Sitting of Wednesday, 4 December 2024
Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 1733893521018713 ·English daily/uncorrected Hansard
Order of business
Speeches load per item. Summaries shown here are AI-generated and labelled; verbatim text is on each speech page.
- 1 Papers Papers: Regulation by Minister of Education (Gazette No. 2411/59) 1 speeches
- 2 Papers Papers: Annual Performance Report of Legal Aid Commission Department 2023 2 speeches
- 3 Procedural Ministerial Statement: Arrests for Spreading False Information on Social Media 48 speeches
- 4 Debate Debate: Government Policy Statement - Resumed Adjourned Debate 95 speeches
- Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB
AI summary Sajith Premadasa reminded the House of Standing Order 91(1), which prohibits Members from imputing improper motives or referring to another Member’s private affairs. He noted that such remarks should be expunged from Hansard and urged Members to adhere to the Standing Orders.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
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.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
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denied the claim and the Minister had responded responsibly, and argued that the statement was communal and should be withdrawn by the Member who made it.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.
- The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara SJB
AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara briefly rose on a point of reference after his name was mentioned in the debate. No substantive policy argument, proposal, or question was recorded in the provided excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara SJB
AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara clarified that the matter under discussion was not a debate and requested permission to make a statement.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara SJB
AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara briefly seeks permission to make one final point before concluding his speech. No substantive policy issue, proposal, or demand is contained in the provided excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
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.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara SJB
AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara denied making a communal statement and said he had requested a clear inquiry into the matter. He asked that a decision be made accordingly.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna rose to raise a point of order. No substantive argument, proposal, or question is recorded in the provided speech excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna said people in the North had voted independently in the belief that the present Government would not govern along racist lines, unlike past governments. He raised concern that racist remarks were being made within Parliament and stated that he had been assaulted the previous day in the Opposition Leader’s office, though he did not intend to pursue the matter by complaint or retaliation.
- The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
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.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva clarified that Standing Order 33 permits only two supplementary questions during Question Time in response to answers given under Standing Order 32. He argued that it cannot be used to question a Member and described such use as procedurally incorrect.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK
AI summary Congratulated the NPP Government on its electoral victory while stating that the President’s policy statement did not address key issues affecting Tamils in the North and East. He urged immediate action on the release of Tamil political prisoners, repeal or non-use of the PTA, accountability for enforced disappearances, and a clear Government position on a possible TRC and UNHRC-related processes. He also sought policy responses on land disputes involving the Mahaweli Authority, archaeology and forest demarcation issues, the Kalmunai North Divisional Secretariat, and the withdrawal of remaining military camps from civilian, school, temple, and State lands.
- Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK
AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam urged the Government to begin the relevant post-election processes within the next month, noting that the administration is still new and would receive support for progressive action. He also indicated that concerns over fuel and electricity prices would be raised later, while expressing conditional support for constructive government measures.
Cost of Living Full speech → - The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara JJB
AI summary Harshana Nanayakkara clarified that the Government’s policy statement includes a commitment to release political prisoners. He added that the Government had been in office for less than a month, implying that time is needed to act on the pledge.
Justice & Human Rights Full speech → - The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK
AI summary Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam briefly stated that he had referred to issues of corruption and fraud. No specific allegation, proposal, or policy detail was provided in the quoted remarks.
Corruption & Governance Reform Full speech → - The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara JJB
AI summary Harshana Nanayakkara stated that the Government is examining corruption and fraud allegations and is taking steps, in consultation with legal authorities, regarding political prisoners and detainees held on remand without evidence. He said investigations into corruption and the Easter Sunday attacks are ongoing, but cautioned that cases require proper evidence and cannot be rushed. He asked for two more months, arguing that corrective action is underway after longstanding failures.
- The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip JJB
AI summary The Minister stated that a list relating to bar permits would be presented to Parliament that evening in response to a matter raised by Hon. Rasamanickam. He added that investigations into the issue had already commenced.
Law & Order Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Susil Ranasinghe - Deputy Minister of Land and Irrigation JJB
AI summary Deputy Minister Susil Ranasinghe, speaking on the President’s policy statement, said rural communities remain heavily indebted and underserved, requiring an agriculture-centred policy to improve livelihoods. He proposed increasing paddy yields through technology, expanding cultivation of import-dependent crops such as chilli, onions and pulses, and ensuring affordable quality seeds, fertilizer, agrochemicals and mechanization for farmers. He also called for livestock development, pasture lands, a national land-use plan, modernized irrigation, agro-based industries and export crop promotion to raise rural incomes and reduce dependence on imports.
- Mr. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Namal Rajapaksa, Attorney-at-Law SLPP
AI summary Hon. Namal Rajapaksa questioned whether the Government’s policy statement is compatible with its IMF commitments, asking how it will both reduce taxes and raise an additional LKR 500 billion in revenue, and what non-tax revenue measures are planned. He sought clarity on tourism capacity, flood compensation for farmers, rice import policy, and whether imports could affect Maha harvest prices, especially in flood-affected areas in the North and East. He urged the Government to act on promises to recover alleged stolen assets, explain plans for public sector digitization and any proposed reduction of 600,000 public servants, and resolve contradictions on issues such as the 13th Amendment, Provincial Councils, and manifesto commitments.
- Mr. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Eranga Weerarathna - Deputy Minister of Digital Economy
AI summary Eranga Weerarathna said the Government’s mandate was to address political, economic, and social decline, including through the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme to promote discipline, respect for law, and social reform. He outlined the Digital Economy Ministry’s priorities, including restoring and modernizing failed State IT systems, consolidating fragmented digital policy under a national strategy, resolving visa and passport system disruptions, and enforcing digital governance standards. He proposed expanding the engineering workforce to 200,000 by 2030, bridging unemployed graduates into technology jobs, and growing IT/BPM exports to USD 5 billion and the wider digital economy to USD 15 billion by 2030 through public-private cooperation, fintech reforms, Digital ID, and improved ease of doing business. He also stated that Sri Lanka Telecom would remain State-owned while being made profitable.
- Mr. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara SJB
AI summary R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara argued that the UNP historically promoted multi-ethnic representation and national unity, contrasting this with the JVP/NPP’s past opposition to devolution and the 13th Amendment. He questioned the Government’s current position on the 13th Amendment and called for a clear statement in Parliament, noting differing electoral outcomes in the North and East between the Presidential and General Elections. He also criticized the JVP/NPP’s past strikes and opposition to private investment and private universities, while saying the President’s policy statement now appeared to accept positions previously advocated by the UNP/SJB.
- The Hon. R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara SJB
AI summary R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara criticized the Government’s handling of protests, saying police action against Education Service graduates was ignored while injuries to police officers were highlighted. He questioned the Government’s policies on attracting foreign investment, restructuring or addressing loss-making SOEs such as SriLankan Airlines, and disclosing the contents of the IMF Staff-Level Agreement. He also raised concern over rising rice prices and alleged hoarding, urging the Government to use legal powers to release available paddy and rice stocks if negotiations with mill owners fail.
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara SJB
AI summary R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara sought an additional three minutes of speaking time from the Chief Opposition Whip. No substantive policy issue, legislative matter, or proposal was raised in the excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Gayantha Karunatilleka SJB
AI summary Hon. Gayantha Karunatilleka requested the Deputy Speaker to grant another member an additional three minutes to speak.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara SJB
AI summary R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara questioned the Government’s decision to import 70,000 metric tons of rice, citing President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s earlier pledge not to import rice in order to protect farmers. He also called for a reduction in fuel prices, arguing that lower crude oil prices, a stronger rupee, and profits in the petroleum sector should be passed on to consumers. He specifically challenged the continuation of high fuel taxes, including excise duty and VAT, in light of prior pledges to reduce the cost of living.
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara SJB
AI summary R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara urged the Government not to revive communal tensions and criticized its use of the Prevention of Terrorism Act despite previously opposing it, citing court rulings and the need to protect freedom of speech and rights. He asked that people in the North and East be allowed to commemorate their dead, and called for the CEB’s reported profits to be passed on to consumers through the promised 30 percent electricity tariff reduction. He also said the Government had changed its position on past issues but had not apologized for the damage caused.
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. (Mrs.) Samanmali Gunasingha JJB
AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Samanmali Gunasingha thanked Colombo District voters and said the National People’s Power’s increased female representation reflected a changed political culture valuing women’s participation. She defended President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s Policy Statement as a break from privatization, excessive borrowing and import dependence, arguing instead for reviving state enterprises, protecting national assets, releasing land for productive use by farmers, and building a participatory production economy with fair distribution of benefits. She highlighted poverty in Colombo and the burdens on female-headed households, citing their rise to about 29 percent by 2018, and referred to planned relief such as Rs. 6,000 for children unable to afford educational materials.
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Anuradha Jayaratne NDF
AI summary Hon. Anuradha Jayaratne said the Opposition would act constructively while scrutinizing whether the President’s Policy Statement can be implemented in practical short-, medium- and long-term terms. He argued that Sri Lanka should continue the IMF programme as agreed, warning that reopening it could risk renewed economic instability, and called for clarity on public service reform and the future of loss-making State-owned enterprises such as SriLankan Airlines. He questioned reliance on expanded subsidies and welfare, urging priority for long-planned irrigation projects such as the North Central Maha Ela and Wayamba Canal to improve agricultural productivity. He also noted omissions from the Policy Statement, including the Government’s position on abolishing the Executive Presidency and broader parliamentary system reforms.
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development JJB
AI summary Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe outlined government measures to address rice shortages, stating that official production data indicated a surplus but market shortages reflected gaps in data, competing uses of paddy byproducts, banking constraints on millers, and flood damage to cultivated land. He said import restrictions on all rice varieties had been lifted until 21 December, with expected imports through private channels, Sathosa and the State Trading Corporation, and that millers had agreed to supply rice to Sathosa at Rs. 220 per kilo. He also announced measures to ease coconut shortages by directing state plantation companies to supply Sathosa, enabling sales at Rs. 130 per coconut and distributing one million coconuts over two weeks.
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam ACTC
AI summary G.G. Ponnambalam congratulated the Government on its mandate and welcomed the President’s statements on democracy and inclusion, but questioned how the pledge against ethnic-based politics would apply to Tamil parties raising issues of discrimination, land settlement and demographic change in the North and East. He argued that a generic “Sri Lankan” identity must not obscure the history of Tamil grievances and cited UN Human Rights Council concerns about the limits of purely domestic accountability. He called for the Prevention of Terrorism Act not to be used against commemorations or detainees, compared Tamil memorialization with JVP commemorations, and urged the Justice Minister to release nine Tamil political prisoners and inquire into the prison transfer of one detainee known as “Morris.”
- The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara JJB
AI summary Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara responded to concerns raised by Hon. Ponnambalam regarding longstanding issues affecting the North, noting that the current Government had been in office for less than a month. He stated that genuine grievances, including the issue of political prisoners, would be addressed after proper legal assessment, and invited the Member to refer such matters to his Ministry for review.
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. (Ms.) Ambika Samivel JJB
AI summary Hon. Ambika Samivel highlighted the long-standing issues faced by Hill Country Tamils, including land rights, housing, wages, health, education, recognition and workplace facilities, arguing that previous governments had provided only temporary political fixes. She said the NPP, including through the 2023 Hatton Declaration and current poverty alleviation programmes, would pursue land titles, titled housing, upgraded estate-area schools, health improvements and support for landslide-affected families in Badulla. She also called for Hill Country Tamils, especially women and children, to be integrated into the national mainstream with equal rights and urged all Members to work together to rebuild the country.
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. (Mrs.) Rohini Kumari Wijerathna SJB
AI summary Hon. Rohini Kumari Wijerathna criticized the President’s Policy Statement as inconsistent with his past positions and accused his political camp of having historically fostered communal politics, opposed devolution, and undermined the rule of law during the Aragalaya period. She questioned why the President did not name those identified by the Supreme Court as responsible for the economic crisis, and said she would place a related publication in the Library to support further legal action. She also argued that the speech lacked concrete plans on cost-of-living relief, called for an end to the use of the PTA against protesters, and warned of implications for UNHRC scrutiny and the EU’s GSP+ review. Raising concerns over education in the Central Province, she cited major teacher shortages in Kandy and Matale and urged the Government to recruit qualified graduates and listen to development officers rather than suppress them.
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Chathuranga Abeysinghe - Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development JJB
AI summary The Deputy Minister argued that the Government’s mandate represents a major political change driven by public demand for an end to corruption, dynastic politics and poverty-focused governance failures. He attributed Sri Lanka’s economic crisis to long-term policy failures since 1977, citing debt, deficits, weak exports, poor business and innovation rankings, and declining progress on Sustainable Development Goals. He said the Government would pursue industrial and entrepreneurial reform, including reversing harmful import and tax policies, supporting SMEs and domestic industries, and introducing an anti-dumping Bill in the first quarter of the following year.
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. (Mrs.) Hemali Weerasekara - Deputy Chairperson of Committees JJB
AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Hemali Weerasekara took the Chair as Deputy Chairperson of Committees after the Hon. Deputy Speaker left the Chair. No substantive speech or policy position was recorded in this extract.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna
AI summary Dr. Ramanathan Archchuna paid tribute to those who died in Sri Lanka’s conflicts and referred to his family’s experiences during the war, including his father’s service and alleged enforced disappearance in 2009. He stated that his political mandate was not for division but for unity, peace, and development across ethnic and religious lines. He also described overcoming alleged discrimination to enter medical school and raised concerns about inequities and corruption in the health system, particularly in the North and East, citing his experience as Director of Chavakachcheri Base Hospital.
- The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna called for greater engagement with the Sri Lankan diaspora by securing their investments and easing dual citizenship procedures, arguing this would support economic rebuilding and reduce reliance on women seeking vulnerable overseas employment. He urged the dignified return of people displaced by the ethnic conflict and living in camps in Tamil Nadu, and requested that political prisoners linked to the conflict be released or their court cases expedited. He also referred to recent electoral support for change and called for unity and reconciliation across all communities affected by the internal conflict.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. (Snr. Prof.) Sena Nanayakkara JJB
AI summary Hon. (Snr. Prof.) Sena Nanayakkara thanked voters for the National People’s Power victory and urged Parliament to focus on the President’s national policy statement rather than past political divisions. He argued that the mandate reflects public demand to move beyond the traditional political cycle and invited both Government and Opposition to work together on national rebuilding. He highlighted poverty and deprivation in rural areas, especially Anuradhapura and Rajarata, and said state policy must prioritise dignity, basic rights, and cultural development, including strengthening cultural institutions to create a more humane and culturally engaged society.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. Mujibur Rahuman SJB
AI summary Hon. Mujibur Rahuman welcomed the new Government’s mandate and urged it to use that mandate to build a unified Sri Lankan identity while respecting diversity and rejecting racism and religious extremism, noting that past failures to do so contributed to conflict and economic setbacks. He said the Samagi Jana Balawegaya and much of the Opposition would cooperate with any programme aimed at unity within diversity. He also called for the Government to uphold the Rule of Law, raising concerns about the stalled Wasim Thajudeen case, the appointment of officials linked to alleged non-cooperation or corruption as advisers, and a reported incident involving an alleged Military Intelligence officer at a protest.
- The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayathissa JJB
AI summary Dr. Nalinda Jayathissa stated that the Government will pursue proper investigations and prosecutions into murders linked to past unrest, including the killing of Thajudeen. Responding to questions on Hans Wijayasuriya, he said earlier delays in providing data were technical, the data are now available, and Wijayasuriya is willing to support the Government’s digitalization project without focusing on salary or benefits. He urged that the matter not be politicized and said institutions would be coordinated to complete investigations and punish offenders.
- The Hon. Mujibur Rahuman SJB
AI summary Mujibur Rahuman questioned the Government’s ability to conduct credible investigations while retaining officials linked to past non-cooperation. He referred to CID records and alleged that Dialog, under Mr. Wijayasuriya, released requested data only after senior political figures warned that its licence could be cancelled, asking the Minister how investigations would proceed in that context.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. Eranga Gunasekara - Deputy Minister of Youth Affairs JJB
AI summary Deputy Minister Eranga Gunasekara framed the NPP’s electoral mandate as the outcome of a long political process and the people’s aspirations expressed during the Aragalaya, including ending corruption, recovering stolen assets, and changing the political system. He said the Government would address youth issues through planned short-, medium- and long-term interventions, citing unemployment, education, extremism, mental health, drugs, technology, culture, health and climate pressures as key challenges. He proposed a scientific framework for youth employment, placement of over 35,000 unemployed graduates in suitable jobs within a year, and new initiatives including the V4R digital platform, the “11135” rural IT and English programme, and MMC multi-purpose centres. He also pledged to depoliticize sports administration and called on political parties to settle unpaid dues to the Sugathadasa Sports Complex, which he said exceed Rs. 11.4 million.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran ITAK
AI summary Hon. Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran congratulated the new Government and welcomed the President’s commitment to a country free of racism and extremism, but expressed concern that the President’s address did not set out a solution to the ethnic issue affecting Tamil people. He requested full powers for the Kalmunai North Divisional Secretariat, including permanent administrative appointments, and proposed new Divisional Secretariats centred on Komari and Malwatte to improve access to public services. He also called for a new Education Zone for Tamil schools around Kalmunai and urged the Government to immediately halt ilmenite sand mining activity in Thirukkovil, citing risks to local communities, resources and ancestral lands.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. Riyas Farook JJB
AI summary Hon. Riyas Farook thanked the voters of Kandy District and expressed gratitude for being elected to the Tenth Parliament on behalf of the National People’s Power. He emphasized that the Government had received support across ethnic and religious communities and called for unity among Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims after past conflict and division. He urged Members to work together beyond party, ethnicity and region to build a corruption-free, non-racist Sri Lanka, eradicate rural poverty and advance national digitization.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. Palani Thigambaram SJB
AI summary Hon. Palani Thigambaram welcomed the Government’s stated commitments to anti-corruption, poverty alleviation, national unity, efficient public service, and economic development, saying the Opposition would support people-oriented measures while opposing harmful actions. He urged the Government to ensure equal rights for all communities, avoid relying only on the 13th Amendment without deeper reform, and revive or strengthen Hill Country initiatives begun under the Yahapalana Government, including the Plantation Development Plan and Hill Country Development Authority. He specifically requested better facilities for expanded local authorities in Nuwara Eliya, land title reforms, a return to single-house housing for estate communities, expedited Indian-funded housing, and action for over 6,000 high-risk households in disaster-prone areas.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. Namal Karunaratne - Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock JJB
AI summary Hon. Namal Karunaratne discussed the current paddy and rice crisis, attributing it to the previous Government’s failure to purchase paddy during the last Yala season and its sale of State stocks at a loss. He cited past audit findings and alleged irregularities in rice imports, duty changes, and Paddy Marketing Board stock releases to argue that prior policies benefited intermediaries while harming farmers and consumers. He stated that the Government had reluctantly begun importing rice to address the shortage and pledged to reform paddy purchasing, storage, milling, and distribution to protect farmers, consumers, and legitimate value-added sectors.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen SJB
AI summary Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen thanked voters in the Vanni district and said his party would support the Government if the President’s policy statement is implemented sincerely, while urging Parliament to focus on the economic crisis rather than campaign rhetoric. He called for weekly monitoring and control of prices of essential goods, equal treatment of all communities, stronger relations with India and Middle Eastern countries, improved investor facilitation, tourism development, education and technology reform, and value addition to mineral resources. He also urged a full investigation into the Easter attacks, the release of detainees held without proof in connection with those attacks or alleged LTTE links, and the restoration of halted funds for resettled Jaffna Muslims and roads in Puttalam.
- The Hon. (Ms.) Lakmali Hemachandra JJB
AI summary Hon. Lakmali Hemachandra urged Parliament to use the new mandate as an opportunity to advance national unity and prevent a return to racist or religious politics, citing Dr. N.M. Perera’s 1955 call for both Sinhala and Tamil to be State languages and the President’s recent policy pledge against racism. She linked the failure to heed such warnings to the consequences of the Sinhala Only policy, the war, social harm and national bankruptcy. She rejected Opposition claims that the Government was targeting “social media activists,” arguing that those spreading false or current-looking hate content should not be protected as free expression. She called on both Government and Opposition Members to respect the people’s mandate and ensure equality, dignity, and freedom from violence and discrimination for all communities.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. K.D. Lal Kantha - Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation JJB
AI summary Hon. K.D. Lal Kantha moved that Hon. (Dr.) Kaushalya Ariyarathne take the Chair during the proceedings. The motion was put to the House and agreed to, after which the Deputy Chairperson left the Chair and Hon. Ariyarathne presided.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. K. Sujith Sanjaya Perera SJB
AI summary K. Sujith Sanjaya Perera welcomed the President’s policy statement but questioned whether its commitments would be implemented, citing past failures of governments to fulfil such pledges. He criticized the Government for not announcing immediate measures to address rising living costs, including rice prices, and warned that import duties on rice could prevent consumers from receiving price relief. He also called for urgent support for SMEs through reduced input costs, especially electricity tariffs, and urged action to provide the promised Rs. 1,700 daily wage for estate workers.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. K.V. Samantha Vidyarathna - Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure JJB
AI summary The Minister stated that the National People’s Power was elected with support across ethnic and regional lines and argued that the Government has a mandate to pursue inclusive national development. He emphasized the need to address plantation community issues and strengthen infrastructure and services for historically underserved communities. He framed these priorities within the new Government’s broader commitment to unity, equality, and accountable governance.
Ethnic Reconciliation & Devolution Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) M.L.A.M. Hizbullah SLMC
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) M.L.A.M. Hizbullah thanked voters and pledged support for constructive measures of the new National People’s Power Government, while urging implementation of the President’s policy programme. He highlighted severe flood damage in Batticaloa District and requested immediate assistance for affected families staying temporarily with relatives or friends before entering camps, as well as equipment and support to clear and rehabilitate canals and drainage systems. He also supported the President’s focus on developing the IT sector, citing SLASSCOM’s Vision 2030 proposals to achieve US$5 billion in exports, a 200,000-strong workforce and 1,000 start-ups through STEM expansion, public-private partnerships, student financing, scholarships, and reskilling programmes.
- The Hon. Nalin Hewage - Deputy Minister of Vocational Education JJB
AI summary Deputy Minister Nalin Hewage defended the Government’s policy statement as a historic mandate for a people-rooted administration and said it would not waste public trust despite inheriting bankruptcy, shortages, and institutional distrust. He attributed current rice and coconut supply problems to past governments but said immediate measures were being taken to protect consumers and prevent hunger, while reiterating commitments to a limited Cabinet, anti-corruption action, poverty relief, and resolving plantation community issues on land, housing, and wages. On education, he highlighted declining Grade 1 enrolment, high dropout rates after Grade 8, and links between low educational attainment and imprisonment, proposing that all children after nine years of schooling be directed into either general or vocational education. He argued that vocational education funding is disproportionately low compared with enrolment and said this imbalance must be corrected in the forthcoming budget aligned with the Government’s policy vision.
- The Hon. Chithral Fernando SJB
AI summary Hon. Chithral Fernando thanked voters in Puttalam and those who supported his entry into Parliament, highlighting increased youth participation. He criticized the President’s Throne Speech and Government speakers for focusing on political attacks and references to a “76-year curse” rather than presenting a clear policy direction. He argued that the Government’s broad characterization of opponents as corrupt contradicted its stated commitment to democracy and freedom, while affirming the Opposition’s support for efforts to defeat ethnic and religious extremism. He urged the Government, given its large mandate, to avoid arrogance and work collaboratively for the country’s betterment.
- The Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar - Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources JJB
AI summary Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekar said the NPP’s electoral gains in Jaffna, the North and East, and among hill-country Tamils reflected public trust across ethnic communities and rejection of racism, fear campaigns, and traditional political leadership. He framed the Government’s approach as ending entrenched ethnic chauvinism rather than making symbolic constitutional promises, while referencing the 13th Amendment debate and past events including emergency laws, the burning of the Jaffna Public Library, and the 1983 pogrom. He stated that the Government’s policy programme would address estate workers’ land rights, housing, wages, health, and education, and said issues of Tamil political prisoners and the disappeared would be handled with special care.
- The Hon. Najith Indika JJB
AI summary Hon. Najith Indika, in his maiden speech, defended the new Government’s mandate and said it had taken office after years of political repression, institutional breakdown, postponed elections, and public distrust. He argued that the National People’s Power had received a clear nationwide mandate across all regions and communities, rejecting claims that its victory depended on narrow or divisive politics. He said the Government’s priority was to restore rule of law, justice, and fairness, and pledged that its 159 MPs would implement the President’s programme over the next five years.
- The Hon. Kader Masthan
AI summary Hon. Kader Masthan thanked voters in Vavuniya, Mannar and Mullaitivu for re-electing him and said his mandate reflected confidence in his corruption-free public service. He alleged that election malpractice, including vote-buying with cash, liquor and food parcels, occurred in the final days of campaigning and urged the Government and President to reform election laws, potentially through constitutional or legal changes, to prevent such practices. He stated that his party would support Government initiatives on anti-corruption, religious and national harmony, and development if implemented promptly.
- The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation and Leader of the House of Parliament JJB
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.
- The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
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.
- The Hon. Speaker procedural
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