Sitting of Thursday, 6 February 2025

Order of business

Speeches load per item. Summaries shown here are AI-generated and labelled; verbatim text is on each speech page.

1. 1 Papers Papers Presented 5 speeches ▸
2. 2 Petitions Petitions 6 speeches ▸
3. 3 Oral question Oral Question: Bachelor of Laws Degree Awards (Q.1/2024) 10 speeches ▸
4. 4 Oral question Oral Question: Human-Elephant Conflict (Q.3/2024) 6 speeches ▸
5. 5 Oral question Oral Question: Price Control of Rice 7 speeches ▸
6. 6 Oral question Oral Question: Bingiriya Export Processing Zone (Q.5/2024) 7 speeches ▸
7. 7 Oral question Oral Question: Sri Lanka National Hospital Procurement (Q.7/2024) 9 speeches ▸
8. 8 Procedural Procedural Matters and Points of Order 39 speeches ▸
9. 9 Oral question Questions Under Standing Order 27(2) 40 speeches ▸
10. 10 Opening Ministerial Statement: Wind Power Plant Tender Process in Mannar 10 speeches ▾
    • The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
      Full speech →
    • The Hon. Kumara Jayakody - Minister of Energy JJB

      AI summary The Minister explained the procurement process for the proposed 50 MW Mannar wind power plant, stating that Hayleys Fentons Limited was initially rejected at technical evaluation but was later allowed to have its financial bid opened following a Procurement Appeal Board ruling. He said Hayleys Fentons quoted the lowest tariff, US cents 4.65 per kWh, after which the Cabinet Appointed Negotiating Committee and Cabinet approved awarding the tender to that company. He stated that this would reduce the tariff by US cents 0.23 per kWh compared with the earlier recommendation to WindForce PLC, producing estimated savings over the 20-year contract, and rejected allegations of improper dealing or delay.

      InfrastructurePublic Finance Full speech →
    • The Hon. Mujibur Rahman SJB

      AI summary Mujibur Rahman raised a point of order concerning a two-envelope tender process for a 50 MW project, arguing that Hayleys Fentons had initially been rejected on technical grounds and that its financial bid was opened only after a Procurement Appeal Board direction. He stated that, despite the Procurement Committee again finding the technical proposal non-responsive, the matter was approved by a Cabinet sub-committee after 1 November, and that a related court case was withdrawn following an undertaking to split the project into two 25 MW lots. He maintained that the issue was not the identity of the awardee but alleged violations of tender procedures, transparency, and the rule of law.

      Public FinanceCorruption & Governance Reform Full speech →
    • The Hon. Kumara Jayakody JJB

      AI summary Hon. Kumara Jayakody rejected claims of irregularity in a tender process, stating that under the two-envelope system the technical proposal is opened and evaluated before the financial bid. He said the initial rejection was based on technical shortcomings, the CANC first recommended WindForce, and after the Procurement Appeal Board’s directive the TEC opened Hayleys’ financial bid, which was lowest, leading the CANC to revise its recommendation. He maintained that the process complied fully with the 2006 Procurement Guidelines and said any challenge could be taken to court.

      Public FinanceParliamentary Procedure Full speech →
    • The Hon. Mujibur Rahman SJB

      AI summary Mujibur Rahman raised concerns over a procurement decision, stating that the TEC/Procurement Committee’s final report of 2 September 2024 found the company had not met required substantiation and could not be awarded the contract. He alleged that this finding was bypassed and that a politically composed Cabinet subcommittee was influenced to recommend awarding it to Dhammika Perera’s company.

      Corruption & Governance ReformPublic Finance Full speech →
    • The Hon. Kumara Jayakody JJB

      AI summary Kumara Jayakody stated that the Cabinet sub-committee in question had been established under the previous Government, not the current one. He argued that the relevant issue was whether due procedure was followed, noting that the existence of Appeal Boards in the Guidelines showed that an appeals mechanism was intended and had functioned accordingly.

      Corruption & Governance ReformParliamentary Procedure Full speech →
    • The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
      Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB

      AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva sought clarification on action taken regarding the incidents in Parliament on 15 November 2018, when Members allegedly climbed on the Chair and hurled objects while then Speaker Karu Jayasuriya was protected by police. He asked for the status of the CID investigation, the relevant report, whether any persons had been found guilty, and what action had been taken, disputing the claim that destruction of public property in Parliament could not be prosecuted.

      Law & OrderParliamentary ProcedureJustice & Human Rights Full speech →
    • The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
      Full speech →
    • The Hon. Kumara Jayakody JJB

      AI summary Kumara Jayakody stated that an electricity price reduction of US cents 0.23 per kWh would generate approximately USD 2.5 billion in savings over 20 years and denied that any increase had been made. He challenged critics to substantiate contrary claims, arguing that opposing the reduction was inconsistent with concern for public funds, and said he could table the relevant company correspondence if required.

      Public Finance Full speech →
11. 11 Procedural Notice of Motions and Procedural Orders 8 speeches ▸
12. 12 Debate Debate: Intellectual Property Act Regulations (Geographical Indications) 98 speeches ▸
13. 13 Adjournment Adjournment and Questions at Adjournment 8 speeches ▸