Sitting of Thursday, 20 March 2025
Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 1746596381071973 ·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 Opening of Parliament 1 speeches
- 2 Papers Papers Presented: Annual Reports and Regulations 3 speeches
- 3 Committee report Public Finance Committee Report and Procedural Exchanges 6 speeches
- 4 Petitions Citizens' Petitions 3 speeches
- 5 Oral question Oral Question 1: Government Institutions - Security Companies (Q.1/4/2024) 6 speeches
- 6 Oral question Oral Questions 2-5: Second Round (Multiple Questions) 5 speeches
- Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Eranga Weeraratne - Deputy Minister of Digital Economy JJB
AI summary The Deputy Minister stated that the Government is pursuing digital economy initiatives to improve public service delivery, reduce administrative inefficiency, and increase transparency through streamlined processes, automated verification, and real-time data use. He cited immediate projects including the Sri Lanka Unified Digital Identity, online issuance of civil certificates for overseas Sri Lankans, and an online President’s Fund application portal. He also outlined cashless payment measures, including the GovPay rollout, promotion of LankaQR for SMEs, efforts to reduce merchant discount rates, and plans for a national digital payments card for domestic transport and related transactions.
- The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka - Minister of Urban Development, Construction and Housing JJB
AI summary The Minister tabled an answer on water supply coverage in several areas, stating that Nediyamadu has about 90 per cent piped water coverage while Unnichchai has about 50 per cent, with high-elevation areas and low pressure limiting further connections in several villages. He said the NWSDB has begun pipeline extension measures and proposed package treatment plants, with works for Unnichchai expected to take about one year subject to external conditions, while no new Community Water Supply projects have begun due to resource constraints.
- The Hon. (Dr.) Hiniduma Sunil Senevi - Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs JJB
AI summary The Minister tabled a written answer stating that details requested in parts (a)(i) and (ii) are provided in annexes. He said cadre shortages have been referred to the Department of Management Services and the committee reviewing public sector recruitment, while physical resources are procured through annual budget allocations. The subsequent part was deemed not applicable.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB
AI summary The Prime Minister tabled an answer stating that the President’s Fund office was located in the Lake House building until 31 December 2024 and has since been relocated to the Standard Chartered Bank Building. She reported that the previous monthly cost at Lake House was Rs. 1,507,227.19, including rent, electricity and water, and that no additional monthly expenditure is incurred at the new premises because it uses unused space in a building already rented by the Presidential Secretariat since 2006.
Public Finance Full speech →
- 7 Oral question Oral Question by Private Notice: Withholding Tax on Senior Citizens' Deposits and Valaichchenai Paper Factory 16 speeches
- 8 Procedural Procedural Motion: Sitting Hours 1 speeches
- 9 Debate Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Committee Stage Debate 63 speeches
- 10 Procedural Insolvency Bill - Postponement of Committee Stage 2 speeches
- 11 Papers Papers Presented: Finance Act Regulation and Annual Reports 4 speeches
- 12 Debate Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading, Committee and Third Reading 25 speeches
- 13 Adjournment Adjournment 2 speeches