Sitting of Friday, 6 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 Opening: Parliament Commencement and Speaker's Announcements 1 speeches ▸
2. 2 Papers Papers: Annual and Committee Reports 4 speeches ▸
3. 3 Oral question Oral Question: Dedicated Economic Centres (Q.12/2024) 8 speeches ▸
4. 4 Oral question Oral Question: Sub Post Office Building (Q.74/2024) 6 speeches ▸
5. 5 Procedural Procedural: Standing Orders Discussion and Oral Questions 59 speeches ▸
6. 6 Oral question Oral Question: Major Ports Revenue and Expenditure (Q.95/2024) 5 speeches ▾
   • The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB

     AI summary Bimal Rathnayake provided a written answer listing Sri Lanka’s major ports and stating that income and expenditure figures from 2015 to 2024 are given in an annex. He outlined current development plans, including investment for Colombo West Container Terminal II, preparatory work for Colombo North Port, efforts to complete at least 50 per cent of the East Container Terminal this year, and logistics or industrial development plans for Trincomalee and Kankesanthurai. He said Galle Port’s proposed investment-model development is not being broadly implemented due to environmental and social issues, and that large-scale commercial development of Kankesanthurai is not being pursued because feasibility studies did not support it.

     Public FinanceInfrastructure Full speech →
   • The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB

     AI summary Chaminda Wijesiri cited the Minister’s figures showing 2024 port revenue of LKR 99 billion and expenditure of LKR 56 billion, and argued that the State is losing revenue from containers released without proper payment of port charges and customs duties. He alleged that such releases occur through influence and bypass Customs inspections, and asked whether the Minister has identified these practices and will take action against those responsible, regardless of rank.

     Corruption & Governance ReformPublic Finance Full speech →
   • The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB

     AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake clarified that customs duties collected on containers are not part of Sri Lanka Ports Authority revenue, which consists of port service charges such as handling fees, and said Cabinet has received a proposal to revise port service tariffs unchanged since 2022. He rejected claims that containers are released through political or official influence and stated that the CID is investigating the publicly discussed case of 323 containers. He also said investigations have begun into large-scale corruption at the Port and related individuals.

     Justice & Human RightsPublic FinanceCorruption & Governance Reform Full speech →
   • The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB

     AI summary Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri clarified that his earlier reference to port charges was linked to Customs processes involved in container handling, following the Minister’s explanation. He then raised a supplementary question on port development, asking whether media reports were accurate that the planned opening of the East Terminal on 30 June had been delayed due to shortcomings of newly appointed officials and government decisions, causing losses and additional expenditure.

     Public FinanceInfrastructure Full speech →
   • The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB

     AI summary Bimal Rathnayake rejected allegations by a trade union and said the procurement of diesel straddle carriers involved fraud, leading to legal action and the inability to import 15 units. He stated that a USD 18 million tender was revived and signed shortly before the 2024 Presidential Election under the previous administration, but was later cancelled on Attorney General’s advice, with fresh Cabinet approval obtained and new tenders now being called. He added that port equipment must be built to order, that the Colombo East Terminal work has now begun after delays since 2023 with completion expected around 2027, and that no new port workers have been recruited while the Government seeks to address operational shortcomings.

     InfrastructureCorruption & Governance Reform Full speech →
7. 7 Procedural Procedural and Oral Question: Airport and Aviation Services and Standing Orders Clarification 70 speeches ▸
8. 8 Oral question Oral Question: State-Owned Sugar Companies (Q.191/2024) 16 speeches ▸
9. 9 Oral question Oral Questions: Second Round 7 speeches ▸
10. 10 Oral question Oral Question: Mahaweli Re-awakening Week (Q.619/2025) 5 speeches ▸
11. 11 Oral question Oral Question: Ambassadors and High Commissioners with Dual Citizenship 16 speeches ▸
12. 12 Procedural Procedural: Second Round and Ministerial Statements 14 speeches ▸
13. 13 Procedural Procedural: Standing Order 27(2) Questions and Points of Order 32 speeches ▸
14. 14 Procedural Procedural: House Conduct and Petition Examination 14 speeches ▸
15. 15 Papers Papers: Private Members' Bills Introduction 7 speeches ▸
16. 16 Debate Debate: Votes of Condolence for Four Former MPs 46 speeches ▸
17. 17 Adjournment Adjournment: Adjournment Motion and Questions 13 speeches ▸