Sitting of Wednesday, 4 June 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 Parliament Opening and Papers Tabling 5 speeches ▸
2. 2 Procedural Procedural Matter: Access to Hansard and Tabled Annexes 11 speeches ▸
3. 3 Papers Papers: Annual Reports and Committee Reports 11 speeches ▸
4. 4 Oral question Oral Question: India–Sri Lanka Agreements and Education Policy 26 speeches ▸
5. 5 Oral question Oral Questions: NYSC Training Centres, Preschools, and Education Reforms 20 speeches ▸
6. 6 Oral question Question by Private Notice: Colombo–Kankesanthurai Train Service and Tourism Promotion 5 speeches ▾
   • The Hon. K. Kader Masthan SLLP

     AI summary Hon. K. Kader Masthan raised questions under Standing Order 27(2) to the Minister of Transport regarding the restoration and expansion of Northern Province railway services. He requested the resumption of the suspended Sridevi and Uthradevi Colombo–Kankesanthurai services, the extension of Rajarata Rejini back to Vavuniya, weekday operation of the air-conditioned Colombo–Kankesanthurai express with possible extension to Kalutara, and restoration of Yal Devi services up to Kalutara. He argued that these services had generated revenue and that regularizing them would reduce inconvenience for passengers following suspensions caused by COVID-19 and track development.

     Infrastructure Full speech →
   • The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB

     AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake stated that the response given to Hon. Kader Masthan’s question was inadequate. He undertook to obtain a proper response and provide it on Friday, thanking the Member for raising the matter.

     Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
   • The Hon. Speaker procedural
     Full speech →
   • The Hon. Dilith Jayaweera SB

     AI summary Hon. Dilith Jayaweera, raising a question under Standing Order 27(2), sought details from the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism on measures to strengthen tourism as a source of foreign exchange. He asked about ministerial capacity and consultations, Tourism Development Levy collections, investment in destination branding, per-tourist spending by country, the impact of low-spending tourists on subsidized public services, and whether corrective measures are planned. He also highlighted that star-class hotel room rates remain below pre-Easter attack levels and called for an immediate Ministry-level stakeholder discussion on the sector.

     Foreign AffairsPublic Finance Full speech →
   • The Hon. (Prof.) Ruwan Ranasinghe - Deputy Minister of Tourism JJB

     AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, the Deputy Minister requested two weeks’ time to provide responses to the questions raised.

     Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
7. 7 Debate Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Bill — Committee Stage 3 speeches ▸
8. 8 Debate Debate: Anti-Corruption Act Regulations 58 speeches ▸
9. 9 Adjournment Adjournment Questions: Tax Revenue and Decentralized Budget Provisions 26 speeches ▸