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
- 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
- The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka JJB
AI summary Anura Karunathilaka formally moved the adjournment of Parliament. The motion “That Parliament do now adjourn” was proposed for consideration.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara raised concern over the increase in shootings, killings, narcotics trafficking and underworld activity, particularly in the Western and Southern Provinces, arguing that public security has deteriorated despite government promises to restore the rule of law. He alleged that some police and prison officials may be compromised while officers who act against criminal networks are threatened, and urged the Government to take joint and effective action. He also questioned the propriety of appointing sitting Supreme Court judges to executive or legislative-related committees, citing concerns over natural justice and separation of powers. He requested detailed information on shootings since September 2024, related deaths and injuries, arrests, suspects at large, and measures being taken to suppress underworld violence.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Ananda Wijepala - Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs JJB
AI summary Minister Ananda Wijepala stated that the Government is implementing a planned operation to suppress underworld activity and drug trafficking, which he described as interconnected and previously enabled by political patronage. He reported 79 shootings between 21 September 2024 and 7 May 2025, resulting in 52 deaths and 35 injuries, with 260 suspects arrested, while declining to disclose details of suspects still at large due to ongoing investigations. He outlined measures including intensified patrols, intelligence and data systems, prison and airport monitoring, international cooperation, naval interdictions, and action against police personnel involved in crime. He also announced forthcoming steps such as new organized crime legislation, forensic laboratories, expanded surveillance and analytics capacity, a Central Criminal Investigation Unit, and provincial Criminal Divisions to be implemented shortly.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara made only a brief clarification and did not present substantive arguments, proposals, or questions.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara briefly states that the Minister agrees, indicating concurrence with the matter under discussion.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Ananda Wijepala JJB
AI summary The Chair called on the Hon. Ananda Wijepala to proceed with his speech. No substantive remarks or policy positions were recorded in this excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara thanked the Minister for the response but stressed the need for stronger intelligence-led policing, citing unresolved cases involving fugitives such as Ishara Sewwandi. He questioned whether steps had been taken to enable pre-emptive action against shootings and related crimes rather than police responding only after incidents occur.
- The Hon. Ananda Wijepala - Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs JJB
AI summary Minister Ananda Wijepala said the Government is strengthening intelligence gathering through regional intelligence units, the State Intelligence Service, military intelligence, and new District and Divisional-level Public Security Committees. He said these community-based mechanisms are intended to improve public cooperation, support a community-friendly police service, and help address narcotics trafficking and organized underworld crime.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural