Sitting of Tuesday, 11 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 Opening Opening Announcements and Papers 2 speeches ▸
2. 2 Committee report Committee Reports Presented 2 speeches ▸
3. 3 Petitions Citizens' Petitions Presented 5 speeches ▸
4. 4 Oral question Oral Question: Chicken Production and Supply in Sri Lanka (Q.1/2025) 6 speeches ▸
5. 5 Oral question Oral Question: Construction of Liyangastota Bridge (Q.4/2025) 9 speeches ▾
   • Mr. Speaker procedural
     Full speech →
   • Hon. Upul Kithsiri JJB

     AI summary Hon. Upul Kithsiri asked the Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation for details on the Liyangastota Bridge across the Walawe River, including construction start and expected completion dates, estimated cost, responsible ministry or institution, and the minister in charge at the time. He also sought confirmation on whether the bridge has been completed, and if work was halted midway, the types and value of any materials destroyed.

     Infrastructure Full speech →
   • The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB

     AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake provided a written answer on the Liyangastota Bridge, stating that construction began in December 2017 under SD&CC and has reached about 75 per cent physical progress, with completion dates revised from June 2019 to July 2022. He detailed the original and revised institutional responsibilities under Cabinet decisions in 2017 and 2020, the contract value and balance-work estimates, and identified the relevant ministers at those times. He said the contractor halted work in January 2023, mutual termination is being pursued, a 2025 estimate for remaining work is being prepared, and the completed structure is reported to be stable.

     Infrastructure Full speech →
   • Hon. Upul Kithsiri JJB

     AI summary Hon. Upul Kithsiri raised concern that a project remains halted mid-river despite earlier timelines, creating an unsafe site, and noted media reports that components brought to the site were removed around 25–26 January 2025. He asked how many similar projects across the country remain suspended after large payments have been made.

     InfrastructurePublic Finance Full speech →
   • The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB

     AI summary Bimal Rathnayake stated that a bridge scheduled for completion in 2019 remains unfinished, with work stalled for nearly six years, and said estimates are being prepared in 2025 to complete the remaining work. He noted that similar infrastructure gaps exist elsewhere, including around twenty bridges in Hambantota District lacking proper connecting roads, and said the Government would prioritize and address the necessary cases.

     Infrastructure Full speech →
   • Hon. Upul Kithsiri JJB

     AI summary Hon. Upul Kithsiri asked the Chair whether he could pose supplementary questions to a former Minister under the Standing Orders.

     Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
   • Hon. Upul Kithsiri JJB

     AI summary Hon. Upul Kithsiri raised allegations that funds allocated for a bridge had been misused by a former Minister or his Secretaries. He asked the current Minister whether an investigation would be conducted and a report presented to clarify the facts.

     Corruption & Governance ReformInfrastructure Full speech →
   • The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB

     AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake stated that any specific allegations could be investigated if supporting documents are provided after being tabled. He said the matter would be looked into once those documents are received.

     Justice & Human Rights Full speech →
   • Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB

     AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa clarified that, during his tenure as Minister of Housing and Construction, the bridge projects in question were funded by the Ministry and implemented through State entities such as SD&CC, not private companies. He stated that the works were halted because the Government of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa stopped the entire bridge programme after the 2019 Presidential Election.

     InfrastructurePublic Finance Full speech →
6. 6 Oral question Oral Questions: Moulavi Certificate and Regidale Estate 5 speeches ▸
7. 7 Procedural Procedural Matters: Standing Order 27(2) Question on Graduate Unemployment 23 speeches ▸
8. 8 Debate Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Debate (Heads 186, 196, 227) 142 speeches ▸
9. 9 Adjournment Adjournment Debate: Batticaloa Airport Land Acquisition and Release 15 speeches ▸