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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
  • 4 December 2024 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake rejected allegations that the Government intended to use the Prevention of Terrorism Act for political purposes, stating that amendments to the law would be brought soon and that existing laws would be used prudently in the interim. He outlined three main priorities: safeguarding democratic governance through fair elections and impartial state institutions, advancing social justice, and modernizing the country. He also said the Government would reduce wasteful ceremonies and privileges, respect Parliament and the people’s mandate, and implement its programme through the forthcoming Budget. Debate: Government Policy Statement - Resumed Adjourned Debate Justice & Human RightsLaw & OrderCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
  • 4 December 2024 AI summary Minister Bimal Rathnayake tabled Finance Ministry data on 301 liquor licences issued in 2024 and said the President had directed that no new licences be issued until further notice, alleging that some licences under the previous administration were used as political inducements. Responding to the policy statement debate, he said the Government had not misled voters on the IMF programme, debt sustainability analysis or tax changes, stating that it would work within the existing IMF framework while seeking negotiated amendments to be reflected in the Budget. He also defended the National People’s Power’s electoral mandate, argued that Parliament has authority over public finance under Article 148, and said the Government’s large majority reflected public support for ending the previous political culture. Debate: Government Policy Statement - Resumed Adjourned Debate Corruption & Governance ReformPublic FinanceParliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 4 December 2024 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake urged the Speaker to ensure proper use of Standing Orders in Parliament. He warned that misuse by senior Members sets a poor example for new Members and requested guidance to prevent such practice. Debate: Government Policy Statement - Resumed Adjourned Debate Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 4 December 2024 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake clarified that he had not named any individual in his remarks. The intervention appears to address a point of order or dispute over whether a person had been specifically identified. Debate: Government Policy Statement - Resumed Adjourned Debate Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 4 December 2024 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake said the relevant Standing Order cited by the Leader of the Opposition should be followed, but objected to a Member’s claim that police apply different laws in the North and South. He said the IGP had denied the claim and the Minister had responded responsibly, and argued that the statement was communal and should be withdrawn by the Member who made it. He urged the Leader of the Opposition to control such remarks in the House or within his party, noting that edited clips could circulate on social media and in newspapers. Debate: Government Policy Statement - Resumed Adjourned Debate Parliamentary ProcedureLaw & Order Read →
  • 4 December 2024 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake briefly sought the Speaker’s permission to address the House for one minute. No substantive policy issue or proposal was raised in the excerpt. Debate: Government Policy Statement - Resumed Adjourned Debate Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 4 December 2024 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake objected to instructions being given by Minister Ananda Wijepala, stating that directions should come from the President rather than from the Minister. The intervention was brief and procedural in nature. Ministerial Statement: Arrests for Spreading False Information on Social Media Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 4 December 2024 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake objected to a statement made in the House, alleging it was false, communal in nature, and contrary to Standing Orders. He requested the Speaker to intervene and disallow such remarks. Ministerial Statement: Arrests for Spreading False Information on Social Media Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 4 December 2024 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake stated that parliamentary seniority or the number of years served should not be treated as the decisive measure of a Member’s value or credibility. He referred to a Member who had served for 24 years to emphasize that length of service alone should not be the basis for expectations or judgments. Ministerial Statement: Arrests for Spreading False Information on Social Media Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 4 December 2024 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake questioned why Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara was being afforded special privilege. The intervention appears to raise a procedural or fairness concern regarding the conduct of parliamentary proceedings. Ministerial Statement: Arrests for Spreading False Information on Social Media Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 4 December 2024 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake urged that the exchange following Dayasiri Jayasekara’s statement be brought to a close, noting that the Minister had already obtained information from the IGP and responded to the House. He asked that further debate not be permitted and called on Jayasekara to respect the Chair’s ruling to avoid prolonging the matter. Ministerial Statement: Arrests for Spreading False Information on Social Media Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 4 December 2024 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake briefly addressed the Chair, stating only that he was speaking to the Speaker. No substantive policy issue, proposal, question, or demand was raised in the recorded excerpt. Ministerial Statement: Arrests for Spreading False Information on Social Media Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 4 December 2024 AI summary Moved and obtained approval for a suspension of Standing Order 88 to set the day’s sitting hours from 9.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and 1.00 p.m. to 9.30 p.m. The motion also provided for Standing Order 8(5) to operate at 5.30 p.m. and for the Speaker to adjourn Parliament at 9.30 p.m. without putting the question. Ministerial Statement: Arrests for Spreading False Information on Social Media Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 3 December 2024 AI summary Moved to adjourn the debate on the President’s Policy Statement, presented on 21 November 2024, and to continue it on 4 December 2024. The House agreed to the motion, and the debate was accordingly adjourned until that date. Debate: President's Policy Statement (Continuation with Maiden Speeches and Responses) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 3 December 2024 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake stated that disaster-related matters had already been discussed and would also be taken up at the Party Leaders’ meeting. He noted that the Minister of Public Security would take note of Rishad Bathiudeen’s views and requested the Speaker to allow time for the Party Leaders’ meeting. Debate: President's Policy Statement Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 3 December 2024 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake stated that he had already provided the relevant documents or information to Hon. Harsha de Silva. Debate: President's Policy Statement Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 3 December 2024 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake stated that extended debate was unnecessary, noting that while precedents existed, action had been taken according to the current need as clarified by the Speaker. He said the documents he tabled were only to assist Members’ understanding. Debate: President's Policy Statement Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 3 December 2024 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake responded to concerns about suspending Standing Orders for the Vote on Account by citing precedents from 2018, 2019, and 2020 where Standing Orders 27 and/or 121 were suspended for similar business. He stated that these examples, involving previous governments and Members, should guide newer Members, and placed the relevant documents in the Library. Debate: President's Policy Statement Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 3 December 2024 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake said the issue raised by Hon. Shanakiyan Rasamanickam was not a matter to be addressed in Parliament at that moment. He stated that the requested meeting between Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan and the President would be facilitated within the week, allowing the matter and the Government’s position to be clarified directly with the President. He then requested that the House proceed with the scheduled debate. Procedural: Points of Order (Party Leaders Definition, Provincial Council System) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 3 December 2024 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake assured the House that the proceedings were being conducted in accordance with the agreement of the Party Leaders. He stated that no rules were being breached and that there was no cause for concern. Procedural: Points of Order and Standing Orders Clarifications (Vote on Account, Ministry Advisory Committees, Party Leaders' Agreement) Parliamentary Procedure Read →