Sitting of Friday, 9 May 2025
Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 1748600585013314 ·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 Announcements 10 speeches
- 2 Petitions Petitions 4 speeches
- 3 Oral question Oral Question: National-Level Stadiums in Northern and Eastern Provinces (Q.1/2024) 14 speeches
- 4 Oral question Oral Question: Agriculture (Q.9/2025) - Stand Down 2 speeches
- 5 Oral question Oral Questions - Second Round (Q.2/2024, Q.3/2025, Q.4/2025, Q.5/2025, Q.6/2025) 7 speeches
- 6 Oral question Standing Order 27(2) Questions and Matters of Urgent Public Importance 32 speeches
- The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB
AI summary The Leader of the Opposition raised the suicide of a 15-year-old schoolgirl following alleged sexual abuse at school and subsequent public disclosure of the incident by a tuition teacher. He questioned delays in action, including the alleged perpetrator’s transfer months after the incident, and noted that the National Child Protection Authority had not been properly informed despite police notification from a hospital doctor. He urged the Prime Minister to establish an automatic, coordinated mechanism for preventing abuse, ensuring immediate reporting to the NCPA and law enforcement, and taking action against those who further victimise children.
- The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB
AI summary The Prime Minister addressed the suicide of a 13-year-old child, calling it a collective social failure and urging that the matter not be politicized. She said the school principal had been asked to explain inadequate initial reporting and identify the teacher involved, while discussions had begun with the Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs, the NCPA, the Police, and the Education Ministry. She proposed an immediate notification and coordinated response mechanism covering education measures, police investigations, NCPA oversight, and psychosocial support, and said Parliament would be informed once it is established.
- The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB
AI summary Ajith P. Perera stated that the Police and the National Child Protection Authority should not wait for formal complaints before acting, as regulations allow investigations to begin based on available information. He supported the Prime Minister’s proposal for a protocol on reporting and investigation, arguing that the burden to initiate action should not fall on victims or their families and that prompt action is required.
- The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary Bimal Rathnayake stated that the Minister for Women and Children’s Affairs had alerted a senior police officer to act before any complaint was received by the NCPA. He noted that subsequent public protests may have affected the timing of action, while emphasizing the importance of formal complaints in such matters.
- The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Mujibur Rahman SJB
AI summary Hon. Mujibur Rahman raised concerns over the handling of a child’s case involving alleged misconduct by a teacher, subsequent police action, and the school principal’s pressure on the parents to remove the child without a proper inquiry. He said the child later suffered public humiliation at a tuition class, contributing to severe psychological trauma, and questioned reports that police had provided protection to the tuition teacher despite serious allegations. He requested a joint investigation by the Ministry of Education and the Police to restore public confidence.
- The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB
AI summary The Prime Minister stated that an investigation is underway into the incident and that a proper mechanism with appropriate skills and resources is being established. She said the Ministry had already initiated action before the demonstration, including transferring the teacher and seeking explanations from the principal on reporting failures and related decisions. She urged that conclusions not be drawn from social media accounts, and emphasized protecting the child’s best interests, supporting the family and affected school community, and avoiding politicization of the tragedy.
- The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB
AI summary Sajith Premadasa raised concerns over a reported abuse incident on 23 October 2024, subsequent pressure on the victim, humiliation at a tuition class, and the victim’s suicide on 29 April 2025, noting that the relevant teacher was transferred only on 8 May 2025. He said the matter was being raised based on direct information rather than social media, and called for proper procedures to prevent similar tragedies, while noting the Prime Minister’s assurance that action would be taken.
- The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. (Mrs.) Rohini Kumari Wijerathna SJB
AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Rohini Kumari Wijerathna briefly rose on a point of order. No substantive issue, proposal, or question was recorded in the provided extract.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. (Mrs.) Rohini Kumari Wijerathna SJB
AI summary Rohini Kumari Wijerathna stated that she wished to seek clarification and express her view on a contentious matter. No specific issue, proposal, or demand was identified in the excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary Bimal Rathnayake urged the Speaker to ensure fairness in the debate, noting that the Opposition Leader and others had already spoken. He appealed for the tragedy under discussion not to be politicized.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB
AI summary Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa questioned the Government’s reported move to procure medicines through government-to-government agreements, asking which countries and medicines are involved, why normal competitive procurement is being bypassed, and whether the process complies with the NMRA Act and procurement guidelines. He sought confirmation of reported shortages of 313 medicines and 111 items without suppliers, requested hospital-wise shortage data, and asked whether local production capacity and industry impact had been assessed with stakeholder input. He also asked how transparency, quality assurance, and accountability would be ensured under G2G procurement, particularly if substandard medicines are supplied. He further raised delays in purchasing Elekta radiotherapy machines, disruptions to MRI and CT services at the National Hospital due to PACS issues, and the release of a CT scanner reportedly held at the port for Kalutara Hospital.
- The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB
AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa raised a health service issue concerning Kalutara Hospital, stating that it has been without a CT scanner for one and a half years. He requested urgent action to release the replacement scanner, which he said has been at the Port since 14 February.
- The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa said a detailed reply on preventing medicine shortages and related questions would be given on the next sitting day. Addressing the PACS project, he stated that 2018 agreements for an unsolicited USD 33 million project covering 20 hospitals had largely lapsed, with audit and CIABOC inquiries pending, and that the Ministry was considering limited activation in the five hospitals with partial implementation. He also noted a 1.5-year delay in the Kalutara (Nagoda) CT scanner, saying the Biomedical Engineering Service and Ministry were intervening to expedite port clearance, delivery, and supplier-related issues.
- The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF
AI summary Ravi Karunanayake raised a Standing Order 27(2) question on higher education capacity following the 2024 GCE A/L results, asking for data on State university intake, per-student costs, options for qualified students not admitted, overseas study-related foreign exchange outflows, and the possible expansion of quality private universities and interest-free student loans. He also asked whether Sri Lanka could attract more foreign students and develop educational tourism, citing regional examples. Separately, he sought details on action taken after a reported Sabaragamuwa University death linked to possible ragging, including investigations, prevention mechanisms, enforcement of anti-ragging laws, awareness programmes, complaint systems, student welfare measures, and a list of registered university student unions.
- The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB
AI summary Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya questioned whether a multi-part query was appropriate under Standing Order 27(2), which is intended for urgent public importance matters, and requested a ruling from the Speaker. Subject to that ruling, she stated that UGC institutions plan to admit 43,237 students for the 2024/2025 academic year, with the average annual cost per student estimated at Rs. 405,313 in 2022. She outlined alternative higher education pathways, noted the absence of comprehensive data on students going overseas, and said the UGC has been asked to develop a policy framework for regulating and recognizing the non-State higher education sector. She also provided figures on foreign students and said the Interest-Free Student Loan Scheme has benefited over 22,000 students, with loan limits increased by a September 2024 Cabinet decision.
- The Hon. Prime Minister
AI summary The Prime Minister addressed the Sabaragamuwa University student death, stating that the UGC has initiated an inquiry through a committee with UGC representatives, separate from the police investigation. She outlined existing and strengthened complaint mechanisms, including a 24-hour helpline, online portal, university gender focal points, and reporting requirements to the UGC. She said Vice Chancellors and relevant university officials have been instructed to enforce existing law while a Task Force identifies short-, medium- and long-term preventive measures on ragging, bullying, harassment and online violence, with possible legislative review if current laws are found insufficient. She also noted the establishment of a Survivor Support System to assist victims and witnesses in reporting violence and harassment.
- Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF
AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake thanked the Prime Minister for the response but objected to the implication that his motive in asking the parliamentary question was being questioned. The excerpt ends before he develops his point further.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF
AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake sought permission to ask a supplementary question and indicated that he needed to respond to a question raised by the Hon. Prime Minister regarding why he had posed his original question. No substantive policy issue or specific proposal is developed in the excerpt provided.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF
AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake briefly intervened to assert his right to speak. No substantive policy position, proposal, question, or reference to legislation was made in the excerpt provided.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- 7 Procedural Ministry Statements and Privilege Matter 5 speeches
- 8 Procedural Procedural Matters: Standing Order Exemptions and Private Members' Bills 5 speeches
- 9 Debate Private Members' Motion (P.2/2024): Curtailing Privileges of MPs and Former Heads of State 18 speeches
- 10 Debate Private Members' Motion (P.12/2024): Enhancing State Sector Involvement in Food Import and Distribution 77 speeches
- 11 Procedural Procedural Points of Order 6 speeches
- 12 Debate Private Members' Motion (P.19/2024): Course of Action for Implementing Audit Recommendations 24 speeches
- 13 Debate Private Members' Motion (P.25/2024): Providing Housing for Every Family in Sri Lanka 16 speeches
- 14 Debate Private Members' Motion (P.37/2025): Public Transport Standards and Bus Specifications 17 speeches
- 15 Debate Private Members' Motion (P.38/2025): Utilization of Abandoned Development Projects 15 speeches
- 16 Adjournment Adjournment Debate: Law and Order and Crime Prevention 13 speeches