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

Sitting of Tuesday, 21 January 2025

10th Parliament· 10 debates· 290 speeches· 79 speakers

Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 1737707091008005 ·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.

  5. 5 Oral question Oral Questions (Multiple Questions) 28 speeches
    • The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
      Full speech →
    • The Hon. Ravindra Bandara

      AI summary Ravindra Bandara formally asked a question in Parliament, addressing the Deputy Speaker. No substantive issue, proposal, or policy detail was included in the recorded speech.

      Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe - Deputy Minister of Land and Irrigation JJB

      AI summary The Deputy Minister stated that extensive information was needed to answer the question and that the Land Reforms Commission had requested additional time. On behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation, he requested one week, and the question was ordered to stand down.

      Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
    • The Hon. Ravindra Bandara

      AI summary Ravindra Bandara raised an urgent question on reported damage to paddy fields in Ampara following water releases from the Senanayake Samudraya during recent adverse weather, asking what action had been taken. He also sought relief for traditional cultivators farming State, LRC and Forest Department lands without permits, noting their exclusion from fertilizer subsidies, loans and crop insurance. He further asked whether the Government is investigating large politically allocated landholdings that remain uncultivated and what action will follow.

      Land & HousingAgriculture Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe JJB

      AI summary A Cabinet-appointed committee is investigating Land Reforms Commission land allocations and use since 2015 and is expected to report within three months, with new LRC allocations temporarily suspended despite impacts on agencies and projects. On flooding in Ampara, heavy rains have caused irrigation tanks to spill and weaknesses in the Gal Oya bund have inundated about 3,000 acres, though water levels are reported to be receding. Relevant irrigation, district coordination, and disaster management authorities are intervening, with further details available from the District Coordinating Committee Chairman if required.

      Land & HousingEnvironment Full speech →
    • The Hon. Wasantha Piyathissa - Deputy Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment JJB

      AI summary The Deputy Minister reported flooding along both banks of the Gal Oya in Ampara due to high storage at the D.S. Senanayake Samudraya, spill gate releases, and additional inflows, with a bund breach at Nehinnaikadu inundating about 3,000 acres of paddy. He said around 1,000 acres had been saved, another 1,000 acres might still be protected subject to weather, but more than 1,000 acres were damaged, while several roads and irrigation structures were also affected. He stated that temporary sandbagging and emergency work were being carried out by district officials, irrigation engineers, the tri-forces and Police, and that estimates and special DCC committees were being prepared for permanent flood control and Gal Oya river conservation measures.

      EnvironmentAgricultureInfrastructure Full speech →
    • Hon. (Ms.) Lakmali Hemachandra, Attorney-at-Law JJB

      AI summary Hon. (Ms.) Lakmali Hemachandra briefly stated that she was asking a question, addressing the Deputy Speaker. No details of the question or related subject matter were included in the provided excerpt.

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

      AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayathissa responded to a question by Hon. Lakmali Hemachandra regarding former President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s overseas visits and related expenditure. Speaking on behalf of the Prime Minister and the relevant Minister, he requested two weeks to provide the answer, and the question was ordered to stand down.

      Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
    • The Hon. Dewananda Suraweera JJB

      AI summary Asked the Minister of Health and Mass Media whether the Ministry is aware of the settlement in Supreme Court fundamental rights case SC FR 55/2019 concerning admission to the Ayurveda Shastri course. He sought confirmation that the first petitioner was admitted in 2019, that the other petitioners had completed their examinations, and whether the Department of Ayurveda has taken steps to commence the Ayurveda Shastri course, requesting reasons if not.

      Justice & Human RightsEducationHealthcare Full speech →
    • Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayathissa JJB

      AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayathissa provided answers regarding petitioners connected to the Ayurveda Shastri course, stating that the first petitioner had not submitted an application to the Department of Ayurveda. He detailed the examination status of the other petitioners, noting who had passed, failed, completed the course, or not appeared for examinations. He clarified that the Department of Ayurveda conducts only the relevant examinations and does not conduct the Ayurveda Shastri teaching programme.

      Education Full speech →
    • The Hon. Dewananda Suraweera JJB

      AI summary Hon. Dewananda Suraweera asked the Minister what steps would be taken to resume or address stalled admissions following the settlement of the relevant case.

      Education Full speech →
    • Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayathissa JJB

      AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayathissa stated that the matter is being discussed with the Department of Ayurveda. He said a final answer would be provided at the next sitting.

      Healthcare Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Prof.) A.H.M.H. Abayarathna - Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government JJB

      AI summary Pensions for officers who retired between 1 January 2016 and 31 December 2019 have been revised only up to the first two stages under the relevant Public Administration Circulars, while stages 3 to 5 remain pending due to earlier Cabinet suspensions and a need for a further policy decision. A Fundamental Rights case is pending before the Supreme Court, after which the matter is to be submitted to Cabinet for a decision on payments. Implementing the remaining stages for 112,984 retirees would require an additional annual provision of Rs. 7,704 million, and 1,254 of those retirees have since died.

      Public FinanceEmployment Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam ITAK

      AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam thanked the Minister for taking corrective action and asked whether, in addition to future revisions, arrears due from 2020 onward could be paid within the current or following year.

      Public Finance Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Prof.) A.H.M.H. Abayarathna JJB

      AI summary Acknowledges that related court proceedings are ongoing and states that any necessary amendments will be made in accordance with their outcome.

      Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
    • The Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC SJB

      AI summary M. Nizam Kariapper raised a privileges issue, stating that registered letters sent under his official seal with Parliamentary franking to the Mannar District Coordinating Committee Secretary had been refused by the Kachcheri. He requested an inquiry into why the Mannar DCC Secretary or District Secretary declined to accept the officially sealed Parliamentary correspondence, and tabled the letter.

      Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Prof.) A.H.M.H. Abayarathna JJB

      AI summary The member stated that the difficulty raised by another Hon. Member would be looked into. He assured that an inquiry would be conducted and appropriate action taken.

      Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
    • The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
      Full speech →
    • The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB

      AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara raised a Point of Order regarding recruitment to the Management Assistants’ Service, noting that over 5,000 vacancies remain while recruitment procedures are delayed or inconsistent. He stated that only candidates scoring above 116 marks have been recruited despite the previous practice of appointing those scoring above 100, and requested a fair arrangement to appoint all candidates with marks of 100 or more.

      EmploymentParliamentary Procedure Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Prof.) A.H.M.H. Abayarathna JJB

      AI summary Recruitment irregularities over a period are being reviewed, with an assurance that action will be taken without prejudicing any group. The Minister explained that the contested 100-mark threshold should be assessed according to available vacancies, similar to annually varying university admission cut-off marks, and stated that steps would be taken to prevent injustice.

      EducationEmployment Full speech →
    • The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna - Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure JJB

      AI summary Sand extraction and sale took place on Chilaw Plantations Limited lands to generate income and supply potting sand for coconut cultivation, but the Minister said the activity caused environmental harm, failed to meet its objectives, and involved irregular transactions, leading the Ministry to suspend operations and order investigations. He provided annual coconut income and production figures for 2019-2023, noting a decline in 2023 yields due to rainfall and climate factors, fertilizer shortages linked to COVID-19 and the economic crisis, high input costs, management weaknesses, and malpractices. Measures proposed to improve yields include proper fertilizer use, water conservation and harvesting, pest and weed control, mulching, cover crops, organic manure, intercropping, erosion control, micronutrients, stronger agronomic supervision, better estate management, and reduced harvest losses.

      Public FinanceAgricultureEnvironment Full speech →
    • The Hon. Ajith Gihan JJB

      AI summary Hon. Ajith Gihan questioned the Minister on sand sales by CPL, asking whether the authorized project had succeeded and whether any fraud had occurred. He also sought clarification on whether replanting was carried out as planned or whether the projects had been diverted.

      Corruption & Governance Reform Full speech →
    • The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna JJB

      AI summary The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna raised concerns over alleged large-scale fraud in sand mining and sales by CPL, despite recorded tender-based sand income of Rs. 132.8 million from 2021 to 2023. He cited audit findings and inquiries indicating a Rs. 746.6 million loss at Mukkutoduwawa and a further estimated Rs. 400 million loss from unauthorized excess mining at Palai estate. He stated that investigations are ongoing and alleged involvement of prominent politicians and contractors.

      Public FinanceCorruption & Governance Reform Full speech →
    • The Hon. Ajith Gihan JJB

      AI summary Ajith Gihan asked the Minister what next steps would be taken.

      Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
    • The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna JJB

      AI summary Illegal mining activity is under investigation and has been stopped, with authorities assessing the extent of extraction beyond permitted volumes. CCTV monitoring of truck movements has been introduced, revealing frequent removal of loads and attempts to avoid or disable surveillance. Legal action will be taken after the over-extraction is quantified.

      EnvironmentPublic FinanceLaw & Order Full speech →
    • The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
      Full speech →
    • The Hon. Ajith Gihan JJB

      AI summary Ajith Gihan raised concern over the decline in coconut yield and described it as a crisis. He asked the relevant authorities to identify the principal causes of the reduced production.

      Agriculture Full speech →
    • The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna JJB

      AI summary Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna said declining coconut yields are a national concern, citing the lack of fertilizer application on about 39,883 acres of state-owned coconut land over five years and climate impacts. He stated that the Government is responding with Russian-assisted MOP fertilizer supplies, including 27,500 MT allocated for coconut, and plans to provide free fertilizer to smallholders with under five acres. He also said the Government intends to begin cultivation on 40,000 acres in the Northern Coconut Triangle, with Rs. 1,437 million requested in the Budget, while noting that results will take three to four years.

      Agriculture Full speech →