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- 9 September 2025 AI summary Kabir Hashim states that if responsibility for a fault lies with the person or party being addressed, it should be acknowledged. His intervention is brief and framed as a call for accountability. Debate: Agreement between Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates (Continued) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 9 September 2025 AI summary Kabir Hashim questioned whether a lack of police objection in the matter under discussion was the result of the addressee’s influence. The intervention sought clarification on possible external pressure affecting police conduct. Debate: Agreement between Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates (Continued) Law & Order Read →
- 9 September 2025 AI summary Kabir Hashim questioned the circumstances under which individuals arrested after an incident involving police conduct were granted bail the following Saturday. He asked whether the Government intervened, noting that one woman involved was hospitalized and asserting that bail is normally not granted to hospitalized persons or on Saturdays. Debate: Agreement between Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates (Continued) Law & OrderJustice & Human Rights Read →
- 9 September 2025 AI summary Hon. Kabir Hashim said the Opposition supports the investment agreement with the United Arab Emirates, but focused his remarks on the situation in Gaza during the ongoing UNHRC session in Geneva. He argued that Sri Lanka should take a clearer humanitarian position against Israel’s actions, citing international statements and measures by other countries, and criticized what he described as silence or hesitation by the Government and some Muslim representatives. He also raised concerns about alleged uneven enforcement in Sri Lanka involving pro-Palestine expression and incidents with Israeli tourists, and urged the Government to link its stance on accountability at Geneva to broader questions of international accountability over Gaza. Debate: Agreement between Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates (Continued) Justice & Human RightsForeign Affairs Read →
- 21 August 2025 AI summary Kabir Hashim presented a petition to Parliament from Mrs. P.S. Sirimal Shani Fernando of Uthuwankanda, Mawanella, and 13 others. Petitions Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 19 August 2025 AI summary Hon. Kabir Hashim argued that while gambling regulation is necessary, the proposed Gambling Regulatory Authority Bill is flawed and risks politicization, monopoly formation, weak revenue collection, and inadequate control of online gambling and money laundering. He proposed greater independence for the regulator, reduced ministerial control over appointments and rule-making, inclusion of tourism representation, bringing lotteries under the Authority, and stronger enforcement, taxation and penalty powers. He also questioned whether proposed borrowing for the Central Expressway from China Exim Bank and the Treasury complied with the State Debt Management Act, and asked for clarification on its impact on external public debt and debt servicing. He further raised concern that foreign reserves had declined in 2025 despite IMF inflows, tourism, exports and remittances, citing lower-than-expected multilateral disbursements. Debate: Gambling Regulatory Authority Bill, Public Debt Management Act Regulations, and Foreign Exchange Act Regulations Public FinanceCorruption & Governance ReformLaw & Order Read →
- 19 August 2025 AI summary Kabir Hashim requested the Deputy Speaker to reset his speaking time, stating that he had not yet begun his remarks. Debate: Gambling Regulatory Authority Bill, Public Debt Management Act Regulations, and Foreign Exchange Act Regulations Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 7 August 2025 AI summary Kabir Hashim argued that the Government’s increased revenue, including a 28 percent rise in the first half of the year due to higher VAT, has been achieved by burdening ordinary people. He criticized the prioritization of tax incentives for foreign investors while small and medium enterprises, which he said have collapsed, have not received necessary support. Adjournment Debate: Current Economic Status of the Country EmploymentCost of LivingPublic Finance Read →
- 7 August 2025 AI summary Kabir Hashim criticised the President’s claim of an Opposition conspiracy, arguing that conflicting statements within the Government over economic data indicated internal disunity rather than external destabilisation. He said the Opposition was not seeking to topple the Government but was ready to govern if the Government failed. He welcomed the reduction of US tariffs to 20 per cent and credited a joint effort by the Government, officials, the Ambassador, the private sector and the Opposition, while calling on the Government to disclose any conditions attached to the agreement and referencing India’s firm stance on sovereign interests. Adjournment Debate: Current Economic Status of the Country Foreign AffairsPublic FinanceCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
- 6 August 2025 AI summary Kabir Hashim argued that the proposed electricity sector amendment reverses earlier unbundling reforms by re-concentrating generation and distribution under CEB-linked structures, weakening accountability and risking continued monopoly control. He said the amendment leaves key restructuring decisions to unelected officials, creates insufficiently accountable minister-appointed committees, and introduces ambiguous dispatch terminology that could shift costs to consumers. He also questioned the handling of LTL Holdings and Sri Lanka Energies, requested clarification from the Attorney-General regarding an Article 78(3) objection, and warned against policies that would sideline renewable energy such as rooftop solar. Debate: Sri Lanka Electricity (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading, Committee and Third Reading Corruption & Governance ReformPublic FinanceInfrastructure Read →
- 6 August 2025 AI summary Kabir Hashim notes the allotted time for his speech as 18 minutes, addressing the Deputy Speaker. No substantive policy position, proposal, or question is presented in the provided excerpt. Debate: Sri Lanka Electricity (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading, Committee and Third Reading Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 23 July 2025 AI summary Hon. Kabir Hashim asked whether, beyond the Right to Information framework, the Government intends to establish a separate platform for accessing beneficial ownership information. The question sought clarification on the mechanism for public or institutional access to such data. Debate: Companies (Amendment) Bill – Second Reading Law & OrderCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
- 23 July 2025 AI summary Kabir Hashim asked the Minister whether the Bill had been amended to incorporate the Supreme Court’s direction that certain definitions align more fully with FATF standards. He also sought clarification on whether the Central Bank’s FIU compliance observations and the Attorney-General’s input had been addressed. Debate: Companies (Amendment) Bill – Second Reading Law & Order Read →
- 3 June 2025 AI summary Hon. Kabir Hashim argued that issues around data protection and related governance are matters of democratic rights rather than only technical concerns. He criticized the Government, referring to the JVP’s earlier position in Opposition, for not implementing proposals such as an independent Data Protection Authority appointed through the Constitutional Council. He urged the Government to bring forward the civil rights amendments it had previously advocated, stating that his side would support and vote for them. Debate: Personal Data Protection (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading Corruption & Governance ReformJustice & Human Rights Read →
- 3 June 2025 AI summary Hon. Kabir Hashim argued that the Personal Data Protection Act of 2022 has remained ineffective because the Data Protection Authority has not been established, and said the current Amendment Bill does not address key privacy and accountability gaps. Citing the 2025 Cargills Bank cyber breach and concerns raised by the UN Special Rapporteur and local commentators, he questioned whether data subjects are adequately informed, protected, and given remedies when their personal data is misused or exposed. He called for an independent Authority appointed through the Constitutional Council, inclusion of human rights and civil society expertise, limits on broad State exemptions including for national security, and stronger data-subject rights such as erasure, portability, algorithmic challenge, and an appeal mechanism. Debate: Personal Data Protection (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading Security & DefenceJustice & Human RightsCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
- 8 May 2025 AI summary Kabir Hashim questioned the Government’s vehicle import revenue targets, noting that Rs. 428 billion had been cited at the Committee on Public Finance. While accepting revenue collection from luxury vehicles, he argued that steep price increases for motorbikes, three-wheelers, and small cars unfairly burden ordinary users, and proposed reducing duties on small-vehicle categories. Debate: Customs Ordinance - Resolution on Import Duties on Motor Vehicles Public FinanceCost of Living Read →
- 8 May 2025 AI summary Kabir Hashim briefly sought permission from the Deputy Speaker to ask the Deputy Minister for a clarification. No substantive policy issue or proposal was raised in the excerpt. Debate: Customs Ordinance - Resolution on Import Duties on Motor Vehicles Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 21 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Kabir Hashim argued that the NPP Government inherited improved macroeconomic conditions compared with the 2022 crisis, but that these gains were achieved through severe sacrifices by the poor, lower middle classes, SMEs and the private sector. He questioned whether the Budget delivers the promised “system change,” and criticised the Government for accepting the previous debt restructuring framework without seeking better terms. Citing projected 2025 external payments of about USD 3.3 billion against usable reserves of about USD 5.1 billion, he warned of reserve pressure, especially with vehicle import allocations, and asked for a clear plan to increase exports and dollar inflows before repayments intensify from 2028. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Twenty-sixth Day) and Third Reading Public FinanceCost of LivingCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
- 18 March 2025 AI summary A petition from Mr. Jayanath Kuruppu of Galawilawatta, Homagama, was presented to Parliament for consideration. Petitions Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 12 March 2025 AI summary Kabir Hashim said that while the project may benefit the Kelani Basin, it should not proceed in a way that harms residents of Kegalle District. He stated that the taking of people’s lands without providing them proper places to live would be opposed, and called for justice and safeguards for affected communities. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation Land & HousingJustice & Human Rights Read →