Sitting of Tuesday, 8 April 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: Parliament commencement, President's Message, Announcements, and Committee Listings 85 speeches ▸
2. 2 Opening Opening: Message from President, Speaker's Certificate, VAT Bill Determination, and Death Notice 4 speeches ▾
   • Mr. Deputy Speaker [The Hon. (Dr.) Rizvie Salih]

     AI summary A message from the President, dated 18 March 2025, was announced to Parliament regarding a Public Security Proclamation under the Public Security Ordinance. The message stated that an Order had been made to summon Parliament for the purpose of continuing the operation of the Ordinance, pursuant to the relevant provisions of Sections 2(3) and 21(2).

     Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
   • Mr. Deputy Speaker [The Hon. (Dr.) Rizvie Salih]

     AI summary Parliament was informed that the Speaker had endorsed the Certificate on the “Appropriation” Bill on 21 March 2025 under Article 79 of the Constitution. It was also announced that the Supreme Court had not made a constitutional determination on the “Value Added Tax (Amendment)” Bill because the petitioners withdrew the challenges following undertakings by the State, and the Court’s decision was ordered to be printed in the Official Report.

     Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
   • Supreme Court of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka

     AI summary The Supreme Court considered two petitions challenging the “Value Added Tax (Amendment)” Bill, noting that S.C. (SD) No. 05/2025 was withdrawn and dismissed without determination. In S.C. (SD) No. 06/2025, the petitioner, linked to Uber Lanka, challenged Clause 2 on the proposed VAT liability for services supplied by non-residents through electronic platforms, arguing that the wording was ambiguous and could create discriminatory or duplicative tax burdens for digital platform users and service providers. The petitioner also objected to the proposed abolition of the simplified VAT scheme, contending that it could disproportionately affect small and medium enterprises compared with larger businesses.

     Public Finance Full speech →
   • Mr. Deputy Speaker [The Hon. (Dr.) Rizvie Salih]

     AI summary Parliament was informed that a vacancy had arisen in the Kegalle District seat with effect from 6 April 2025 under Article 66(a) of the Constitution, following the death of Hon. Kosala Nuwan Jayaweera, and condolences were conveyed to his family with a formal Vote of Condolence to be presented later. The Deputy Speaker also presented several instalments of the Auditor-General’s Reports for the financial years 2019, 2021, and 2023 under Article 154(6) of the Constitution.

     Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
3. 3 Papers Papers: Annual Reports and Institutional Statements 10 speeches ▸
4. 4 Procedural Procedural: Welfare Benefits Gazette Discussion and Clarifications 7 speeches ▸
5. 5 Committee report Committee Reports: Justice and Governance Committee Reports 4 speeches ▸
6. 6 Petitions Petitions: Citizens' Petitions Presented 5 speeches ▸
7. 7 Oral question Oral Question: EPF and ETF Files (276/2024) 6 speeches ▸
8. 8 Oral question Oral Question: Sri Lanka Transport Board and Railways (383/2025) 6 speeches ▸
9. 9 Oral question Oral Question: Drinking Water Supply Vavuniya (424/2025) 7 speeches ▸
10. 10 Oral question Oral Question: Drinking Water Facilities Trincomalee (427/2025) 6 speeches ▸
11. 11 Oral question Oral Question: Soldiers Recruitment Special Workwear (445/2025) 6 speeches ▸
12. 12 Oral question Oral Question: Question 569/2025 (Stand Down) 3 speeches ▸
13. 13 Oral question Oral Question: Land Deeds for Government Lands Program 14 speeches ▸
14. 14 Oral question Oral Question: Private Tuition Regulation and Child Safety 10 speeches ▸
15. 15 Oral question Oral Question: Chilaw General Hospital Development 4 speeches ▸
16. 16 Oral question Oral Question: Sri Lanka Samurdhi Authority and Officer Pensions 2 speeches ▸
17. 17 Oral question Oral Question: MSME Tariff Crisis and Trade Negotiations (SO 27(2)) 18 speeches ▸
18. 18 Procedural Procedural: Points of Order on Trade Agreements and Privilege Matter 5 speeches ▸
19. 19 Procedural Procedural: Point of Order on Members' Conduct and Sitting Hours 4 speeches ▸
20. 20 Debate Debate: Proceeds of Crime Bill – Second Reading 86 speeches ▸
21. 21 Procedural Procedural: Inspector-General of Police Removal Resolution and Division Vote 13 speeches ▸