Hon. Kabir Hashim, M.P.
Profession: Consultant Economist
Speeches 85 #60 of 225·#19 in party
Attendance 6/8 days present (of recorded)
Top topic Parliamentary Procedure 35 speeches
Last spoke 21 May 2026 in Procedural
Activity by sitting
34 sittings · counts only, no scoring.
Topic focus
AI summary AI-assigned tags, 1–3 per speech. Counts only — not a score.
Speech history
85 speeches- 25 November 2025 AI summary Kabir Hashim raised concerns about alleged irregularities in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at the University of Batticaloa, including awarding marks without proper examinations, lack of regulation, malpractice, and student harassment. He noted that Prof. Yuvaraj Thangarajah had submitted a letter to the Prime Minister on the matter and requested that an inquiry be conducted. Debate: Committee Stage on Appropriation Bill 2026 - Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education (Fifteenth Allotted Day) Justice & Human RightsEducation Read →
- 25 November 2025 AI summary Hon. Kabir Hashim cited a British Council survey indicating that Sri Lanka is among the highest sources of foreign students to the UK, ranking second in the referenced list despite its small population compared with China. He argued that this reflects the consequences of wrong policy decisions in Sri Lanka. Debate: Committee Stage on Appropriation Bill 2026 - Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education (Fifteenth Allotted Day) EducationForeign Affairs Read →
- 25 November 2025 AI summary Hon. Kabir Hashim questioned why the Government, despite promises to break “mafias” and monopolies, has not addressed or regulated the tuition industry, which he said earns about Rs. 160 billion annually and places heavy financial pressure on poor parents and children. He asked whether the Government would introduce regulations, tax enforcement, or reforms to protect free education, and criticized the absence of such measures in two Budgets. He cited provincial circulars restricting teachers from conducting tuition, including one allegedly annulled by a State Minister, as evidence of inconsistent policy and urged action against the sector’s influence. Debate: Committee Stage on Appropriation Bill 2026 - Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education (Fifteenth Allotted Day) Corruption & Governance ReformPublic FinanceEducation Read →
- 25 November 2025 AI summary Kabir Hashim highlighted persistent problems in education and higher education, warning that politically difficult decisions could have national consequences if delayed. He asked why the Government is not using the 2022 National Education Commission report, prepared under President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, as a neutral framework for national education policy and reforms. Debate: Committee Stage on Appropriation Bill 2026 - Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education (Fifteenth Allotted Day) Education Read →
- 25 November 2025 AI summary Hon. Kabir Hashim said education and higher education are central to national development and social discipline, noting that the Education Ministry has historically been difficult to manage. He argued that Sri Lanka’s cultural, religious and educational foundations helped limit the effects of recent political upheavals, but warned of rising indiscipline among school and university students, including challenges to teachers and principals, unrest in schools, defiance of university directives, and hazing. He urged that these trends be treated as serious social challenges requiring attention. Debate: Committee Stage on Appropriation Bill 2026 - Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education (Fifteenth Allotted Day) Religion & CultureEducation Read →
- 8 November 2025 AI summary Kabir Hashim thanked the Minister for a clear answer and acknowledged the assurance that appropriate action would be taken regardless of political affiliation. The sitting then concluded, with Parliament adjourned at 6.35 p.m. until 9.30 a.m. on 10 November 2025, pursuant to the resolution of 23 October 2025. Adjournment Motion: Suspension of Development Projects Approved by Mawanella Pradeshiya Sabha Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 8 November 2025 AI summary Kabir Hashim objected to comments made by Hon. Samantha Ranasinghe, stating that the matter concerned the proper use of public funds rather than personal or political considerations. He argued that if an inquiry had been requested and a report existed, any alleged errors should be specifically identified under the applicable law, rather than dismissed with a general assertion that there were issues. Adjournment Motion: Suspension of Development Projects Approved by Mawanella Pradeshiya Sabha Justice & Human RightsPublic Finance Read →
- 8 November 2025 AI summary Hon. Kabir Hashim rose on a point of order. No substantive issue or proposal was stated in the provided excerpt. Adjournment Motion: Suspension of Development Projects Approved by Mawanella Pradeshiya Sabha Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 8 November 2025 AI summary Hon. Kabir Hashim raised an adjournment motion asking the Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government to intervene after the Sabaragamuwa Provincial Commissioner, acting on the Governor’s directive, suspended Mawanella Pradeshiya Sabha-approved projects worth Rs. 19 million for 47 rural roads and other local development works. He argued that the suspension of funds raised through local taxes undermines the Pradeshiya Sabha’s legal authority and causes injustice to taxpayers. He also sought approval for the recruitment of 10 health workers, saying delays have affected the management of about 10 metric tons of daily garbage despite the council’s stated financial capacity. Adjournment Motion: Suspension of Development Projects Approved by Mawanella Pradeshiya Sabha EmploymentInfrastructureCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
- 8 November 2025 AI summary Kabir Hashim argued that references to the World Bank should be supported by specific data rather than used as a general justification. He called for evidence-based discussion, implying that policy claims or decisions in the debate should be backed by concrete figures and sources. Second Reading Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2026 Public Finance Read →
- 8 November 2025 AI summary Kabir Hashim criticized the Government, arguing that the JVP had abandoned its earlier commitments to Marxist and social democratic principles associated with past leaders such as Somawansa Amarasinghe. He claimed the Government was instead following the IMF’s policy path and said the 2026 Budget had failed to address the public’s key concerns. Second Reading Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2026 Public FinanceCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
- 8 November 2025 AI summary Kabir Hashim criticised the Government for reversing positions it had taken before coming to power, including promises to recover stolen funds, bring back exporter-held dollars, reject IMF conditions, and resolve debt issues quickly. He argued that the economy is now being managed under IMF direction and said the Government has failed to deliver on pledges of discipline, rule of law, social justice, and anti-corruption. He questioned delays in appointing a Special Committee on the 320 containers issue and alleged irregularities in the expedited procurement of cabs, asking why normal tender procedures were not followed. Second Reading Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2026 Public FinanceCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
- 24 October 2025 AI summary Hon. Kabir Hashim presented the Third Report of the Committee on Public Accounts for the First Session of the Tenth Parliament. The report concerns COPA’s inquiry on 20 April 2025 into the programme implemented from 1 May 2022 to 15 September 2023 granting permits for Sri Lankans employed abroad to import fully electric vehicles, and includes background, clarifications from Chief Accounting Officers, and committee recommendations. He also noted the Committee’s reliance on the ex-post audit process and acknowledged the Auditor-General and committee staff. Tabling of Reports: Monetary Policy Deviation, Public Accounts Report, Public Finance Committee Report Public Finance Read →
- 25 September 2025 AI summary Kabir Hashim argued that the Ceylon Electricity Board is profitable when recent earnings and clawback provisions are considered, and that further tariff increases after the June 2025 increase are unjustified. He said the proposed increase is driven by a Cabinet decision linked to IMF EFF Third Review conditions to pass legacy debt to consumers, rather than by operating costs, and questioned whether the tariff formula legally permits this. He also asked whether IMF-flagged accounting and data issues at CEB had been corrected and sought details on when and how the promised 30% reduction in electricity bills would be delivered. Adjournment Motion: Ceylon Electricity Board Financial Status and Tariff Reduction Public FinanceCost of LivingInfrastructure Read →
- 25 September 2025 AI summary Hon. Kabir Hashim moved a motion opposing the Ceylon Electricity Board’s proposed 6.8 per cent electricity tariff increase for October–December 2025, citing PUCSL concerns about the regulatory basis for the pricing tables and questioning whether the claimed losses were justified. He argued that repeated tariff increases contradicted the NPP’s pledges on fair pricing and reducing electricity bills, and urged that the proposed revision not be implemented and bills be reduced by at least 15 per cent. He further challenged the Minister’s loss figures by referring to CEB monthly accounts showing reported surpluses from April to July and a projected profit in August, and tabled those reports in the Library. Adjournment Motion: Ceylon Electricity Board Financial Status and Tariff Reduction Public FinanceCost of Living Read →
- 23 September 2025 AI summary Hon. Kabir Hashim supported the Bill to establish the National Building Research Institute, recalling earlier efforts to formalize the NBRO, and urged that its approval processes facilitate construction through clear timelines, such as issuing approvals within two weeks. Referring to frequent landslides and floods in Kegalle, including the Saammasara Kanda disaster, he called for greater attention to disaster risk in the district. He also placed on record land donations from Debathgama Watta and other family-linked holdings for resettlement, waste recycling, temples, schools, and cemeteries, and requested government action to complete delayed title and acquisition processes. Second Reading Debate: National Building Research Institute Bill EnvironmentInfrastructureLand & Housing Read →
- 12 September 2025 AI summary Kabir Hashim paid tribute to several former Members of Parliament who had passed away, recalling their political service and personal contributions. He highlighted P. Dayaratna’s role in Ampara and the 1977 UNP government, Gamini Lokuge’s involvement in forming the Jathika Sevaka Sangamaya and service to workers, Indradasa Hettiarachchi’s grassroots rise, W. B. Ranatunga’s quiet service, and M. H. Cegu Isadean’s work for communities in the East. He extended condolences to their families and noted their contributions to Parliament, party politics, and public service. Votes of Condolence: Late Former Members of Parliament (P. Dayaratna, Gamini Lokuge, Indradasa Hettiarachchi, M. H. Cegu Isadean, W. B. Ranatunga) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 9 September 2025 AI summary Hon. Kabir Hashim stated that neither the relevant party nor officials from the concerned financial institution had been brought before the forum. He implied that their presence was necessary for the matter under discussion to be properly addressed. Adjournment Debate: Tourism Promotion and Finance Company Interest Charges Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 9 September 2025 AI summary Hon. Kabir Hashim thanked the Minister for the response and outlined a complaint concerning penal interest on arrears, noting that no arrears existed before COVID-19 and disputing the imposition of penal interest for the pandemic period. He requested that both the complainant and the relevant financial institution’s officials be summoned before the Committee on Public Finance to clarify the matter and reach agreement. Adjournment Debate: Tourism Promotion and Finance Company Interest Charges Public Finance Read →
- 9 September 2025 AI summary Hon. Kabir Hashim questioned the Minister of Finance on reports that finance companies charged penal interest and fees during the COVID-19 loan moratorium period in violation of Central Bank Circular No. 9 of 2021. Citing the complaint of Mr. Aslam Marikkar of Kandy and concerns about inadequate action by the Central Bank’s Financial Consumer Relations Department, he asked whether a formal inquiry and relief would be provided, whether the matter would be referred to the Committee on Public Finance for oversight, and what measures would be taken to prevent and expedite action against such financial exploitation. Adjournment Debate: Tourism Promotion and Finance Company Interest Charges Corruption & Governance ReformJustice & Human RightsPublic Finance Read →