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
- 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
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB
AI summary Chaminda Wijesiri moved a resolution calling on the Government to establish a programme to implement recommendations in Audit Reports to prevent fraud and corruption in ministries, departments, and statutory bodies. He said the proposal reflects commitments previously made by the present Government on political platforms and presented it as a reminder to act on those commitments.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB
AI summary Chaminda Wijesiri argued that audit queries should not be treated as proven findings or used for political purposes, noting that only matters established through replies and surcharges should lead to legal action. He urged the Government to disclose surcharged cases, seek the Attorney General’s advice, and refer proven corruption, fraud and bribery matters to court regardless of political affiliation. He also called on the Justice Minister to introduce necessary legal processes and criticized the lack of visible action on alleged corruption despite prior promises.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. Mujibur Rahman SJB
AI summary Mujibur Rahman supported the motion on COPE recommendations but argued that public institutions suffer from weak implementation and inadequate internal financial and disciplinary checks. He said corruption includes sexual bribery and raised concerns over the handling of a schoolgirl’s suicide linked to alleged child abuse by a teacher, citing delays in the police complaint process, arrest, interdiction, and transfer. He questioned why the Education Ministry acted only months later and alleged unequal treatment and protection for the accused because of political connections.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. Mujibur Rahman SJB
AI summary Mujibur Rahman clarified that he was not making a personal accusation against the Member and asked the Member not to become agitated.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. Lakshman Nipuna Arachchi JJB
AI summary Lakshman Nipuna Arachchi rejected attempts to link his party organizer to an incident involving a child, stating that the organizer was only an owner of the institute and not a teacher. He said the matter was being distorted for political purposes, while noting that the Prime Minister had addressed it and that action would be taken against officials if errors or delays were found.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Mujibur Rahman SJB
AI summary Mujibur Rahman said allegations that a former Colombo District candidate insulted a child should be determined through investigations, noting that police protection had reportedly been provided because of those allegations. He argued that institutional responses to such incidents were too slow, citing a transfer made only after six months, and urged immediate action and broader “system change” while supporting Chaminda Wijesiri’s Motion.
- The Hon. U.P. Abeywickrama, Attorney-at-Law JJB
AI summary Hon. U.P. Abeywickrama defended the Government’s record during its first six months, citing elections, the Budget, and the passage of the Proceeds of Crime law as evidence of progress. He said the Motion to implement Audit recommendations was consistent with Government efforts to strengthen institutions, but argued that such reforms require time and ethical governance as well as legislation. He referred to recent and ongoing corruption-related proceedings, including a sentencing in the North Central Province case and delays in a 2018 bribery case, to argue that the rule of law is now being applied more equally. He also stated that action would be taken against those responsible in the case of the deceased schoolgirl and that relevant institutions would be strengthened.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam ACTC
AI summary Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam supported the Private Member’s Motion calling for action to implement Audit Report recommendations, arguing that non-implementation of official recommendations and even constitutional provisions reflects a broader failure in public administration. He linked this to the Government’s unfulfilled pledge to repeal the Prevention of Terrorism Act, noting that it continues to be used despite being described by Government leaders as draconian. He specifically requested action on the cases of detainees S. Kirupakaran and Aravinthan Ananthavarman, including Kirupakaran’s transfer request and Ananthavarman’s prolonged detention and ill health.
- The Hon. Sunil Handunnetti - Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development JJB
AI summary The Minister outlined the existing parliamentary follow-up process for Auditor General’s reports under Standing Order 120, including the requirement for subject Ministers and the Minister of Finance to report back within eight weeks on COPE recommendations. He emphasized COPE’s powers to summon persons, inspect documents and institutions, recall Ministers where responses are unsatisfactory, and refer matters to the Attorney General for legal action. He argued that the process should move beyond reporting and enable more direct initiation of legal proceedings arising from audit findings.
- The Hon. Mujibur Rahman SJB
AI summary Mujibur Rahman stated that the addressee had served as Chair of the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) in 2015. The remark appears to reference that role in the context of a broader parliamentary exchange.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Sunil Handunnetti JJB
AI summary Hon. Sunil Handunnetti stated that the Standing Orders under discussion were adopted on 23 November 2022 based on proposals made by their Committee. He noted that Hon. Harsha de Silva was also aware of this context.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Mujibur Rahman SJB
AI summary Hon. Mujibur Rahman asked when the relevant Standing Orders were made.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Sunil Handunnetti JJB
AI summary The Hon. Sunil Handunnetti noted that the relevant measures or decisions had been adopted on 23 November 2022. No further argument, proposal, or question was recorded in the provided excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB
AI summary Dr. Harsha de Silva responded to a matter raised under the relevant Standing Order concerning an audit report on the Polonnaruwa society. He challenged Members to identify any reference to his name in that report and stated that he was making the assertion responsibly.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva objected to the misuse of his name in the debate and demanded that the statement be withdrawn with an apology. He challenged the other party to show where he was mentioned and denied claims relating to “ten measures of rice,” accusing them of making false statements.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB
AI summary The Prime Minister stated that continuous auditing already exists for ministries, departments and statutory bodies through the National Audit Office and related committee processes, but audit findings often recur because corrective action is not taken properly or on time. She said the Government will strengthen the authority of Accountants and Chief Accountants through circulars, refer disciplinary and legal matters promptly, and improve implementation of audit recommendations through the Ministry of Finance. She also proposed amending Standing Orders to allow COPE and COPA to make binding decisions, strengthening surcharge processes for misuse of public funds or property, and treating such findings as impediments to appointments and promotions.
- The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB
AI summary Chaminda Wijesiri welcomed cross-party support for his Motion and noted Government Members’ acknowledgement that addressing institutional legal and accountability issues would require time, despite earlier claims that wrongdoing could be punished quickly. He emphasized that Parliament’s Standing Orders and committee powers are insufficient to ensure implementation of committee recommendations, and urged the Government to create a legal framework giving Parliament and its committees binding implementation powers. He also proposed that once matters are charged or surcharged, they should be referred directly to court rather than returned to Parliament for further discussion.
- 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