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 ▸
12. 12 Oral question Oral Question: Minimum Monthly Wage for Migrant Workers (SO 27(2)) 4 speeches ▾
    • The Hon. Speaker procedural
      Full speech →
    • The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF

      AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake raised a Standing Order 27(2) question to the Minister of Finance on the annulment of the 2016 minimum monthly wage policy of USD 300 for Sri Lankan workers in the Middle East. He asked whether current minimum wages, bilateral labour agreements, legal protections, recruitment guidelines and monitoring mechanisms exist to prevent wage fraud, underpayment and contract violations. He also urged consideration of reintroducing a mandatory minimum wage policy, citing wage standards in countries such as Qatar and Saudi Arabia and arguing that improved wage protection for about 1.7 million workers could substantially increase foreign exchange inflows.

      EmploymentForeign AffairsPublic Finance Full speech →
    • The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation and Leader of the House of Parliament JJB

      AI summary Time was sought to respond to the question, noting that it involves matters across more than one ministry. The Minister indicated that an inter-ministerial element requires further coordination before an answer can be provided.

      Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
    • The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF

      AI summary Ravi Karunanayake urged the Government to prioritize securing foreign exchange through migrant worker remittances, estimating that about USD 1.5 billion could be brought in through this avenue. He called for urgent action to pursue this measure.

      Foreign Affairs Full speech →
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 ▸