Sitting of Tuesday, 4 March 2025

Order of business

Speeches load per item. Summaries shown here are AI-generated and labelled; verbatim text is on each speech page.

1. 1 Papers Papers presented 3 speeches ▸
2. 2 Petitions Petitions presented 5 speeches ▸
3. 3 Oral question Oral Question 1: Shakya Kingdom replica at Kahapola (Q.481/2025) 5 speeches ▾
   • The Hon. Speaker procedural
     Full speech →
   • The Hon. (Dr.) Hiniduma Sunil Senevi - Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs JJB

     AI summary The Minister stated that the Shakya Kingdom reconstruction project, for which a foundation stone was laid in January 2017, used no government funds, with only land provided by the Ministry under an MoU with the Light of Asia Foundation. He said the Foundation failed to complete the work within the agreed three years, achieving only about 5 per cent progress, leading to cancellation of the MoU and suspension of the project. He added that about 5 acres, including existing constructions and adjacent land, are to be regularized for a proposed International Multicultural Centre, and that a Cabinet Memorandum has been submitted.

     Religion & Culture Full speech →
   • The Hon. Lakshman Nipuna Arachchi JJB

     AI summary Asked why a project intended to replicate a Shakya settlement had instead been constructed in a manner resembling a children’s theme-park jungle. Sought clarification on the objective or rationale followed by the administrators responsible at the time.

     Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
   • The Hon. (Dr.) Hiniduma Sunil Senevi - Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs JJB

     AI summary The Minister described the Regidale Estate in Kahapola, a 76-acre property donated for Buddhist purposes, as abandoned and overgrown despite an inauguration plaque and only about 5 per cent progress over three years. He outlined the complex administrative history of the land among several state institutions and noted that proper title transfer has not been completed. He said a Cabinet Paper was submitted on 20 December 2024 to regularize the situation and decide the next steps, given the site’s proximity to Colombo and the lack of planned development.

     Religion & CultureLand & HousingCorruption & Governance Reform Full speech →
   • The Hon. Lakshman Nipuna Arachchi JJB

     AI summary Lakshman Nipuna Arachchi briefly thanked the Minister. No substantive policy issue, proposal, or question was raised in the recorded remarks.

     Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
4. 4 Oral question Oral Question 2: National Equipment and Machinery Organization (Q.4838/2025) 6 speeches ▸
5. 5 Oral question Oral Question 3: Gemstone mining licences in Wellawaya (Q.489/2025) 6 speeches ▸
6. 6 Oral question Oral Question 4: Arabic schools curriculum (Q.481/2025) 2 speeches ▸
7. 7 Procedural Ministerial Statement: Online Safety Act and tax on export services 20 speeches ▸
8. 8 Procedural Ministerial Statements and Points of Order 76 speeches ▸
9. 9 Procedural Ministerial Statement: Salary increases for doctors (Budget 2025) 1 speeches ▸
10. 10 Procedural Personal Explanations 5 speeches ▸
11. 11 Procedural Notices of Motions: Privilege matter 2 speeches ▸
12. 12 Debate Appropriation Bill 2025 — Twelfth Allotted Day — Committee Stage 103 speeches ▸
13. 13 Adjournment Adjournment Motion: Flood Mitigation in Ratnapura District 10 speeches ▸
14. 14 Procedural Adjournment of Parliament 2 speeches ▸