Sitting of Wednesday, 9 April 2025
Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 1747807095041246 ·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 and Papers Presented 1 speeches
- 2 Papers Papers Presented: Customs Resolution, Ministry Reports, Annual Reports 7 speeches
- 3 Committee report Committee Report: Committee on Public Finance (VAT and Aswesuma) 2 speeches
- 4 Petitions Petitions Presented 2 speeches
- 5 Oral question Oral Question: Hon. Prime Minister on University Development and Conflict Resolution 16 speeches
- 6 Oral question Oral Questions: Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs; Foreign Employment 17 speeches
- 7 Oral question Ministerial Statement: SO 27(2) Question to Minister of Foreign Affairs and Procedural Matters 11 speeches
- 8 Procedural Ministerial Statement and Privilege Question; Procedural Motions 9 speeches
- 9 Debate Debate: Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading (Morning Session) 42 speeches
- The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha - Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development JJB
AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, the Minister moved that the relevant Bill be read a Second time. He also moved the Order Paper motion concerning a scheme for payment of gratuity under the Gratuity Act, and indicated that the Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning would open the debate for the Government.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan DTNA
AI summary Hon. Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan rose on a point of Order. No substantive issue, proposal, or question was recorded in the provided excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan DTNA
AI summary Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan raised concerns over the Department of Forest Conservation placing boundary stones in Kanesapuram, Vavuniya, despite prior District Coordinating Committee decisions. He requested the Minister to issue immediate instructions to halt the activity until the DCC discusses and decides on the matter.
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary Bimal Rathnayake informed the Deputy Speaker that the Chairman of the District Coordinating Committee, Hon. Upali Samarasingha, was present in the House.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Upali Samarasingha - Deputy Minister of Co-operative Development JJB
AI summary Upali Samarasingha stated that, upon learning of the matter that day, relevant officials were immediately instructed to suspend the activities in question. He said the suspension should remain in place until the election period ends and the District Committee’s decisions are implemented.
Corruption & Governance Reform Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma - Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning
AI summary The Deputy Minister outlined amendments to the VAT Act and related Inland Revenue Act provisions to correct issues arising from VAT changes introduced on 1 January 2024, align measures with the Government’s programme, and make clarificatory drafting changes. He said the Bill removes or clarifies VAT treatment for employer-provided meals and transport, unused stamps, certain reinsurance transactions, aircraft engines and parts, agricultural product definitions including eggs, and chemical naphtha used by the CEB. He also stated that VAT relief has been secured for domestic liquid milk and yoghurt, urged producers to pass on the benefit to consumers, proposed VAT for non-resident digital service suppliers to ensure parity, and described plans to digitize and risk-manage the SVAT system with time-bound exporter refunds.
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB
AI summary On the VAT (Amendment) Bill, Sajith Premadasa supported the continued operation of the Simplified VAT scheme for exporters until the export sector recovers from current difficulties. He warned that proposed 44 per cent US retaliatory tariffs from 9 April could seriously affect Sri Lankan exports and questioned the Government on whether a promised delegation had been sent, who was included, whom it met, and what outcomes were achieved. He also complained that Opposition attempts to raise proposals and concerns in Parliament were being interrupted.
- Hon. Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa
AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa urged the Government to adopt a more informed and sustained diplomatic strategy in response to possible U.S. tariff measures, noting Sri Lanka’s heavy export dependence on the U.S., especially apparel. He argued that Sri Lanka should engage not only the U.S. administration but also Congress, including relevant Senate and House committees and potential Sri Lanka caucuses, because Congress has constitutional and statutory influence over trade and tariffs. He proposed sending a knowledgeable delegation to remain engaged until the issue is resolved, citing past negotiations during the Multi-Fiber Agreement period, and called on the Government to study and leverage the proposed 2025 Trade Review Act and engage key U.S. lawmakers.
- The Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe - Deputy Minister of Labour JJB
AI summary 1,244 workers at Vogue Tex (Pvt.) Ltd. in Weligama have been on strike over the company’s stated inability to pay bonuses. The Deputy Minister said discussions were held at the Matara Labour Office and further talks were scheduled, with instructions issued to the Ministry Secretary and Commissioner General of Labour to intervene urgently. He added that the matter did not appear to be directly linked to the broader tariff issue but would be addressed immediately.
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna raised a point of order under Standing Order No. 92(2). No substantive policy issue, proposal, or question was presented in the provided remarks.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna made a procedural intervention under Standing Order No. 92(2). No substantive policy issue, proposal, or debate point was recorded in the provided excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna raised a procedural concern under Standing Order No. 92(2), stating that Parliamentary procedures were not being followed. He requested time to express this concern in the House.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna raised a procedural concern, requesting that a question be taken up on the basis that parliamentary procedures were allegedly not being followed.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna sought permission from the Chair to read a document or statement. No substantive policy position, proposal, or argument was presented in the quoted remark.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna cited Standing Order No. 92(2)(a), which permits a Member to raise a point of order to question whether proper procedures have been or are being followed, except during a division. The intervention appears to assert or clarify the procedural basis for raising such a point of order in the proceedings.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna briefly referred to Standing Order No. 92(2)(a), apparently raising a procedural point under that provision. No substantive policy argument or further details were provided in the excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Nimal Palihena JJB
AI summary Hon. Nimal Palihena supported the amendments to the Value Added Tax Act, stating that they seek to broaden the VAT base, address gaps in digital services taxation, and improve revenue collection while creating parity between domestic and foreign providers. He said reforms to SVAT and refund mechanisms, including planned system improvements before implementation in October 2025 and a 45-day refund limit for exporters, are intended to reduce fraud, protect cash flow, and support employment. He also addressed concerns over U.S. tariffs, noting their potential impact on Sri Lankan exports and the need for bilateral engagement, while clarifying that the egg tax was not new and that employer-provided meals and transport would be zero-rated for VAT purposes.
- Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna rose to raise a point of order. No substantive argument, proposal, or policy issue was stated in the provided excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna raised a question of privilege under Standing Order 92(2)(a), citing provisions of the Parliament (Powers and Privileges) Act on misconduct or false statements before Parliament. He alleged that his privileges were breached because a request for speaking time and a submitted letter were not taken up, statements were wrongly attributed to him, and a motion had been made to suspend live broadcasts of his speeches for eight days. He requested permission to address the matter as a serious breach of privilege.
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna stated that his remarks were not directed against the Chair or the Speaker, but concerned alleged serious misconduct by a Member involving a false statement. The relevant portion of his statement was expunged by order of the Chair.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna stated that he did not intend to make any false statement about the Muslim community or any religion. He requested that this clarification also be reviewed.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- Hon. (Dr.) Elayathamby Srinath ITAK
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Elayathamby Srinath supported the Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill’s removal of VAT on employee transport, meals, stamp-related services and reinsurance, but said Sri Lanka’s export sector faces serious risks from proposed U.S. tariffs, particularly apparel-dependent employment in districts such as Batticaloa. He asked the Government to present clear contingency plans, support SMEs, diversify export products and markets, and respond to pending district-level investment and development proposals. He also urged reconsideration of a proposed high-security prison on a Batticaloa island identified for tourism development, and requested action on unresolved security arrangements for Members of Parliament.
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Champika Hettiarachchi JJB
AI summary Hon. Champika Hettiarachchi said the VAT (Amendment) Bill corrects deficiencies and technical issues arising from the 01.01.2024 Gazette while aligning VAT policy with the Government’s policy statement and Budget. He highlighted exemptions or corrections relating to employee welfare benefits such as subsidized meals and transport, stamp face value, reinsurance-related commissions and settlements, agricultural products, and electricity generation inputs, while regularizing VAT on aircraft spare parts to secure revenue. He argued that the amendments are intended to make VAT fairer, reduce burdens passed on to workers and policyholders, and improve revenue administration.
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- 10 Debate Debate: Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading (Afternoon Session and Reported Business) 77 speeches
- 11 Adjournment Adjournment Motion: Renewable Energy Policy and Rooftop Solar 44 speeches