Sitting of Wednesday, 12 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 and Papers Presented 3 speeches ▸
2. 2 Petitions Petitions Presented 3 speeches ▸
3. 3 Oral question Oral Question: Mass Media (Q.74/2024(1)) - Postponed 4 speeches ▸
4. 4 Oral question Oral Question: Prison Guard Vacancies (Q.125/2024) 7 speeches ▸
5. 5 Oral question Oral Question: Provincial Commissioner of Revenue - Uva (Q.392/2025) 6 speeches ▸
6. 6 Oral question Oral Question: Scarcity of Coconuts and Archaeological Site Protection (Q.92/2024, Q.210/2024) 4 speeches ▸
7. 7 Oral question Question by Private Notice: Reopening of Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka 3 speeches ▸
8. 8 Opening Speaker's Announcements and Welcome 2 speeches ▸
9. 9 Procedural Ministerial Statements 5 speeches ▾
   • Mr. Speaker procedural
     Full speech →
   • The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law - Minister of Justice and National Integration JJB

     AI summary The Minister responded to a Standing Order 27(2) question on the Prevention of Terrorism Act, noting its history, previous amendments, and attempts to replace it, including the 2023 Bill challenged before the Supreme Court. He said Cabinet had approved the appointment of an expert committee chaired by the Secretary to the Ministry of Justice to study the Bill and recommend whether to repeal the PTA and introduce new legislation or take other action. He tabled CTID figures showing 4,327 arrests under the PTA, 1,418 charges filed, 2,909 not charged, 1,734 referred for rehabilitation, and 144 acquitted. He added that the 2022 amendment limited pre-process detention to 72 hours and that the Government intends to restrict the PTA and present a new Bill based on the committee’s recommendations.

     Parliamentary ProcedureJustice & Human RightsLaw & Order Full speech →
   • The Hon. Speaker procedural
     Full speech →
   • The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB

     AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake clarified that expenditure information he tabled on 27 February about former Speakers, office-bearers, vehicles, fuel and the Speaker’s Residence was obtained in writing from the Speaker’s Office with approval, responding to public claims by former Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena that it was inaccurate. He said Parliament’s administrative spending involves public funds and should be accountable, welcomed the decision to subject such expenditure to audit, and sought to table finance-officer-certified reports. He specified that the reports include fuel expenditure for relevant office-bearers across periods in 2023, late 2024 and early 2025.

     Public FinanceParliamentary Procedure Full speech →
   • Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB

     AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake tabled certified schedules on Parliament’s electricity, telephone, food, and fuel expenses for 2023 and 2024, emphasizing the need for full transparency and frugality in the use of public funds. He highlighted fuel expenditure by former office holders, including the former Speaker, Deputy Speaker, and Chairman/Deputy Chairman of Committees, and contrasted these figures with lower fuel expenses recorded under the current Parliament. He requested that, where audit findings justify it, the Speaker consider initiating legal action.

     Public FinanceParliamentary Procedure Full speech →
10. 10 Debate Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation 120 speeches ▸
11. 11 Papers Papers on Annual Reports - MILCO and Land Reform Commission 5 speeches ▸
12. 12 Adjournment Adjournment Motion: Mitigation of Floods Caused by Nilwala Salinity Barrier 8 speeches ▸
13. 13 Papers Written Answers to Questions 1 speeches ▸