Sitting of Tuesday, 21 January 2025
Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 1737707091008005 ·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 Opening 1 speeches
- 2 Papers Papers Presented 5 speeches
- 3 Oral question Oral Questions (Multiple Questions) 39 speeches
- 4 Oral question Oral Questions (Multiple Questions) 12 speeches
- 5 Oral question Oral Questions (Multiple Questions) 28 speeches
- 6 Procedural Question of Privilege: Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan (Travel Ban) 5 speeches
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan ITAK
AI summary Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan raised a question of privilege over an alleged attempt by airport and TID officials to prevent him from travelling to India on 10 January 2025, despite there being no court order or formal travel ban, and tabled documents relating to his approved parliamentary travel. He also complained about public claims made on social media and in an interview by or involving Ayoob Asmin and Mr. Sumanthiran regarding the incident, requesting inquiries into them and relevant media organizations. He further raised the sudden transfer of his long-serving Personal Security Officer and asked Parliament to provide redress, indicating he may pursue the matter internationally if not resolved.
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Rauff Hakeem, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Rauff Hakeem stated that he was present with Hon. Shritharan at the VIP terminal when officials claimed there was a travel ban, and he questioned the legal basis for it. He argued that any such restriction must be based on a court order and that action under the PTA does not justify arbitrary decisions by the TID. He requested a proper investigation and report, describing the incident as a breach of MPs’ rights and an injustice to Hon. Shritharan.
- The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary Bimal Rathnayake said the incident involving Hon. Shritharan at the airport would be inquired into through the Deputy Minister of Defence and referred to Immigration and Emigration, while asking that the related privileges complaint be forwarded to the Government. He stated that it was unclear whether the PTA was involved, denied that the incident reflected Government policy or direction, and assured the House that the Member’s privileges would be protected. He added that, while new legislation is being drafted, existing laws must be used cautiously to maintain governance.
- 7 Procedural Procedural: Sitting Hours and Withdrawal of Resolution 2 speeches
- 8 Adjournment Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme 185 speeches
- 9 Papers Answers to Written Questions: Landslide Risk Areas 10 speeches
- 10 Procedural Administrative Notices 3 speeches