Sitting of Friday, 21 February 2025
Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 1740809173064396 ·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 Parliament Opening and Tabling of Special Committee Report 1 speeches
- 2 Petitions Petitions Presented by Members 8 speeches
- 3 Oral question Oral Question: Compensation for Natural Disaster Damages (Q. First Round) 15 speeches
- 4 Oral question Oral Question: Sri Lankans with E-8 Visa Leaving for Jobs in South Korea (Q.386/2025) 2 speeches
- 5 Oral question Question by Private Notice: Plans for Achieving Foreign Reserve Targets and Debt Servicing 5 speeches
- 6 Procedural Ministerial Statement and Points of Order: Shooting Incidents in Colombo Magistrate's Court and Middeniya 29 speeches
- The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Ananda Wijepala - Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs JJB
AI summary Minister Ananda Wijepala responded to Opposition concerns over the Colombo Magistrate’s Court shooting and the Middeniya murders, rejecting claims of a collapse in national security and stating that investigations and arrests had been made promptly. He said judicial security arrangements remain unchanged under the IGP’s 2011 circular, with a Police coordinating officer appointed for related matters. He detailed arrests and evidence recovered in the Colombo court shooting investigation, including suspects alleged to have aided the gunman, and said three suspects had been arrested in connection with the Middeniya killings. He argued that underworld activity had historically benefited from political patronage, but claimed the current Government has removed such protection and allowed Police to investigate without political interference.
- The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Harshana Rajakaruna SJB
AI summary Hon. Harshana Rajakaruna raised concerns over national security amid recurring incidents and referred to allegations that politicians from previous governments had links with the underworld. He asked the Minister to identify those politicians, clarify the alleged connections, particularly involving narcotics, and ensure they are brought before the law rather than using past failures to excuse future inaction.
- The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB
AI summary Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa urged Members to adhere to parliamentary procedure in response to a serious incident already addressed by the Minister. He stated that the matter should not be turned into a debate at that point and that any Point of Order must cite the relevant Standing Order.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF
AI summary Chamara Sampath Dasanayake asked the Minister of Public Security about the investigation into a recent shooting, noting that although the shooter was arrested within eight hours, a female accomplice remained at large. He referred to media reports claiming information from Dubai contributed to the arrest and requested scrutiny of media coverage that appeared to glamorize the suspect, including circulated photographs from inside a van.
- The Hon. Ananda Wijepala JJB
AI summary Ananda Wijepala cautioned that images circulating online may be AI-generated and should not be treated as factual without verification. He clarified that he had referred to “some politicians” rather than specific Opposition parties in relation to the Middeniya case, and said the Government’s statements are based on police investigations rather than unverified social media claims.
Law & Order Full speech → - The Hon. Ananda Wijepala JJB
AI summary Hon. Ananda Wijepala stated that the Government is not responsible for all media reports and that police action would apply to all suspects regardless of gender. He said periodic updates could be provided, but cautioned against making statements that could undermine ongoing police investigations.
- The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary Bimal Rathnayake urged the House to proceed to the scheduled main Business at 10.30 a.m., noting that a Ministerial statement and two interventions had already taken place. He cautioned that further discussion of matters under criminal investigation could risk hindering ongoing probes through unnecessary disclosures.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara raised a Point of Order. No further substantive argument, proposal, or question is recorded in the provided speech excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara invoked Standing Order 92(2)(a) to raise an important matter in Parliament. He requested the Speaker’s permission to briefly address the issue.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara indicated that, under Standing Order 92(2)(b), he wished to raise two questions directed especially to the Minister. No substantive details of the questions were included in the provided excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake briefly intervened to ask for clarification on the content of “92(2)(a).” The question sought the specific wording or meaning of that cited provision, likely in the context of a Bill, regulation, or procedural rule under discussion.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara stated that he had two matters to raise. No further substantive points, proposals, or questions are included in the provided extract.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake requested that Standing Order 92(2)(a) be stated or clarified in the Chamber. He noted that schoolchildren in the Gallery could hear the proceedings, implying the need for procedural clarity and audibility.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara raised a Point of Order under Standing Order 92(2)(a), stating that Members are permitted one minute to speak on such points.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara briefly raised a serious matter directed to the relevant Minister, noting that Anura Jayaratne had also raised the issue the previous day. The available excerpt does not include the substance of the question or the Minister’s portfolio, so no specific demand or policy issue can be identified.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara objected procedurally, citing Standing Order 92(2) on Points of Order. He argued that if he is not permitted to raise a matter under a Point of Order, the provision serves no practical purpose.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara cited Standing Order provisions on Points of Order, emphasizing that a Member may not speak for more than one minute or address the merits of the matter under consideration. He invoked Standing Order 92(2)(b) to state that his intervention was intended only to ensure correct procedure was being followed, except during a Division.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary Bimal Rathnayake asked for clarification on whether the matter being raised fell under Standing Order 92(2)(b) or 92(2)(a).
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake raised a procedural objection, stating that the relevant Standing Order was contrary to the manner in which another member was speaking.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary Bimal Rathnayake objected on a procedural point, stating that the relevant Standing Order was contrary to what was being said. The intervention was brief and focused on compliance with parliamentary procedure.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary The Member briefly interjects without making a substantive policy argument or proposal. No specific issue, legislation, demand, or procedural matter is raised in the recorded statement.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary Bimal Rathnayake briefly indicated that the relevant information or document was already available, referring to a book present in the chamber. He made no substantive policy argument or proposal in this intervention.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
- 7 Procedural Business of Parliament: Scheduling Orders 5 speeches
- 8 Debate Appropriation Bill 2025: Second Reading (Fourth Allotted Day) 88 speeches
- 9 Adjournment Adjournment Motion: Elephant Deaths Due to Train Collisions 12 speeches