Sitting of Thursday, 6 February 2025
Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 1739271735020022 ·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 Papers Papers Presented 5 speeches
- 2 Petitions Petitions 6 speeches
- 3 Oral question Oral Question: Bachelor of Laws Degree Awards (Q.1/2024) 10 speeches
- 4 Oral question Oral Question: Human-Elephant Conflict (Q.3/2024) 6 speeches
- 5 Oral question Oral Question: Price Control of Rice 7 speeches
- 6 Oral question Oral Question: Bingiriya Export Processing Zone (Q.5/2024) 7 speeches
- 7 Oral question Oral Question: Sri Lanka National Hospital Procurement (Q.7/2024) 9 speeches
- 8 Procedural Procedural Matters and Points of Order 39 speeches
- 9 Oral question Questions Under Standing Order 27(2) 40 speeches
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna’s recorded intervention consists only of addressing the Deputy Speaker, with no substantive remarks, questions, proposals, or policy arguments included in the provided text.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB
AI summary Sajith Premadasa, as Leader of the Opposition, drew the Deputy Speaker’s attention to a point of Order being raised by Hon. Archchuna. The intervention was procedural and did not advance a substantive argument or policy proposal.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna
AI summary A point of Order was raised, but no substantive argument, proposal, or question was recorded in the provided excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna raised a procedural concern about consistency in expunging unparliamentary words from the record. He noted that a word he used the previous day had been expunged after Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara requested it, and asked whether a word allegedly used by Jayasekara to abuse another Member would likewise be removed.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake requests that the referenced statement or matter also be expunged from the parliamentary record.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB
AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa asked the Prime Minister whether the Government would intervene to ensure a transparent inquiry into the assassination of journalist Lasantha Wickrematunge. He said he would avoid commenting on recent developments so as not to prejudice judicial proceedings, but urged action to bring the perpetrators to justice for Wickrematunge’s family and the media community.
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Sajith Premadasa SJB
AI summary Sajith Premadasa requested one minute to speak without interruption. No substantive policy point, proposal, or question was made in the quoted statement.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Sajith Premadasa SJB
AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa called on the Government to ensure justice for journalist Lasantha Wickrematunge by pursuing and prosecuting those responsible for his killing.
Justice & Human Rights Full speech → - The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary Bimal Rathnayake objected to the Leader of the Opposition’s conduct during a question under Standing Order 27(2), arguing that he had departed from the notified question and improperly directed an additional question to the Prime Minister. He asked the Deputy Speaker to require the Leader of the Opposition to withdraw the remark telling the Chair not to “jump in the middle,” describing it as unacceptable in the context of rising tensions in the House.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary Bimal Rathnayake objected to disorderly conduct in the House and urged that the Leader of the Opposition either apologize to the Chair or withdraw the relevant remark. He said such behaviour should not be allowed in Parliament and warned against “thuggery” or disruptive noise in proceedings.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary Bimal Rathnayake stated that disrespect toward the Chair cannot be permitted, emphasizing the need to uphold parliamentary decorum and respect for presiding officers.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary Bimal Rathnayake requested that the Leader of the Opposition withdraw a remark, stating that the comment should not be allowed to insult the Deputy Speaker.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB
AI summary The Leader of the Opposition sought permission from the Deputy Speaker to intervene during the proceedings.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB
AI summary Sajith Premadasa clarified that his earlier Sinhala phrase was intended to mean “please do not obstruct” and not as an insult to the Chair. He withdrew the remark and any related shortcoming, stating that he had no objection to doing so.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB
AI summary Sajith Premadasa stated that he had requested the Prime Minister to brief Parliament the following day on action being taken regarding the assassination of Lasantha Wickrematunge. He said the request was aimed at ensuring justice for Wickrematunge’s family and bringing those responsible to account.
Justice & Human Rights Full speech → - The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna rose on a point of Order. No substantive argument, proposal, or question was recorded in the provided excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB
AI summary The Leader of the Opposition indicated that he would first raise a question under Standing Order 27(2) before allowing another Member to raise a point of order. The remark was procedural in nature and did not address substantive policy or legislative matters.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB
AI summary Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, invoking Standing Order 27(2), raised concerns over prolonged container clearance delays at the Port of Colombo and the reported release of 323 containers without Customs examination. He asked the Government to provide details on daily container arrivals, inspection capacity, vessels allegedly diverted due to delays, economic losses, and proposed measures to improve clearance. He specifically sought information on whether any of the released containers were “red label” consignments, the criteria used for their release, their contents and importers, potential revenue loss, responsibility for preventing harmful imports, and whether an investigation or policy decision on such releases had been initiated.
- The Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma - Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning
AI summary About 1,600 containers are imported daily through the Port of Colombo, with around 40 per cent selected for examination, but the three existing examination yards can handle only up to 500 containers per day. The Deputy Minister said congestion has worsened because a proposed Container Examination Centre at Kerawalapitiya, recommended by the ADB, was not implemented, and some vessels have bypassed Colombo as a result. He stated that the Government is taking short-, medium- and long-term measures, and explained that since July 2024 Sri Lanka Customs has, under defined criteria and post-clearance audit provisions in the Customs Ordinance, released some system-selected containers without physical examination to reduce congestion and costs.
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna raised a point of order objecting to the Chair’s reference to his use of the word “shame” during the previous day’s proceedings, arguing that such language is permissible in other parliaments when criticizing wrongdoing. He alleged that he had been denied the right to speak in his language, which he described as a violation of a constitutional fundamental right, and further complained that he was not allowed to complete his Question of Privilege as a Party Leader.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan ITAK
AI summary Sivagnanam Shritharan raised questions under Standing Order 27(2) to the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation on flood damage to paddy cultivation during 2024/2025, particularly affecting smallholder farmers in the Northern and Eastern Provinces. He asked for national and regional figures on damaged paddy lands and affected farmers, and details of insurance, compensation, or relief schemes. He also urged immediate issuance of compensation application forms in Kilinochchi, noting that harvesting had largely begun or ended before the guaranteed paddy price was announced and that yields had fallen sharply due to flooding.
- The Hon. K.D. Lal Kantha - Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation JJB
AI summary The Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation stated that additional information and data were required before answering the Member’s question. He requested two weeks to provide a response and said the Ministry would take action to ensure justice for the affected people.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara SJB
AI summary Raised a point of order concerning delayed compensation for farmers affected by crop damage. He argued that the Government should already have gathered the necessary information and acted, noting that farmers lack funds to prepare seed paddy and that any further two-week delay would push assistance beyond the current season.
- The Hon. K.D. Lal Kantha JJB
AI summary K.D. Lal Kantha stated that the relevant work is ongoing and emphasized the need for accurate data collection. He said compensation payments and related activities have not been halted and are continuing.
Public Finance Full speech → - The Hon. R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara SJB
AI summary R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara asked the Minister when compensation payments are expected to be made.
Public Finance Full speech → - The Hon. K.D. Lal Kantha JJB
AI summary Compensation payments are ongoing, with the member noting that such payments continue to be made at present.
Public Finance Full speech → - The Hon. R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara SJB
AI summary Asked when compensation would be paid and questioned how such payments could be made without the necessary data.
Public Finance Full speech → - The Hon. K.D. Lal Kantha JJB
AI summary Most of the requested data has already been compiled, with only a limited set directly related to Hon. Shritharan’s question still pending. The statement was made to clarify that the outstanding information does not concern all data, but only a specific portion.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
- 10 Opening Ministerial Statement: Wind Power Plant Tender Process in Mannar 10 speeches
- 11 Procedural Notice of Motions and Procedural Orders 8 speeches
- 12 Debate Debate: Intellectual Property Act Regulations (Geographical Indications) 98 speeches
- 13 Adjournment Adjournment and Questions at Adjournment 8 speeches