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

Sitting of Saturday, 1 March 2025

10th Parliament· 18 debates· 239 speeches· 54 speakers

Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 1741955797040395 ·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.

  4. 4 Oral question Oral Question: Fishery Harbours Development and Multi-Day Vessel Operations (Q.2/2025) 6 speeches
    • The Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana NDF

      AI summary Rohitha Abeygunawardhana asked the Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources to provide details on Sri Lanka’s fishery harbours, including their number and development measures. He also sought separate figures for registered, active, and inactive multi-day and one-day fishing vessels, and asked what measures had been taken to develop the fishing industry.

      Agriculture Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip JJB

      AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources, the Minister reported that Sri Lanka has 24 fishery harbours and outlined proposed development and maintenance allocations for fuel systems, harbour infrastructure, equipment, lighting, pumps, beacons and vehicles. He provided vessel figures, stating that 5,488 multi-day vessels and 929 one-day vessels are currently engaged or registered, with 182 multi-day and 24 one-day vessels not engaged in fishing. He detailed ongoing support measures including fuel reimbursement allowances for diesel and kerosene users, Chinese grant programmes for kerosene and fishing nets, artificial reef projects, FAO-supported efficiency pilots, online licensing and vessel monitoring systems, fisher health and first-aid certification, export facilitation, and a forthcoming enhanced pension scheme.

      EmploymentAgricultureCost of Living Full speech →
    • The Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana NDF

      AI summary Rohitha Abeygunawardhana raised two supplementary issues regarding the fishing sector, noting that 182 multi-day vessels were reportedly not operating, including about 97 at the Beruwala fishery harbour, and requested an investigation. He also questioned delays in the Rs. 25 per litre fuel subsidy for multi-day vessels, stating that some fishers had not received payments due from October 2024 while others had received November payments, and asked that the relevant Minister be informed and action clarified.

      EmploymentPublic Finance Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB

      AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa stated that fuel support for fishers was shifted from the original mechanism to a reimbursement system after access problems arose, and that although funds have been sent, some delays have been reported and will be referred to the Minister. He also said the Government is aware of congestion at Beruwala harbour, including laid-up boats exceeding capacity, and is giving special attention to developing it as a leading, well-equipped fishery harbour.

      AgricultureInfrastructure Full speech →
    • The Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana NDF

      AI summary Rohitha Abeygunawardhana raised concerns that low fuel stocks at Beruwala and other harbours were preventing multi-day fishing vessels from going to sea, warning that the situation would become serious if supplies were not restored. He also asked the Minister to address what he described as a monopoly in the import of VMS devices, noting that prices had risen sharply and requesting that vessel owners be allowed to import them directly.

      Cost of LivingAgricultureInfrastructure Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB

      AI summary The Minister stated that matters regarding the VMS and related points would be addressed by the Minister of Fisheries when present. He said the Government would soon present its position on the fuel issue raised by the Chief Opposition Whip, including concerns about groups allegedly disregarding court orders and causing public inconvenience, and noted that the situation from the previous night had largely eased and was being monitored.

      Law & Order Full speech →