Sitting of Thursday, 5 June 2025
Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 1750828922068945 ·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 Speaker's Announcements: Sri Lanka Electricity (Amendment) Bill Petition 1 speeches
- 2 Papers Papers: Annual Performance Reports 2 speeches
- 3 Petitions Petitions Presented 4 speeches
- 4 Oral question Oral Question: Israeli Religious and Cultural Centres Established in Sri Lanka (Q.632/2025) 6 speeches
- 5 Oral question Oral Question: Sri Lankan Workers Migrated to Israel as Caregivers (Q.635/2025) 5 speeches
- 6 Oral question Oral Question: Jaffna Teaching Hospital Voluntary Workers (Q.668/2025) 6 speeches
- 7 Oral question Oral Question: Main Canal from Deegawapiya to Kaliodai Reconstruction (Q.702/2025) 4 speeches
- 8 Oral question Oral Question: Tamil-medium Government Schools in Kalutara District A/L Subject Streams (Q.714/2025) 6 speeches
- 9 Oral question Oral Question: Dehiattakandiya Land Rights (Deputy Minister Agriculture Response) 9 speeches
- 10 Oral question Oral Question: National Health Development Fund (Tabled Answer) 2 speeches
- 11 Procedural Point of Order: Parliamentary Procedure and Vote Scheduling 10 speeches
- 12 Oral question Oral Questions: Azad Maulana Easter Attacks Statement and Government School Constructions in Monaragala (Tabled Answers) 6 speeches
- 13 Oral question Questions by Private Notice: Coconut Industry and Northern Provincial Health Service (Q.27(2)) 11 speeches
- 14 Papers Bills Presented: Companies (Amendment) Bill and Provincial Councils Election Act (Amendment) Bill 3 speeches
- 15 Debate Debate: National Transport Commission (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading 66 speeches
- 16 Adjournment Adjournment Motion: Prevention of Criminal Activities Affecting Livelihood of Fishermen of Ampara and Batticaloa 25 speeches
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC SJB
AI summary Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper raised concerns about organized sea-borne gangs targeting fishermen in the Eastern Province, particularly around Kalmunai, Kattankudy, Valachchenai and Batticaloa, through robbery, destruction of fishing gear and intimidation. He said decisions taken at the Batticaloa District Coordinating Committee in May 2023 to limit fish-landing sites and cap engine power at 25 hp had not been implemented, and questioned who was obstructing enforcement. He requested urgent action by the Ministry of Defence, including Navy patrols, a special Navy coordinator for the Eastern coast, implementation of the DCC decisions, and firm action against organized offenders.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) M.L.A.M. Hizbullah SLMC
AI summary Hon. Hizbullah supported the Adjournment Motion and raised concerns about recurring robberies of deep-sea fishermen from areas including Sainthamaruthu, Oluvil, Poonochchimunai, Kattankudy, Valachchenai and Trincomalee by coastal gangs seizing fish and fishing gear. He said the Fisheries Department and local organisations had identified suspects and submitted complaints, including to the President, but legal action had been limited due to reported procedural hurdles affecting Navy intervention. He urged immediate coordination between the relevant Minister, Defence authorities and the Navy to prevent these incidents and protect affected fishermen.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) M.L.A.M. Hizbullah SLMC
AI summary Urged the Minister to take swift action against organized robbery at sea, stating that the Department has records of the perpetrators and their villages. He questioned whether departmental officers may be complicit, noting that suspects are sometimes arrested, given small fines, and released, and called for coordination with the Defence authorities to stop the activity.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe SLMC
AI summary Welcoming Hon. Nizam Kariapper’s motion, Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe said sea piracy has become a serious threat to deep-sea fishermen in the East, who spend about Rs. 400,000 per trip and are losing fish, nets, and livelihoods to robberies. Referring to recent protests by fishermen from Pottuvil, Kalmunai, Kattankudy, and Valachchenai, he urged the State Minister of Defence and the Minister of Fisheries to act urgently, protect fishermen, prevent tensions, and ensure those responsible are arrested and prosecuted.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Kanthasamy Prabu JJB
AI summary Kanthasamy Prabu supported Hon. Kariapper’s motion by highlighting complaints from fishermen between Pottuvil and Trincomalee about robberies of catches and nets by small groups. He said meetings with fishermen, security officers and Fisheries officials led District and Divisional Development Committees to propose banning 40 hp fast boats, limiting craft to 25 hp, restricting landing points, and conducting joint Police-Navy operations. He urged the Fisheries and Defence Ministers to take urgent action and noted that legal action is being pursued against identified groups.
- The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna
AI summary Hon. Ramanathan Archchuna supported the motion and raised concerns about alleged violence against fishermen in Trincomalee and Mullaitivu, including claims of Navy involvement in an assault and Police refusal to record a complaint. He questioned why citizens would have to approach the Human Rights Commission to lodge grievances and said the security situation for northern fishermen had deteriorated. He also referred to the Minister’s statement that inquiries had been ordered and played an audio recording in which the Minister denied allegations relating to a promised statue for Prabhakaran.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar - Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources JJB
AI summary The Minister said complaints from fishing communities in Batticaloa, including Oluvil and Valachchenai, concern organized gangs robbing deep-sea fishermen of catches and equipment. He reported that a recent meeting in Parliament with the Navy, Army, Police, and other stakeholders addressed enforcement responsibilities, and that coordinated action with the Navy, Police, and if necessary the STF, is being taken to stop such gangs.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna
AI summary Dr. Ramanathan Archchuna raised a Point of Order, stating that his name had been mentioned in the proceedings.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar JJB
AI summary Clarified that no individual had been named in his remarks.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK
AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam supported the motion on threats to fishermen’s livelihoods, recalling that similar concerns were raised in 2022 and that promised enforcement action had not resolved the issue. He identified an enforcement gap between Fisheries Inspectors and Police and proposed joint operations with the Navy, while clarifying that the alleged group was from the Kaluwanchikudy Divisional Secretariat area rather than the village itself. He also highlighted wider fisheries infrastructure needs in Batticaloa, including a beacon light at Kaluvankerni and more landing sites, and said he was prepared to work with relevant development authorities and seek possible World Bank support.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. K. Ilankumaran JJB
AI summary Hon. K. Ilankumaran supported Hon. Kariapper’s motion on threats faced by deep-sea fishers, stating that armed gangs in fast boats steal their fish and nets during 12- to 20-day fishing trips. He said he and Hon. Kanthasamy Prabu had discussed the issue with the Minister, who had begun taking action, and urged the Government to identify, name, and prosecute the gangs with support from the Navy, STF, Police, and relevant Department. He also noted that the issue had been raised for many years and criticized attempts to disrupt the debate for personal publicity.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Thurairasa Ravikaran ITAK
AI summary Hon. Thurairasa Ravikaran supported the Adjournment Motion and raised concern over intensified illegal fishing in Mullaitivu and other Northern and Eastern sea areas, saying it is damaging marine resources and fishermen’s livelihoods. He criticised the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources for insufficient enforcement, citing staff shortages and a recent incident in Kallappadu where residents seized six boats themselves before court action was taken. He requested urgent joint action by the Fisheries Department and the Navy, increased capacity to address enforcement gaps, and protection of fishing communities from illegal operators.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Major General (Rtd.) Aruna Jayasekera - Deputy Minister of Defence JJB
AI summary The Deputy Minister of Defence said the Government is taking complaints about theft of fish catch and damage to fishing equipment along the Eastern coast seriously, with the Navy, Coast Guard, Police and fisheries authorities conducting operations against illegal activity. He cited the arrest of two suspects in Kaluwanchikudy on 2 June and requested public cooperation and information to support enforcement. He said proposals such as designating landing points, improving registration and monitoring of vessels and gear, and considering engine-power reductions would be examined, while noting operational constraints caused by the lack of nearby functioning harbours. He also announced that Captain S.D. Kodikara had been appointed to coordinate naval operations and that Navy contact points had been established in several eastern coastal areas.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural