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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
  • 7 April 2026 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake stated that the Government would not interfere in matters relating to tabling or printing parliamentary documents. He said responsibility for such procedures lies with the Secretary-General’s Department and the parliamentary Secretariat. Oral Question: Fishermen in Puttalam District - Fuel Subsidy (Q.749/2025) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 7 April 2026 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake said the Ministry would inform the Member of the date for presenting the relevant Bill and rejected an allegation of regional favoritism by the Fisheries Minister. He stated that enforcement against Indian poaching vessels and banned fishing methods was being carried out uniformly under fisheries laws and regulations, including in Mullaitivu, where officials accused of facilitating illegal methods had been transferred. Oral Question: Fishermen in Puttalam District - Fuel Subsidy (Q.749/2025) Law & OrderAgriculture Read →
  • 7 April 2026 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake said the President would provide details on measures responding to the sudden fuel price increase, including additional fuel subsidies for fishermen and a special April allowance for fishermen who are Samurdhi beneficiaries. He noted that subsidies would distinguish between large and small boats and be linked to travel distance using navigation tracking, bills, and a proposed QR code system for 32,000–38,000 registered small boats. He said these safeguards are intended to ensure accountability in the use of public funds and encourage savings and integration with the formal financial system. Oral Question: Fishermen in Puttalam District - Fuel Subsidy (Q.749/2025) Cost of LivingAgriculture Read →
  • 7 April 2026 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake, answering on behalf of the Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources, provided details on the fuel subsidy for the Puttalam Fisheries District, stating that there are 13,130 active marine fishermen, 14,903 boats recommended for the subsidy, and Rs. 148,714,450 allocated or paid. He explained that subsidies are paid to boat owners rather than individual fishermen, through a computerized registration and verification process using district fisheries data, fuel bills, certified vessel lists, and direct bank transfers. He also noted that delays could occur due to incorrect or inactive bank accounts, and said supplementary questions would be referred to the relevant Ministry for answers. Oral Question: Fishermen in Puttalam District - Fuel Subsidy (Q.749/2025) Agriculture Read →
  • 7 April 2026 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake stated that he would present the relevant answer despite the absence of the two Ministers responsible for the matter. Oral Question: Fishermen in Puttalam District - Fuel Subsidy (Q.749/2025) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 7 April 2026 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake informed Parliament that the Cabinet had approved a new economic relief package in response to difficulties arising from fuel price issues, following work by a special committee appointed by the President under Minister Upali Pannilage. He said the President would present the package to Parliament at noon and requested that the Committee on Parliamentary Business be scheduled for 12.30 p.m. Oral Question: Prices of Essential Goods and Economic Relief Package Parliamentary ProcedurePublic Finance Read →
  • 7 April 2026 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake presented the 2023 Annual Report and Accounts of the Sri Lanka Land Development Corporation and moved that it be referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Infrastructure and Strategic Development. He also presented transport-related Orders under the National Transport Commission Act and the Motor Traffic Act, published in January 2026 Gazettes, and moved their referral to the relevant ministerial consultative committee and the Committee on Public Finance. On behalf of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, he presented a report on actions taken regarding COPE matters relating to the Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Agency and moved that it be referred to COPE. Papers: Auditor-General's Report and Ministry Annual Reports Tabling Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 7 April 2026 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake moved that the Report be printed. The House agreed to the motion, and it was ordered that the Report be printed. Papers: Auditor-General's Report and Ministry Annual Reports Tabling Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 7 April 2026 AI summary Moved that the report be printed, and the House agreed. The report was ordered to be printed. Papers: Auditor-General's Report and Ministry Annual Reports Tabling Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 20 March 2026 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake requested two additional minutes from the Presiding Member. No substantive policy issue or argument is recorded in the provided excerpt. Adjournment Debate (Continuation): Effects of Current Global Situation on Our Economy Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 20 March 2026 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake rejected criticism that the Government had neglected the Chemmani mass grave investigation, stating that while only 15 remains were recovered from 1999 to 2024, 224 had been recovered since the current Government gained a parliamentary majority in November 2024, under judicial and official supervision. He said arrests in decades-old cases must follow proper procedure, that excavations at Chemmani were expected to resume on 20 April, and that investigations would also cover other mass graves such as Matale. He also referred to Sri Lankan Tamils living in Tamil Nadu, welcomed reported proposals in India to grant them citizenship, and noted past parliamentary action to provide Sri Lankan citizenship to stateless persons. Adjournment Debate (Continuation): Effects of Current Global Situation on Our Economy Ethnic Reconciliation & DevolutionJustice & Human Rights Read →
  • 20 March 2026 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake, as Leader of the House, formally moved that Parliament adjourn. No substantive policy argument, proposal, or debate content was presented. Adjournment Debate: Effects of Current Global Situation on Our Economy Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 20 March 2026 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake moved a procedural motion to vary the sitting hours for the day, scheduling sittings from 9.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and 1.00 p.m. to 5.30 p.m., suspending Standing Order 8(5) at 11.30 a.m., and requiring adjournment at 5.30 p.m.; the motion was agreed to. He also noted the retirement of Senior Telephone Operator B. Sisira Kumara after 40 years of service to Parliament and conveyed Parliament’s wishes for his retirement. Procedural: Sitting Hours Amendment Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 20 March 2026 AI summary The Minister stated that the Question was being raised for the first time and therefore no point of order arose. Oral Question: Presidential Vehicle Pool Management (Q.19/2025) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 19 March 2026 AI summary Moved for approval of regulations made under Section 71 of the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Act, No. 11 of 2021, in consultation with the Colombo Port City Economic Commission and relevant regulatory authorities. The regulations, published in Gazette Extraordinary No. 2469/02 of 29 December 2025 and presented to Parliament on 3 March 2026, were submitted on behalf of the Prime Minister and Minister of Education, with Cabinet approval signified. Debate: Colombo Port City Economic Commission Act Regulations Approval Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 19 March 2026 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake moved a procedural motion to vary the day’s sitting hours, setting Parliament to meet from 9.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and from 1.00 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. The motion also provided for Standing Order 8(5) to operate at 2.00 p.m. and for the Speaker to adjourn Parliament at 5.30 p.m.; it was agreed to. Debate: Colombo Port City Economic Commission Act Regulations Approval Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 19 March 2026 AI summary Proposed that a QR code could be created using the vehicle chassis number. Questions under Standing Order 27(2): Economic Challenges and Aviation Sector Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 19 March 2026 AI summary Bimal Rathnayake stated that decisions on the matter rest with the Ministry of Finance but argued that the proposed concession should not be granted. He said many people had already paid taxes and dues despite hardship, the sums involved were not large, and in the absence of a wartime emergency, the Government should act fairly by collecting revenue and providing services. As Minister of Transport, he said he did not endorse the concession. Oral Question: Department of Motor Traffic: Registration of Vehicles (Q.1822/2026) Public Finance Read →
  • 19 March 2026 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake clarified that the fuel QR system was introduced as a preventive measure to manage consumption, avoid stockpiling, and protect supplies for essential services, rather than due to an immediate shortage. He explained technical issues affecting users with changed vehicle ownership or phone numbers, said 2.7 million problematic entries had been deleted, and outlined the revised registration process through fuelpass.gov.lk, with misuse subject to computer crime laws. He added that abnormal sales in some districts and logistical limits had contributed to pressure, but said the QR system should ease the situation, while vehicles without number plates could obtain fuel using alternative documents bearing the vehicle number. Oral Question: Department of Motor Traffic: Registration of Vehicles (Q.1822/2026) Public FinanceCost of Living Read →
  • 19 March 2026 AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake provided answers on vehicle registration history, noting registrations and driving licences began in 1928 under the Inspector General of Police pursuant to Act No. 14 of 1916, while some historical information was unavailable. He reported that Sri Lanka’s vehicle population stood at 8,816,613 as at 31 December 2025, with motorcycles forming the largest category. He stated that vehicle emissions testing is a regulatory process rather than a government revenue source, with 10 per cent of contractors’ income collected as an Emission Levy; in 2025, Rs. 389 million was paid to the Emission Levy Fund and Rs. 902 million in VAT and Social Security Contribution Levy to the Treasury. Oral Question: Department of Motor Traffic: Registration of Vehicles (Q.1822/2026) Law & Order Read →