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Sri Lanka
10th Parliament· 154 sittings on record · 30,475 speeches · latest 10 June 2026

Sitting of Wednesday, 9 April 2025

10th Parliament· 11 debates· 228 speeches· 52 speakers

Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 1747807095041246 ·English daily/uncorrected Hansard

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Order of business

Speeches load per item. Summaries shown here are AI-generated and labelled; verbatim text is on each speech page.

  6. 6 Oral question Oral Questions: Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs; Foreign Employment 17 speeches
    • Mr. Deputy Speaker procedural
      Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Dr.) M.L.A.M. Hizbullah SLMC

      AI summary Hon. (Dr.) M.L.A.M. Hizbullah asked the Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs whether the Government is aware of the absence of formal training centres for teachers in registered Arabic schools and for Imams and Muadhdhins serving in mosques. He sought clarification on whether steps will be taken to establish such a centre to provide proper training for these roles, and, if not, the reasons for inaction.

      Religion & CultureEducation Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Dr.) Hiniduma Sunil Senevi - Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs JJB

      AI summary The Minister stated that there is currently no formal training centre for Arabic school teachers or Imams, but the Department of Muslim Religious and Cultural Affairs conducts annual training programmes for Arabic school teachers. He said a new curriculum for Arabic schools is in the final stages with the Department of Education, and teacher training will be integrated once it is approved. He added that Imams trained through Arabic schools are assigned to schools and mosques, and that he will give special attention to establishing a dedicated training centre, noting that no prior allocations had been made for one.

      Religion & CultureEducation Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Prof.) Sena Nanayakkara JJB

      AI summary Asked the Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs to provide details on Sri Lanka’s cultural centres, including their number, functions, and the status of art institutions under Provincial Cultural Departments, including inactive registered institutions. He also requested information on government expenditure for the 2024 Annual Literary Festival conducted by Divisional Secretariats, allocations by division, whether those allocations were sufficient, and any measures proposed if they were not.

      Religion & Culture Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Dr.) Hiniduma Sunil Senevi - Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs JJB

      AI summary There are 220 cultural centres, which provide free and subsidized arts, cultural, language, and skills development programmes, including dance, music, drawing, early childhood development, and martial arts. They also provide local cultural services such as dance troupes, costume rental, hall and library facilities, commemorative and entertainment programmes, theatre workshops, traditional performances, and ritual services. The Minister stated that these centres also create opportunities for local children to participate in national cultural events such as Independence Day celebrations and the National Vesak Festival.

      Religion & Culture Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Dr.) Hiniduma Sunil Senevi JJB

      AI summary The Minister responded that questions relating to art centres under Provincial Cultural Departments fall within Provincial Council responsibility and were therefore not included in his answer. He stated that Rs. 6.74 million was spent in 2024 as grants of Rs. 20,000 each to 337 Divisional Secretariats for divisional-level national competition activities, but acknowledged that this allocation is inadequate. He said the Department had provided the maximum possible within Treasury limits and indicated that, with a larger Rs. 3.5 billion allocation to the Ministry this year, he hopes to direct more funds toward cultural centre development.

      Public Finance Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Prof.) Sena Nanayakkara JJB

      AI summary Hon. (Prof.) Sena Nanayakkara welcomed the Minister’s response and emphasized the role of cultural development in broader national progress. He asked for clarification on the National People’s Power policy proposal for “Multi-Functional Cultural Centres,” specifically how they would operate and what outcomes are expected compared with existing cultural and art centres.

      Religion & Culture Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Dr.) Hiniduma Sunil Senevi JJB

      AI summary The Minister explained that the proposed multi-functional cultural centres would differ from existing cultural centres by providing facilities such as proper sound and lighting systems, training spaces, food and beverage areas, and limited accommodation. He said the Government intends to begin establishing a regulatory-level network in four areas, including Jaffna, the Eastern and Western Provinces, and Matara, to enable artists outside Colombo to access training and facilities locally before attending national competitions or state festivals.

      InfrastructureReligion & Culture Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Prof.) Sena Nanayakkara JJB

      AI summary The Hon. (Prof.) Sena Nanayakkara asked what steps are being taken to address inadequate facilities in theatres and auditoriums across the country. He highlighted problems such as the absence of backstage rooms, toilets, electricity, and changing spaces, arguing that these deficiencies hinder dramatists, performing artists, and the broader development of arts and aesthetics.

      EmploymentInfrastructureReligion & Culture Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Dr.) Hiniduma Sunil Senevi JJB

      AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Hiniduma Sunil Senevi said Sri Lanka’s theatre infrastructure, including the John de Silva Memorial Theatre and other Colombo venues, is in serious need of repair, while many outstation auditoriums used for drama are not suitable for that purpose. He stated that the Government and his Ministry are addressing these issues, including plans to equip the National Art Gallery and establish a proper state-supported venue for paying final respects to cultural figures. He also outlined a programme to provide properly equipped theatre facilities for groups of districts, with planning to be formalized through the next Budget.

      Religion & Culture Full speech →
    • The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
      Full speech →
    • The Hon. Padmasiri Bandara JJB

      AI summary Padmasiri Bandara formally asked a parliamentary question addressed through the Deputy Speaker. No substantive details of the question or policy issue are included in the provided excerpt.

      Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
    • The Hon. Susil Ranasinghe - Deputy Minister of Land and Irrigation JJB

      AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation, Susil Ranasinghe requested two weeks to provide a detailed answer to the question. The question was ordered to stand down.

      Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
    • The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
      Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Dr.) Najith Indika JJB

      AI summary Asked the question standing in his name, without further elaboration.

      Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB

      AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa requested two weeks to provide answers to the question on Israeli job opportunities for Sri Lankans. The question was ordered to stand down, with details sought on sector-wise vacancies, numbers already deployed, delays affecting about 2,400 qualified applicants, reasons for the delay, and measures to expedite their employment in Israel.

      Foreign AffairsEmployment Full speech →
    • The Hon. Arun Hemachandra - Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment JJB

      AI summary The Deputy Minister tabled an answer detailing job quotas under Sri Lanka-Israel employment agreements, totalling 33,800 positions across agriculture, construction, infrastructure, rehabilitation, hospitality, manufacturing and caregiving. It reported that 10,639 workers had been sent for agriculture employment by 2 April 2025, while deployments in hotels, restaurants, infrastructure and manufacturing had not yet begun due to ongoing selection processes. The answer stated that Israel had temporarily suspended recruitment of Sri Lankans for agriculture because of skills concerns and absconding by some workers, leaving about 1,557 selected candidates awaiting deployment. It added that Sri Lanka is continuing discussions with Israel’s Population and Immigration Authority and will deploy candidates when opportunities resume under new fitness, knowledge and interview-based selection procedures.

      Foreign AffairsEmployment Full speech →