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
- 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
- The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Chairman procedural
- Hon. J.C. Alawathuwala SJB
AI summary Hon. J.C. Alawathuwala moved a customary cut motion to reduce by Rs. 10 the allocations under specified programme heads of the Appropriation Bill 2025. Opening debate on the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government, he noted its Rs. 573.5 billion allocation and wide administrative responsibilities, including District and Divisional Secretariats, Grama Niladhari offices, Provincial Councils, and 341 local authorities. He highlighted the long-delayed local government elections, noting that nominations had been called, a court had directed the elections to be held within three months, and 8,355 councillor positions were at stake.
- The Hon. Chairman procedural
- Hon. J.C. Alawathuwala SJB
AI summary J.C. Alawathuwala called for major reforms in public administration institutions, from Grama Niladhari offices to District Secretariats, to improve efficiency and service delivery. He urged the Government to hold local authority elections and then proceed promptly to Provincial Council elections, arguing that unelected administrators cannot meet public expectations. He disputed claims about unprecedented public sector salary increases, citing the 2015-2020 period, and said current pay rises are insufficient against rising living costs and pensioner hardship. He said the Opposition would support constructive reforms, including restructuring the enlarged public sector, while criticizing hostile responses to Members raising public issues.
- The Hon. Chairman procedural
- Hon. J.C. Alawathuwala SJB
AI summary Hon. J.C. Alawathuwala briefly requested additional time to speak. No substantive policy issue, proposal, or question was raised in the statement.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka SJB
AI summary Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka informs a Member that they have two minutes remaining to speak.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. J.C. Alawathuwala SJB
AI summary Hon. J.C. Alawathuwala briefly indicated that he had more points to raise and requested an additional five minutes from Hon. Gayantha to continue his remarks.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka SJB
AI summary Gayantha Karunathilleka requested the Chair to grant another member an additional three minutes to speak.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. J.C. Alawathuwala SJB
AI summary Hon. J.C. Alawathuwala urged the Government to focus on delivering promised change rather than engaging in personal attacks. He raised public service salary anomaly issues, including proposals from the Joint Trade Union Alliance of Management Service Officers to amend the 2025 Budget at Committee Stage and grant the 1111/3 salary scale in line with Public Service Commission recommendations. He also tabled documents on resolving long-standing salary issues affecting graduate appointees in substitute or temporary service, and the documents were placed in the Library.
- The Hon. Chairman procedural
- The Hon. (Prof.) A.H.M.H. Abayarathna - Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government JJB
AI summary The Minister outlined measures to strengthen the public service, including salary and pension increases, recruitment to SLAS and other services, and the raising of age limits for delayed examinations. He said the Budget provides for recruiting 30,000 young persons, filling Grama Niladhari and technical officer vacancies, increasing GN allowances, revising the GN Service Minute, and expanding digitization initiatives such as e-GN and divisional secretariat pilots. He also stated that outdated public administration rules are being reviewed and simplified, and that funds are being provided to enable the Election Commission to conduct postponed local government elections independently.
- The Hon. Chairman procedural
- The Hon. (Prof.) A.H.M.H. Abayarathna JJB
AI summary Public servants who contested in elections faced hardships such as long-distance travel and, in some cases, resignation from their posts. The Minister stated that the Government is working to provide relief to those affected and will outline a broader 2025 work programme at a later stage.
- The Hon. Chairman procedural
- The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB
AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa raised concerns on public service promotions, recruitment, allowances, and alleged administrative victimization, calling for restoration of merit-based promotion examinations, implementation of the MN 3 salary category, and the holding of the advertised 2020 open competition for Management Service Officers. He urged action on Grama Niladhari demands, including allowances, staffing support, and a transparent Service Minute with fair promotion arrangements. He also requested a clear statement on promised graduate recruitments, cited unemployed graduates and teacher appointment delays, and tabled a related petition. He further called for accountability over delays to local government elections and urged that State or religious-cultural programmes not be used in ways that affect a level electoral playing field.
- The Hon. Chairman procedural
- The Hon. Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran ITAK
AI summary Hon. Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran raised the unresolved status of the Kalmunai North Divisional Secretariat, arguing that despite a 1993 Cabinet decision upgrading it to a full Divisional Secretariat, it has been treated as an Assistant Divisional Secretariat without lawful authority. He questioned who had the power to alter or downgrade a Cabinet-approved decision, alleged administrative irregularities and land-related frauds, and requested a special committee to investigate and restore its full status. He also urged the Government to provide fair appointments for unemployed graduates in the North and East, particularly about 1,800 in Ampara, including those who passed competitive examinations.
- The Hon. Chairman procedural
- The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development JJB
AI summary The Minister outlined labour force figures and sectoral employment patterns while focusing on proposed wage increases in the public, private, plantation and pension sectors. He said the Government would amend the Minimum Wages Act to consolidate allowances and raise the private sector basic minimum wage to Rs. 30,000 by January next year, while plantation wage arrangements were being negotiated around a daily minimum and kilo-rate options. He detailed increases to public sector salaries, including for clerical/support grades, drivers, development officers, police, nurses and doctors, and stated that overtime and daily-rate calculations would increase rather than reduce payments. He said the Budget allocates about Rs. 325 billion over three years for public sector salary increases and about Rs. 40 billion for pension enhancements, and rejected claims that health-sector allowances or rates had been cut.
- The Hon. Chairman procedural
- The Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana NDF
AI summary Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana welcomed the decision to hold local government elections but questioned the lack of a polling date, noting that nominations are set for March 17-20 and that the law requires polling within 35 to 55 days after nominations close. He urged the Government to clarify the date promptly to address public doubts arising from previous postponements. He also said public servants would judge promised salary increases by their April payslips, and warned that administrative issues, including the announced wildlife census, could have political consequences.
- The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna
AI summary Raising a Point of Order, Dr. Ramanathan Archchuna disputed the calculation of doctors’ overtime, stating that the divisor had changed from basic salary divided by 80 to divided by 120, causing reduced payments. He requested an increase in the current six-hour cap on overtime and highlighted staffing pressures, including doctors emigrating and postgraduate doctors working up to 24-hour shifts.
- The Hon. Chairman procedural
- The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB
AI summary The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe objected that if another Member makes a claim in Parliament, he should be given an opportunity to respond. His intervention was procedural in nature, seeking the Chair’s permission to reply rather than advancing a substantive policy argument.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Chairman procedural
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson
AI summary The Deputy Chairperson recognized Hon. Namal Rajapaksa and allocated him 12 minutes to speak.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Namal Rajapaksa, Attorney-at-Law SLPP
AI summary Hon. Namal Rajapaksa argued that the Government was using IMF obligations to depart from its election promises, including through policies such as the 15 per cent tax on IT services. He urged the establishment of a depoliticized National Policy Commission under the Presidential Secretariat to ensure continuity in national policy, noting that a previous Cabinet Paper on the matter had stalled. He also raised concerns about politicization in the public service, difficulty attracting professionals to ministries, graduate employment promises, estate worker wages, doctors’ additional duty payment calculations, and issues in the Public Management Assistants’ Service. He called on the Government to consult stakeholders before changing established arrangements or making key administrative and fiscal decisions.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson
AI summary The Deputy Chairperson informed the Member that their allotted speaking time had expired.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Rauff Hakeem, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Rauff Hakeem clarified that reported exclusions from upcoming local authority nominations were partly inaccurate, stating that restraint orders on Mannar and Dehiattakandiya related to the previous nominations framework and that his party would move to withdraw those cases to enable elections. He raised concerns over a land dispute in Muththunagar, Trincomalee, where SLPA-held land cultivated by local farmers is being considered for renewable energy investment, and urged the Government to review the matter and release appropriate portions for community use. He also addressed the Kalmunai North Divisional Secretariat issue, saying it involves boundary and jurisdictional overlaps rather than simple political obstruction, and called for a consensual administrative arrangement consistent with the 1993 Cabinet decision while accounting for demographic and service needs.
- The Hon. Rauff Hakeem, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Hon. Rauff Hakeem raised unresolved divisional boundary and delimitation disputes in Ampara, Kalmunai and particularly Koralaipattu Central, arguing that prior committee and Cabinet decisions have not been gazetted or implemented, causing administrative confusion including overlapping Grama Niladhari appointments. He urged the Government to resolve Tamil-Muslim boundary issues through dialogue with community representatives and Ministry officials, and specifically to implement the Panampalana Committee and Delimitation Commission recommendations granting Koralaipattu Central its allocated GN divisions and land extent. He also requested completion of the unfinished cultural hall at the Ottamavadi Multipurpose Co-operative Society premises and funding to rehabilitate the flood-affected Mowgideen Abdul Kader Playground and its derelict grandstand.
- The Hon. Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran ITAK
AI summary Hon. Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran raised a Point of Order challenging Hon. Rauff Hakeem’s reference to land distribution between Kalmunai North and Kalmunai Divisional Secretariat divisions. He argued that the percentage of land falling within Kalmunai North, whether 70 percent or more, should not be treated as a valid objection in the matter being discussed.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Chairperson
AI summary The Deputy Chairperson informed the Member that the allotted time for raising a Point of Order had ended and directed the Member to conclude.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe SLMC
AI summary Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe stated that Members had appealed to the Speaker to allow discussion on matters concerning Kalmunai, where both Muslim and Tamil communities live. He emphasized the need for Members to speak collectively and work toward a united decision on the issue.
Ethnic Reconciliation & Devolution Full speech → - The Hon. Shanta Pathma Kumara Subasingha JJB
AI summary Hon. Shanta Pathma Kumara Subasingha defended the Government against allegations of political victimization, citing past treatment of officials under previous administrations, and argued that current recruitment of public servants and teachers would be conducted transparently through competitive examinations. He highlighted Budget allocations for 30,000 public sector recruitments, including teachers, and referred to teacher vacancies in Sabaragamuwa and planned recruitment of NIE diploma holders and education graduates. He also outlined allocations under the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government, including school and preschool nutrition programmes, preschool teacher allowances, completion of “Nearest School is the Best School,” and public sector salary increases, while stating that economic indicators were improving under the Government.
- The Hon. (Dr.) V.S. Radhakrishnan SJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) V.S. Radhakrishnan opposed the proposed transfer of the Norwood Divisional Secretariat to Hatton and requested funds to construct or adapt facilities in Norwood, arguing that the service point must remain accessible to the large Norwood/Maskeliya population. He also called for improved facilities and staffing at Talawakelle DS, relocation of Valapane DS to Ragala, and stronger integration of Malaiyaha estate communities into public administration without reliance on estate management approvals. He urged action to regularize documentation and release EPF/ETF entitlements for workers in state-run and leased estates, citing missing records, unpaid benefits, and lack of compensation. He further questioned whether the Government had secured plantation company agreement to implement the promised Rs. 1,700 daily wage.
- The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB
AI summary The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe stated that the Government is finalizing the Rs. 1,700 plantation wage agreement through the Wages Board, following earlier non-compliance by some companies. He said the proposed structure is Rs. 1,350 as the daily wage with a Rs. 350 kilo-rate top-up, and that most companies have agreed despite continued resistance from some. He added that companies have been asked to provide 25 days of work so workers can earn a monthly equivalent of Rs. 33,750.
- The Hon. (Dr.) V.S. Radhakrishnan SJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) V.S. Radhakrishnan sought clarity on whether the proposed plantation wage is a basic daily wage or aggregated earnings, calling for an unconditional Rs. 1,700 per day without requirements such as 25 days’ work. He said support would depend on effective implementation and recalled earlier demands for higher wages that were not delivered. He also raised salary anomalies and promotion issues affecting Management Assistants, local authority clerical officers, and graduates, proposing a return to competitive examination-based promotions and the application of MN3 rather than MN2 salary scales. He urged the Government to protect the interests of public servants and the plantation community, noting their electoral support, and said he would address plantation sector matters further during the relevant ministry debate.
- The Hon. K. Sujith Sanjaya Perera SJB
AI summary K. Sujith Sanjaya Perera highlighted inadequate facilities and workspace in Divisional Secretariat offices, attributing inefficiencies partly to large recruitments without corresponding duties or infrastructure. He questioned the actual impact of proposed public sector salary increases and urged the Government to address long-standing salary anomalies affecting Management Service Officers, noting prior assurances that these would be resolved through the Budget. He also called for urgent delimitation of Divisional Secretariat boundaries in parts of Kegalle District to reduce travel burdens on residents, and urged the Government to implement the proposed Rs. 1,700 wage for plantation workers through the Wages Board or another mechanism.
- The Hon. Muhammad Faizal JJB
AI summary Hon. Muhammad Faizal supported the Votes of the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government, stating that its Rs. 496.5 billion allocation should be used efficiently through GN, Divisional Secretariat and Pradeshiya Sabha structures to improve service delivery. He raised concerns about past lapses in fund distribution, local authority boundary delimitation in Puttalam, the needs of fisheries and salt producers in Kalpitiya and Puttalam, and requested assistance for affected communities. He also called for urgent action to fill Tamil and Sinhala Government Translator vacancies, noted planned recruitment of 30,000 public sector employees, and said the Government is arranging the delayed Local Government Elections.
- The Hon. Faiszer Musthapha, PC NDF
AI summary Faiszer Musthapha urged the Government to resolve the legal impasse preventing Provincial Council elections by appointing a review committee, headed by the Prime Minister, to submit the required delimitation review report to the President within two months. He argued that the absence of elected Provincial Councils since 2018 has weakened accountability under the 13th Amendment, and called for the preservation of ward-based local representation and the 25 per cent women’s quota in any reforms. On labour matters, he requested swift negotiations with plantation companies to secure a daily wage of Rs. 2,000 for plantation workers, citing the cost of living and prior failed efforts through the Wages Board.
- The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK
AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam raised concerns about plantation workers’ wages, questioning why the Government’s Budget referred to Rs. 1,700 despite earlier trade union positions seeking over Rs. 2,100, and asked for clear action or an honest explanation to the malaiyaha community. He also referred to estate workers’ land and housing rights, citing the recent fire at Hatton Senan Estate and wider concerns about conditions in plantation areas. He asked the Government to proceed with Provincial Council elections by restoring the previous electoral system, and sought responses on the Kalmunai North Divisional Secretariat issue and the proposed bifurcation of large Divisional Secretariat divisions in Batticaloa and Ampara.
- The Hon. (Ms.) Lakmali Hemachandra, Attorney-at-Law JJB
AI summary Hon. Lakmali Hemachandra clarified that she had not accused doctors or health workers of being thieves, while criticizing attempts to mislead the public on that issue. She focused on proposed labour law reforms, asking the Minister to state the current status of the draft review and stressing that reforms should proceed through proper tripartite consultation, including the National Labour Advisory Council. She criticized the 2023 draft as insufficiently consultative and inadequate in addressing women’s low labour force participation, urging the Ministry to prioritize recognition of unpaid care work through measures such as maternity benefits, childcare, and other supportive policies.
- The Hon. Hector Appuhamy SJB
AI summary Hector Appuhamy said that during the debate on the Votes for Public Administration, Provincial Councils, Local Government and Labour, he intended to present proposals despite reduced speaking time. He criticized the Government for assigning Grama Niladharis to count monkeys and macaques, arguing that they should instead be given more substantial responsibilities.
- The Hon. Hector Appuhamy SJB
AI summary Hon. Hector Appuhamy urged the Government to begin its digitization programme at the Grama Niladhari level by providing computers, training officers, and creating village-level databases linked to Divisional Secretariats and relevant institutions. He argued that such a system would speed up certificates and public services, reduce delays and informal payments, support foreign employment documentation, and contribute to economic efficiency. He also noted the importance of the Ministry and Department of Labour, referencing the Indian Immigrants Ordinance of 1923 and the Employees’ Provident Fund Act No. 15 of 1958, while stating that labour administration has been sidelined.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson
AI summary The Deputy Chairperson informed the Member that only two minutes remained for their speech.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Hector Appuhamy SJB
AI summary Hon. Hector Appuhamy argued that the Department of Labour and related bodies are underutilizing their capacity, stating that less than 40 percent of possible work is being achieved despite the availability of institutions such as the National Productivity Secretariat and Labour Welfare Fund. He questioned recent administrative changes that separated or reassigned labour, productivity, and foreign employment functions, arguing that Labour and Foreign Employment should remain together to better address sectoral issues. He also noted that a draft report prepared during his chairmanship of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Foreign Employment and Labour had not been tabled because Parliament was dissolved, and said he hoped to present it later.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson
AI summary The Deputy Chairperson informed the Member that their allotted speaking time had ended.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Hector Appuhamy SJB
AI summary Hon. Hector Appuhamy briefly requested permission to take one minute to speak. No substantive policy point, proposal, or question was raised in the statement.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Chairperson
AI summary The Deputy Chairperson urged the member speaking to conclude quickly, indicating a procedural intervention to manage debate time.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Hector Appuhamy SJB
AI summary Hon. Hector Appuhamy stated that a draft report containing recommendations on labour-related issues, based on discussions with relevant institutions, is not yet finalized but will be tabled later. He said the Ministry and Department of Labour could act on its findings, particularly to address irregularities in the Employees’ Provident Fund and to regularize wage-related practices.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson
AI summary The Hon. Deputy Chairperson directed the Member to conclude their remarks, indicating that the allotted speaking time was ending.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Hector Appuhamy SJB
AI summary Hon. Hector Appuhamy said greater public understanding and patriotism could support wider engagement in Sri Lanka’s economic transformation if properly structured. He proposed that Parliament devote a full day to discussing the subject in future.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Chairperson
AI summary The Deputy Chairperson called Hon. Kathiravelu Shanmugam Kugathasan to speak and informed him that he had seven minutes.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Kathiravelu Shanmugam Kugathasan ITAK
AI summary Hon. Kathiravelu Shanmugam Kugathasan argued that powers removed from Provincial Councils after the 13th Amendment, including in cooperatives, education, health, agriculture and irrigation, should be restored and further devolution pursued. He called for Provincial Council elections to be held without delay and said the Eastern Province’s 2025 capital allocation, though increased, was inadequate for its needs. He requested action to fill staff vacancies in the Eastern Provincial Council and Local Authorities, provide waste-collection vehicles, fire engines and heavy machinery, and broaden Local Authority powers. He also referred to the Mahinda Deshapriya Delimitation Commission recommendation to reduce Local Authority members from 8,356 to 4,714 by a future election.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Dinindu Saman
AI summary Hon. Dinindu Saman defended the Government’s allocations for public administration, emphasizing that the new salary increase for public servants was granted without trade union agitation and despite fiscal constraints. He argued that the increase strengthens basic salaries rather than relying on temporary allowances, raises annual increments by 80 percent, and increases the disaster loan limit from Rs. 250,000 to Rs. 400,000. He criticized Opposition parties and some trade unions for misrepresenting the April salary changes in relation to Circular 03/2024 and urged public servants to support the Government’s broader programme to build an efficient public service.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara criticized the Government for raising expectations on public sector salary increases and then blaming the Opposition for resulting unrest, including recent disputes over fuel distributor commissions and health sector allowances. He urged the Government to engage unions and affected groups transparently, particularly over reductions to medical service allowances. He also proposed absorbing graduate minor-grade employees into Development Officer vacancies through provincial mechanisms and recruiting additional Sri Lanka Administrative Service candidates by lowering the exam cut-off to fill vacancies. He highlighted long-standing salary anomalies affecting management service officers, arguing that recent selective revisions, including for Grama Niladharis, have worsened disparities in the public service salary structure.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Ismail Muththu Mohamed
AI summary Hon. Ismail Muththu Mohamed, speaking during the Committee Stage Debate on the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government, highlighted difficulties faced by residents in accessing Grama Niladhari services due to vacancies and meeting schedules. He cited 26 vacancies among 102 GN divisions in Vavuniya and requested arrangements for easier public access, as well as the re-establishment of the Poovarasankulam sub-office to reduce travel to the Vavuniya Divisional Secretariat. He also called for greater powers, funding, and staffing support for Provincial Councils and Local Authorities to improve local services such as house numbering, street naming, valuation, and tax collection.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. (Ms.) Krishnan Kalaichelvi JJB
AI summary Hon. (Ms.) Krishnan Kalaichelvi raised concern over a fire that destroyed line-room housing in Senan Estate, Hatton, and used the Labour Ministry Committee Stage debate to highlight longstanding wage, housing, education and health issues affecting upcountry plantation workers. She argued that past governments failed to convert plantation workers from daily wage earners to salaried employees before the 1992 estate leasing arrangements, contributing to current hardship, and criticized the Opposition’s record on the issue. She cited factory closures and a decline in green leaf production, while stating that the current Government has increased allocations for upcountry communities from Rs. 10,068 million in 2023 to Rs. 16,738 million to address education, health, infrastructure and related needs.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. M.A.M. Thahir ACMC
AI summary Hon. M.A.M. Thahir criticized the limited development allocations to Ampara Divisional Secretariats, arguing that Rs. 3.2 million per division is inadequate for meaningful local infrastructure work. He questioned the Government’s commitments on reducing prices and ensuring clean governance, citing an alleged unpaid political meeting at the Nintavur Pradeshiya Sabha auditorium and asking for an explanation. He urged the Government to hold Provincial Council elections, protect powers under the 13th Amendment, continue the “Urumaya” title deed programme, increase local and Eastern Province funding, and seek a united, consultative solution to the Kalmunai North/South issue rather than politically driven division.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam ACTC
AI summary G.G. Ponnambalam raised administrative service issues affecting the Northern and Eastern Provinces, urging intervention to restore local government suboffice functions in the North for matters such as building permits, land subdivisions and street line certificates. He requested the division of the large Chavakachcheri Divisional Secretariat and the creation of a new secretariat centred on Kodikamam. He also called for the Kalmunai-North Divisional Secretariat, recognized and upgraded through decisions since 1989 and 1993, to be allowed to function fully with necessary staff and without downgrading or transferring functions to Kalmunai-South.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Lakshman Nipuna Arachchi JJB
AI summary Hon. Lakshman Nipuna Arachchi defended the allocations under the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government, arguing that they are necessary to develop the public-sector human resource base needed to implement the Government’s programme, including salary increases, training, and new recruitment to replace retirees. He said Local Authorities and Provincial Councils must be strengthened, citing weakened finances, past mismanagement, and unproductive capital projects in some councils as reasons for central support for rural infrastructure and local development. He also criticized the Opposition’s focus and said the Budget’s provisions are intended to rebuild state institutions across central, provincial, and local levels.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Thurairasa Ravikaran ITAK
AI summary Hon. Thurairasa Ravikaran raised concerns about administrative underdevelopment in Mullaitivu during the Committee Stage Debate on Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government. He requested the Government to address the amalgamation of Vavunikulam and Oddusuddan DS divisions under one Pradeshiya Sabha, fill 140 vacancies in district and divisional offices, and commence Phase 2 of the Mullaitivu District Secretariat building. He urged equal treatment of all districts and noted similar staffing and administrative shortages in Vavuniya and Mannar.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Chandana Sooriyaarachchi JJB
AI summary Hon. Chandana Sooriyaarachchi supported the Budget provisions for the Ministries of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government, and Labour, emphasizing increases to public servants’ basic salaries and annual increments across grades, as well as the raising of the PAYE tax threshold from Rs. 100,000 to Rs. 150,000. He said the Government would recruit 30,000 graduates through competitive examinations to fill vacancies, including attention to teacher service vacancies. He also referred to phased measures to address pension anomalies for retirees, principals and teachers, with Rs. 10,000 million allocated, and noted a proposal for a subcommittee to examine unresolved public service issues.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Chandana Sooriyaarachchi JJB
AI summary Hon. Chandana Sooriyaarachchi raised concerns about unresolved service conditions in the public sector, including inadequate salary scales, transfer issues, and the absence of allowances for Economic Development Officers. He also noted unfulfilled commitments relating to Management Service officers, including renaming the service, implementing the MN-3 MoU, and filling MN-2 vacancies. He said graduates currently in minor grades should be absorbed into suitable public service posts, and that the Government would seek solutions through the Advisory Committee’s subcommittee process.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Gnanamuththu Srineshan ITAK
AI summary Hon. Gnanamuththu Srineshan argued that the Provincial Council system established under the 13th Amendment has been weakened through the removal or non-implementation of key powers, including land and police powers, the separation of the North and East, and the transfer of functions such as Divineguma to the Centre. He said overlapping responsibilities in education, health, and roads, inadequate funding, deteriorating provincial services, and the failure to hold Provincial Council elections since 2018 have made the system ineffective. He urged the Government to restore powers to Provincial Councils and implement genuine devolution as a means to address the national question, promote peace, and support development.
- The Hon. Gnanamuththu Srineshan ITAK
AI summary Hon. Gnanamuththu Srineshan argued that the unitary system and inadequate power sharing have failed to address human rights, reconciliation, the economy, and the national ethnic question, and called for a federal-type political solution and reforms to the provincial council system. He requested administrative restructuring in Batticaloa District, including splitting large divisional secretariats such as Eravur Pattu and Porativu Pattu and resolving the long-pending Kalmunai North Divisional Secretariat issue. He also criticized the 60:40 mixed electoral model for local authorities, saying it creates unstable councils and opportunities for bribery, and proposed either a fully proportional system or a 70:30 ward-proportional model.
Parliamentary ProcedureEthnic Reconciliation & DevolutionCorruption & Governance Reform Full speech → - The Hon. Mohamed Sali Naleem
AI summary Hon. Mohamed Sali Naleem raised concerns over unresolved divisional and Grama Niladhari boundary issues in Batticaloa and the wider North and East, arguing that failures to gazette and implement past administrative recommendations have caused land, registration, service-delivery and appointment-related problems for Muslim communities. He cited the Panambalana Commission recommendations, the Koralaipattu Central, Koralaipattu South/Kiran, Oddamavadi, Eravur and related DS/GN divisions, and said land administration has remained irregular despite decades of discussion. He urged the Government, in the context of the Budget allocations for Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government, and Labour, to formally demarcate and gazette these boundaries and address perceived inequities in land allocation and programmes such as “Urumaya.”
- The Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe - Deputy Minister of Labour JJB
AI summary Mahinda Jayasinghe defended the Government’s public sector salary revision, rejecting Opposition claims that the increase was misleading and stating that the minimum public service salary would rise from Rs. 24,250 to Rs. 40,000. He said disputes raised by doctors concerned changes to leave and overtime allowance calculations rather than salary reductions, and noted that the GMOA had suspended its token strike following discussions. He acknowledged that the increase was not fully sufficient given inflation and living costs, but argued it was the best feasible measure in the Government’s first Budget after economic default, while also noting remaining pension anomalies to be addressed in future Budgets.
- The Hon. (Dr.) M.L.A.M. Hizbullah SLMC
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) M.L.A.M. Hizbullah urged the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government to resolve long-standing administrative boundary issues in Batticaloa District, particularly the undefined boundaries of the Koralaipattu Central Divisional Secretariat and other DS divisions affected by war-related administrative complications. He requested implementation of relevant Panambalana Commission recommendations and the appointment of a special committee to find a permanent solution. He also asked the Minister to address a gap in Budget 2025 pension revision proposals by considering relief for pensioners who retired between 1 January 2020 and 31 March 2025, citing cost-of-living pressures and a submission from the Oddamavadi Pensioners’ Association.
- The Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe SLMC
AI summary Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe commended the Ministry’s administration but urged the Government to restore and strengthen the provincial council system by holding long-delayed elections and returning powers needed for local service delivery. He highlighted unresolved administrative, land and boundary issues in the North and East, including Kalmunai North, Koralaipattu, Trincomalee sub-divisional secretariats, and the long-promised Sainthamaruthu local authority, requesting ministerial intervention. He also asked the Ministry to enforce its circular on District Coordinating Committee meetings by limiting meeting duration, regulating attendees accompanying MPs, and preventing disruptions.
- The Hon. (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam ITAK
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam raised administrative concerns in Vavuniya District, particularly the division of Manalaaru/Weli Oya GN divisions between different Pradeshiya Sabhas, which he said was a politically motivated anomaly affecting local services and representation. He requested the creation of an appropriate local authority for the area, filling 26 Grama Niladhari vacancies in Vavuniya North, and allocating funds for a new Vavuniya District Secretariat building. He also highlighted wider staffing shortages, including drivers, technical officers, management assistants, development officers and disaster management officers, and asked that officers assigned to Vavuniya/Mannar divisions be required to serve there rather than in other districts.
- The Hon. P. Ruwan Senarath - Deputy Minister of Provincial Councils and Local Government JJB
AI summary Deputy Minister P. Ruwan Senarath outlined 2025 allocations and projects under Provincial Councils and Local Government, including Rs. 22,789 million for local authorities, Rs. 5,000 million for rural roads and bridges, Clean Sri Lanka waste-management initiatives, digitization of all 341 local authorities, and foreign-funded projects in the Northern, Uva, Eastern and Western Provinces. He detailed funding for solid waste management, sanitation, recycling facilities, tourism-linked local authority infrastructure, Colombo tax administration and wastewater projects, rural bridges, and proposed Japanese-supported infrastructure for four emerging provinces. He also alleged serious irregularities at the Sri Lanka Institute of Local Governance, including governance failures and missing project funds, and said a new board and Director would be appointed and investigations pursued. He argued that government savings would come from curbing fraud, waste and misuse of public funds, citing past fuel expenditure by a former State Minister as an example.
- The Hon. Waruna Liyanage SJB
AI summary Hon. Waruna Liyanage urged amendments to outdated labour laws, specifically the Factories Ordinance and the Shop and Office Employees Act, and called for stronger enforcement of EPF/ETF obligations, including settlement of arrears in state plantation estates and recruitment of more labour inspectors. He requested permanency and insurance-related relief for provincial and local government workers, improvements to the Agrahara scheme, and vehicle permit relief for entitled retiring public servants. He also raised concerns over reductions to MPs’ insurance and criticized recent local government election law changes, arguing that increased council membership, governance deadlocks, and unequal nomination deposits should be corrected.
- The Hon. (Prof.) A.H.M.H. Abayarathna - Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government JJB
AI summary The Minister rejected allegations by the Leader of the Opposition that transfers of Chief Secretaries and District Secretaries were politically motivated, citing individual cases to state that the officers had retired voluntarily or been moved to other responsible posts. He outlined the Ministry’s 2025 programme, including the Integrated Pension Management System, revision of the Pension Minute, nationwide death-reporting links with the Registrar General to prevent post-death pension payments, and digital services for pensioners, beneficiaries, the Public Service Provident Fund, and overseas access to civil documents. He said the Ministry would consider MPs’ proposals, especially from the North and East, through relevant processes, and noted that the 2025 Independence celebrations were organized in a cost-effective manner.
- The Hon. (Prof.) Anil Jayantha - Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development JJB
AI summary Minister Anil Jayantha stated that the Committee Stage debate should assess whether allocations to the two Ministries are being used for their intended purposes and how they can be utilized effectively. He emphasized the need to examine institutional capacity and related issues, and to provide constructive and critical input on the relevant expenditure Heads.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. (Prof.) Anil Jayantha JJB
AI summary Hon. (Prof.) Anil Jayantha said Opposition members had raised some relevant issues but also made false claims, and he argued that the Government’s approach represents a broader shift in governance, including transparency on matters such as salaries, taxation and petroleum blocks. Responding to questions on employment, he stated that a Cabinet-appointed officials’ committee had identified 15,453 vacancies, with Cabinet approval already granted to recruit 7,456 persons and a further 2,003 posts recommended, supported by a Rs. 10 billion allocation. He said future public sector recruitment would be conducted systematically and according to rules, rather than through political patronage or irregular procedures.
- The Hon. Chairman procedural
- The Hon. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Members
AI summary Members agreed to proceed, and the matter was further considered in Committee with the Hon. Speaker in the Chair.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. (Prof.) Anil Jayantha JJB
AI summary Hon. (Prof.) Anil Jayantha said the proposed Employment Statute could support improved production relations, but should not be rushed in a way that serves only selected interests. He noted protests from worker groups, particularly women workers’ unions, and said technical inconsistencies in combining about 13 statutes had been addressed in redrafting. He stated that, with Cabinet approval, a committee would be appointed with stakeholder participation to develop the law, focusing on productivity, shared responsibilities, reduced conflict, and industrial peace rather than narrow collective bargaining disputes.
- The Hon. Chairman procedural
- The Hon. (Prof.) Anil Jayantha JJB
AI summary Plans were outlined to protect labour rights, recognize diverse forms of work, generate employment, and accelerate implementation and possible ratification of relevant ILO conventions, including those on workplace safety and protection. The management of the EPF and ETF was highlighted, noting their combined assets of about Rs. 4 trillion, with an emphasis on improving investment returns for workers’ retirement security. The Ministry aims to strengthen coordination with the Central Bank, digitize EPF/ETF services and Labour Department administration, and promote industrial peace as part of a broader shift in production relations.
- The Hon. (Prof.) A.-H.M.H. Abayarathna
AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Finance, the member moved a Committee Stage amendment to the 2025 Appropriation Bill relating to the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government. The amendment seeks to revise the recurrent expenditure allocation on page 21, line 23, to Rs. 473 billion.
Public Finance Full speech → - The Hon. Chairman procedural
- Hon. Members
AI summary The Committee agreed to insert the amended recurrent expenditure total of Rs. 473 billion into the Schedule and ordered it to stand part of the Schedule. It also approved Head 130 allocations, including Rs. 3.992 billion for Programme 01 recurrent expenditure, Rs. 1.735 billion for Programme 01 capital expenditure, and Rs. 23.3 billion for Programme 02 capital expenditure. Proceedings then moved to Head 253, the Department of Pensions, with allocations listed for operational recurrent and capital expenditure.
Public Finance Full speech → - The Hon. (Prof.) A.-H.M.H. Abayarathna
AI summary At the 2025 Committee Stage of the Appropriation Bill, an amendment was moved under Head 253, Programme 01. The intervention was procedural and did not include further substantive argument or policy detail.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- Hon. Members
AI summary Parliament agreed to an amendment increasing the recurrent provision for Head 253, Programme 01, by Rs. 10 billion to Rs. 414.354 billion, while approving Rs. 81 million in capital expenditure for the same programme. The Committee then approved recurrent and capital allocations under Head 254 for the Department of Registrar General and Heads 255 to 258 for the Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara, and Kandy District Secretariats, ordering each to stand part of the Schedule.
Public Finance Full speech → - Mr. Chairman
AI summary The Chair put the Questions on allocations under Heads 259 to 265 for District Secretariats in Matale, Nuwara Eliya, Galle, Matara, Hambantota, and Jaffna during consideration of the Schedule. The Committee agreed to the specified recurrent and capital expenditure amounts for each listed Head, and those Programme 01 allocations were ordered to stand part of the Schedule.
Public Finance Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- 13 Adjournment Adjournment Motion: Flood Mitigation in Ratnapura District 10 speeches
- 14 Procedural Adjournment of Parliament 2 speeches