Sitting of Tuesday, 4 March 2025
Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 1742359468086980 ·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 Papers Papers presented 3 speeches
- 2 Petitions Petitions presented 5 speeches
- 3 Oral question Oral Question 1: Shakya Kingdom replica at Kahapola (Q.481/2025) 5 speeches
- 4 Oral question Oral Question 2: National Equipment and Machinery Organization (Q.4838/2025) 6 speeches
- 5 Oral question Oral Question 3: Gemstone mining licences in Wellawaya (Q.489/2025) 6 speeches
- 6 Oral question Oral Question 4: Arabic schools curriculum (Q.481/2025) 2 speeches
- 7 Procedural Ministerial Statement: Online Safety Act and tax on export services 20 speeches
- 8 Procedural Ministerial Statements and Points of Order 76 speeches
- The Hon. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK
AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam rose on a point of order. No substantive argument, proposal, or question was recorded in the excerpt provided.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. Sajith Premadasa – Leader of the Opposition
AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa, Leader of the Opposition, briefly intervened to request one minute to speak. No substantive policy issue, proposal, or question was raised in this excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Sajith Premadasa – Leader of the Opposition
AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa, Leader of the Opposition, briefly indicated that he wished to ask a question from the Hon. Deputy Minister. No further substantive issue, proposal, or policy matter was stated in the provided excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Sajith Premadasa – Leader of the Opposition
AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa, Leader of the Opposition, briefly intervened to seek or provide a clarification during the proceedings. No substantive policy position, proposal, or demand was set out in the excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary Bimal Rathnayake responded to an interruption by noting that a question had already been asked. No substantive policy issue or proposal was raised in this brief remark.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Sajith Premadasa – Leader of the Opposition
AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa requested a brief opportunity to clarify the Deputy Minister’s reply. No substantive policy position or proposal was stated in the excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK
AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam briefly rose on a point of order during the sitting. No substantive argument, proposal, or question is recorded in the excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. Sajith Premadasa – Leader of the Opposition
AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa, Leader of the Opposition, requested one minute to speak amid an interruption. No substantive policy argument, proposal, or question was recorded in the excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK
AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam raised concern over recent sword attacks in Araiyampathy on 20 February and in Batticaloa town the previous night. He said underworld groups were causing disturbances in the Batticaloa District and referred to the President’s recent remarks that such incidents could occur.
- The Hon. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK
AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam stated that he wished to cite a Standing Order. No substantive argument, proposal, or policy issue was recorded in the provided excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK
AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam indicated that he would read from the Standing Orders. His brief intervention was interrupted, and no substantive argument or proposal was recorded.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK
AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam requested access to the microphone in order to read out a Standing Order. The intervention was procedural and did not address a substantive policy issue.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK
AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam raised an urgent matter under Standing Order 92(2)(a), referring to disturbances by underworld gangs in the Batticaloa District. He cited a sword attack in Batticaloa town the previous night and another incident in Araiyampathy a week earlier, and requested the Minister to treat the situation as urgent.
Law & Order Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK
AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam asked the Speaker to read the relevant matter properly. The intervention was brief and procedural, without raising a substantive policy issue or proposal.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Sunil Kumara Gamage – Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports
AI summary The Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports stated that he was responding to the question raised by Hon. Amirthanadan Aandai Kalanadan under Standing Order 27(2) on 28 February 2025. No substantive details of the response or issue addressed are included in the provided excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Sunil Kumara Gamage – Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports
AI summary The Minister stated that the St. Lucia playground development at Pallimunei is not being carried out by the Ministry of Sports and is funded by the Urban Development Authority. He explained that work began in 2013 under the Northern Provincial Ministry of Urban Development, with only Phase I earth filling completed, while pavilion construction and turfing were unsuccessful. He added that Rs. 51 million allocated in 2022 for Phase III could not be used due to the abnormal national situation, and the project has since been abandoned without restarting.
Infrastructure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK
AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam referred to Standing Order 92(2)(a), noting that Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri had been allowed to proceed under it the previous week. The remark appears to raise a procedural point amid an interruption.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna raised a point of order. No substantive argument or proposal was made in the recorded statement.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna invoked Standing Order 92(2)(a) to request permission to raise an urgent question, arguing that as a party leader he should be heard in Parliament. He said people in his area were facing violent sword attacks and asked for time to raise the issue, questioning why other Members were given extended opportunities while representatives from the north and east were not.
- The Hon. Speaker procedural
- Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna raised a procedural concern about not being given the microphone when standing to speak. The intervention implies a request for fair recognition and access to speak during proceedings.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna raised a procedural concern, asking whether members could not be heard when they speak in Tamil or Sinhala. The remark sought clarification on language use and audibility or interpretation during parliamentary proceedings.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Sunil Kumara Gamage – Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports
AI summary A ground was selected in 2016 by the then political authority to serve as a District Sports Complex. The Minister indicated he was responding to the second question, but the provided excerpt contains no further details on current status, proposals, or actions.
Infrastructure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Sunil Kumara Gamage – Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports
AI summary Hon. Sunil Kumara Gamage stated that the original sports facility project begun in 2016 was halted because earth filling led to waterlogging and flooding, making construction of the indoor stadium and drainage impracticable. He said the project was then shifted to the Emil Nagar/Naruvilikulam playground in the Nanattan DS Division, Mannar, where work began in 2017. He added that the approved swimming pool is under construction and that funds have been allocated in 2025 for an indoor sports hall and a 400-metre track.
- The Hon. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka SJB
AI summary Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka requested the Speaker to grant Hon. Shanakiyan Rasamanickam one minute to speak and then bring the matter to a close.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Sunil Kumara Gamage – Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports
AI summary Hon. Sunil Kumara Gamage briefly addressed Hon. Ramanathan Archchuna, asking whether he is a doctor. No policy issue, proposal, or legislative matter was raised in this remark.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Sunil Kumara Gamage – Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports
AI summary Hon. Sunil Kumara Gamage stated that minor court and ground renovations are implemented through the District Secretariat. He said seven minor grounds and playground development projects in Mannar District have been completed through the Divisional Secretariat, while five remaining playgrounds are expected to be developed using 2025 allocations, subject to district prioritization.
Infrastructure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa – Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa briefly stated that he intended to raise an important matter and thanked the Speaker for the opportunity to address Parliament. No substantive details, proposals, or questions were presented in the provided excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK
AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam addressed the Hon. Chief Government Whip, but the provided excerpt contains no substantive remarks, proposals, questions, or policy references to summarize.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa requested that another Member allow him to complete his statement before speaking. The intervention was procedural in nature and did not address a substantive policy issue.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Sajith Premadasa – Leader of the Opposition
AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa requested the Speaker to allow Members one minute each to raise questions under Standing Order 92(2), citing prior instances where such permission had been granted. He argued that this had created a precedent and asked that the same procedure be applied to Members currently seeking to speak under that Standing Order.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna briefly attempted to raise a point of order but was interrupted. No substantive issue, proposal, or question was recorded in the speech.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna’s remarks were interrupted and contain no substantive argument, proposal, question, or policy position in the provided excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK
AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam raised a one-minute question under Standing Order 92(2)(a) regarding recent sword attacks in Batticaloa, including incidents on 20 February and the previous night, and a related protest. He urged the Minister to treat the matter seriously and take urgent action, while also criticizing the handling of parliamentary proceedings that morning.
- Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna raised a point of order, apologizing for his earlier conduct and asking why he was not being allowed to speak. He drew attention to an alleged incident at Trincomalee Base Hospital in which a doctor assaulted patients, stating that video evidence was circulating in the media, and requested that the matter be looked into.
- The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake cited Standing Order 92(2)(a) to argue that points of order must be limited to procedural matters and not used to raise unrelated incidents. He warned that misuse of one-minute points of order could disrupt parliamentary business, asked the Secretariat to guide the Chair and House accordingly, and stated that the Opposition was responsible for delaying the start of the Committee Stage.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa – Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa briefly indicated that the matter or intervention should be taken up after his speech. No substantive policy issue, proposal, or question was raised in the excerpt provided.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK
AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam rose on a point of order. No substantive argument, proposal, or question was recorded in the provided excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa – Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa requested the Speaker to bring order and quiet the House.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa – Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa objected to repeated disruptions in the House, stating that what had previously been caused by one member was now being done by two. He urged that such conduct could not continue, as it was making Parliament appear unserious.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK
AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam rose on a point of order. No substantive argument or proposal was recorded in the excerpt provided.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK
AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam sought to invoke Standing Order 91(2) after the Speaker ruled that his intervention was not a point of order. His remarks indicate an attempt to challenge or clarify the procedural basis of the Speaker’s ruling.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- 9 Procedural Ministerial Statement: Salary increases for doctors (Budget 2025) 1 speeches
- 10 Procedural Personal Explanations 5 speeches
- 11 Procedural Notices of Motions: Privilege matter 2 speeches
- 12 Debate Appropriation Bill 2025 — Twelfth Allotted Day — Committee Stage 103 speeches
- 13 Adjournment Adjournment Motion: Flood Mitigation in Ratnapura District 10 speeches
- 14 Procedural Adjournment of Parliament 2 speeches