Sitting of Monday, 17 February 2025
Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 1740119376022420 ·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 Opening and Papers Presented 13 speeches
- 2 Procedural Parliamentary Structure and Committees 48 speeches
- Parliament of Sri Lanka
AI summary Parliamentary proceedings for 17 February 2025 are recorded in summary form, listing the composition of Standing Committees and Ministerial Consultative Committees. The record also sets out the senior officers and departments of Parliament as constituted.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Committee on Public Petitions
AI summary The membership of the Committee on Public Petitions for the 2025-02-17 sitting was announced, chaired by Hon. R. M. Gamini Rathnayake. The listed members included Hon. Ajith Agalawatte, Hon. Upul Kingsiri, Hon. Ajith Gihan, Hon. Gunasena, Hon. Dharmapriya Dissanayake, Hon. Nandana Pathmakumara, Hon. Nishantha Perera, Hon. Lieutenant Commander (Retd.) Prageeth Madhuranga, Hon. Sunil Rathnasiri, Hon. A. M. M. M. Rathwatte, Hon. Manoj Rajapakse, Hon. Ambika Samivel, and Hon. Muhammed Faisal.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Committee on High Posts
AI summary The Committee on High Posts listed its membership as of 17 February 2025, chaired by Hon. (Dr.) Jagath Wickramaratne. The members named include Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya, Hon. Bimal Rathnayake, Hon. Kumara Jayakody, Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Hon. Saroja Savithri Paulraj, Hon. (Dr.) Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, Hon. (Dr.) Hansaka Wijemuni, and Hon. (Dr.) Nihal Abeysinghe.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Committee on Backbenchers
AI summary The Committee on Backbenchers was constituted under the chairmanship of Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa, with Hon. Gayantha Karunathilaka, Hon. Roshan Abeysinghe, Hon. (Dr.) Najith Indika, Hon. K. Ilankumaran, Hon. (Dr.) Sandaruwan Madurasinghe, Hon. Hasara Liyanage, and Hon. Sri Herath named as members. The entry records the composition of the committee rather than a substantive debate contribution or policy statement.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Committee on Parliamentary Business
AI summary The Committee on Parliamentary Business for 17 February 2025 is listed with Hon. (Dr.) Risvi Sali as Chairman and includes nine other Members of Parliament. No substantive speech, proposal, or debate content is provided beyond the membership of the committee.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Committee on Standing Orders and Rules
AI summary The Committee on Standing Orders and Rules was named with Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyaaratchi Peruma as Chairman and the listed Members appointed to serve on it. The announcement records the composition of the committee responsible for matters relating to parliamentary Standing Orders and procedural rules.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Ministerial Consultative Committee on Defence
AI summary The Ministerial Consultative Committee on Defence met on 17 February 2025 with participation from Government and Opposition Members. The listed members represented a broad attendance of Ministers, MPs, and retired military personnel, indicating committee-level consideration of matters under the Defence portfolio. No specific debate content, proposal, question, or decision is provided in the excerpt.
Security & Defence Full speech → - Ministerial Consultative Committee on Finance, Economic Stabilization and National Policies
AI summary The Ministerial Consultative Committee on Finance, Economic Stabilization and National Policies met on 17 February 2025 with the listed Members in attendance. No substantive speech content, proposals, questions, or policy arguments are provided in the supplied text beyond the committee name, date, and participants.
Public Finance Full speech → - Ministerial Consultative Committee on Digital Economy
AI summary The Ministerial Consultative Committee on Digital Economy met on 17 February 2025 with the listed Members in attendance. No substantive debate, proposal, question, or policy position is included in the provided excerpt, which records only the committee context and participants.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Ministerial Consultative Committee on Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education
AI summary The Ministerial Consultative Committee on Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education met under the chairmanship of Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya on 17 February 2025, with the participation of government and opposition Members. The sitting was recorded as a committee meeting relating to the education, higher education, and vocational education portfolios, with the listed Members in attendance.
Education Full speech → - Ministerial Consultative Committee on Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation
AI summary The Ministerial Consultative Committee on Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation met on 17 February 2025 under the chairmanship of Hon. K. D. Lal Kantha, with the participation of ministers and members from government and opposition. The listing records the members present, indicating committee consideration of matters within the agriculture, livestock, lands and irrigation portfolio, but no specific debate content, proposals, questions, or decisions are provided in the excerpt.
Agriculture Full speech → - Ministerial Consultative Committee on Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism
AI summary The Ministerial Consultative Committee on Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism met on 17 February 2025 under the chairmanship of Hon. Wijitha Herath, with participation from Members across the relevant subject areas. The listed proceedings indicate attendance of the Chairman and Committee Members, but no substantive debate, policy position, question, or proposal is provided in the excerpt to summarize.
Foreign Affairs Full speech → - Ministerial Consultative Committee on Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources
AI summary The Ministerial Consultative Committee on Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources is listed with Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar as Chairman and a group of Members serving on the Committee. The entry records the Committee’s membership for the parliamentary record and does not include a substantive speech, policy position, proposal, or question.
Agriculture Full speech → - Ministerial Consultative Committee on Industries and Enterprise Development
AI summary The Ministerial Consultative Committee on Industries and Enterprise Development met on 17 February 2025 under the chairmanship of Hon. Sunil Handunnetti. Members present included representatives from government and opposition parties, indicating committee consideration of matters within the industries and enterprise development portfolio.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Ministerial Consultative Committee on Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation
AI summary The Ministerial Consultative Committee on Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation met under the chairmanship of Hon. Bimal Rathnayake on 17 February 2025. The attendance included Members from the committee and related parliamentary representatives, indicating consideration of matters within the committee’s transport, highways, ports, and civil aviation remit.
Infrastructure Full speech → - Ministerial Consultative Committee on Irrigation and Rural Infrastructure
AI summary The Ministerial Consultative Committee on Irrigation and Rural Infrastructure met on 17 February 2025 under the chairmanship of Hon. K. V. Samantha Vidyaratna. The attendance included members from both government and opposition, indicating a committee session rather than a substantive parliamentary speech or debate contribution.
- Ministerial Consultative Committee on Health and Media
AI summary The Ministerial Consultative Committee on Health and Media met on 17 February 2025 with the participation of the Minister and members from both sectors. The meeting was listed with attendance by several Members of Parliament, including medical professionals, but no specific debate points, proposals, questions, or decisions are provided in the supplied text.
Healthcare Full speech → - Ministerial Consultative Committee on Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development
AI summary The Ministerial Consultative Committee on Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development met on 17 February 2025 under the chairmanship of Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe, with the listed Members in attendance. The record identifies the committee composition and attendance for proceedings relating to the Ministry’s subjects of trade, commerce, food security and cooperative development, but does not include substantive debate, questions, proposals, or decisions in the provided text.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Ministerial Consultative Committee on Labour
AI summary The Ministerial Consultative Committee on Labour met on 17 February 2025 with the listed Members in attendance. No substantive speech content, policy discussion, questions, proposals, or decisions are provided in the supplied text beyond the committee name, date, and participants.
Employment Full speech → - Ministerial Consultative Committee on Urban Development, Construction and Housing
AI summary The Ministerial Consultative Committee on Urban Development, Construction and Housing listed its membership for the 2025 session. The committee includes Members from government and opposition, covering portfolios and interests related to urban development, construction, and housing oversight.
- Ministerial Consultative Committee on Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government
AI summary The Ministerial Consultative Committee on Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government met on 17 February 2025 under the chairmanship of Hon. (Prof.) A. H. M. H. Abeyrathna. The record lists the Members present, indicating committee participation in matters relating to public administration, provincial councils, and local government.
- Ministerial Consultative Committee on Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment
AI summary The Ministerial Consultative Committee on Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment met under the chairmanship of Hon. (Dr.) Upali Pannilage on 17 February 2025. The record lists the Members of Parliament who participated in the committee proceedings, including representatives from across government and opposition benches.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Ministerial Consultative Committee on Science and Technology
AI summary The Ministerial Consultative Committee on Science and Technology met on 17 February 2025 with Hon. Krishantha Abeyseana as Chair and the listed Members in attendance. No substantive speech, debate content, proposals, questions, or decisions are provided in the text beyond the committee’s composition and meeting context.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Ministerial Consultative Committee on Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs
AI summary The Ministerial Consultative Committee on Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs met on 17 February 2025 under the chairmanship of Hon. Ananda Wijepala, with Members from government and opposition in attendance. The record lists the participating Members but does not provide details of substantive discussion, decisions, proposals, or questions raised at the meeting.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Ministerial Consultative Committee on Power and Energy
AI summary The Ministerial Consultative Committee on Power and Energy is listed as having met on 17 February 2025 under the chairmanship of Hon. Kumara Jayakody. The entry records the participating Members of Parliament, including representatives from both government and opposition, but does not provide details of any substantive debate, decisions, proposals, or questions considered by the Committee.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Ministerial Consultative Committee on Youth and Sports
AI summary The Ministerial Consultative Committee on Youth and Sports met on 17 February 2025 under the chairmanship of Hon. Sunil Kumara Gamage. The record lists the Members in attendance, including representatives from government and opposition, but contains no substantive debate, policy proposal, question, or decision to summarize.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Ministerial Consultative Committee on Women and Children
AI summary The Ministerial Consultative Committee on Women and Children is recorded as meeting on 17 February 2025, chaired by Hon. Saroja Sachithri Paulraj, with the listed Members in attendance. No substantive speech content, policy position, proposal, question, or decision is provided in the text beyond the committee name, date, chair, and membership details.
Women & Children Full speech → - Ministerial Consultative Committee on Environment
AI summary The Ministerial Consultative Committee on Environment met on 17 February 2025 under the chairmanship of Hon. (Dr.) Dammika Patabendi, with members from both government and opposition in attendance. The record provided lists the committee’s participants but does not include substantive debate, questions, decisions, or policy proposals discussed at the meeting.
Environment Full speech → - Ministerial Consultative Committee on Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs
AI summary The Ministerial Consultative Committee on Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs met on 17 February 2025 with Hon. (Dr.) Hiniduma Sunil Senevi as Chair and members from Government and Opposition in attendance. The entry records the committee’s composition for the sitting rather than a substantive speech, proposal, or debate on a specific policy or legislative matter.
Religion & Culture Full speech → - Ministerial Consultative Committee on Justice and National Unity
AI summary The Ministerial Consultative Committee on Justice and National Unity met on 17 February 2025 under the chairmanship of Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara. The record lists participating Members, including representatives from government and opposition, but does not contain the substance of deliberations, proposals, questions, or decisions.
- Officers of Parliament
AI summary Parliament recorded the presiding officers for the sitting of 17 February 2025: Hon. (Dr.) Jagath Wickramaratne as Speaker, Hon. (Dr.) Risvi Sali as Deputy Speaker and Chairman of Committees, and Hon. Hemali Weerasekera as Chairperson of Committees. No substantive debate, proposal, or policy argument is included in this entry.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Senior Officials
AI summary Senior parliamentary officials present at the sitting were identified, including the Secretary-General of Parliament, the Chief of Staff and Deputy Secretary General, and the Assistant Secretary-General. No substantive speech, policy argument, question, or proposal is recorded in the provided text.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Office of the Secretary-General of Parliament
AI summary The Office of the Secretary-General of Parliament recorded staff assignments for 17 February 2025, including Ms. S. P. Gamage as Coordinating Secretary to the Secretary-General and Ms. E. A. Sirisena as Parliamentary Officer. It also listed Constitutional Council officials Ms. S. R. W. Gunasekara, Mrs. D. I. T. Sarathchandra, and Ms. C. S. C. Fonseka as Assistant Chief Officers.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Internal Audit Department
AI summary The Internal Audit Department record identifies the officials present on 17 February 2025: Chief Internal Auditor W. K. D. C. Vithana, Chief Officer G. N. D. Thilakaratne, and Assistant Parliamentary Officer W. R. G. S. Shamali. No substantive speech, policy position, proposal, or question is provided in the text.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Sergeant-at-Arms Department
AI summary The entry records the Sergeant-at-Arms Department officers serving on 17 February 2025, including Mr. Kushan Sampath Jayaratne as Sergeant-at-Arms, Mr. N. A. S. Kure as Deputy Sergeant-at-Arms, and Mr. K. S. L. Kadigamuwa as Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms. It also lists other departmental officers present, including the Deputy Chief Officer, Assistant Chief Officer, Parliamentary Officer, Telephone Supervisor, and Assistant Parliamentary Officer.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Administration Department
AI summary The entry lists the Administration Department personnel of Parliament as at 17 February 2025, including senior administrative officers and staff assigned to the Establishments, Members’ Services, Human Resource Development, Foreign Relations and Protocol, Transport, and Right to Information branches. It records names and designations rather than a parliamentary debate contribution, proposal, or policy argument.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hansard Department
AI summary The entry lists the Hansard Department personnel for 17 February 2025, including the Hansard Editor, Deputy and Assistant Hansard Editors, reporters, committee reporters, indexing officers, and recording supervisor. It is an administrative record of staff responsible for producing and supporting the official parliamentary transcript, rather than a parliamentary speech or debate contribution.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Finance and Supplies Department
AI summary The entry records the Finance and Supplies Department personnel present or listed for 17 February 2025, including the Director (Finance), officers in the Finance and Accounts Branch, Supplies and Services Branch, Canteen Accounts, receiving, stores, and procurement functions. It does not contain a substantive parliamentary speech, policy argument, proposal, question, or demand.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Coordination Engineer’s Department
AI summary The entry records the personnel of the Coordination Engineer’s Department present or associated with the sitting on 17 February 2025, including the Coordination Engineer, Deputy Coordination Engineer, inspectors, technical officers, and an assistant parliamentary officer. It contains no substantive parliamentary speech, policy argument, proposal, or question to summarize.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Catering and Housekeeping Department
AI summary The entry records the Catering and Housekeeping Department staff serving Parliament on 17 February 2025, including the Director of Catering and Housekeeping Services, executive chef, executive housekeeper, catering and housekeeping managers, restaurant managers, supervisors, and kitchen staff. It is an administrative listing of departmental personnel rather than a parliamentary speech or policy intervention.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Legislative Services Department
AI summary The entry lists officers of the Legislative Services Department as of 17 February 2025, headed by Director Mr. M. J. Perera. It records staff assigned to the Table Office, Bills Office, Committee Offices I and II, the COPA and COPE offices, the Public Petitions Office, and the Ministerial Consultative Committees Office, with their respective administrative and parliamentary designations.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - National Council Office
AI summary A list of National Council Office staff was recorded, covering library, research, and Hansard translation personnel. It names officials by designation, including the Librarian and library staff, research officers, and Chief, Deputy Chief, Senior, and other Parliamentary Hansard Translators.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Information Systems and Management Department
AI summary The entry lists the personnel of the Information Systems and Management Department as of 17 February 2025, headed by Director Mr. N. B. U. Nawagamuwa. It records staff across systems engineering, analysis, security, administration, programming, web editing, operations, technology, and technical assistance roles.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Communications Department
AI summary The record lists the officials of Parliament’s Communications Department serving on 17 February 2025, including the Acting Director, public relations and media managers, public relations officers, media officers, and office coordinators. It is an administrative personnel entry rather than a parliamentary speech or policy statement.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Parliamentary Debates (Hansard) – Official Report
AI summary The sitting is identified as part of the Official Report of the Parliamentary Debates of Sri Lanka’s Tenth Parliament, First Session, on 17 February 2025, Volume 317. No substantive speech, argument, proposal, question, or policy issue is provided in the excerpt to summarize.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Members of Parliament
AI summary A list of Members of Parliament elected at the 14 November 2024 General Election was presented, organized alphabetically and including electoral district or National List status. It also notes members who entered Parliament from 12 December 2024, providing a procedural record of the composition of Parliament as of 17 February 2025.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- Mr. Speaker procedural
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- 5 Debate Local Authorities Elections (Special Provisions) Bill: Second Reading 63 speeches
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- 7 Adjournment Adjournment 2 speeches