Sitting of Thursday, 22 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 Speaker's Announcements: Seminar for Sectoral Oversight Committees 1 speeches ▸
2. 2 Committee report Presentation of Committee Reports 2 speeches ▸
3. 3 Petitions Presentation of Petitions 9 speeches ▸
4. 4 Oral question Oral Question: Grant of Lands by Mahaweli Authority for Large-Scale Projects (Q.1/2025) 6 speeches ▸
5. 5 Oral question Oral Question: Teachers' Colleges Training Programme (Q.2/2025) 4 speeches ▸
6. 6 Oral question Oral Question: Tea Smallholders in Kalutara District (Q.3/2025) 6 speeches ▸
7. 7 Oral question Oral Question: Question No. 4 (Q.718/2025) - Stand Down 3 speeches ▸
8. 8 Oral question Oral Question: Grant of State Land in Mahiyanganaya Town (Q.5/2025) 6 speeches ▸
9. 9 Oral question Oral Question: Takeover of Community Water Supply Centres by NWSDB (Q.6/2025) 6 speeches ▸
10. 10 Oral question Oral Question: Sand Mining Permits and Stray Dog Control (Q.7/2025) 12 speeches ▸
11. 11 Oral question Oral Question: University Hostels and Student Allowances (Q.8/2025) 4 speeches ▾
    • The Hon. (Mrs.) Hiruni Wijesinghe, Attorney-at-Law JJB

      AI summary Asked whether the Government is taking steps to expand hostel facilities for University of Colombo students, noting the loss of the Muttiah Girls’ Hostel and the limited accommodation available. She highlighted the higher accommodation costs faced by outstation students, including those from families of public servants, and asked whether existing or ongoing Government buildings could be used to provide a new hostel for the university.

      EducationCost of Living Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB

      AI summary There is a severe shortage of hostel facilities across State universities due to past decisions not to build new hostels despite increased student intake and expanded faculties and departments. A space audit has been conducted to identify university buildings that can be converted into hostels, and the UGC has submitted a plan through Vice-Chancellors to the Ministry for implementation. The issue was described as particularly acute outside Colombo, including at the Kilinochchi campus, where lack of accommodation affects students’ ability to attend.

      EducationInfrastructure Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Mrs.) Hiruni Wijesinghe, Attorney-at-Law JJB

      AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Hiruni Wijesinghe asked whether the Government could set a fixed monthly date for payment of the Rs. 7,500 Mahapola scholarship allowance to university students. She noted that students currently face uncertainty and delays of one to two months, a problem she said had continued under past governments, and argued that a predictable payment date would help students manage their expenses.

      EducationPublic Finance Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB

      AI summary The Minister stated that arrears in Mahapola scholarship payments that had been outstanding for months have now been settled, though there is a slight delay for the newly enrolled batch. She said the Government is working with the Mahapola Higher Education Scholarship Trust Fund to establish a fixed payment date for future disbursements.

      EducationPublic Finance Full speech →
12. 12 Oral question Oral Question: Minimum Monthly Wage for Migrant Workers (SO 27(2)) 4 speeches ▸
13. 13 Papers Papers: Presentation of Regulations I to XI 2 speeches ▸
14. 14 Debate Debate: Regulations under Imports and Exports (Control) Act, No. 1 of 1969 and Disposal of Property Act Resolutions 78 speeches ▸
15. 15 Papers Resolutions under Appropriation Act, No. 34 of 2023 10 speeches ▸
16. 16 Adjournment Adjournment Motion: Empowerment of Small and Medium Exporters in Northern Province 24 speeches ▸