Sitting of Friday, 9 May 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 and Announcements 10 speeches ▸
2. 2 Petitions Petitions 4 speeches ▸
3. 3 Oral question Oral Question: National-Level Stadiums in Northern and Eastern Provinces (Q.1/2024) 14 speeches ▸
4. 4 Oral question Oral Question: Agriculture (Q.9/2025) - Stand Down 2 speeches ▸
5. 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. 6 Oral question Standing Order 27(2) Questions and Matters of Urgent Public Importance 32 speeches ▸
7. 7 Procedural Ministry Statements and Privilege Matter 5 speeches ▾
   • Mr. Speaker procedural
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   • Mr. Speaker procedural
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   • The Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma - Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning

     AI summary Deputy Minister Harshana Suriyapperuma replied to a Standing Order 27(2) question by Sajith Premadasa on Sri Lanka’s engagement with the United States regarding trade and tariff issues. He said discussions and official correspondence had taken place with the US Government and the Office of the United States Trade Representative, with the aim of maintaining market access and Sri Lanka’s competitive advantage, and undertook to table the Government’s press release on the matter. He outlined measures to diversify export markets, support SMEs to become export-oriented, maximize GSP Plus and other market access, strengthen the BOI, improve transparency and investor facilitation, implement the National Single Window, reduce corruption, and develop enabling regulations and market infrastructure. He added that tariff discussions were not finalized and that the Government was preparing broader strategies on exports, tourism, FDI, foreign exchange retention, and reduced overseas spending on education and health services.

     Foreign AffairsPublic Finance Full speech →
   • Mr. Speaker procedural
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   • The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna

     AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna raised a matter of privilege, reading from a letter to the Speaker dated 8 April 2025 regarding restrictions on broadcasting his parliamentary speeches. He denied allegations attributed to Hon. Bimal Rathnayake that he had made derogatory or offensive remarks, and argued that the resulting restriction and denial of speaking opportunities violated his parliamentary privileges without due process. He requested a formal inquiry, restoration of his speaking and broadcasting rights, possible corrective action if the allegations were found to be misleading, and permission to raise the matter under the Parliament (Powers and Privileges) Act.

     Parliamentary ProcedureJustice & Human Rights Full speech →
8. 8 Procedural Procedural Matters: Standing Order Exemptions and Private Members' Bills 5 speeches ▸
9. 9 Debate Private Members' Motion (P.2/2024): Curtailing Privileges of MPs and Former Heads of State 18 speeches ▸
10. 10 Debate Private Members' Motion (P.12/2024): Enhancing State Sector Involvement in Food Import and Distribution 77 speeches ▸
11. 11 Procedural Procedural Points of Order 6 speeches ▸
12. 12 Debate Private Members' Motion (P.19/2024): Course of Action for Implementing Audit Recommendations 24 speeches ▸
13. 13 Debate Private Members' Motion (P.25/2024): Providing Housing for Every Family in Sri Lanka 16 speeches ▸
14. 14 Debate Private Members' Motion (P.37/2025): Public Transport Standards and Bus Specifications 17 speeches ▸
15. 15 Debate Private Members' Motion (P.38/2025): Utilization of Abandoned Development Projects 15 speeches ▸
16. 16 Adjournment Adjournment Debate: Law and Order and Crime Prevention 13 speeches ▸