitution and Section 23(1) of the Public Financial Management Act, No. 44 of 2024, to authorize government expenditure from 1 January 2025 until the 2025 Appropriation Act takes effect or 30 April 2025. The resolution seeks approval for specified withdrawals from the Consolidated Fund, including Rs. 1,402.886 billion for services in the First Schedule, Rs. 4,197.114 billion for charged expenditures, Rs. 5 billion in advances, and authority to raise up to Rs. 4,000 billion in loans. It also provides for Treasury-authorized transfers from allocations under the Department of National Budget, subject to reporting to Parliament within two months. Papers: Supplementary Estimate No. 14 of 2024 and Vote on Account Resolution Public FinanceParliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 5 December 2024 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake moved a Resolution under Article 150(2) of the Constitution and the Public Finance Management Act, No. 44 of 2024, to authorize a Vote on Account for government services from 1 January 2025 until the 2025 Appropriation Act takes effect or 30 April 2025, whichever occurs first. The resolution seeks approval to withdraw specified sums from the Consolidated Fund for public services, statutory liabilities, and advances, and to raise up to Rs. 4 trillion in loans. It also provides for transfers from allocations under the National Budget Department to other programmes under Treasury or National Budget Department direction, with such transfers to be reported to Parliament within two months. Papers: Supplementary Estimate No. 14 of 2024 and Vote on Account Resolution Parliamentary ProcedurePublic Finance Read →
  • 5 December 2024 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake requested that the Secretariat verify the matter raised by Harsha de Silva and report back to the House. Papers: Auditor-General's Reports and Special Audit Report Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 5 December 2024 AI summary Moved procedural motions to print the Auditor-General’s Reports and a Special Audit Report, set the day’s sitting hours, and exempt consideration of Main Business Paper Items 1 to 13 from relevant Standing Orders. On behalf of the Prime Minister, moved approval of a Vote on Account under Article 150(2) of the Constitution and the State Finance Management Act, No. 44 of 2024, to fund government services from 1 January 2025 until the 2025 Appropriation Act comes into operation or 30 April 2025, whichever is earlier. The resolution authorizes specified Consolidated Fund withdrawals, advances, borrowing up to Rs. 4 trillion, and transfers from the Department of National Budget subject to reporting to Parliament. Papers: Auditor-General's Reports and Special Audit Report Parliamentary ProcedurePublic Finance Read →
  • 4 December 2024 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake urged that Government-side speaking time be reduced, then supported a point raised by Hon. Kader Masthan regarding flood relief. He noted that existing circulars make it difficult to provide food assistance to severely affected people who remain in their homes during floods, and requested the Deputy Minister of Defence and relevant social security authorities to consider amending the circular to allow such support. Adjournment Motion: Compensation for Damaged Crops and Victims of Adverse Weather (Cyclone Fengal) Parliamentary ProcedureCost of Living Read →
  • 4 December 2024 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake said the Adjournment Debate on the disaster situation was properly obtained at the Opposition’s request and acknowledged the presence of Members from the worst-affected Northern and Eastern Provinces. He criticized the absence of many MPs from larger Opposition parties, questioning their commitment to addressing a national calamity affecting areas such as the Vanni district. Adjournment Motion: Compensation for Damaged Crops and Victims of Adverse Weather (Cyclone Fengal) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 4 December 2024 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake moved that Hon. (Senior Professor) Sena Nanayakkara take the Chair. The motion was agreed to, after which the Deputy Chairperson of Committees left the Chair and Hon. Nanayakkara presided. Adjournment Motion: Compensation for Damaged Crops and Victims of Adverse Weather (Cyclone Fengal) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 4 December 2024 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake requested that Rauff Hakeem provide the relevant letters concerning bar permits. He stated that the permits had been issued legally, but due to public opposition, the matter would be referred to the relevant minister for appropriate action within the law. Adjournment Motion: Compensation for Damaged Crops and Victims of Adverse Weather (Cyclone Fengal) Law & Order Read →
  • 4 December 2024 AI summary The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake formally moved the adjournment of Parliament. The motion “That Parliament do now adjourn” was proposed for consideration. Adjournment Motion: Compensation for Damaged Crops and Victims of Adverse Weather (Cyclone Fengal) Parliamentary Procedure Read →