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

Sitting of Thursday, 23 January 2025

10th Parliament· 19 debates· 178 speeches· 51 speakers

Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 1738314169039521 ·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.

  15. 15 Procedural Matter of Privilege: Non-Allocation of Time to Speak in Parliament 15 speeches
    • Mr. Deputy Speaker procedural
      Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna

      AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna complained that, despite lodging a privilege complaint 36 days earlier, he had not been given speaking time since the commencement of the new Parliament and no committee had been appointed to examine the matter. He argued that this denied his ability to represent his constituents and asked why the issue had not been addressed. He further stated that he would withdraw any support for the Government and act as an Opposition Member, while alleging that multiple cases and incidents involving security officers reflected unfair treatment.

      Justice & Human RightsEthnic Reconciliation & DevolutionParliamentary Procedure Full speech →
    • Mr. Deputy Speaker procedural
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    • The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna

      AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna raised a question of parliamentary privilege, alleging that he had not been allocated speaking time despite repeatedly raising points of order. He argued that denying time to an Independent Group Member undermines representation, particularly for the people of Jaffna, and called on the Government to address the issue immediately.

      Parliamentary ProcedureEthnic Reconciliation & Devolution Full speech →
    • Mr. Deputy Speaker procedural
      Full speech →
    • The Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan ITAK

      AI summary Sivagnanam Shritharan raised concern over reports that a woman from Kilinochchi had allegedly died by suicide while in custody at the Maradana Police Station, asserting that she was killed. He questioned how such a death could occur inside a police station and requested the Minister of Public Security to ensure immediate justice.

      Justice & Human RightsLaw & Order Full speech →
    • The Hon. Ananda Wijepala - Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs JJB

      AI summary The Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs responded to a matter raised by Hon. Shritharan, stating that he would make inquiries on the same day and provide a response within the day.

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

      AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake responded to a privilege matter raised by Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna, stating that allocation of Opposition speaking time is the responsibility of the Opposition leadership and not the Government, while affirming the Government’s support for his right to speak. He said the Government had nominated Archchuna to committees and noted that several Opposition committee seats remained unfilled due to lack of nominations. He requested the Speaker and senior officials to address the matter to prevent repeated disruptions, and added that reported traffic or warrant issues involved no Government interference, with any arrest of an MP requiring notification to the Speaker under proper procedure.

      Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna

      AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna raised a point of order objecting to remarks by Hon. Bimal Rathnayake that he said portrayed him as having committed wrongdoing. He stated that 24 cases filed against him were not private cases, defended his past conduct as a doctor, and said his criticisms related to alleged fraud and killings, including at Mannar Hospital. He objected to being labelled “LTTE,” arguing that such characterisation was unfair; part of his remarks was expunged by the Chair.

      Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
    • Mr. Deputy Speaker procedural
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    • The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka SJB

      AI summary Responding for the Opposition, Gayantha Karunathilleka said time allocation among Opposition parties is being discussed and that a Member who has now declared he will sit in Opposition can be treated accordingly, provided he agrees to the Opposition’s arrangements on speaking time and seating. He referred to an earlier incident involving the Member and staff of the Opposition Leader’s Office, noting that written complaints had been made to both the former and current Speakers and that an inquiry and response had been requested. On nominations to bodies such as the IPU, CPA and SAARC, he said all who requested places had been accommodated, additional names had been submitted, and the Opposition was awaiting a positive response on increasing its committee representation before finalizing pending nominations.

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

      AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake stated that Government and Opposition status is determined by law and the Elections Commission, and that committee representation is allocated proportionally to the electoral mandate while additional Opposition representation has been provided in some committees. He said the Government had increased Opposition seats in the Parliamentary Business Committee and ensured Opposition chairmanships for COPA and the Public Finance Committee, but questioned the Opposition’s own selections for those posts. He cited incomplete Opposition nominations to the CPA, IPU and SAARC Parliamentarians’ Association, urging the Opposition Chief Whip’s Office to consult all Opposition parties and fill the vacancies, and added that the Government is open to expanding committee sizes with the President’s agreement.

      Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
    • The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka SJB

      AI summary After consultations with other Opposition party leaders, the President, and the Speaker, the Opposition is awaiting a response on increasing its representation before submitting further names. The issue concerns the Parliamentary Business Committee, where the Opposition argues that representation is inadequate given the increase from six Opposition parties under the previous Government to 12 now. Four nominees have been put forward for the available seats: Ravi Karunanayake, Shanakkian Rasamanickam, Namal Rajapaksa, and Ranjith Madduma Bandara, with further nominations to follow if the Committee’s composition is expanded.

      Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna

      AI summary Representing Jaffna, Dr. Ramanathan Archchuna asked to focus on human rights issues affecting Tamil people rather than Government–Opposition disputes. He specifically sought space to raise concerns such as custodial deaths, stating that he wished to speak for his constituents who are caught amid political conflict.

      Law & OrderJustice & Human Rights Full speech →
    • Mr. Deputy Speaker procedural
      Full speech →