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

Sitting of Wednesday, 19 February 2025

10th Parliament· 10 debates· 157 speeches· 62 speakers

Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 1740397565032971 ·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.

  1. 1 Opening Speaker's Announcements: Opposition Representation in Parliamentary Committees 11 speeches
    • Mr. Speaker [The Hon. (Dr.) Jagath Wickramaratne]

      AI summary Mr. Speaker ruled on complaints by several Opposition Members alleging a breach of privilege over disproportionate allocation of Opposition seats on parliamentary committees. He stated that no breach under the Parliament (Powers and Privileges) Act had been established, and that committee composition must follow Standing Orders and established parliamentary practice while reflecting consultation and party composition. He noted that past and current increases in committee membership had occurred by agreement, and urged the Government and Opposition to negotiate any further increases or adjustments by compromise.

      Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
    • The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB

      AI summary Hon. Ajith P. Perera raised a point of order requesting the Chair to urgently convene all Party Leaders to resolve disputes over the composition of parliamentary Committees. He noted that some Committees were unable to function properly due to non-nomination of Members and called for a consensus between Government and Opposition within a day or two.

      Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
    • The Hon. Speaker procedural
      Full speech →
    • The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka SJB

      AI summary Gayantha Karunathilleka welcomed the Speaker’s response to an issue raised by Opposition Members and requested that the Parliamentary Business Committee be convened urgently. He urged that both sides’ Leaders be allowed to decide the matter quickly so Members can be nominated to Committees without delay.

      Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
    • The Hon. Speaker procedural
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    • The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB

      AI summary Sajith Premadasa requested that the Speaker convene a broader meeting of all Opposition party leaders, including those outside the Parliamentary Business Committee, together with Government representatives to resolve disputes over Committee membership numbers. He said the 12 Opposition parties representing 66 MPs should be included in a fair discussion to reach a durable and amicable settlement and avoid repeated debate on the issue in the House.

      Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
    • The Hon. Speaker procedural
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    • The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation and Leader of the House of Parliament JJB

      AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake stated that the Government and Opposition had agreed to increase Opposition representation in six parliamentary committees, including the Committee on Parliamentary Business, COPE, COPA, Public Petitions, Ministerial Consultative Committees, and the Backbenchers’ Committee. He noted that some memberships had already been increased while certain Opposition nominations were still pending, and said further discussions could be held with the Speaker’s concurrence to settle the matter more fairly.

      Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
    • The Hon. Speaker procedural
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    • The Hon. Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan DTNA

      AI summary Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan raised concerns about tensions in Mannar over an attempted mineral sand mining operation opposed by local residents. He said Police involvement appeared to be supporting the activity and urged the Government to intervene immediately, halt the situation, and resolve the matter through discussion and consensus.

      Law & OrderEnvironment Full speech →
    • The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation and Leader of the House of Parliament JJB

      AI summary A licence to explore mineral sands in Mannar had been issued under a previous Government, though questions remain about whether proper public procedures were followed. Relevant agencies and Ministers are to examine whether the matter falls under industries or energy, with guidance from the District Coordinating Committee. The Minister stated that any project harming livelihoods or public interests in the low-lying Mannar Island should not proceed, and that the Government will act cautiously and in line with public opinion.

      Public FinanceParliamentary ProcedureEnvironment Full speech →