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
- 14 Adjournment Adjournment Debate: International Sovereign Bond Restructuring and IMF Agreement 50 speeches
- The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary Bimal Rathnayake moved the adjournment of Parliament. The Deputy Chairperson put the motion to the House.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees
AI summary The Deputy Chairperson of Committees resumed the adjourned proceedings and called on Hon. Sajith Premadasa to speak. He informed him that he had 20 minutes for his address.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB
AI summary The Leader of the Opposition informed the House that, in response to Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa’s request, he would table all certificates relating to his educational qualifications the following morning. The sitting then proceeded with a nomination for Hon. Dr. Kaushalya Ariyarathne to take the Chair.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa moved that Hon. (Dr.) Kaushalya Ariyarathne take the Chair during the sitting. The motion was agreed to, after which the Deputy Chairperson of Committees left the Chair and Hon. (Dr.) Kaushalya Ariyarathne assumed it.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB
AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa moved an adjournment motion calling for transparency on the Government’s debt restructuring process, particularly the restructuring of International Sovereign Bonds and whether the new Government has altered or continued the previous IMF programme. He questioned the equity between domestic debt restructuring and ISB terms, citing the macro-linked bond mechanism, and demanded that the IMF staff-level agreement, ISB understanding, bilateral loan agreements, future debt obligations, swap details, and reserve adequacy be tabled in Parliament. He also raised concerns over delayed electricity and fuel price relief, reduced senior citizens’ deposit interest, fertilizer support, compensation promises, high prices, and promised tax changes, arguing that the Government should explain its position and honour its mandate.
- The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva seconded the motion moved by the Leader of the Opposition and sought leave of the House to speak after the Government side.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma - Acting Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development
AI summary The Acting Minister said the Government continued the international sovereign bond restructuring process because prior agreements, creditor comparability concerns, and significant advisory costs made withdrawal likely to create further instability. He outlined the inherited debt and economic crisis, noted the role and costs of advisers appointed by the previous Government, and argued that stabilization measures had contributed to lower inflation, energy and fuel costs, interest rates, and improved reserves. He said the Government had expedited Aswesuma payments, fisheries relief, fertilizer support, and measures to revive business activity, while pursuing reforms, rural development, MSME support, and a growth path to 2030.
- The Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma
AI summary The Minister stated that the Government has made rapid progress under the IMF programme, including reaching a Staff-level Agreement, advancing ISB restructuring, and securing broad creditor acceptance, including for Governance-linked Bonds. He argued that investor confidence has improved, citing stock market performance and foreign creditor participation, and said disclosures would be made to the London and Singapore Stock Exchanges. He also said a relief package for SMEs is being finalized following the parate execution period, and that the Government is reviewing debt obligations, swaps, litigation, credit rating implications, and banking sector impacts while preparing tax relief measures.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma stated that the Government’s economic framework has reached a successful stage, with economic stabilization forming the foundation for future development. He emphasized that the programme is intended to move the country beyond incremental improvements to a higher economic level, supported by confidence from domestic and foreign investors and creditors. He said rating adjustments are expected in due course to further support this environment.
Public Finance Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB
AI summary Hon. Harsha de Silva questioned the Government’s claims on the economy and the restructuring of International Sovereign Bonds, arguing that the high creditor acceptance rate indicated the deal was highly favourable to bondholders. He tabled documents he said the Finance Ministry had released externally but not to Parliament, and criticized the Government for failing to present them. He said the stated 27 per cent haircut could reduce significantly under the macro-linked bond mechanism if USD GDP exceeds IMF baseline levels, while interest rates would rise from 2028 to 2038. He asked the Acting Finance Minister to state the Government’s expected GDP for 2024.
- The Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma
AI summary Clarified that a document had not been tabled because it contained market-sensitive information that must first be disclosed through a foreign exchange, after which it would be presented to Parliament. Stated that the Government is optimistic about next year’s GDP growth based on the current trajectory, but will provide projections after the 2024 final accounts are prepared, noting that the Government has been in office for only three months.
- The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB
AI summary Hon. Harsha de Silva questioned the Government’s expected GDP growth and argued that if nominal GDP reaches the levels implied in released data, external creditors’ effective haircut could fall significantly through state-contingent recoveries. He criticized the Government for previously claiming it could change the IMF debt sustainability framework while now accepting it, which he said the Opposition had also recognized as unavoidable. On behalf of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya, he tabled a proposal to add a state-contingent clawback instrument to Treasury bonds exchanged with the Employees’ Provident Fund under the Domestic Debt Optimization programme, so EPF members could benefit if the economy performs better, similar to external creditors.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB
AI summary Dr. Harsha de Silva questioned the Government’s consistency on policy positions, citing reported agreements on petroleum pipeline and HVDC grid connectivity with India after earlier NPP opposition, and its acceptance of the IMF programme after previously criticizing it. He urged the Government to be transparent with the public about its intentions, including on industrial policy and SOE reforms, and argued that industrial development requires openness to the world. He also tabled his party’s proposal, annexes, and a Government disclosure made to international markets that he said had not been tabled in Parliament.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara JJB
AI summary Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara moved that Hon. Imran Maharoof take the Chair. The motion was agreed to, after which Hon. (Dr.) (Ms.) Kaushalya Ariyarathne left the Chair and Hon. Imran Maharoof assumed the Chair.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB
AI summary Sajith Premadasa, Leader of the Opposition, rose to address the Chair, but the provided excerpt contains only the opening form of address and no substantive remarks. No policy position, question, proposal, or demand is included in the text supplied.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB
AI summary Sajith Premadasa asked the Acting Finance Minister to table the Staff-level Agreement in Parliament. He also requested details of the currency swaps, interest payments, and other external debt obligations due in the following year.
Public Finance Full speech → - The Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma informed the Leader of the Opposition that the requested information would be arranged and provided.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Sundaralingam Pradeep - Deputy Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure JJB
AI summary The Deputy Minister supported the sovereign debt restructuring process, arguing that it has helped restore financial stability, lower interest rates, and preserve social welfare measures such as increased Aswesuma payments. He highlighted longstanding poverty, housing, land, health, education, wage and employment issues affecting the hill-country estate community, noting that many still live in old line rooms without proper addresses. He said the Government, through measures such as the Hatton Declaration and anti-corruption efforts, would address land and welfare issues, and requested assistance from India and Tamil Nadu in resolving estate community problems.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Thurairasa Ravikaran ITAK
AI summary Hon. Thurairasa Ravikaran urged that sovereign debt restructuring and related policy decisions prioritize equitable resource allocation, particularly for Tamils in the North and East. He highlighted shortages in school funding, digital facilities, health and non-academic staff, sports equipment, and coaches in Vanni, Mannar and Mullaitivu, while noting recent athletic achievements by students and asking the Sports Minister to address these needs. He also called for official recognition of Tamil remembrance practices, requesting Government permission for a Mullivaikkal memorial listing those who died in May 2009, and referred to the peaceful commemorations held on 27 November 2024.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Wijesiri Basnayake JJB
AI summary Hon. Wijesiri Basnayake argued that Sri Lanka’s debt crisis resulted from years of borrowing to cover deficits and repay old debt, and said those responsible for the 2022 bankruptcy declaration and economic mismanagement should be held accountable. He stated that, although the IMF programme was inherited from the previous Government, it is now impractical to abandon it, and the Government is pursuing macroeconomic stabilization through exchange rate stability, lower interest rates, increased reserves, and debt restructuring. He cited creditor acceptance, currency stabilization, improved reserves, lower inflation, stock market gains, and expanded subsidies for fertilizer, welfare, fishermen, and exporters as evidence of progress under the current policy direction.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF
AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake supported continuing the debt restructuring and IMF-backed programme, arguing that the 2022 sovereign default was unconstitutional because Parliament, under Article 148, had authority over debt management. He outlined the sequence of IMF engagement and domestic, bilateral, multilateral, and commercial debt restructuring, including the December 2024 Macro-linked Bonds agreement, and said failure to conclude the process would have risked renewed instability. He urged the Government to use the agreement to restart growth by lowering interest rates, expanding credit, managing vehicle imports cautiously, increasing exports and FDI, and easing high income tax burdens, including raising the PAYE threshold.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. (Mrs.) Nilanthi Kottahachchi, Attorney-at-Law JJB
AI summary Hon. Nilanthi Kottahachchi argued that Sri Lanka’s economic crisis and 2022 debt default resulted from past mismanagement, corruption, unproductive borrowing, weak revenue administration, and failure to build a sound economic base. She stated that the National People’s Power Government would not abandon its manifesto, “A Prosperous Country and a Beautiful Life,” and would pursue its own stabilization and recovery programme rather than continue a previous administration’s plan. She defended responsible borrowing, said the Government would follow a realistic “middle path” including in relation to the IMF, and invited the Opposition to support national recovery while assuring that people would receive a fair share of economic gains over the next five years.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. D.V. Chanaka SLPP
AI summary D.V. Chanaka said the Opposition would hold the Government to the promises in its “A Prosperous Country and a Beautiful Life” manifesto rather than allow them to be forgotten. He credited the previous administration and officials, including Basil Rajapaksa, Ranil Wickremesinghe, Shehan Semasinghe, the Central Bank Governor and Treasury officials, for initiating and implementing the IMF programme. He argued that politicians who previously opposed the IMF and criticized measures such as electricity tariffs and fuel pricing are now following the same path, and cited past claims that electricity tariffs could have been reduced further.
- The Hon. Aravinda Senarath JJB
AI summary Aravinda Senarath responded to remarks by Hon. Chanaka concerning his earlier statement about a property linked to Mahinda Rajapaksa’s Carlton estate near Weeraketiya. He alleged that police and an RDA employee had been used to guard and maintain the coconut land, including harvesting and selling coconuts, and said two police officers involved had since been transferred. He denied making false claims and stated he was prepared to provide names and verify the matter on site.
- The Hon. D.V. Chanaka SLPP
AI summary D.V. Chanaka objected on a Standing Order point and rejected allegations made in the debate, arguing that reducing military security for former President Mahinda Rajapaksa would not save the stated Rs. 60 million because the personnel would continue to be paid and return to camps. He described the withdrawal of security as political revenge and warned of public backlash. He also criticized the Government’s handling of Development Officers who had protested at the Ministry of Education, alleging tear gas, arrests, and continued detentions, and requested that the issue be resolved and “repression” stopped.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. (Ms.) Lakmali Hemachandra, Attorney-at-Law JJB
AI summary Hon. Lakmali Hemachandra defended proceeding with the international debt restructuring agreements, arguing that the Government inherited a default situation from previous economic policies and had limited practical alternatives. She said renegotiating the already reached agreements could delay the exit from bankruptcy, increase interest costs by about USD 1.7 billion or more, send negative market signals, and further harm access to financing. She criticized opposition positions as inconsistent and stated that the Government’s priority is to end bankruptcy and use any debt relief to support economic growth and relief for affected people.
- The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB
AI summary Dr. Harsha de Silva raised a point of order in response to references to him, clarifying that his tweet on the ISB deal was conditional and intended to question whether the Government would abandon its promised alternative debt sustainability analysis. He urged the Government to present and implement its alternatives on debt restructuring and industrial policy if it has them, rather than changing course after assuming office. He also rejected the characterization of his party as neoliberal, referred to its social market economy approach and past advocacy on the EPF, and proposed that any MLB or clawback benefit be extended to the EPF within the existing DSA framework.
- The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake raised a point of order concerning the use of Standing Orders by Members seeking to speak when their names are mentioned. He referred to Standing Order 91(3), stating that a response is warranted only in cases involving improper imputations or references to personal affairs, and not merely because a Member’s name has been mentioned.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Harshana Suriyapperuma
AI summary Harshana Suriyapperuma stated that the Government inherited already signed agreements, MoUs, and final arrangements from the previous administration and therefore had limited scope to restart the process. He argued that the Government is proceeding cautiously to manage these commitments without harming the public, including by adhering to principles such as comparable treatment. He accused some Opposition Members of misleading Parliament and the country by implying the current Government freely chose or originated those agreements.
- The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva questioned the Leader of the House during an Adjournment Motion debate about the status of the International Sovereign Bond agreement. He noted that the bond exchange was scheduled for 20 December and that a notice had been issued that day after a 12 December deadline, and requested that the signed document be tabled if the agreement had already been signed.
Public Finance Full speech → - The Hon. Harshana Suriyapperuma
AI summary Hon. Harshana Suriyapperuma clarified the Government’s position on the MoU signed on 19 September, stating that it set out the agreed pathway with international stakeholders and creditors. He said the new Government had to decide whether to depart from agreements already entered into by the previous Government or proceed with them under comparable treatment, and chose to continue in order to support stability, growth, and relief from public hardship.
- The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB
AI summary Dr. Harsha de Silva questioned reports that an MoU or agreement had been signed, emphasizing that under Article 148 of the Constitution Parliament has full control over public finance. He argued that no binding financial agreement can be entered into on behalf of the country without parliamentary process, and requested that the relevant document be tabled for scrutiny.
- The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake supported the explanation given by Hon. Harshana Suriyapperuma and said that Members willing to understand the matter could do so. He requested that all relevant documents be provided to the House in due course, stating that this was important for the country.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Nimal Palihena JJB
AI summary Hon. Nimal Palihena argued that Sri Lanka’s debt crisis and repeated reliance on IMF programmes resulted from past economic policies, trade deficits, external borrowing, and governance failures, culminating in the April 2022 default that left the IMF as the main available option. He said the Government has proceeded within existing agreements while restoring confidence, citing Japan’s reactivation of 11 suspended projects and India’s USD 20 million aid write-off after the September 2024 Presidential election. He stated that the Government would continue its mandate to strengthen the productive economy, attract investment, manage future debt obligations, and, if necessary, issue sovereign bonds on more favourable terms.
- The Hon. Sunil Handunnetti - Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development JJB
AI summary Minister Sunil Handunnetti argued that the current Government is stabilizing the economy and advancing IMF-linked debt restructuring despite what he described as debt-restructuring conditions created under the previous administration. He said higher growth and a stronger rupee could reduce the percentage of ISB debt relief under the agreed formula, but maintained that the alternative of renewed default and deeper bankruptcy would be worse for the country. He provided indicative nominal GDP figures for 2025 and 2026 and tabled the IMF Staff Mission press release of 23 November 2024, citing it as evidence that the new Government’s commitment had reduced uncertainty. He also pointed to stock market gains, tourism recovery, stable interest rates, and improved governance as signs of economic stabilization.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake moved to adjourn the House.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
- 15 Adjournment Adjournment: Parliament Adjourned 1 speeches