Sitting of Tuesday, 17 December 2024
Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 1734685396083959 ·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: Parliament Meeting, Affirmations, and Speaker's Election 35 speeches
- 2 Papers Papers: Auditor-General's Report and Reports Tabled 10 speeches
- 3 Oral question Oral Question: Early Childhood Development Centres Registration and Monitoring (Q.45/2024) 7 speeches
- 4 Oral question Oral Question: White Onion Fraud and Trade Ministry Investigation (Q.52/2024) 45 speeches
- 5 Oral question Oral Question: Ungazetted Livestock Grasslands in Batticaloa District (Q.64/2024) 26 speeches
- 6 Oral question Oral Question: Farmers' Pension Scheme Details (Q.77/2024) 7 speeches
- 7 Oral question Oral Question: IMF Delegation Expenses in Washington DC (Q.96/2024) 11 speeches
- 8 Oral question Oral Question: Wayamba University Faculties Details (Q.106/2024) 10 speeches
- 9 Oral question Oral Question: Cremation of COVID-19 Victims (Q.9/2024) 22 speeches
- 10 Oral question Oral Questions: Paddy Stocks, Fuel Price Revisions, and Teacher Scarcity (Q.11, Q.12, Q.10/2024) 5 speeches
- 11 Procedural Procedural: Ministerial Statement and Points of Order 14 speeches
- 12 Procedural Procedural: Personal Explanation and Suspension Order Motions 4 speeches
- 13 Debate Debate: Supplementary Sum for School Stationery Allowance (Head 102, Programme 01) 68 speeches
- The Hon. Speaker procedural
- SUPPLEMENTARY SUM: STATIONERY ALLOWANCE FOR SCHOOL CHILDREN OF ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED FAMILIES — The Hon. (Dr.) (Ms.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education
AI summary Moved a Supplementary Estimate seeking up to Rs. 6,500 million for recurrent expenditure under the 2024 financial year to fund a stationery allowance for economically disadvantaged schoolchildren. The Prime Minister cited survey data showing the economic crisis has affected 55% of schoolchildren’s education, particularly in rural and estate areas, with many reducing or reusing stationery. The proposal provides Rs. 6,000 per child to about 825,000 Aswesuma-recipient children aged 5–18, with plans to extend support to an estimated 250,000 additional non-Aswesuma children facing hardship.
- The Hon. (Dr.) (Ms.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya proposed reallocating Rs. 6,500 million within the existing cash assistance provision to create a “Grant for Purchase of School Stationery and Equipment,” with delivery mechanisms under review by relevant ministries and annual implementation planned from next year. She also outlined measures to support school attendance, including reviewing the mid-day meal programme and providing uniforms to all children in 2025 through a Chinese Government donation. She defended the Government’s handling of international relations and said it welcomed public scrutiny of Ministers’ and Members’ qualifications, emphasizing transparency.
- Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya rejected Opposition criticism over government members’ qualifications, arguing that it was politically motivated and aimed at undermining a government elected with a large mandate less than a month earlier. She said the Government valued diverse forms of knowledge, including formal education, practical experience, adult learning, distance education and lifelong learning, and would seek to ensure that people are not excluded from future opportunities because they missed conventional educational pathways. She also called on the Opposition to fulfil its parliamentary role responsibly by questioning and critiquing the Government through meaningful, country-focused engagement rather than what she described as immature political attacks.
Education Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha SJB
AI summary Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha questioned whether the Rs. 6.5 billion Supplementary Estimate for school supplies is sufficient, arguing that uniforms and supplies should be provided to all needy applicants to avoid social divisions among children, and linked this to the Government’s unfulfilled pledge to remove VAT on educational items. He also criticised past government-side statements concerning India in the context of the President’s visit, saying such remarks should be withdrawn if they affected bilateral relations. He further raised concerns over alleged false or questionable educational credentials among government-affiliated figures, stating that public trust is being undermined and asking that the Opposition not be blamed for issues first raised by activists and the public.
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara - Minister of Justice and National Integration JJB
AI summary The Minister supported the Supplementary Estimate for educational relief and said the Government had stabilized the economy, maintained investor confidence, and remained committed to transparency, accountability, and a “cleaner Parliament.” He addressed public debate over MPs’ qualifications, arguing that scrutiny of credentials reflects a changed political culture, while criticizing politically motivated allegations. He explained that the “Dr.” title appearing before his name on the Parliament website was an error he had not submitted, said he lodged a CID complaint to determine whether it was accidental or deliberate, and requested the Secretary-General’s office to temporarily take down and fully verify the Parliament website to prevent further erroneous information.
- The Hon. Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran ITAK
AI summary Hon. Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran used the debate on the Rs. 6,500 million Supplementary Estimate to call for non-discriminatory education funding for hardship and extreme hardship schools, particularly in Ampara District, where disaster damage, poor access roads, lack of transport, and shortages of school supplies are affecting students. He requested repairs to school approach roads, improved SLTB bus services, equipment for affected schools, and equal distribution of uniforms and supplies. He also questioned why a Divisional Development Committee Chairman has not been appointed for Kalmunai North despite its longstanding arrangements, population, GN divisions, and administrative capacity, and urged the Government to rectify the issue. He further raised shortages at the Thirukkovil Base Hospital, including inadequate doctors, no consultants, and lack of buildings for available equipment, and asked the Health Minister and officials to visit and urgently provide facilities to prevent further deaths.
- The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna raised a point of order concerning unutilized funds allocated to the Northern and Eastern Provinces, stating that such funds had been returned by responsible officers and that this had led to blame being placed on the Ministry of Health. He requested the Minister to take action and review past allocations, including how much funding had gone unused.
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary Bimal Rathnayake raised a procedural concern that an Opposition Member had reportedly not been allocated speaking time by the Opposition and was under pressure despite having the right to speak in Parliament. He requested that the matter be discussed and resolved either by the Leader of the Opposition or through the Chair.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. (Dr.) Janaka Senarathna JJB
AI summary During debate on a Supplementary Estimate for education, Janaka Senarathna argued that education is a right and a core public investment, citing Sri Lanka’s free education history, low education spending at about 1.8 percent of GDP, falling school attendance, and UNICEF data on child food insecurity and malnutrition. He supported the proposed allocation of about Rs. 6,000 per child for school supplies for low-income families. He also tabled documents on his own medical qualifications and challenged Opposition MP Kavinda Jayawardana to produce proof within one month of registration as a medical practitioner, citing provisions of the Medical Ordinance on use of the title “Dr.”
- The Hon. Rohitha Abegunawardhana NDF
AI summary Rohitha Abegunawardhana welcomed the Supplementary Estimate on education but argued that support for children’s schooling must be linked to broader family welfare. He urged the Government to present the 2025 Budget early and address public expectations, including salary increases for public and private sector workers, removal of PAYE tax, reductions in electricity bills, and VAT relief on educational items and essential foods. Referring to the resignation of the former Speaker and the role of “Viyath Maga,” he said academic qualifications should be balanced with social connection and public experience, citing the COVID-19 forced cremation policy as a lesson. He stated that the Opposition would support measures that benefit education.
- The Hon. Susantha Dodawatta, Attorney-at-Law JJB
AI summary Hon. Susantha Dodawatta supported the Supplementary Estimate to provide school stationery allowances, saying it addressed an immediate need among underprivileged children while reflecting deeper failures in the education system. He argued that past policy had left education poorly aligned with skills and employment, citing unemployment, qualification mismatches and the number of three-wheeler drivers as evidence. He contrasted the previous National Education Policy Framework with the Government’s stated aim to take greater responsibility for education costs, reduce burdens on families, and expand vocational education after Grade 9. He also linked education reform to producing ethical citizens and strengthening the productive economy.
- The Hon. D.V. Chanaka SLPP
AI summary Supported the Supplementary Estimate, noting that the Opposition backs allocations for children’s education relief while suggesting greater funding would be preferable. Raised concern over media reports that tri-forces protection for former President Mahinda Rajapaksa may be withdrawn and reduced to police protection, questioning the rationale and claimed Rs. 300 million cost saving, especially in comparison with STF resources used for prisoner transport.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. D.V. Chanaka SLPP
AI summary D.V. Chanaka questioned the withdrawal of security protection, arguing that it would not achieve the claimed Rs. 300 million saving. He contrasted the limited provision of 60 police officers for the former leader credited with ending the war with the security reportedly provided to underworld figures, and challenged the Minister on the fairness and rationale of the decision.
- The Hon. Ananda Wijepala JJB
AI summary Ananda Wijepala stated that security arrangements for former Presidents are determined by specialist threat assessments rather than political decisions. He clarified that Rs. 610 million, not Rs. 300 million, had been spent over 11 and a half months on tri-forces protection for six former Presidents.
- The Hon. D.V. Chanaka SLPP
AI summary Hon. D.V. Chanaka questioned whether ordinary police personnel could adequately protect former President Mahinda Rajapaksa. He cautioned the Minister against actions that he said could align with or enable LTTE diaspora agendas.
- The Hon. Ananda Wijepala JJB
AI summary Ananda Wijepala urged that decisions in the matter under discussion should not be made on political grounds. He called for the issue to be handled without political interference.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. D.V. Chanaka SLPP
AI summary Hon. D.V. Chanaka questioned the basis for providing equal security protection to former Presidents Ranil Wickremesinghe and Mahinda Rajapaksa. He asked whether their assessed threat levels were the same, framing the issue as one of security assessment rather than politics.
- The Hon. Aravinda Senarath JJB
AI summary Hon. Aravinda Senarath raised a point of order alleging that security personnel assigned to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa were being used for private purposes, including work on paddy lands, cattle tending, and guarding property. He argued that State officers should not be deployed for private agricultural work and said public calls for the removal of such protection were justified.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. (Ms.) Hasara Liyanage, Attorney-at-Law JJB
AI summary Hon. (Ms.) Hasara Liyanage stated that the Supplementary Estimate for education should be considered in the context of the evolution and current needs of the education sector. She indicated an intention to address how education policy and resource allocation must respond to changing circumstances, though the provided excerpt does not include specific proposals, questions, or demands.
- Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees
AI summary Education is presented as central to social progress, civic conduct, and moral development, with concern raised that economic hardship is causing school dropouts and undermining children’s learning. The speech supports the proposed Rs. 6,000 supplementary allocation for the new school term as a short-term relief measure, while calling for a long-term education system that builds soft skills, social responsibility, and equal opportunity regardless of parental wealth. It also criticizes the alleged misuse of educational and professional titles, specifically questioning the use of the “Attorney-at-Law” title by an Opposition MP.
- Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees
AI summary Hon. Chamindranee Kiriella, MP, was called upon to speak by the Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees. No substantive remarks, proposals, or policy positions were included in the provided excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. (Mrs.) Chamindranee Kiriella, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Chamindranee Kiriella clarified a reference made to her by Hon. Hasara Liyanage regarding her professional title. She stated that she qualified as a Barrister in the UK in 2000, completed chambers training there, and uses the title “Barrister” on that basis, while denying that she has claimed to be an Attorney-at-Law of the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. (Mrs.) Chamindranee Kiriella, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Mrs. Chamindranee Kiriella clarified her legal qualifications in response to Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara’s remarks, stating that while both had passed Barrister examinations, he had not completed the required one-year training to appear in UK courts. She said that because she had completed that training, she was entitled to use the title “Attorney-at-Law.”
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees
AI summary The Deputy Chairperson of Committees called the next speaker, Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe, and informed him that he had four minutes to speak.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe SLMC
AI summary M.S. Uthumalebbe supported the supplementary education allocation for assistance to students from low-income families under the Aswesuma scheme, and requested that rural poor children outside the scheme and orphaned children living with middle-income relatives also be included. He raised concerns that 102 untrained teachers recruited in six subjects had been sent to Kopay for training despite the existence of the Addalaichenai Teachers’ Training College, and asked the Minister to reconsider, noting Kopay lacked an Islam course. He also urged the immediate appointment of 230 needed lecturers to under-staffed Teachers’ Training Colleges to avoid recurring private lecturer costs, and requested expedited action to establish two education zones in Pottuvil, Ampara District.
- The Hon. (Dr.) Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana SJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana raised a point of order responding to references made to his educational qualifications while he was absent. He cited the WHO definition of medical doctors and stated that he holds an MBBS from Sri Ramachandra Medical College, India, with Medical Registration Certificate No. 100151, legally qualifying him to practise modern scientific medicine, surgery, obstetrics and gynaecology.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees
AI summary The Deputy Chairperson of Committees instructed the Member to keep remarks brief, managing the proceedings and time of the debate.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. (Dr.) Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana SJB
AI summary Hon. Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana stated that he had legitimately completed medical training, internship, and registration before entering full-time politics after his father’s death. He rejected allegations or implications of fraud regarding his medical qualifications and said he could still pursue licensing examinations to practise medicine abroad.
Justice & Human Rights Full speech → - Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees
AI summary The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees informed the Member that there was a time constraint affecting the proceedings.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary Bimal Rathnayake’s recorded contribution for 17 December 2024 consists only of addressing the Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees, with no substantive remarks, questions, proposals, or policy positions included in the provided text.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees
AI summary The Deputy Chairperson of Committees called on the Leader of the House to speak. No substantive argument, proposal, or policy matter was raised.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. (Dr.) Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana SJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana states that he is rising only because his name was mentioned. No substantive policy issue, proposal, or question is raised in the excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake addressed the Chair’s management of debate time, noting that Members may rise when named but urging that further remarks be deferred to the following day. He emphasized the need to conclude the debate by 3.00 p.m. and asked the Member to finish within one minute to avoid repeated interruptions from Members whose names are mentioned.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary Bimal Rathnayake emphasized that the debate should be conducted fairly and that speaking time must be managed to ensure proceedings conclude by the scheduled 3.00 p.m. deadline.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees
AI summary The Deputy Chairperson of Committees instructed a Member to conclude their speech within one minute, indicating time management during the debate.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. (Dr.) Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana SJB
AI summary Dr. Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana objected to allegations made against him, stating that it was unfair to malign him. He clarified that he does not practise in the relevant capacity in Parliament and said he would take appropriate action if he intended to do so.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees
AI summary The Deputy Chairperson of Committees recognized Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe, Minister, and allotted him nine minutes to speak.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development JJB
AI summary Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe said the supplementary allocation presented by the Prime Minister as Minister of Education is intended to help children from Aswesuma-recipient families purchase educational materials, with consideration for other hardship cases as well. He argued that the measure responds to wider shortages in schools, including lack of teachers, facilities and administrators, and said no child should be treated unfairly. He also raised allegations concerning Namal Rajapaksa’s Law College examination and later university application, calling for an investigation and justice in relation to alleged misuse of political influence.
- Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees
AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar was recognized to speak and informed that his allotted speaking time was seven minutes.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna
AI summary Dr. Ramanathan Archchuna raised a point of order during the proceedings. No substantive issue or proposal was stated in the provided excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees
AI summary The Deputy Chairperson of Committees called on Hon. Ramanathan Archchuna to speak.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna
AI summary Dr. Ramanathan Archchuna referred to a past change to the GCE (A/L) district quota in 2006, alleging it prevented his immediate entry to medical college despite his rank and led to two years of litigation before he entered in 2008. He criticized members of the Rajapaksa family for questioning others’ titles while, in his account, their actions caused him to spend 10 years completing medical studies.
- The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara JJB
AI summary The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara’s intervention appears to consist only of an address to the presiding officer, “Hon. Deputy Chairperson,” with no substantive remarks, proposals, questions, or policy positions recorded in the provided text.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees
AI summary Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara was identified in his capacity as Minister by the Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees. No substantive remarks, proposals, or policy positions were recorded in this entry.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara JJB
AI summary Harshana Nanayakkara briefly responded to a remark made by Hon. Chamindranee Kiriella in his absence, seeking to clarify the basis on which she claimed the right to use the title “Attorney-at-Law.” He questioned the duration and grounds of her claimed legal qualification, asking for correction if his understanding was wrong.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara JJB
AI summary Harshana Nanayakkara questions whether a person who became a Barrister after completing the Bar Vocational Course had also undergone an apprenticeship. The intervention appears to seek clarification on the individual’s legal training and professional qualification process.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara JJB
AI summary Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara clarified that a barrister qualification obtained abroad does not by itself permit appearance in Sri Lankan courts, and that one must pass the local Attorneys-at-Law examination. He argued that “Barrister” is not an accepted local professional title for practice without conversion or local qualification, noting that the “Attorney” examination existed only before 1973. He suggested seeking clarification from the Council of Legal Education on the use of such titles in Sri Lanka.
Justice & Human Rights Full speech → - The Hon. (Mrs.) Chamindranee Kiriella, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Hon. Chamindranee Kiriella clarified that she has not claimed to be an Attorney-at-Law of the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka, including during elections, and stated that she completed law examinations after returning in 2003. She argued that individuals with foreign professional or educational qualifications may use the corresponding titles in Sri Lanka, comparing this to the use of “Dr.” by holders of foreign PhDs.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara JJB
AI summary Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara briefly responded to an issue raised by another Member by suggesting that the matter be set aside for the moment and referred to the Council of Legal Education. The intervention indicates a procedural proposal to seek the Council’s view on the matter under discussion.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees
AI summary The Deputy Chairperson of Committees called on Hon. S.M. Marikkar to address Parliament and indicated that he had the allotted speaking time.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. S.M. Marikkar SJB
AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar objected to repeated reductions in his allotted speaking time during the debate. He questioned the procedural basis for the time being cut from twelve minutes to seven minutes.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees
AI summary The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees noted that the speaking time should proceed according to the time allocation assigned to that side.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. S.M. Marikkar SJB
AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar welcomed the Government’s stationery allowance for students but urged that benefits be provided without distinctions among children, as with earlier universal textbook, uniform and meal programmes. He demanded disclosure to Parliament of the number and locations of Muslim COVID-19 victims forcibly cremated, while accepting that names may be withheld on ethical grounds. He called for detailed parliamentary reporting on the President’s India visit, including positions on ETCA/UCC, oil pipelines, the Adani project, Trincomalee oil tanks, Sampur power plant, investment values, national security and trade implications. He also questioned whether the Government had discussed VAT, PAYE, electricity and water tariff relief with the IMF in light of ISB restructuring and higher tax revenue, and asked for the Government’s position on PUCSL recommendations to reduce electricity tariffs.
- Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees
AI summary The Deputy Chairperson of Committees recognized Hon. Minister Nalinda Jayatissa and informed him that he had time to speak until 3.10 p.m.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip JJB
AI summary Hon. Nalinda Jayatissa defended the Government’s plan to provide Rs. 6,000 for books and stationery to schoolchildren from Aswesuma and other financially distressed families, arguing that education should not depend on parental income. He also challenged claims to medical qualifications, stating that use of the title “doctor” requires SLMC registration under the Medical Ordinance and outlining the ERPM, internship and registration pathway for foreign medical graduates. He raised concerns over past payments from the President’s Fund to politicians and public figures, contrasting them with difficulties faced by ordinary patients, and questioned transparency in those disbursements. He further referred to spending by the Prime Minister’s Office medical unit and indicated that the current administration was reducing such expenditure.
- Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees
AI summary The Deputy Chairperson of Committees called Hon. Bimal Rathnayake to move the Adjournment debate.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake moved to extend the time allocated for the main business by ten minutes, from 3.00 p.m. to 3.10 p.m., as the proceedings could not be concluded within the scheduled time. The motion was agreed to, and an additional three minutes were then allocated to Hon. S.M. Marikkar.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. S.M. Marikkar SJB
AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar questioned the Government’s position on India-related agreements and projects, including ETCA, the IL/UCC agreement, the proposed oil pipeline, the Adani project, Trincomalee oil tanks, and the Sampur 500 MW plant, and called for a detailed report to Parliament on investments, security implications, and trade effects following the President’s visit to India. He also asked whether the Government had negotiated with the IMF for reductions in VAT, PAYE tax, electricity tariffs, and water tariffs, noting concerns over the reported ISB haircut and revenue collections. He urged the Government to state whether promised tax and tariff relief, especially for young professionals, would be implemented or used instead to support debt-restructuring targets.
- Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees
AI summary The Deputy Chairperson of Committees informed Hon. Nalinda Jayatissa of the remaining time allocated for his speech, stating that he had until 3.10 p.m.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip JJB
AI summary The record provided does not include the content of Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa’s speech from 17 December 2024. A substantive summary cannot be produced without the speech text or transcript excerpt.
Healthcare Full speech → - Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees
AI summary The Deputy Chairperson of Committees informed the House that an adjournment motion had been moved by Hon. Bimal Rathnayake. This was a procedural announcement to commence or recognize the adjournment debate.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake moved to adjourn the debate on the Supplementary Allocation under Head 102, Programme 01, listed as Item 1 on the Order Paper. The motion was agreed to, and the debate was scheduled to resume on 18 December 2024.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
- 14 Adjournment Adjournment Debate: International Sovereign Bond Restructuring and IMF Agreement 50 speeches
- 15 Adjournment Adjournment: Parliament Adjourned 1 speeches