Sitting of Friday, 10 January 2025
Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 1737366385042716 ·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 Speaker's Announcements: Consultation Session on National Anti-Corruption Action Plan 2025-2029 1 speeches
- 2 Papers Tabling of Reports: Monetary Policy Framework and Justice Department Performance Reports 2 speeches
- 3 Procedural Procedural Matters: Oral Questions Postponement and Sitting Hours 6 speeches
- 4 Debate Votes of Condolence: Hon. Kumara Welgama, Hon. H. Nandasena, and Hon. Tudor Gunasekera 34 speeches
- Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation and Leader of the House of Parliament JJB
AI summary Moved votes of condolence for former MPs Kumara Welgama, Tudor Gunasekera, and H. Nandasena, noting their parliamentary service, political careers, ministerial or public roles, and contributions to their districts. He highlighted Welgama’s long representation of Kalutara and ministerial work, Gunasekera’s service as Mahara MP and first District Minister of Gampaha, and Nandasena’s service in Anuradhapura and provincial politics. The House was asked to convey its condolences to their families and to record respect for their public service.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB
AI summary Sajith Premadasa paid tribute to former Members of Parliament Kumara Welgama, H. Nandasena and Tudor Gunasekera, recalling their political careers, ministerial roles and public service. He highlighted Welgama’s contributions to infrastructure, health and welfare projects and his candid political style; Nandasena’s advocacy for CKDu-affected communities and fertilizer subsidy issues in Anuradhapura; and Gunasekera’s service in Mahara, Gampaha District education and health initiatives, and diplomatic posts. He conveyed condolences to their families and expressed respect for their service.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip JJB
AI summary On behalf of the Government, condolences were extended to the family of former Minister Kumara Welgama, recalling his long political career representing the Kalutara District across several parties and roles. The remarks highlighted his work as an SLFP organizer from 1982, his later ministerial and development contributions, and his reputation for accessibility, independence, and willingness to act according to his convictions. The Minister also noted Welgama’s efforts in later years to guide younger politicians and wished him peace.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka SJB
AI summary Gayantha Karunathilleka paid tribute to the late Kumara Welgama, highlighting his long parliamentary service, role in the SLFP and Kalutara politics, ministerial work in transport, industrial and hydropower initiatives, hospital ward projects, and assistance to ordinary citizens across party lines. He also remembered Tudor Gunasekera for his UNP career, service as Mahara MP and first District Minister of Gampaha, and contributions to public facilities, employment, housing, and land donations. He further noted H. Nandasena’s progression from cooperative service to local, provincial, and parliamentary roles in Anuradhapura, including coordinating committee leadership, and conveyed condolences to the families of all three former Members.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development JJB
AI summary The Minister spoke during Votes of Condolence for former MPs Kumara Welgama, H. Nandasena and Tudor Gunasekera. He recalled working with Welgama after entering Parliament in 2004 and described his political activism and public role, and also noted his association with Nandasena in the North Central Provincial Council and Parliament despite political differences. He conveyed condolences to their families and colleagues, particularly on behalf of Anuradhapura representation for Nandasena.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara paid tribute during Votes of Condolence to the late Kumara Welgama, outlining his political career, ministerial service in transport, power and energy, industry and Tri-Forces welfare, and his later opposition to Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s 2019 nomination and formation of the New Lanka Freedom Party. He condemned the 2022 Aragalaya-era attack on Welgama, saying it seriously affected his health, and conveyed condolences to his family. He also commemorated H. Nandasena’s service in provincial and parliamentary politics in Anuradhapura and Tudor Gunasekera’s career as a UNP MP for Mahara and later ambassador, extending sympathies to their families.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member [The Hon. (Dr.) (Ms.) Kaushalya Ariyarathne]
AI summary The Hon. Speaker vacated the Chair, and the Hon. (Dr.) (Ms.) Kaushalya Ariyarathne assumed the Chair as Presiding Member.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara paid tribute to three late Members, noting in particular that one of them assisted people irrespective of political affiliation. He concluded by offering prayers for peace for all three deceased Members.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe - Deputy Minister of Labour JJB
AI summary Mahinda Jayasinghe paid tribute during Votes of Condolence to former MPs Tudor Gunasekera, Kumara Welgama, and H. Nandasena. He highlighted Gunasekera’s service as a Mahara Village Council member, MP, first District Minister of Gampaha, and ambassador, noting his connection with ordinary villagers despite an affluent background. He also recalled Welgama’s reputation for living among common people and Nandasena’s rise from Padaviya Pradeshiya Sabha to leadership in Anuradhapura politics, and conveyed condolences to all three families.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana NDF
AI summary Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana paid tribute to the late Hon. Kumara Welgama, recalling his nearly 30 years in Parliament, ministerial service, and longstanding role in Kalutara politics. He highlighted Welgama’s contributions to infrastructure development in Agalawatta, employment opportunities in transport-related sectors, and annual provision of school supplies to Grade 1 students. He also noted Welgama’s independent political positions, the assault he suffered during the Aragalaya, and his later call for leniency toward the assailants. He conveyed condolences on behalf of the Kalutara political fraternity and referred to Senal Welgama continuing his father’s political path.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Chaminda Lalith Kumara JJB
AI summary Chaminda Lalith Kumara, in his maiden speech, expressed condolences for the late Kumara Welgama, H. Nandaseena, and particularly former Gampaha District MP Tudor Gunasekara. He recalled Gunasekara’s service as MP for Mahara from 1977 to 1983, as the first District Minister for Gampaha, and later as Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Romania and Hungary, emphasizing his modesty, public service, and contribution to promoting Sri Lankan tea abroad. He said Gunasekara’s example should guide current politicians to act with integrity and carry forward aspirations for national and social progress, and requested that Parliament’s condolences reach his family.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. J.C. Alawathuwala SJB
AI summary J.C. Alawathuwala paid tribute to late former Members Kumara Welgama, Tudor Gunasekara, and H. Nandaseena, recalling their parliamentary service and contributions to Kalutara, Gampaha, and Anuradhapura respectively. He highlighted Welgama’s long parliamentary career, local development work, and decision to oppose Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s candidacy on principle; noted Gunasekara’s service as a UNP MP and diplomat; and described Nandaseena’s progression through local, provincial, and national politics. He conveyed condolences to all three families and wished strength to their successors in public life.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Sanjeewa Ranasingha JJB
AI summary Hon. Sanjeewa Ranasingha conveyed condolences on the death of Hon. Kumara Welgama during the condolence motions, particularly on behalf of the Kalutara District and the people of Matugama and Agalawatta. He recalled Welgama’s background, entry into SLFP politics in 1982, election to Parliament in 1994, and continuous parliamentary service until his death. He described Welgama as a simple, forthright, people-centred politician who maintained close relations with ordinary citizens and expressed his sympathies to Welgama’s family present in Parliament.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Rauff Hakeem, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Hon. Rauff Hakeem paid tribute to the late Hon. Kumara Welgama, recalling his long parliamentary service since 1994, his development work in Kalutara, his SLFP identity, and his conduct during political unrest and communal tensions. He also acknowledged the late Hon. Tudor Gunasekara’s role in winning Mahara for the UNP in 1977, contributing to Gampaha’s development, and serving as an ambassador. He further noted the late Hon. H. Nandaseena’s service in the North Central Provincial Council and Parliament, and extended condolences to all three families.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayathissa JJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayathissa moved that Hon. Sanjeewa Ranasingha take the Chair. The motion was agreed to, after which Hon. (Dr.) (Ms.) Kaushalya Ariyarathne left the Chair and Hon. Sanjeewa Ranasingha assumed the Chair.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Namal Rajapaksa, Attorney-at-Law SLPP
AI summary On behalf of the SLPP and former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, condolences were conveyed on the deaths of former Minister Kumara Welgama, H. Nandaseena, and Tudor Gunasekara. The speech recalled Welgama’s SLFP background, role in the “Mahinda Sulanga” movement and later SLPP formation, Tudor Gunasekara’s service as a UNP politician and Gampaha District Minister, and Nandaseena’s grassroots work and service in Anuradhapura as District Coordinating Committee Chairman. The remarks concluded with expressions of sympathy to their families and wishes for their attainment of Nibbana.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara SJB
AI summary R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara supported condolence motions for former legislators Kumara Welgama, Tudor Gunasekara, and H. Nandaseena. He recalled Welgama’s 30 years in Parliament, ministerial service, and later move to the SJB, and noted Gunasekara’s parliamentary, ministerial and diplomatic roles, his personal land donations for housing, and his family’s continuing public links. He also acknowledged Nandaseena’s service across local, provincial and national levels, and conveyed condolences on behalf of the SJB and personally to the families.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan ITAK
AI summary Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan paid tribute to the late Kumara Welgama, H. Nandaseena, and Tudor Gunasekara, noting their service to their districts and Parliament, and conveying condolences to their families. He particularly recalled Welgama’s collegial conduct and political background, and noted Gunasekara’s service as an ambassador. He also marked the 51st anniversary of the deaths of nine people at the 1974 World Tamil Research Conference in Jaffna, naming the victims and expressing condolences to their families.
- The Hon. Arjuna Sujeewa Senasinghe, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Arjuna Sujeewa Senasinghe offered condolences on the deaths of former MPs Kumara Welgama, Tudor Gunasekara, and H. Nandaseena. He paid particular tribute to Welgama’s cross-party goodwill, courage in expressing dissenting views, including over Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s candidacy, and public service, while condemning the assault on him during the Aragalaya. He also acknowledged Tudor Gunasekara’s service to the UNP and H. Nandaseena’s progression from local government to Parliament, extending condolences to their families and supporters.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF
AI summary Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake paid tribute to Hon. Kumara Welgama, highlighting his long service, role in strengthening the SLFP, and earlier warnings about presidential candidacies which he said were later borne out by events. He also recalled assisting Hon. H. Nandaseena during the Aragalaya period when, according to him, other Government MPs did not respond, and described efforts by the “Madivela Friends’ Forum” to support former and vulnerable backbench MPs and their families. He extended condolences to the families of Hon. Welgama, Hon. Nandaseena, Hon. Amarakeerthi Athukorala, and former UNP MP Hon. Tudor Gunasekara.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. K. Sujith Sanjaya Perera SJB
AI summary Hon. K. Sujith Sanjaya Perera paid tribute to former MPs and Ministers Kumara Welgama, Tudor Gunasekara, and H. Nandaseena during condolence motions. He highlighted Welgama’s long parliamentary and ministerial career, his connection to rural communities, his opposition to Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s 2019 candidacy, and the impact of the Aragalaya assault on his health. He also recalled Tudor Gunasekara’s public service, philanthropy and later diplomatic role, and described H. Nandaseena as a modest village-based representative who served Medawachchiya and the North Central Province.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen SJB
AI summary Rishad Bathiudeen supported the condolence motion for former MPs Kumara Welgama, H. Nandaseena and Tudor Gunasekara, conveying condolences on behalf of his party to their families, supporters and districts. He highlighted Welgama’s work as Transport Minister, including railway rehabilitation with Indian assistance, his long electoral record in Kalutara, and his public opposition to Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s presidential nomination. He also noted Nandaseena’s service in the North Central Provincial Council and to Anuradhapura, especially Medawachchiya, and Tudor Gunasekara’s parliamentary career, ambassadorship to Poland, service to Gampaha and contribution to the UNP.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB
AI summary Ajith P. Perera offered condolences on behalf of the SJB and the people of Kalutara for former MP Kumara Welgama, recalling his long public service, cross-party political relationships, popularity in Kalutara, and his conduct after being assaulted during the Aragalaya period. He also conveyed sympathy to Welgama’s family and expressed hope that his son Senal Welgama would continue in public life. Perera further paid tribute to former MPs Tudor Gunasekara and H. Nandaseena, highlighting Gunasekara’s UNP legacy in Gampaha and extending condolences to Nandaseena’s family.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Rohana Bandara
AI summary Rohana Bandara paid tribute to the late H. Nandaseena, outlining his career in local, provincial and national politics and his service to the Medawachchiya area, particularly on drinking water, irrigation, education staffing, school administration and cooperative-based agriculture. He recalled their work together in the North Central Provincial Council and Parliament, noting Nandaseena’s death from chronic kidney disease and extending condolences to his family. He also briefly offered condolences on the deaths of Kumara Welgama and Tudor Gunasekara.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- 5 Procedural Procedural Clarification on Media Report 2 speeches
- 6 Adjournment Adjournment Motion 1 speeches