Sitting of Wednesday, 8 January 2025
Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 1737023464031571 ·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 Parliament Opening and Message from President 1 speeches
- 2 Papers Papers Presented 6 speeches
- 3 Oral question Oral Question: Clean Sri Lanka Programme and Related Questions to Prime Minister 26 speeches
- The Hon. Asitha Niroshana Egoda Vithana JJB
AI summary Hon. Asitha Niroshana Egoda Vithana asked the Prime Minister for details on the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme launched by the President on 1 January 2025. He requested information on its objectives, implementation mechanism, public participation, and the process for contributing to the related fund, including the activities planned under it.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB
AI summary Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya outlined the objectives and implementation structure of the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme, describing it as a national initiative to promote social, ethical and environmental transformation, good governance, and sustainable development. She said a 19-member Presidential Task Force, a Secretariat under the Presidential Secretariat, and legally based district and village-level councils would coordinate policy, public participation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation. She stated that public institutions must integrate relevant programme activities into their action plans, while special projects would be funded through budget allocations and a transparent “Clean Sri Lanka” Fund, with citizens invited to contribute proposals, volunteer work, expertise and financial support.
- The Hon. Asitha Niroshana Egoda Vithana JJB
AI summary Asked how the Government plans to build a “new society” and ethical order beyond politics, including in education, media and other key sectors. He specifically questioned how the authorities would address perceived partisanship among some media institutions while establishing this broader ethical framework.
- The Hon. (Ms.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB
AI summary Hon. Harini Amarasuriya said the Government views its mandate as requiring deep social transformation rather than merely a change in officeholders, and that it is prepared to face opposition to that process. She emphasized that the Government is accountable to the people’s mandate and that the transformation must involve broad public participation and changes in social attitudes and relationships. Referring to media polarization, she expressed the expectation that such change would also influence the media environment over time.
Corruption & Governance Reform Full speech → - The Hon. Asitha Niroshana Egoda Vithana JJB
AI summary Asked what coordination mechanism will ensure State institutions implement the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme consistently with its intended objectives. He noted that some superficial or poorly understood actions by institutions had caused temporary public unease and sought assurances that future activities would be properly aligned and coordinated.
Corruption & Governance Reform Full speech → - The Hon. (Ms.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB
AI summary Hon. Harini Amarasuriya said the programme is a new type of initiative aimed at personal and social transformation rather than force-driven implementation, and acknowledged that mistakes may occur as institutions adjust to this approach. She emphasized that the intended change should be achieved through participation, willingness and consensus, with continued engagement, discussion and correction among officials and stakeholders. She also stated that, due to the programme’s importance and public interest, two days, 21 and 22 January, would be allocated for a parliamentary debate in the next sitting week.
Corruption & Governance Reform Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. (Ms.) Lakmali Hemachandra, Attorney-at-Law JJB
AI summary Hon. Lakmali Hemachandra asked the Prime Minister whether national examinations, disrupted by COVID-19 and the economic crisis, are now being held according to scheduled timetables. She also sought details on measures taken by the Ministry to prevent future interruptions to education and requested an update on the status of the new education reform process.
Education Full speech → - The Hon. (Ms.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB
AI summary From 2026, the Department of Examinations is expected to restore examination schedules to normal, following disruptions to school calendars from 2020 to 2024 caused by COVID-19 and related crises. For the 2025 school year, 181 school days have been allocated to complete syllabi by December, enabling a return to the normal calendar thereafter, with further details tabled in the Library. Plans for education reform include ensuring 13 years of uninterrupted education, strengthening teacher and principal recruitment and training, upgrading infrastructure, reforming curricula and institutions from 2025 with phased implementation from 2026, and expanding higher education opportunities in technology, science and vocational fields.
Education Full speech → - The Hon. (Ms.) Lakmali Hemachandra, Attorney-at-Law JJB
AI summary Hon. (Ms.) Lakmali Hemachandra raised a supplementary question referring to a World Socialist Web Site article alleging that a University of Peradeniya conference on opposing the IMF austerity programme was barred because it opposed Government policy and supposedly on ministerial instructions. She asked whether opposition to IMF austerity is considered contrary to Government policy.
- The Hon. (Ms.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB
AI summary The Prime Minister stated that the Government’s policy is to ensure universities operate independently with strong academic freedom. She denied allegations that her Office or the Ministry intervened in university activities, saying the report was false, and noted that she had told Vice-Chancellors, including Peradeniya’s, that debates and events within universities are legitimate and healthy. She also said Vice-Chancellors have a responsibility to uphold academic freedom.
Education Full speech → - The Hon. (Ms.) Lakmali Hemachandra, Attorney-at-Law JJB
AI summary Hon. Lakmali Hemachandra asked what remedies or measures are available to students and student bodies when university administrations obstruct discussions. She also requested the relevant Minister’s position on such administrative interference with student discussions.
- The Hon. (Ms.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB
AI summary Academic freedom should be protected through decisions made primarily within universities, through bodies such as Councils, Senates, Faculty Boards and student unions. The Government’s role was described as setting policy to uphold academic freedom, intervening only when it is obstructed, and avoiding undue interference in university affairs.
Education Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Mujibur Rahman SJB
AI summary Mujibur Rahman raised questions to the Prime Minister on national security and foreign policy following concerns about an incident in Arugam Bay involving Israeli tourists. He sought details on Israeli arrivals, any links to the Israeli Defence Forces, visa compliance, business or investment activity, detentions for invalid visas, and permissions granted for Israeli religious or cultural centres, including their locations and legal basis.
- The Hon. (Ms.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB
AI summary 25,514 Israeli nationals visited Sri Lanka in the previous year, but immigration records do not indicate whether any were members of the Israeli Defence Forces. The Minister stated that tourists, including Israelis, are not legally permitted to conduct business or establish industries, and that the Government is preparing measures to address such violations. She said no Israeli nationals had been arrested since 2020 for lacking valid visas, though one is currently held at the Mirihana Detention Centre, and that no official permission has been granted for Israeli religious or similar centres despite reports of unauthorized operations being monitored.
- The Hon. Mujibur Rahman SJB
AI summary Mujibur Rahman questioned why reported Israeli religious and cultural centres, including sites in Weligama, Dehiwala and Colombo, were receiving round-the-clock Police and STF protection despite concerns that they were unauthorized constructions. He cited the detention of a university student near the Dehiwala site and asked what urgent action would be taken, arguing that the matter raised national security concerns in the context of Sri Lanka’s longstanding pro-Palestine position.
- The Hon. (Ms.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB
AI summary Hon. Harini Amarasuriya stated that the centres in question are operating without authorization and said prompt action will be taken.
Law & Order Full speech → - The Hon. Mujibur Rahman SJB
AI summary Hon. Mujibur Rahman questioned why 24-hour Police or STF protection is being provided to unauthorized constructions. He further asked whether the Government would take steps to prevent IDF members and Israeli soldiers from entering Sri Lanka, citing concerns about their arrival as tourists, reported effects on European tourist arrivals, and restrictions imposed by some other countries.
- The Hon. (Ms.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB
AI summary Protection of tourists in Sri Lanka is a state obligation, as any harm can have international repercussions. The security measures in Arugam Bay were based on intelligence about possible threats and were not intended to facilitate unauthorized centres. On entry policy, nationality-based discrimination is not permitted under international law, but persons implicated in war crimes or subject to international sanctions may be barred, and the Government will consider suitable mechanisms for this in future.
- Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Namal Rajapaksa, Attorney-at-Law SLPP
AI summary Hon. Namal Rajapaksa raised a question to the Prime Minister on the current rice shortage and the need to prevent future shortages without relying on imports. He requested district-wise details on farmers eligible for Maha season fertilizer assistance, timelines and dates of disbursement of the proposed Rs. 25,000 support, and asked whether fertilizer could be provided in-kind through farmer organizations, as was done between 2011 and 2014, instead of cash assistance.
Agriculture Full speech → - The Hon. (Ms.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB
AI summary A total of 606,992 farmers are eligible for the fertilizer assistance scheme, with district-wise details tabled in the Library. The assistance covers the period from 1 October 2024 to 15 February 2025, with the Rs. 25,000 payment divided into two tranches; only the first Rs. 15,000 tranche has been paid so far in line with Election Commission guidelines, and further disbursement is continuing based on district requests. The Government plans to develop a fairer structured mechanism for future fertilizer support after consultations with farmer organizations, including direct delivery to fields, and intends to provide 25,239.73 metric tons of Muriate of Potash free for the 2024/2025 Maha season.
- The Hon. Namal Rajapaksa, Attorney-at-Law SLPP
AI summary Namal Rajapaksa asked why many farmers had not received the first Rs. 15,000 payment before the Maha harvest, noting that delayed support would not improve yields and that some farmers had been unable to plant due to weather anomalies. He sought clarification on promised relief, suggested that even Rs. 40,000 would help farmers replant, referred to reports of yellowing fields and Treasury funding constraints, and asked what measures would address possible crop losses and a resulting rice shortage.
- The Hon. (Ms.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB
AI summary In response to a question on fertilizer subsidy payments in the Ampara District, Harini Amarasuriya stated that 95.4% of farmers had received the first instalment and 99.7% the second instalment of the Rs. 25,000 payment. She said the remaining Rs. 10,000 balance would be paid within two weeks and emphasized that fertilizer subsidies are provided before, not after, harvesting.
Agriculture Full speech → - The Hon. Namal Rajapaksa, Attorney-at-Law SLPP
AI summary Namal Rajapaksa sought clarification from the Prime Minister on whether the fertilizer-related support for paddy farmers was Rs. 25,000 or Rs. 15,000, noting that harvesting was imminent and delayed fertilizer use would be ineffective. He questioned how the Government would provide funds given reported statements by the Deputy Minister of Finance about a lack of money, and asked whether payments would continue after harvest. He also warned of a possible rice shortage and alleged an emerging problem in the rice supply chain affecting consumers, asking for the Government’s plan to address it.
- 4 Procedural Procedural Matters and Standing Order 27(2) Question on Prevention of Terrorism Act 26 speeches
- 5 Procedural Procedural: Standing Order 27(2) Question and Exemption Motion 4 speeches
- 6 Debate Debate: Orders and Regulations under Foreign Exchange Act, Payment Systems Act, and Casino Business Regulation 18 speeches
- 7 Debate Debate: Orders and Regulations (continued) 31 speeches
- 8 Procedural Sitting Suspension for Lunch 1 speeches
- 9 Debate Debate: Orders and Regulations under Import/Export Control Act, Foreign Exchange Act, and Other Acts (continued) 88 speeches
- 10 Debate Motions: Approval of Regulations under Payment Systems Act, Casino Business Regulation, and Colombo Port City Economic Commission 3 speeches
- 11 Adjournment Adjournment and Adjournment Questions 10 speeches