Sitting of Friday, 14 March 2025
Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 1744281136023320 ·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 Opening Parliament Opening and Speaker's Announcements 1 speeches
- 2 Papers Tabling of Annual Reports 5 speeches
- 3 Petitions Petitions 5 speeches
- 4 Oral question Oral Questions and Answers 40 speeches
- Mr. Speaker procedural
- Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma - Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning
AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, the Deputy Minister stated that Sri Lanka received the IMF Extended Fund Facility third and fourth tranches in 2024/2025, each amounting to SDR 254 million, approximately USD 336 million and USD 334 million respectively. He said the funds were obtained to support fiscal and external sector policy adjustments and were used for Government budget deficit financing. He further provided the applicable interest basis, noting the current effective rate for the first week of March 2025 was 3.743 per cent, and stated that repayments for the third tranche run from December 2028 to May 2034 and for the fourth tranche from September 2029 to February 2035.
Public Finance Full speech → - Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara asked the Deputy Minister about the implications of the Central Bank Act’s prohibition on money printing in the context of normal monetary expansion linked to economic growth. He sought details on the amount the Government had borrowed through Treasury bills and bonds since assuming office and asked whether the Government intended to amend the Central Bank Act or continue under the existing framework if monetary expansion is restricted.
Public Finance Full speech → - Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma rejected the suggestion that interest rates would rise for the stated reason, arguing that proper economic management, targeted allocation of resources through government policy, and appropriate management of money supply support growth and help reduce interest rates. In response to a question on domestic borrowing, he said he would obtain and provide the specific figure.
Public Finance Full speech → - Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara questioned an apparent inconsistency in the 2025 Budget figures, noting that foreign borrowings of Rs. 700 billion and debt repayments of Rs. 625 billion imply net foreign financing of about Rs. 75 billion. He asked why the Budget Estimates list Rs. 375 billion instead, which would raise the deficit from Rs. 2,200 billion to Rs. 2,500 billion, and sought clarification on whether this was a numerical error or the actual fiscal position.
Public Finance Full speech → - Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma clarified that deficit financing is sourced through multiple channels, including grants, domestic revenue, and both foreign and domestic borrowing, not only foreign loans. He stated that the projections are based on available information and that allocations and disbursements are managed according to project needs during implementation, with no resulting Budget discrepancy or issue.
Public Finance Full speech → - Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB
AI summary Hon. Ajith P. Perera raised Question 155/2024 seeking details of the Government’s agreement with the Adani Group on solar and wind power generation. He requested information on the terms of the agreement, pricing or tariff arrangements, project scope, implementation status, and any related approvals or procurement procedures.
- Hon. Kumara Jayakody - Minister of Energy JJB
AI summary Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody stated that the Adani Group wind power project in Mannar and Pooneryn was intended to add 484 MW toward Sri Lanka’s target of 70% renewable electricity by 2030, and tabled the relevant MoU, Cabinet memoranda, decisions, and related documents. He said the project was treated as a government-to-government initiative under the Sri Lanka Electricity Act and that Cabinet decided on 30 December 2024 to re-evaluate it through appointed committees and seek the Attorney-General’s advice. He further informed Parliament that Adani had indicated on 12 February 2025 an intention to withdraw, and that the Ministry has sought and received a written position from Adani Green Energy SL Limited, which is now under study.
- Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB
AI summary Hon. Ajith P. Perera questioned the Government’s characterization of the Adani energy project as a government-to-government agreement, arguing that India and Adani should not be treated as the same entity under the Electricity Act. He referred to election pledges to cancel the agreement and claimed that competitive bidding could have secured a lower electricity price than the reported USD cents 8.26 per unit. He also asked the Minister to disclose the contents of Adani’s written notification regarding its reported withdrawal from the project, citing its national importance.
- Hon. Kumara Jayakody JJB
AI summary Hon. Kumara Jayakody clarified that the project had not been cancelled, but that Cabinet had revoked the previous decision of 28 August 2023 to sign the agreement and was reviewing the matter. He said the Adani Group had informed the BOI of an intention to withdraw, though no final position had been received, and offered to table the local company’s letter if the issue was formally raised. He stated that the previous Government had treated the project as a G2G arrangement, while the current Cabinet was seeking to regularize the process.
- Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB
AI summary Hon. Ajith P. Perera requested that a relevant letter cited by the Minister be placed in the Library. He argued for transparent, competitive tenders for renewable energy projects, particularly wind and solar opportunities in Mannar and the Northern seas, noting that competition could secure lower prices while maintaining good relations with India. He questioned why the Government was not swiftly calling fresh tenders and tenders for remaining tracts through simple and transparent procurement processes.
- Hon. Kumara Jayakody JJB
AI summary Hon. Kumara Jayakody said renewable energy procurement, particularly solar and wind, would proceed through competitive tenders except in genuine government-to-government cases, and that unsolicited proposals would not be accepted. He noted that Mannar has about 400 MW of wind potential, with 103 MW already operated by the CEB and another 50 MW planned, while the remaining capacity previously earmarked for Adani is stalled due to pending court cases. He also said a 234 MW Pooneryn wind project given to Adani under an MoU is being reviewed, and that if clarifications are not provided promptly, the Government will move to price-competitive tenders.
- Hon. Kumara Jayakody - Minister of Energy JJB
AI summary Hon. Kumara Jayakody stated that Cabinet decisions in 2023 and 2024 set electricity tariff revisions first at six-monthly and then three-monthly intervals, with the latest revision taking effect on 18 January 2025. He said the CEB will submit the next quarterly tariff proposal to the PUCSL under the approved methodology after assessing the full billing impact, which is expected to be clear by mid-April. He explained that revenue adequacy will be evaluated using factors including fuel prices, hydrology, plant dispatch, interest rates, macroeconomic conditions, demand, allowed revenue, and government policy guidelines.
- Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha SJB
AI summary Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha asked whether the Government would fulfil the President’s election pledge to reduce electricity bills by one-third at the next tariff revision. He cited recent declines in Brent crude and coal prices and urged the Government, in coordination with the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka, to align the revision with that promised reduction.
- Hon. Kumara Jayakody JJB
AI summary Hon. Kumara Jayakody stated that the Government’s commitment was to achieve and sustainably maintain an approximately 30 per cent reduction in electricity tariffs over three years, rather than respond to short-term quarterly fluctuations. He explained that daily fuel price changes have limited impact because fossil fuel use in generation has declined and coal is procured through annual fixed-price tenders, with logistical constraints limiting midstream adjustments. He reaffirmed the goal of implementing tariff reductions for the benefit of the economy and the public.
- Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha SJB
AI summary Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha asked how the Government would address the current staff shortage at the Ceylon Electricity Board, noting that manpower workers had previously been regularized into the permanent cadre in 2015. He sought clarification on whether the shortage would be met by rehiring manpower workers or through permanent cadre recruitment.
Employment Full speech → - Hon. Kumara Jayakody JJB
AI summary Hon. Kumara Jayakody stated that there is a modest staffing shortfall, mainly in higher technical positions such as engineers, while some lower-grade divisions have excess staff. He said the Government is implementing the post-2016 Cabinet decision to discontinue manpower recruitment and therefore does not need external recruitment for lower grades. Applications are currently being called through the relevant website to fill higher-level technical vacancies.
- Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF
AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake raised Question No. 302/2024 seeking details on student enrolment in Grade One and admissions to government and private universities. The question requested information relevant to the education sector, likely including comparative figures and policy implications for school and higher education access.
Education Full speech → - Hon. (Dr.) Madhura Senevirathna - Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education JJB
AI summary The Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education provided statistical answers on school admissions, examination outcomes, university eligibility, and higher education pathways. He reported declining Grade One admissions from 343,912 in 2019 to 298,959 in 2023, and stated that in 2023, 173,444 A/L candidates qualified for university admission while 42,282 were selected to state universities. He outlined alternative higher education routes, including external degrees, the Open University, vocational and technology institutions, and recognized non-state degree-awarding institutions, which had about 49,146 local degree students in 2024. He also stated that overseas study is privately financed and not fully traceable by the Ministry, and gave education expenditure figures rising from Rs. 340 billion in 2020 to an estimated Rs. 622 billion in 2025, with GDP share ranging from 1.6 to 2.2 per cent.
Education Full speech → - The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF
AI summary Ravi Karunanayake questioned the limited admission of A/L-qualified students to state universities, noting that only about 42,000 enter despite 173,000 qualifying and substantial public expenditure on the university system. He asked the Prime Minister why the Government could not further strengthen higher education options, including private university access and interest-free loan schemes, citing past policy efforts and the large private and overseas education spending by families.
- The Hon. (Dr.) Madhura Senevirathna JJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Madhura Senevirathna clarified statistics on university access, stating that about 87,000 students apply annually, with roughly 65 per cent of applicants entering state universities, including institutions outside the UGC framework such as NSBM and KDU. He noted the existence of 28 non-State universities and around 130 affiliated entities linked to overseas institutions, raising concern that affiliated models may result in larger foreign currency outflows.
Education Full speech → - The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF
AI summary Ravi Karunanayake argued that all students who pass the A/L examination should have the opportunity to enter university, describing it as a human right. He urged the Minister to popularize the loan scheme and not limit higher education access to state universities, noting that the private sector also contributes effectively.
Education Full speech → - The Hon. (Dr.) Madhura Senevirathna JJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Madhura Senevirathna argued that higher education pathways should be viewed beyond universities, noting that many students enter vocational institutions such as SLIATE, which currently has about 26,000 students and around 7,500 annual progressions. He stated that vocational education is being aligned with global trends and higher education, and contended that students choosing private, state, or vocational routes should not be treated as a significant loss of opportunity. He also challenged the assumption that students go abroad solely because of degree requirements.
Education Full speech → - The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF
AI summary Ravi Karunanayake briefly stated that the matter under discussion has additional underlying reasons, indicating that these factors are central to the issue. No specific proposal, demand, or legislative reference was made in the excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. (Dr.) Madhura Senevirathna JJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Madhura Senevirathna stated that students will continue to seek education abroad unless Sri Lanka strengthens its university system, even if the country develops as an education hub. He acknowledged a role for private universities, particularly in disciplines not offered elsewhere, and argued that the Budget’s focus should be on expanding quality higher education opportunities.
Education Full speech → - The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF
AI summary Ravi Karunanayake urged that the measure be implemented decisively to avoid problems similar to those experienced at the NCMC. He emphasized the need for bold execution rather than hesitation.
Public Finance Full speech → - The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF
AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake questioned the Deputy Minister on the implications of a sharp decline in Grade 1 admissions, noting that intake had fallen from 421,000 in 2015 to 279,000 at present. He asked how the Government forecasts future education needs given 10,315 schools and 218,000 teachers, and whether the decline indicates a serious situation for the education sector.
Education Full speech → - The Hon. (Dr.) Madhura Senevirathna JJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Madhura Senevirathna acknowledged the decline in Grade 1 admissions, attributing it partly to falling birth rates and broader demographic change. He said the issue had been discussed repeatedly and that authorities were studying other social factors while working to make schools more attractive to children rather than relying on compulsion.
Education Full speech → - The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB
AI summary Chaminda Wijesiri requested a brief opportunity to speak under Standing Order 37. No substantive policy issue, proposal, or question was presented in the quoted remark.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB
AI summary Chaminda Wijesiri raised a procedural concern under Standing Order 37 about the sequencing of Questions for Oral Answers on the Order Paper. He said questions he had submitted earlier, including those numbered 1 to 10 among about 100, were being bypassed while later questions such as 12 to 14 were taken, despite his having awaited ministerial answers for some time.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB
AI summary Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri complained that his earlier parliamentary questions, numbered 1–10 and relating to alleged major frauds including the bond and garlic scams, had not appeared on the Order Paper, while later questions had been listed. He said Members had not been informed that those questions were removed and requested that Opposition questions on fraud and corruption be placed on the Order Paper in due course, noting the Government’s stated anti-corruption stance.
- The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB
AI summary Chaminda Wijesiri requested that the matter he raised be checked and reported back to the House. He also asked that officials not leave to verify it while he was still speaking.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka SJB
AI summary Gayantha Karunathilleka referred to a prior Parliamentary Business Committee meeting chaired by the Speaker, noting that officials had stated parliamentary questions are listed in the order they are received. He said the claim made by another Member was inconsistent with that explanation.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB
AI summary Chaminda Wijesiri stated that the matter under discussion was “very unfair.” No specific policy, proposal, or further context was provided in the excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka (on behalf of the Hon. Rauff Hakeem) SJB
AI summary Asked the Minister of Health and Mass Media whether the Ashroff Memorial Hospital in Kalmunai, including key clinical and support facilities, was flooded during heavy rains in November 2024, disrupting hospital operations and requiring protection of the premises. He requested information on whether the damage had been assessed, the estimated loss, measures taken to restore affected facilities, and steps planned to prevent recurrence and safeguard the hospital.
- The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB
AI summary The answer tabled states that heavy rain in November 2024 caused the Irayivellikkandy canal to overflow, inundating the surgical theatre, ICU and dialysis unit of the hospital and disrupting services until the waters receded. It reports total assessed damage of Rs. 910,250, including repairs to dialysis machines and the generator, and notes immediate action to restore electricity, dialysis services, the generator and wastewater treatment plant. Proposed preventive measures include obtaining technical guidance from the Regional Irrigation Engineer, raising generator room floor levels and upgrading the wastewater treatment plant, as discussed at the Ampara District Development Committee.
- 5 Debate Ministerial Statements 4 speeches
- 6 Debate Appropriation Bill 2025: Committee Stage - Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure (Heads 135, 293, 337) 110 speeches
- 7 Papers Annual Reports under Companies Act (Elkaduwa Plantation Limited) 2 speeches
- 8 Adjournment Adjournment Motion: Control of Potato Imports During Harvesting Season 11 speeches