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
- 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
- The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Kabir Hashim SJB
AI summary Kabir Hashim requested that his allotted speaking time be extended from 13 minutes to 15 minutes.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka SJB
AI summary Gayantha Karunathilleka requested that the Chair grant another member the remaining two minutes of speaking time.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Deputy Speaker [The Hon. (Dr.) Rizvie Salih]
AI summary The Deputy Speaker informed the House of a change in presiding officer, noting that the Speaker would leave the Chair. The record states that the Speaker then left and the Deputy Speaker, Hon. (Dr.) Rizvie Salih, took the Chair.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Kabir Hashim SJB
AI summary Kabir Hashim argued that the Government’s first 100 days had not delivered the “system change” promised to voters, particularly on reducing living costs, addressing food insecurity, reforming debt-related burdens, and tackling corruption. He compared current prices with reductions achieved under the 2015 Yahapalana 100-day programme, citing high rice and coconut prices and recent WFP/FAO findings on rising food insecurity. He alleged that large rice millers and related business and financial networks continue to benefit while farmers and consumers remain disadvantaged, and demanded a clear Government plan to dismantle such monopolies and ensure fair prices.
- The Hon. T. B. Sarath - Deputy Minister of Housing JJB
AI summary Hon. T. B. Sarath, Deputy Minister of Housing, rose on a point of Order. No substantive policy position, proposal, or question was recorded in the provided speech excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. T. B. Sarath JJB
AI summary Hon. T. B. Sarath raised a point under Standing Order 38 seeking clarification on a statement referring to “three large mill owners.” He asked the Member to identify who the three mill owners were, specifically questioning the identity of the third.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Kabir Hashim SJB
AI summary Kabir Hashim criticized the Government for not using rice import tax revenue to support fertilizer provision or compensate farmers for crop losses at Rs. 40,000. He questioned the JVP-led Government’s approach to debt restructuring, saying it had previously opposed “odious debt” and promised audits similar to Ecuador’s 2008 debt review but had not acted on this in office. He also argued that domestic debt restructuring unfairly burdened workers through impacts on the EPF and ETF, and said the Government had failed to deliver the “system change” it pledged.
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Chathuranga Abeysinghe - Deputy Minister JJB
AI summary Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe addressed Hon. Kabir Hashim and indicated that he wished to pose several questions. No substantive policy issue, proposal, or legislative matter was stated in the excerpt provided.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Chathuranga Abeysinghe - Deputy Minister JJB
AI summary Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe challenged Hon. Kabir Hashim’s criticism of International Sovereign Bonds, stating that many of the bonds described as “odious” were issued during Hashim’s period in office and asking whether he was aware of how they were being taken. He also referred to the Government’s programme for the upcoming rice season, including the role of cooperatives and planned changes, and questioned whether the Opposition had acknowledged those measures.
- The Hon. Kabir Hashim SJB
AI summary Hon. Kabir Hashim briefly indicated his intention to respond to a question raised in the House, addressing the Deputy Speaker. No substantive policy position, proposal, or detailed issue was presented in the excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Kabir Hashim SJB
AI summary Kabir Hashim responded to claims about International Sovereign Bonds by citing debt figures across successive governments. He argued that Sri Lanka’s debt rose sharply under the Mahinda Rajapaksa Government, increasing from Rs. 1,996 billion in 2004 to Rs. 9,953 billion in 2014, including an 83% rise between 2009 and 2014, before his side came to power in 2015.
Public Finance Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Kabir Hashim SJB
AI summary Kabir Hashim stated that debt rose by 42 per cent during his government’s tenure, from Rs. 9,953 billion to Rs. 14,210 billion by 2019, but argued that 90 per cent of the increase was used to repay existing debt rather than for wasteful spending. He said his side took responsibility for correcting prior financial mismanagement and accused others, including the JVP, of contributing to the country’s debt burden and associated dealings.
Public Finance Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Upul Kithsiri JJB
AI summary Regulations, rules and orders approved by the previous Cabinet were presented, with emphasis on improving implementation and ensuring quality control over imports and exports, citing past incidents involving ethanol, unsafe food imports, Thriposha contamination and unsuitable rice that the new Government re-exported. He said the Government would introduce proper systems for the casino sector and defended its economic and agricultural policies by criticizing the Yahapalana period, sovereign bond borrowing, and the 2021 chemical fertilizer ban, while noting the increase of the fertilizer subsidy to Rs. 25,000. He stated that the Government’s priorities include addressing food security, farmer support, schoolchildren’s welfare, land title issues, roads and water supply, and pledged to correct misuse of public funds and deliver services over its term.
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Elayathamby Srinath ITAK
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Elayathamby Srinath raised several development and service delivery issues in Batticaloa District, including the need for more elephant fencing, wildlife stations and officers to address the human-elephant conflict. He requested health infrastructure for Batticaloa Teaching Hospital, including MRI and CT scanners, a cath lab, brachytherapy facilities, an Osusala, and possible future land for hospital expansion through relocation of the prison. He also urged action on the delayed Kithul–Rugam Reservoir Project, early Government paddy purchases at the guaranteed price, cleaning of Batticaloa Lagoon and improved drainage, and establishment of a Faculty of Law at Eastern University.
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Elayathamby Srinath ITAK
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Elayathamby Srinath raised concerns about a proposed prawn farm in the Vakarai Divisional Secretariat Division, noting that it had been discussed at the District Coordinating Committee, with a feasibility study completed and thousands of acres allocated. He requested a re-study that considers the interests of local communities and asked for the involvement of the Minister of Environment in addressing the issue.
- The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna
AI summary Dr. Ramanathan Archchuna rose briefly to raise a point of Order. No substantive issue or argument was stated in the provided excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna raised a question of parliamentary privilege, stating that he had not been allocated speaking time despite representing a minority community from Jaffna. He requested an urgent response on the Speaker’s proposed committee to address the issue, saying his ability to speak in the Assembly was being affected.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. (Mrs.) Hiruni Wijesinghe, Attorney-at-Law JJB
AI summary Hon. Hiruni Wijesinghe supported the regulations and orders under debate, arguing that they reflect a more people-centred legal approach and can advance investment, public welfare and consumer protection. She endorsed measures under the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Act to vest management of common property in the Commission, saying this would help attract investment, support construction, create jobs and increase foreign exchange inflows. She also supported new import control regulations bringing items such as whole red lentils, cosmetics, soaps, plastic bottles, lamps and toys under SLS certification, enabling testing, rejection and re-export of substandard goods to protect health and consumer rights.
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana NDF
AI summary Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana supported the objectives of the President’s “Clean Sri Lanka” initiative but questioned its implementation, particularly enforcement actions affecting private buses and three-wheelers. He urged the Government to consult Provincial Transport Authorities, the NTC and operators before removing bus accessories such as roof-rack ladders, and proposed regulating vehicle modifications through the Motor Traffic Act with an annual levy applied fairly to all vehicle categories. He also called for attention to CTB buses, railways and public littering, warned against insensitive enforcement involving religious or cultural displays in three-wheelers, and briefly criticised the Government’s rice import decision as failing to satisfy consumers.
- 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