Sitting of Thursday, 8 May 2025
Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 1748426168056758 ·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 - Parliament Met at 9.30 a.m. 1 speeches
- 2 Papers Papers - Tabling of Annual Reports and Documents 9 speeches
- 3 Petitions Petitions - Citizens' Petitions Presented 3 speeches
- 4 Procedural Procedural - Interjections on Order of Business 8 speeches
- 5 Oral question Oral Question: Prevention of Delay in Ending Civil Court Cases (Q.133/2024) 28 speeches
- ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
AI summary A question was raised on the measures to prevent delays in concluding civil court cases under Question No. 133/2024. The matter sought information on proposed or ongoing actions to improve the efficiency of civil proceedings and reduce case backlogs.
Justice & Human Rights Full speech → - The Hon. Chithral Fernando, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Asked the Minister of Justice and National Integration to provide the number of civil cases pending in Sri Lanka’s courts for more than five years and more than ten years, separately. He also requested details of the measures to be taken to prevent delays in the conclusion of cases, or reasons if such information could not be provided.
Justice & Human Rights Full speech → - The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law - Minister of Justice and National Integration JJB
AI summary The Minister of Justice and National Integration reported that there were 29,132 civil cases pending for 5 to 10 years and 17,271 pending for over 10 years. He stated that measures to address delays include increasing the number of courts, assigning manageable caseloads, and establishing additional courts in high-volume areas, with further details to be tabled in a written answer.
Justice & Human Rights Full speech → - The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law JJB
AI summary Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara outlined measures to reduce court delays and manage caseloads, including permanent Tourist Courts, unified and separated court structures where appropriate, new jurisdictions, additional High, District and Magistrates’ Courts, and the expansion of Model Courts. He said Small Claims and Pre-Trial Courts are being developed in several areas, while old pending cases are being targeted through separate judges where resources allow. He identified staff shortages as a major constraint, noting recruitment plans for court staff, process servers, ushers, Government Analyst’s Department officers and judicial officers. He also referred to expanding Land Mediation Boards and other mediation mechanisms as alternatives to reduce the courts’ workload.
- The Hon. Chithral Fernando, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Chithral Fernando referred to the Minister’s undertaking on the Court Automation Programme and digitalization, noting that its implementation had been delayed. He asked what steps are being taken to address delays and the judiciary’s approach to technology, citing incidents involving mobile phones and the use of tablets or laptops by lawyers in court.
- The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law JJB
AI summary The Minister said the Court Automation Programme, originally begun as a UNDP project and later halted, has been restarted with UNDP assistance after the Government appointed a committee chaired by Justice Obeysekere. Responding to a supplementary question, he said he cannot direct the independent Judiciary but has referred a related matter to the Judicial Service Commission for consideration. He also stated that prison authorities have been asked to investigate an incident involving a person in custody, with a provisional indication of an altercation with other inmates, pending a final report.
- The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Chithral Fernando, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary The Hon. Chithral Fernando indicated that he was raising a second supplementary question. No substantive question or policy issue is included in the provided excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Chithral Fernando, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Hon. Chithral Fernando clarified that he had asked only one supplementary question.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB
AI summary Ajith P. Perera objected procedurally, stating that the member had asked only one supplementary question.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Faiszer Musthapha, PC NDF
AI summary Faiszer Musthapha sought permission to pose a question to the Minister on the matter under discussion, noting that it was a national issue.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law JJB
AI summary Harshana Nanayakkara sought the Speaker’s permission to proceed with his remarks but did not present any substantive argument, proposal, question, or policy position in the recorded excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Faiszer Musthapha, PC NDF
AI summary Hon. Faiszer Musthapha, PC sought permission to ask a question on the matter under discussion, noting that it was a national issue.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Faiszer Musthapha, PC NDF
AI summary Faiszer Musthapha began to raise an issue directed to the Minister, but his remarks were interrupted before he could state the subject or make any substantive point.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Faiszer Musthapha, PC NDF
AI summary Hon. Faiszer Musthapha raised concern over a person reportedly being remanded after his phone rang in court and subsequently dying in remand custody. He urged the Speaker to take the matter up with the Judicial Service Commission, warning that misuse of the Contempt of a Court, Tribunal or Institution Act in such circumstances could endanger citizens’ rights.
- The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law JJB
AI summary The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara responded to a point raised by Hon. Musthapha regarding the Contempt of a Court, Tribunal or Institution Act, stating that discussions were already underway with the Bar Association and others. He invited interested professionals, including Hon. Musthapha, to contribute and said a committee would be appointed to develop suitable legal proposals with the Bar Association’s assistance. Referring to the imprisonment of a person whose phone rang in court, he said the matter was serious and was being examined by the Judicial Service Commission, but he could not comment on a judge’s conduct.
Justice & Human Rights Full speech → - The Hon. Faiszer Musthapha, PC NDF
AI summary Hon. Faiszer Musthapha, PC, began to raise a point regarding contempt of court laws, noting that in India the maximum punishment for contempt is limited. The excerpt appears incomplete and does not include the full question, proposal, or argument.
Justice & Human Rights Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB
AI summary Ajith P. Perera asked the Minister of Energy to provide details on Sri Lanka’s wind power stations, including their number, construction commencement years, installed capacities, and the annual energy supplied to the National Grid from 2022 to 2024 by each station. He also sought information on measures taken to promote wind power generation in the country.
- The Hon. Kumara Jayakody JJB
AI summary The Minister provided detailed data on wind power generation in response to a parliamentary question, stating that 19 privately owned wind plants and one CEB-owned plant supply the National Grid. He listed commissioning dates, installed capacities, and energy delivered by each independent power producer from 2022 to 2024, and noted that the CEB’s Mannar wind plant has a capacity of about 103.5 MW and was fully commissioned in April 2021. He also stated that wind power expansion is planned through the CEB’s Long-Term Generation Expansion Plan, subject to grid absorption capability and regulatory approval.
- The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB
AI summary Ajith P. Perera asked whether the Government had called or issued any new tenders or licences for wind power since taking office, particularly after withdrawing from the initial MOU-related Adani project. He noted Sri Lanka’s significant onshore and offshore wind potential in areas such as Mannar and Pooneryn and argued that faster renewable energy deployment could lower tariffs and improve energy security. He requested details on the sites, capacities, and timelines being prepared for competitive tenders.
- The Hon. Kumara Jayakody JJB
AI summary Kumara Jayakody outlined the status of several planned wind power projects, including ongoing tendering for two 50 MW plants at Mullikulam, preliminary approvals for the 234 MW Mannar expansion, and completed feasibility work for the 250 MW Pooneryn project with transmission arrangements under way. He said tenders are expected for about 400 MW of wind capacity within the year, while other potential sites remain at the feasibility-study stage.
- The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB
AI summary Ajith P. Perera raised concerns that high electricity tariffs are burdening consumers, increasing the cost of living, and putting pressure on industries. He questioned whether a further tariff increase was being driven by IMF agreement conditions, asking whether the Government retains control over tariff policy and how it intends to restore such control while protecting national sovereignty.
- The Hon. Kumara Jayakody JJB
AI summary Hon. Kumara Jayakody said the Government’s objective is to supply electricity to households and industries at the lowest possible cost, but tariff reductions depend on lowering procurement costs. He noted that the CEB has not yet submitted finalized calculations and that any tariff decision will follow PUCSL procedures, likely by early next month. He said the Government is seeking cost reductions, expects the coming wet season may help avoid an increase, and aims to reduce or at least maintain current tariffs despite legacy debts and arrears.
- The Hon. Speaker procedural
- 6 Oral question Oral Questions: Foreign Official Visits by Former President (Q.5/2024) and Follow-up Questions 16 speeches
- 7 Oral question Oral Question: Currency Printed/Minted Since 2015 (Q.9/2025) 16 speeches
- 8 Oral question Oral Questions: Martyrs' Day Commemorations and OPD Attendance (Q.10/2024, etc.) 21 speeches
- 9 Procedural Questions under Standing Order 27(2) - IMF Conditions and Privilege Matters 58 speeches
- 10 Procedural Questions under Standing Order 27(2) - Land Acquisition in North and East; Ministry Statements on Rice and Finance 13 speeches
- 11 Procedural Procedural - Committee Matter and Staff Notice; Bills Presented 7 speeches
- 12 Debate Debate: Customs Ordinance - Resolution on Import Duties on Motor Vehicles 105 speeches