Sitting of Thursday, 23 January 2025
Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 1738314169039521 ·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 Announcements 1 speeches
- 2 Committee report Committee Report: Regulations under Imports and Exports (Control) Act, No. 1 of 1969 4 speeches
- 3 Oral question Oral Question No. 1 – 103/2024: Bingiriya Export Processing Zone Infrastructure Facilities 8 speeches
- 4 Oral question Oral Question No. 3 & 4 – 149/2024 & 176/2024: Bank of Ceylon Financial Status and Performance 6 speeches
- 5 Oral question Oral Question: Family Medicine Specialist Training Stream 4 speeches
- 6 Oral question Oral Question: Disposal of the Dead Due to COVID-19 During 2019–2022 7 speeches
- 7 Oral question Oral Question: Educational Reforms and Student Welfare Programmes 6 speeches
- 8 Oral question Oral Question: IMF-related Economic Measures and Vehicle Imports Policy 7 speeches
- 9 Oral question Oral Question: Vehicle Assignments to Government Members 13 speeches
- 10 Oral question Oral Question: Olcott Mawatha Traders and Floating Market 6 speeches
- 11 Oral question Oral Question: Fuel Imports (Petrol, Diesel, Kerosene and Crude Oil) 2 speeches
- 12 Oral question Oral Question: Palpola Interchange on Southern Expressway 2 speeches
- 13 Procedural Chair Change: Deputy Speaker Takes Chair 1 speeches
- 14 Oral question Question by Private Notice: Delay in Issuing Passports 3 speeches
- 15 Procedural Matter of Privilege: Non-Allocation of Time to Speak in Parliament 15 speeches
- 16 Procedural Motion: Sittings of Parliament 1 speeches
- 17 Debate Debate: Regulations under Imports and Exports (Control) Act and Related Economic Measures 62 speeches
- 18 Procedural Motions: Strategic Development Projects and Ports Authority Regulations 3 speeches
- 19 Adjournment Adjournment Motion: Ensuring Protection for Rohingya Refugees in Sri Lanka 27 speeches
- The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary Bimal Rathnayake formally moved that Parliament adjourn. The presiding member put the adjournment motion to the House.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Rauff Hakeem, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Rauff Hakeem noted that the Minister’s reply had exceeded the allotted time by 19 minutes and requested that, as in previous instances, 20 minutes be added to the Adjournment Debate.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC SJB
AI summary M. Nizam Kariapper asked the Presiding Member how much speaking time remained for Hon. Imran Maharoof.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC SJB
AI summary Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper seconded the Adjournment Motion on protecting Rohingya refugees, arguing that those rescued from Myanmar should not be characterized merely as “illegal immigrants” but treated as refugees and trafficking victims fleeing persecution. He urged strong action against traffickers, UNHCR access to assess and assist the group, correction of what he described as erroneous official framing, and adherence to the principle of non-refoulement. He also called on the Government to dispel public panic and misinformation about large refugee inflows while maintaining border management and social harmony.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. M.K.M. Aslam JJB
AI summary Hon. M.K.M. Aslam said the Government had not taken any action to harm or deport Rohingya arrivals and that the Sri Lanka Navy had lawfully rescued them, provided health checks, and given initial care. He argued the issue should be treated as a humanitarian matter rather than a religious or political one, while also noting that intelligence concerns should be assessed scientifically and handled under domestic and international law. He said the Government would protect the Rohingya, prevent mob violence or abuse, provide shelter and basic care, and allow them to depart safely when possible, while opposing racism and considering stronger laws if needed to eliminate it.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB
AI summary Sajith Premadasa urged the Government to handle the arrival of 116 Rohingya refugees at Mullivaikkal on 19 December 2024 in accordance with international humanitarian norms, despite Sri Lanka not being party to the 1951 Refugee Convention or its 1967 Protocol. He cited relevant international instruments and the Rohingya’s vulnerability in Myanmar, including exclusion from the 2014 census, and stated that returning them to Myanmar was not an acceptable solution. He called for protection of their rights and expressed support for constructive government action consistent with international standards.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Muneer Mulaffer JJB
AI summary Hon. Muneer Mulaffer addressed the Adjournment debate on Rohingya refugees, noting previous arrivals and departures from Sri Lanka and the current group that entered on 19 December. He said the Government was following lawful procedures to verify health status, nationality, and purpose while providing necessary assistance, and argued that the issue should not be politicized or viewed through ethnic or religious lines. He affirmed that the Government would act humanely and in line with international obligations, while criticizing opposition claims that the Government was being inhumane.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Mujibur Rahman SJB
AI summary Hon. Mujibur Rahman urged the Government not to deport Rohingya refugees to Myanmar, citing military rule and human rights concerns there. He argued that Sri Lanka should handle the matter humanely, recalling Sri Lankans’ own history of seeking asylum during past conflicts. He proposed allowing the refugees to remain temporarily in Sri Lanka with UNHCR facilitation until third-country resettlement is arranged.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Arun Hemachandra - Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment JJB
AI summary Deputy Minister Arun Hemachandra said the Government had provided humanitarian assistance, medical care, quarantine, and court-directed detention for 117 people who arrived by boat from Myanmar in December 2024, while immigration and health investigations continue. He stated that Sri Lanka is not party to the 1951 Refugee Convention or 1967 Protocol but would act consistently with humanitarian principles, including non-refoulement, and in cooperation with UNHCR where applicable. He said nationality verification is being pursued with the Myanmar Embassy, access by the Human Rights Commission had been granted, and the next court hearing is scheduled for 31 January 2025. He emphasized that no deportation decision had been made and that the Government would balance border security, immigration law, national security, and humanitarian obligations.
- The Hon. Rauff Hakeem, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Hon. Rauff Hakeem responded to a reference by the Deputy Minister, denying that the Motion was intended to incite racism or accuse the Government of racism. He argued that the persons concerned should not be repeatedly described as “illegal immigrants” but recognized as refugees fleeing persecution, and criticized Foreign Affairs officials for allegedly misleading Ministers on the issue.
- The Hon. Ananda Wijepala - Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs JJB
AI summary Minister Ananda Wijepala said the Government had not stated that the unauthorized arrivals would be deported to Myanmar, but was handling the matter under Sri Lankan law through the courts, Immigration, CID investigations, health checks, and humanitarian assistance. He said decisions would be guided by intelligence assessments, international human rights norms, and consultation with international organizations, noting that the Human Rights Commission had been granted access and that the group now numbered 117 after a birth. He also informed the House that an inquest into the death of a woman at Maradana Police Station had confirmed suicide, following her arrest on five warrants.
- The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB
AI summary Welcoming the Navy’s rescue of Rohingya arrivals, Dr. Harsha de Silva criticised Government statements suggesting deportation to Myanmar and argued that such action would breach the international law principle of non-refoulement. He rejected claims of large-scale illegal migration as fearmongering and called for coherent diplomatic handling, including access for UNHCR. He urged the Government to provide humanitarian assistance and not return the refugees to Myanmar against their consent, citing international principles including protections against enforced disappearance.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary Bimal Rathnayake urged that the issue of Rohingya refugees be handled humanely and without partisan politicization, noting Sri Lanka’s own experience with displacement during the war and political exile. He said refugee claims should be addressed through lawful screening procedures rather than automatic blanket recognition, consistent with domestic and international obligations. He stated that the Government would provide maximum assistance within the applicable legal framework.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law - Minister of Justice and National Integration JJB
AI summary Minister Harshana Nanayakkara rejected opposition claims that the Government had increased vehicles and fuel allocations for Ministers, stating that a January 2025 circular reduced each Minister’s allocation from three vehicles and about 1,950 litres of diesel to two vehicles and 900 litres, and that no Ministers or Deputies had taken official residences. Addressing the Rohingya issue, he described it as a humanitarian crisis involving stateless and displaced people, while emphasizing that Sri Lanka must act according to international law and State security responsibilities. He said the 116 arrivals were being cared for, with court processes involving 12 persons, including possible traffickers, and that screening was necessary to identify protection needs and exclude persons involved in serious crimes in line with UNHCR guidance. He stated that the Government would work with UNHCR and the international community on temporary and possible longer-term arrangements while safeguarding rights and applying the law.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law JJB
AI summary The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara questioned the motives behind the Adjournment Motion concerning Rohingya asylum seekers, suggesting it may not have been brought solely out of humanitarian concern. He assured Parliament that the Government would not violate the fundamental rights of the Rohingya asylum seekers and would not deport them.