Sitting of Friday, 6 June 2025
Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 1750753418078417 ·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: Parliament Commencement and Speaker's Announcements 1 speeches
- 2 Papers Papers: Annual and Committee Reports 4 speeches
- 3 Oral question Oral Question: Dedicated Economic Centres (Q.12/2024) 8 speeches
- 4 Oral question Oral Question: Sub Post Office Building (Q.74/2024) 6 speeches
- 5 Procedural Procedural: Standing Orders Discussion and Oral Questions 59 speeches
- Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB
AI summary Chaminda Wijesiri raised a procedural matter before posing his listed oral question, referring to the Speaker’s guidance that supplementary questions should relate to the original question. He asked the Speaker to consider Standing Order 34(1) in that context.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB
AI summary Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri briefly clarified that he was referring to a different matter, without elaborating further or raising a substantive issue in the recorded statement.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB
AI summary Chaminda Wijesiri referred to Standing Order 34(1), stating that Members are permitted to ask questions on matters within a Minister’s special knowledge and request action on those matters.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB
AI summary Asked where a particular point was stated, seeking clarification or a source within the ongoing debate.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB
AI summary Chaminda Wijesiri referred to Standing Orders governing parliamentary questions, noting that questions may be directed to the Prime Minister on public affairs or to Ministers on matters falling within their assigned subjects and functions. The intervention concerned procedural rules on the scope and addressees of questions in Parliament.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB
AI summary Chaminda Wijesiri stated that resolving the matter under discussion would prevent any further issue.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB
AI summary Chaminda Wijesiri raised a procedural point while attempting to ask a second supplementary question related to the Minister’s subject. He acknowledged the rule limiting supplementary questions to two, indicating he was seeking to proceed within or clarify that constraint.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB
AI summary Asked where a particular statement or provision was stated, seeking clarification in the parliamentary exchange.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB
AI summary Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri sought clarification on the application of Standing Orders during supplementary questions, noting acceptance that only two supplementaries are permitted. He questioned the instruction to Hon. Hesha Withanage to confine himself to the original question, arguing that questions should be allowed within the relevant Minister’s subject area to avoid procedural confusion.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara raised a procedural issue concerning Standing Orders 31 to 37, arguing that they relate broadly to parliamentary Questions and not only to Oral Answers. He objected that he had not been allowed to speak earlier and referred specifically to Standing Order 31 in support of his point.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara invoked Standing Order 31.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB
AI summary Chaminda Wijesiri stated that the supplementary question raised fell within the relevant Minister’s subject area.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara stated that it was up to the Minister to decide whether to respond.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB
AI summary Chaminda Wijesiri stated that the question regarding salt was directed to the Trade Minister because salt falls under that ministerial portfolio.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka SJB
AI summary Standing Orders permit questions within the relevant Minister’s subject area, including supplementary questions related to allied departments where the Minister consents to answer. The Member cautioned that such exchanges should remain limited to questions and answers and not develop into a debate.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary Arguing on a point of procedure, Bimal Rathnayake said Standing Orders 31 to 37 should be read together in governing parliamentary questions. He maintained that oral questions must follow the Order Paper and that supplementary questions under Standing Order 33(1) must be confined to clarifying the given answer without introducing new matters. He urged the House to proceed with scheduled business, including Votes of Condolence, and said parliamentary time should not be used for unrelated questions.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara requested the Speaker’s permission to speak briefly for one minute. No substantive policy issue, proposal, or question was raised in the quoted remark.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB
AI summary Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri briefly requests to be allowed to participate or speak as well.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara argued that the Standing Orders refer broadly to “Questions” rather than specifically to “Oral Questions.” He stated that parliamentary practice has followed that broader interpretation.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara briefly sought the Speaker’s permission to speak, asking for a minute during the proceedings. No substantive policy position, proposal, or question was presented in the recorded intervention.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB
AI summary Chaminda Wijesiri requested permission to express his side’s views at that point in the proceedings.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara requested that his party’s views also be taken into account in the relevant discussion or decision-making process. The intervention was brief and procedural, indicating a desire for inclusion of their position in the matter before the House.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB
AI summary Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri rose on a Point of Order. No substantive argument, proposal, or question is recorded in the excerpt provided.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB
AI summary Chaminda Wijesiri requested clarification before the House proceeded to Condolence Motions. He stated that Members had sought an opportunity under the Standing Orders and asked that this procedural matter be addressed first.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB
AI summary Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri requested clarification on the matter under discussion.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara urged that decisions not be taken unilaterally, implying the need for consultation or collective agreement before proceeding. His intervention was brief and framed as a procedural caution rather than a detailed policy argument.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB
AI summary Chaminda Wijesiri urged that decisions should not be taken unilaterally, emphasizing the need for consultation or collective agreement before proceeding. His intervention appears to caution against one-sided decision-making in the relevant parliamentary or policy context.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB
AI summary Chaminda Wijesiri objected that he had requested speaking time under two Standing Orders, including Standing Order 34, and raised concern about being denied that opportunity. Part of his remarks was expunged by order of the Chair.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB
AI summary Chaminda Wijesiri briefly urged that parliamentary rules be followed, framing the request as a respectful appeal for procedural compliance.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB
AI summary Chaminda Wijesiri made a remark criticizing the conduct of proceedings, but the substantive content was expunged by order of the Chair. As a result, no further argument, proposal, or question is available in the official record.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB
AI summary Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri responded to the Leader of the House on a procedural point, acknowledging his interpretation while emphasizing that the Standing Orders, including Standing Order 34, refer to the term “Questions.” The intervention focused on clarifying the procedural wording rather than raising a substantive policy issue.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB
AI summary Chaminda Wijesiri criticized the Speaker for consulting procedural references only after a question had been raised, arguing that the Speaker should be prepared in advance. He emphasized the need for the presiding officer to be familiar with the relevant rules before responding in the House.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB
AI summary Chaminda Wijesiri objected to the manner in which the Chair was responding during proceedings, stating that Speakers had not historically referred to a book while answering Members. Part of his remarks was expunged on the order of the Chair.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Sunil Handunnetti - Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development JJB
AI summary The Minister rose on a Point of Order to address a procedural issue concerning the Standing Orders governing parliamentary questions. He indicated that he wished to make an important clarification before the relevant question was asked.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- 6 Oral question Oral Question: Major Ports Revenue and Expenditure (Q.95/2024) 5 speeches
- 7 Procedural Procedural and Oral Question: Airport and Aviation Services and Standing Orders Clarification 70 speeches
- 8 Oral question Oral Question: State-Owned Sugar Companies (Q.191/2024) 16 speeches
- 9 Oral question Oral Questions: Second Round 7 speeches
- 10 Oral question Oral Question: Mahaweli Re-awakening Week (Q.619/2025) 5 speeches
- 11 Oral question Oral Question: Ambassadors and High Commissioners with Dual Citizenship 16 speeches
- 12 Procedural Procedural: Second Round and Ministerial Statements 14 speeches
- 13 Procedural Procedural: Standing Order 27(2) Questions and Points of Order 32 speeches
- 14 Procedural Procedural: House Conduct and Petition Examination 14 speeches
- 15 Papers Papers: Private Members' Bills Introduction 7 speeches
- 16 Debate Debate: Votes of Condolence for Four Former MPs 46 speeches
- 17 Adjournment Adjournment: Adjournment Motion and Questions 13 speeches