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Sri Lanka
10th Parliament· 154 sittings on record · 30,475 speeches · latest 10 June 2026

Sitting of Wednesday, 8 January 2025

10th Parliament· 11 debates· 214 speeches· 61 speakers

Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 1737023464031571 ·English daily/uncorrected Hansard

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Order of business

Speeches load per item. Summaries shown here are AI-generated and labelled; verbatim text is on each speech page.

  4. 4 Procedural Procedural Matters and Standing Order 27(2) Question on Prevention of Terrorism Act 26 speeches
    • The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Co-operative Development JJB

      AI summary The Minister responded to concerns about a “rice mafia” and explained that the Sathosa rice tender, now in its fourth round, is being evaluated under standard government procurement criteria. He said rice import restrictions were relaxed from 21 December and extended until 10 January 2025, with about 40,000 metric tons expected to arrive, so there was no general rice shortage, though red raw rice remained tight. He attributed the red rice tightness partly to pre-election rice distribution and stated that the Paddy Marketing Board, Sathosa, and co-operatives would buy Maha season stocks sufficient for about one and a half months to stabilize supply and protect consumers.

      AgricultureCost of Living Full speech →
    • The Hon. Speaker procedural
      Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Prof.) Anil Jayantha JJB

      AI summary Prof. Anil Jayantha raised a point of order to dispute another Member’s statement, saying the information about a Deputy Minister of Finance at a Rajanganaya Divisional Development Committee was inaccurate. He clarified that there are two Deputy Ministers attached to the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, that he had attended a Divulapitiya Divisional Development Committee meeting, and that the matter alleged was not discussed there. He requested that inaccurate claims be corrected to avoid misleading the House.

      Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
    • The Hon. Namal Rajapaksa, Attorney-at-Law SLPP

      AI summary Namal Rajapaksa asked whether the relevant member had participated in the Rajanganaya Divisional Development Committee. The intervention was a brief procedural question seeking confirmation of attendance.

      Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
    • The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB

      AI summary Bimal Rathnayake made a brief remark stating that certain individuals could not be removed from Gampaha and would have to be kept in Rajanganaya. No further context, proposal, or policy detail was provided in the excerpt.

      Law & Order Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Prof.) Anil Jayantha JJB

      AI summary The Minister tabled a Finance Ministry document on the fertilizer subsidy programme. He reported that Rs. 16,351 million had been released from October 2024 to 7 January 2025, specifying monthly releases of Rs. 164 million in October, Rs. 5,777 million in November, Rs. 4,015 million in December, and Rs. 6,395 million by 7 January 2025.

      Public FinanceAgriculture Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma - Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning

      AI summary Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma raised a point of order to clarify that, despite a reference to the “Deputy Minister of Finance,” he had no connection to the statement being discussed. He alleged that a false claim had been repeated in Parliament and said it was misleading the House.

      Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
    • The Hon. Speaker procedural
      Full speech →
    • The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK

      AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam formally asked the question listed in the parliamentary proceedings. No substantive argument, proposal, or policy issue was stated in the excerpt.

      Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
    • The Hon. Dammika Patabendi - Minister of Environment JJB

      AI summary The Minister of Environment requested two weeks’ time to respond to the question before the House. The question was ordered to stand down.

      Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
    • The Hon. Namal Karunaratne - Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock JJB

      AI summary Deputy Minister Namal Karunaratne provided paddy production figures for 2015-2024 and a provisional 2025 Maha forecast, noting annual totals ranging from 2.383 million metric tons in 2017 to 5.149 million metric tons in 2021. He detailed Paddy Marketing Board purchases as a share of production, stating that government purchases were very low in recent years, including no Maha 2023 purchases, 2,153 MT in Yala 2023, 2,637 MT in Maha 2024, and 119 MT in Yala 2024. He said Sri Lanka has no fixed year-round paddy price, and that the PMB intervenes through seasonal guaranteed minimum prices, buffer stocks for food security, and rice releases through Sathosa and co-operatives during periods of price increases.

      AgriculturePublic Finance Full speech →
    • The Hon. Rohana Bandara

      AI summary Rohana Bandara questioned the Government on measures to prevent a rice shortage after the high-yield Maha harvest, citing inadequate prior intervention and stock-building. He asked whether the Government would use its reported 320,000 metric tons of storage capacity and a proposed Rs. 30 billion allocation to purchase paddy, and sought details on the expected harvest volume and planned procurement quantity.

      Public FinanceAgriculture Full speech →
    • The Hon. Namal Karunaratne JJB

      AI summary Namal Karunaratne stated that around 800,000 hectares had been cultivated during the Maha season, with only limited flood damage, and that total paddy production for the year was expected to reach about 4.5 million metric tons. He said the Government and Paddy Marketing Board have 352 warehouses, with renovations underway after years of neglect, and are preparing to purchase over 300,000 metric tons of paddy. He added that discussions had been held with small and medium-scale millers and farmer representatives, and that the Government would proceed with purchasing to address the situation.

      Agriculture Full speech →
    • The Hon. Rohana Bandara

      AI summary Hon. Rohana Bandara questioned the Government’s plan to purchase over 300,000 metric tons of paddy with an allocation of Rs. 30 billion, arguing that the implied per-kilogram price would be below farmers’ expectations. He noted that the Government had previously demanded Rs. 130 per kilo while in Opposition and asked what price it intends to pay farmers this season, given higher production costs and current farmer demands.

      AgriculturePublic Finance Full speech →
    • The Hon. Namal Karunaratne JJB

      AI summary Hon. Namal Karunaratne stated that paddy purchases would not be handled solely by the Paddy Marketing Board, but also by Sathosa, the Co-operative Department and other institutions, so financing should not be a constraint. He reiterated support for a fair pricing formula based on production cost plus 30 per cent, citing the earlier Rs. 130 demand when production cost was Rs. 99.75. He said farmer fairness would be balanced with the Trade Ministry’s responsibility to protect consumers.

      AgriculturePublic Finance Full speech →
    • The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB

      AI summary Bimal Rathnayake tabled the Government’s response on the Southern Expressway projects, stating that four phases comprising 32 subprojects and a further four extension subprojects had been completed. He reported that 36 connected subprojects were implemented using civil-works contract savings and gains from USD appreciation, with Cabinet approval, and that loan, utilization and savings details were provided in annexes placed in the Library. He also stated that there were no unresolved audit queries, with routine issues addressed under the Ministry of Highways and the Road Development Authority.

      Infrastructure Full speech →
    • The Hon. Namal Karunaratne JJB

      AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation, the answer tabled stated that 17 institutions fall under the Ministry: 9 in agriculture, 2 in livestock, 3 in lands, and 3 in irrigation, with further details placed in the Library. It also reported that Mahaweli Livestock and Agricultural Enterprises (Private) Company is being restructured as a public-private partnership and that Cabinet decisions in 2015 and 2020 approved bringing it and Sri Lanka Poultry Development (Private) Company under the National Livestock Development Board, with implementation steps underway.

      Agriculture Full speech →
    • The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB

      AI summary Bimal Rathnayake clarified the procedure for scheduling oral questions, responding to an Opposition claim that Government MPs receive more opportunities. He said the Table Office processes questions through the relevant ministries and lists them when answers are ready in all three languages, with up to ten questions scheduled per day and no Government–Opposition bias. He also urged members not to criticize Table Office staff, stating that they work to uphold parliamentary procedure.

      Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB

      AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa raised concern over a public allegation made the previous day that women working in Parliament frequently face sexual harassment, noting that no formal complaints had been received but the media coverage had affected staff, particularly four women in the Information Systems and Management Department. He requested that, under the guidance of the Board of Management, an investigation be conducted and a statement issued to clarify the facts and prevent injustice to parliamentary staff.

      Women & ChildrenParliamentary ProcedureJustice & Human Rights Full speech →
    • The Hon. Mujibur Rahman SJB

      AI summary Mujibur Rahman said he raised the matter because wrongdoing in Parliament often leads to blame being placed on MPs. He requested that, when such incidents are reported, the Speaker ensure inquiries are conducted and appropriate action is taken, noting that the Secretary-General had previously taken measures such as suspensions.

      Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB

      AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa requested an investigation into the matter and asked during which period the incident occurred.

      Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
    • The Hon. Mujibur Rahman SJB

      AI summary Mujibur Rahman stated that similar incidents had been reported during the previous Parliament, covering the 2020–2024 period.

      Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
    • The Hon. Speaker procedural
      Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Mrs.) Samanmali Gunasinghe JJB

      AI summary Hon. Samanmali Gunasinghe, referring to Standing Order 91, stated that the Sri Lanka Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus had received no complaint regarding a recently reported incident involving women officers or women MPs. She urged Members to consider the social impact of such statements, said there was no known or reported incident, and noted that raising unverified historical claims could create difficulties for female staff. She added that the Caucus was ready to intervene if any complaint was formally reported.

      Women & ChildrenParliamentary Procedure Full speech →
    • The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka SJB

      AI summary Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka clarified that the Member’s intervention was not frivolous and emphasized that delays in answering parliamentary questions can extend for months. He noted that past backlogs had required entire days to be allocated for questions, and said the issue raised concerned fair scheduling.

      Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
    • The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB

      AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake addressed concerns about time management in Parliament, contrasting the previous Parliament’s difficulties with efforts in the current Parliament to manage speaking time more effectively. He clarified that oral question time runs for one hour from its commencement, that both Government and Opposition Members may ask questions under established practice, and that deferrals or special time allocations should be handled cooperatively within Table Office procedures.

      Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →