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

Sitting of Friday, 7 February 2025

10th Parliament· 14 debates· 248 speeches· 78 speakers

Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 1739786070060795 ·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.

  6. 6 Papers Ministerial Statements on Justice Department, Foreign Employment, and Hydrated Lime Importation 26 speeches
    • The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
      Full speech →
    • The Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam ACTC

      AI summary Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam’s intervention consisted only of addressing the Deputy Speaker and did not include any substantive argument, question, proposal, or reference to legislation or policy.

      Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
    • The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
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    • The Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam ACTC

      AI summary Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam asked the Prime Minister to respond to a letter from Lasantha Wickrematunge’s daughter calling for the impeachment of the Attorney-General over alleged abuse of power and neglect of duty. He argued that, despite the Government’s position that the Attorney-General’s Department is independent, allegations by a victim’s family against its head require Government attention, and sought clarification on any action being considered.

      Justice & Human RightsCorruption & Governance Reform Full speech →
    • The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
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    • The Hon. (Ms.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister JJB

      AI summary The Prime Minister said she had received Ms. Wickrematunge’s letter and would respond personally. She reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to securing justice for the murder of Lasantha Wickrematunge while respecting due process and the independence of the Attorney-General’s Department. She stated that discussions had been held, including by the President with investigators, and that the Government would consider new inquiries, gather further evidence if needed, and file a new case if necessary.

      Justice & Human Rights Full speech →
    • The Hon. Rauff Hakeem, Attorney-at-Law SJB

      AI summary Rauff Hakeem briefly sought permission from the Deputy Speaker to intervene in the proceedings. No substantive policy position, proposal, or question was presented in the recorded statement.

      Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
    • The Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam ACTC

      AI summary G.G. Ponnambalam briefly indicated that he had one additional matter to raise before the Deputy Speaker. No substantive issue, proposal, or demand was stated in the excerpt provided.

      Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
    • The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
      Full speech →
    • The Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam ACTC

      AI summary G.G. Ponnambalam welcomed the Prime Minister’s remarks on the investigation into the killing of journalist Lasantha Wickrematunge and stressed the significance of Wickrematunge’s daughter calling for the impeachment of the Attorney-General. He urged the Government to respond with commensurate seriousness and urgency, describing the case as emblematic and Wickrematunge as a widely respected journalist across political and ethnic lines.

      Law & OrderJustice & Human Rights Full speech →
    • The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
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    • The Hon. Rauff Hakeem, Attorney-at-Law SJB

      AI summary Hon. Rauff Hakeem questioned the Attorney-General’s Department’s reported decision to enter a nolle prosequi in a high-profile case, citing concerns that the reason given regarding an identification parade lapse was inadequate. He referred to the Government’s manifesto commitment to establish an independent Prosecutor’s Office and alleged that prosecutorial discretion may be used for political or extraneous purposes, while noting staffing constraints in the Department. On behalf of the Opposition, he gave notice seeking a full-day parliamentary debate on the matter, subject to agreement by the Committee on Parliamentary Business.

      Parliamentary ProcedureJustice & Human Rights Full speech →
    • The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
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    • The Hon. Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran ITAK

      AI summary Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran reminded the House that he had previously raised the issue of the Kalmunai North Divisional Secretariat on 22 January and that the Deputy Minister had undertaken to provide a response during the current week. He requested the Prime Minister to ensure that the promised answer is given in Parliament or, alternatively, that a discussion is arranged on the matter.

      Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Ms.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister JJB

      AI summary The Prime Minister said the Government is determined to secure justice for Ms. Ahimsa Wickrematunge’s family and is monitoring expected action by the Attorney-General, including the possibility of fresh indictments. She said procedural barriers and institutional culture within the Attorney-General’s Department and related bodies must be re-examined where they obstruct justice, while ensuring the Department is not politically captured. She also stated the Government is ready to allocate a full-day parliamentary debate on the matter, given its wider significance for public confidence in justice and fairness.

      Justice & Human Rights Full speech →
    • The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
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    • The Hon. Vijitha Herath - Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism JJB

      AI summary As of 20 January 2025, the Ministry reported 554 Sri Lankans recruited to serve in the Russian military, with no confirmed evidence of forcible recruitment, and 59 reported deaths based on information from the Sri Lankan Embassy in Russia. In response to a question under Standing Order 27(2), the Minister said the Government has been raising individual cases with Russian authorities, facilitating family contact, discussing pension continuity for affected families, and introducing a procedure to seek compensation for those who died in Russian military operations.

      Security & DefenceForeign Affairs Full speech →
    • The Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan ITAK

      AI summary Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan thanked the Minister for responses under Standing Order 27(2) and raised concerns about several named individuals from Jaffna, Mullaitivu and Uduvil whose families are seeking their rescue. He requested a copy of the tabled list of deceased persons to verify whether those individuals are alive or dead, and asked what avenues exist for rescue, noting family claims that they had been forced into the army.

      Justice & Human RightsSecurity & Defence Full speech →
    • The Hon. Vijitha Herath - Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism JJB

      AI summary The Minister stated that the names of all deceased persons had already been tabled. He asked the Member to provide specific details so that the Ministry could intervene in the matter.

      Foreign Affairs Full speech →
    • The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
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    • The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka - Minister of Urban Development, Construction and Housing JJB

      AI summary Minister Anura Karunathilaka clarified allegations that the National Water Supply and Drainage Board was supplying drinking water contaminated with carcinogens, explaining that a hydrated lime consignment procured through tender had tested slightly above the then-applicable SLS chromium limit of 10 mg/kg. He stated that the consignment had not been accepted or used in any water treatment plant, despite later SLS revisions allowing up to 12 mg/kg, and that the contractor could be required to replace or re-export it under the tender conditions. He said the NWSDB would continue to ensure safe drinking water and criticized statements based on incomplete information that caused public concern.

      InfrastructurePublic FinanceHealthcare Full speech →
    • The Hon. D.V. Chanaka SLPP

      AI summary Hon. D.V. Chanaka questioned the handling of a hydrated lime consignment for water purification, stating that although the tender specified a 10 mg limit, successive tests allegedly showed higher values that gradually declined over repeated testing. He raised concerns that the National Water Supply and Drainage Board had asked the Sri Lanka Standards Institution to raise the permissible limit to 12 mg, despite Sri Lanka’s existing standard being based on local water conditions. He alleged possible irregularities, claimed some containers had already been distributed, and called for a proper investigation, rejection of the consignment if necessary, and clarity on how water purification would continue without a new tender.

      Corruption & Governance ReformPublic FinanceJustice & Human Rights Full speech →
    • The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka - Minister of Urban Development, Construction and Housing JJB

      AI summary The Minister clarified that laboratory testing methods may produce small variations, citing results of 11 to 14 mg/kg, but said such differences are not large. He stated that the request to revise the Sri Lanka Standard was made on 20 July 2024 and was unrelated to the consignment in question. He added that the consignment had not been accepted into stores or used, and that after further checks the contractor could be required to re-export it and supply material meeting the specification.

      Public Finance Full speech →
    • The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
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    • The Hon. D.V. Chanaka SLPP

      AI summary D.V. Chanaka urged the Minister not to justify the issue, stating that authorities were aware the percentage was high when it arrived. He called for a proper investigation and for steps to be taken to return the item in question.

      Corruption & Governance Reform Full speech →
    • The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka - Minister of Urban Development, Construction and Housing JJB

      AI summary The Minister stated that the Ministry and the National Water Supply and Drainage Board have a duty to provide accurate information on water quality standards to Parliament and the public. He said allegations about high concentrations of carcinogens could create public anxiety, and emphasized that the response was not to defend any contractor but to clarify the facts.

      Land & HousingPublic Finance Full speech →