Sitting of Thursday, 5 December 2024
Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 1734081038099638 ·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 Opening Opening of Parliament - Speaker's Announcements 1 speeches
- 2 Papers Papers: Auditor-General's Reports and Special Audit Report 4 speeches
- 3 Papers Papers: Supplementary Estimate No. 14 of 2024 and Vote on Account Resolution 4 speeches
- 4 Debate Debate on Vote on Account and Procedural Matters (with Chair exchanges and points of order) 56 speeches
- Mr. Speaker procedural
- Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara SJB
AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara informed the House that he had submitted a question of privilege which had not yet been taken up. He requested the Speaker’s permission to raise the matter at that time.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara SJB
AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara briefly remarked that he could have submitted or provided the relevant matter before 9.30 a.m. The comment appears to relate to the timing of a procedural submission or communication in the House.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara SJB
AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara sought permission to clarify a procedural matter, stating that he could have submitted the relevant item before 9.30 a.m. The intervention appears to relate to timing or compliance with parliamentary submission requirements.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara SJB
AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara stated that he was raising an important matter in Parliament and indicated that its significance was the reason for bringing it up.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara SJB
AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara questioned the procedural basis for presenting the Vote on Account, noting that Parliament had passed the Public Finance Management Act, No. 44 of 2024, to regulate such matters. He argued that section 23 of the Act requires an Appropriation Bill to be presented first, and that proceeding under Article 150(2) while claiming conformity with section 23 raises a legal and procedural issue. He stated he was not seeking to obstruct the Government’s urgent financial arrangements, but said his parliamentary privilege was affected because he had not been able to raise the matter at the Party Leaders’ Meeting.
- The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara SJB
AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara requested that the Opposition be given sufficient time and space to speak in Parliament. He noted that while the Government holds a majority of 159 members, there are 66 Opposition members whose views should not be suppressed.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Gayantha Karunatilleka SJB
AI summary Gayantha Karunatilleka briefly requested the Speaker’s permission to be allowed one minute to speak.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara SJB
AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara requested the Speaker to allow him to conclude his remarks before another member spoke. He indicated that this would bring the exchange to an end.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara SJB
AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara briefly requests permission from the Chair to speak. No substantive policy issue, proposal, or question is raised in the statement.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake stated that the Speaker had already allowed Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara to present the contents of his letter, despite procedural concerns over how the matter was raised before the Committee on Parliamentary Business. He urged that the debate should now proceed, allowing the Chief Opposition Whip to speak if necessary, and requested that the proceedings not be turned into a media spectacle.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara SJB
AI summary The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara urged that the matter not be turned into a “media show.” No substantive policy proposal or legislative issue was raised in the recorded intervention.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary Bimal Rathnayake briefly invited the Chief Opposition Whip to speak, asking whether he intended to make a statement. No substantive policy issue or legislative matter was raised.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Gayantha Karunatilleka SJB
AI summary Hon. Gayantha Karunatilleka asked the Government to clarify its position on the procedural issue raised by Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara regarding the Vote on Account and Supplementary Estimate. He noted that party leaders had agreed to proceed by suspending relevant Standing Orders under Standing Order 138, despite the usual requirements under Standing Order 27(3) and the Committee on Public Finance process under Standing Order 121(2), and referred to Article 150(2) as providing constitutional scope for a Vote on Account.
- The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake clarified that the suspension of Standing Orders was necessary because the Committee on Public Finance had not yet been constituted in the new Parliament, rejecting the claim that the Government was bypassing procedure for political reasons. He said the five-day laying requirement for the Resolution had been discussed and agreed upon, and that procedural defects in a late letter were set aside after the Speaker permitted it, particularly given the money-related matter. He requested the relevant Minister to clarify the reference to a Bill so the House could proceed responsibly.
- The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa – Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip
AI summary Referring to the State Public Financial Management Act, No. 44 of 2024, he argued that a Vote on Account is lawful when the Appropriation Bill has not been passed by 31 December. He said the measure is necessary after the election period to ensure public servants’ salaries, public services, relief programmes, and essential projects can continue. He rejected Opposition objections as procedural obstruction and asked them to state publicly if they wanted government operations halted.
- The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB
AI summary Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri raised a point under Standing Order 91(a), referring to “58,” and sought clarification on whether parliamentary procedures were being departed from. He emphasized that Members have the right to request clarification when there are concerns about deviations from established parliamentary processes.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB
AI summary Chaminda Wijesiri argued that decisions at a Party Leaders’ meeting cannot override statutes or parliamentary rules, and said the Government has no mandate to bypass approved laws. He stated that the Opposition was not opposing payments to public servants but insisting that such actions be taken in accordance with the law. He also commended the Speaker’s ruling and independence, cautioning against misuse of the Government’s majority.
- The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake argued that presenting a Vote on Account is permitted under Section 23(1) of the State Public Financial Management Act, No. 44 of 2024, where the Appropriation Bill for the following year has not been passed by 31 December. He stated that since the Appropriation Bill had not even been presented, there was no violation of the Act, and referred the point to the Chief Opposition Whip.
- The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara SJB
AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara sought permission from the Leader of the House to speak during the proceedings. No substantive policy issue, proposal, or question was raised in the excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake said the Government was presenting the Vote on Account in accordance with the relevant legal provisions, arguing that Parliament may do so where the Appropriation Bill has not been presented and passed. He criticized earlier procedural objections and attempts to suspend Standing Orders prematurely, attributing them to political eagerness, and said the matter had been discussed and clarified. He urged the House to conclude the issue and proceed with the day’s main business, preferably by agreement among party leaders.
- The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara SJB
AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara responded to remarks by the Leader of the House, objecting to the tone used toward him. He asserted that he engages in “gentleman politics” and emphasized that, as a front-row member and party leader, he should be addressed with due respect.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa posed a brief question asking a member to state their political party affiliation. The intervention appears to seek clarification of party identity in the course of the parliamentary exchange.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara SJB
AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara stated that he also participates in the Party Leaders’ meeting.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa directed a brief question asking the addressee to state their political party affiliation.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara SJB
AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara asserted that decisions concerning the Sri Lanka Freedom Party are for its members and leadership to determine, not others. He emphasized his position as the leader of a constituent party and group leader in that context.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary Bimal Rathnayake interjected to request that a member state their party affiliation before speaking about the law. The remark appears to challenge or clarify the political position of the person addressing the legal matter.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara SJB
AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara briefly responded to interruptions or agitation in the House, stating that the matter would be decided and urging others not to react disruptively. He asserted that Members should not behave like “street thugs” and suggested that disagreement or difficulty accepting the situation was causing the tension.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB
AI summary The Member urged restraint and civility in the debate, asking colleagues not to react angrily. The intervention appears to have been a brief procedural or conciliatory remark rather than a substantive policy argument.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara SJB
AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara cited Section 23(2) of Act No. 44 of 2024 to argue that a Vote on Account should be followed by the passage of an Appropriation Act, including the expenditure already made. He maintained that the Government could have brought the Appropriation Bill within 26 days and stressed that citizens should retain the right to challenge the procedure in court if a Vote on Account is presented without the Appropriation Bill.
- The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary Bimal Rathnayake rose to speak, but no substantive remarks or arguments were recorded in the provided excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara SJB
AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara requested that he be given the microphone to address the House.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary Bimal Rathnayake requested that the microphone be provided, addressing the Speaker procedurally. No substantive policy issue, proposal, or legislative matter was raised in this intervention.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara SJB
AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara said his remarks were not a personal attack or a dispute with the Government, but a matter that should be raised in Parliament. He rejected any suggestion that he was advocating cuts to public servants’ salaries and argued that the Government should have brought the Appropriation Bill in time instead of relying on an alternative procedure. He requested that the issue he raised be considered fairly.
- The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary Bimal Rathnayake defended the Speaker’s handling of proceedings, saying Members had been allowed latitude and should use it responsibly. He read out the Attorney-General’s letter stating there was no legal impediment to submitting the Vote on Account resolution under Article 150 of the Constitution and the Public Financial Management Act for the period 1 January to 30 April 2025. He requested that the scheduled debate proceed, arguing that the legal position was clear.
- The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB
AI summary Former Committee on Public Finance Chair Harsha de Silva said the proposed framework had been extensively discussed with officials and the Attorney-General in the previous Parliament to address the lack of a legal basis for earlier Votes on Account. He argued there was now no legal issue, though there may be an ethical concern, and suggested that the mover should have clarified to the House that time constraints prevented a full Appropriation Bill and sought its indulgence.
- The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary Bimal Rathnayake stated that the disruption in the House began when another member started speaking. He indicated he had nothing further to add.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake stated that the matter before the House arose from the lawful conduct of elections and the consequent timetable, rather than from any delay by his side. He requested that the Hon. Professor be permitted to commence the debate.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK
AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam sought clarification from the Leader of the House and the Chief Government Whip following the tabling of a list of bar licences. He asked where the related applications and MPs’ recommendation letters were, which authority was investigating the matter, whether licences—particularly 18 issued in Kilinochchi District—would be suspended or cancelled, and whether the investigation findings would be made public.
- The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake briefly responded to Hon. Rasamanickam, stating that the matter raised would be addressed at an appropriate time. No further substantive details or policy positions were provided.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- 5 Debate Debate on Vote on Account for 2025 (continued) 114 speeches