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
- 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
- The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation and Leader of the House of Parliament JJB
AI summary Bimal Rathnayake moved Votes of Condolence for former MPs Kosala Nuwan Jayaweera and Mavai S. Senathirajah. He outlined Jayaweera’s education, JVP/NPP political work, local government service, brief parliamentary tenure including COPE membership, and sudden death at 38, requesting that Parliament’s condolences be conveyed to his family. He also recounted Senathirajah’s long parliamentary service for Jaffna under the TNA, leadership of ITAK, educational and political background, and death at 82, asking that condolences be sent to his wife, children, and family.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka SJB
AI summary Gayantha Karunathilleka conveyed condolences on behalf of the Opposition Leader, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya and himself for four former Members. He paid tribute to Kosala Nuwan Jayaweera’s brief parliamentary service, youth leadership and COPE membership; Mavai S. Senathirajah’s democratic advocacy for Tamil rights and land issues; Donald Dissanayake’s local government, parliamentary and development work in Gampaha; and J.R.P. Suriyapperuma’s political, intellectual and oratorical contributions. He extended sympathies to their families and acknowledged their service across party lines.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Rauff Hakeem, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Rauff Hakeem conveyed condolences on behalf of several parties for four former Members: Kosala Nuwan Jayaweera, Donald Dissanayake, J.R.P. Suriyapperuma, and Mavai S. Senathirajah. He recalled Jayaweera’s brief but notable parliamentary and electoral contribution, Dissanayake’s service in local, provincial and parliamentary roles, and Suriyapperuma’s prominence as an orator, political thinker and public educator, suggesting his writings be collected and republished. He gave extended tribute to Senathirajah’s six decades in Tamil national politics, his imprisonment and work with TULF leaders, his engagement on Tamil-Muslim relations and national issues, and conveyed sympathies to his family.
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar - Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources JJB
AI summary Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekar expressed condolences on the death of Hon. Mavai S. Senathirajah and recalled his long role in Tamil politics, including participation in non-violent struggles, imprisonment, and parliamentary advocacy on Tamil issues. He noted Senathirajah’s constructive engagement across political differences, his links with both Tamil political leaders and militant-era figures, and his commitment to grassroots concerns. On behalf of the NPP, he thanked Senathirajah for his public service and conveyed condolences to his family.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law - Minister of Justice and National Integration JJB
AI summary The Minister of Justice and National Integration moved that Hon. (Prof.) Sena Nanayakkara take the Chair. The House agreed to the motion, after which the Deputy Speaker left the Chair and Hon. (Prof.) Sena Nanayakkara assumed it.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Kathiravelu Shanmugam Kugathasan ITAK
AI summary Kathiravelu Shanmugam Kugathasan paid tribute to the late Mavai Somasundaram Senathirajah, outlining his family background, education, and long involvement in Tamil political activism from the 1960s, including opposition to standardization and language policies, repeated imprisonment, and leadership roles in youth movements. He recalled Senathirajah’s parliamentary career from 1989 to 2020, his leadership of ITAK, and his decision in 2013 to step aside as a Chief Ministerial candidate for Justice C.V. Wigneswaran. He conveyed condolences, on behalf of the people of Trincomalee District and ITAK, to Senathirajah’s wife, children, and relatives.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. K. Ilangkumaran JJB
AI summary Hon. K. Ilangkumaran paid tribute to the late Hon. Mavai S. Senathirajah, highlighting his long involvement in Tamil politics from the TULF youth movement, his commitment to a non-violent political path, and his efforts toward Tamil unity and a just solution to the national question. He recalled Senathirajah’s parliamentary career, the 2001 attack during his campaign in which he was seriously injured, and his continued advocacy for power-sharing for the Tamil people. He concluded that leaders of Senathirajah’s calibre are needed again and expressed condolences.
Ethnic Reconciliation & Devolution Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Deputy Secretary-General
AI summary The Deputy Secretary-General requested that a Member propose a name to the Chair, indicating a procedural step in the proceedings.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara moved that Hon. Chanaka Madugoda take the Chair.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Sunil Rajapaksha JJB
AI summary Hon. Sunil Rajapaksha formally seconded the matter before the House. The question was then put and agreed to, after which Hon. Chanaka Madugoda took the Chair.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara paid tribute to four late political figures: J.R.P. Suriyapperuma, Donald Dissanayake, Mavai S. Senathirajah, and Kosala Jayaweera. He highlighted Suriyapperuma’s intellectual and political role in the SLFP and leftist movements, Dissanayake’s service in Gampaha and in parliamentary responsibilities, Senathirajah’s long-standing leadership in Tamil politics and commitment to non-violent advocacy, and Jayaweera’s youth activism, anti-corruption work, and contributions in COPE. He conveyed condolences to their families and offered prayers for their peace.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Sunil Rajapaksha JJB
AI summary Hon. Sunil Rajapaksha delivered condolence remarks for former Members J.R.P. Suriyapperuma, Kosala Nuwan Jayaweera, Mavai S. Senathirajah and Donald Dissanayake. He highlighted Suriyapperuma’s contributions as an educator, scholar, public servant, SLFP office-bearer, author, advocate of local industry and National List MP, describing his role in intellectual and political life. He also noted Kosala Nuwan Jayaweera’s work in Parliament, particularly on COPE, and conveyed condolences to the families of all the deceased Members.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan ITAK
AI summary Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan paid tribute to former MP and ITAK leader Mavai S. Senathirajah, highlighting his education, early involvement in the TULF and Tamil national movement, participation in the 1961 satyagraha, periods of detention, and parliamentary service from 1989 onward. He said Senathirajah worked for Tamil rights domestically and internationally, supported post-war peace efforts, strengthened ITAK in Kilinochchi, and promoted youth and women’s participation. He also recalled attacks and assaults Senathirajah survived during the conflict period and conveyed condolences to his family and the families of the other former MPs named in the Votes of Condolence.
- The Hon. (Dr.) S. Sri Bavanandarajah JJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) S. Sri Bavanandarajah paid tribute to Hon. Mavai S. Senathirajah, highlighting his early activism, education, and long involvement in Tamil political and social struggles. He recalled Senathirajah’s role in organizing youth against standardization, university admission restrictions and the “Sinhala Only” policy, noting that he was imprisoned for over seven years for such activism. He also emphasized Senathirajah’s assistance to students seeking higher education, his work with senior Tamil leaders, and his decades-long advocacy for Tamil rights inside and outside Parliament.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Gnanamuththu Srineshan ITAK
AI summary Gnanamuththu Srineshan paid tribute to the late Mavai Somasundaram Senathirajah, describing his lifelong role in the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi and his commitment to Tamil rights through non-violent, democratic politics. He recalled Senathirajah’s experiences amid key post-independence political developments, his efforts to maintain links across Tamil political and militant movements, and the risks and violence he faced while campaigning in the North and East. Srineshan said Senathirajah’s death was a major loss to his family, the Tamil community and Sri Lanka, and conveyed condolences to his relatives.
- The Hon. Asoka Sapumal Ranwala JJB
AI summary Hon. Asoka Sapumal Ranwala paid tribute to the late former MP Donald Dissanayake, highlighting his long public career from local government in Gampaha to the Western Provincial Council and Parliament. He recalled Dissanayake’s contributions to education, roads, electrification, health facilities, religious institutions, scholarships, and child development centres in the Gampaha District, as well as his roles in parliamentary committees and government assignments. He conveyed condolences on behalf of the Gampaha District to Dissanayake’s family and colleagues.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Dammika Patabendi - Minister of Environment JJB
AI summary Minister Dammika Patabendi paid tribute to the late MP Kosala Nuwan Jayawira of Kegalle, noting his brief parliamentary service after being elected in November 2024 and his work on COPE. He highlighted Jayawira’s background in student activism, local government service in Dehiowita, anti-corruption work, environmental campaigns against harmful projects including oil palm cultivation, and support for estate workers’ wage demands. He said Jayawira’s death at 38 was a loss to Parliament, the NPP, Kegalle District, and the country, and conveyed condolences to his family and supporters.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB
AI summary Ajith P. Perera expressed condolences on behalf of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya for the deaths of former MPs Kosala Nuwan Jayawira, Mavai S. Senathirajah, Donald Dissanayake, and J. R. P. Suriyapperuma, recalling their public service and contributions. He particularly highlighted Senathirajah’s role in democratic politics, advocacy for detainees’ rights and due process, and support for the “Gamata Eliya” electrification programme in the North. He also raised concern over a presidential pardon granted on 12 May 2025 following a conviction in the Anuradhapura High Court, stating that constitutional procedures and Supreme Court standards on pardons should be observed.
- The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK
AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam paid tribute to former MP Somasundaram Senathirajah, recalling his long parliamentary service, role in ITAK/TNA, and consistent advocacy for a political settlement enabling Tamil self-rule in a merged North and East. He highlighted Senathirajah’s influence on younger MPs, his work in the Eastern Province while a National List MP, and his history as a political detainee before entering Parliament. He also referred to Senathirajah’s close association with his family and said his death was a loss to the party, the Tamil community, and the country.
- The Hon. Eranga Gunasekara - Deputy Minister of Youth Affairs JJB
AI summary Eranga Gunasekara paid tribute to the late Kosala Nuwan Jayawira, highlighting his role in the Socialist Youth Union, Socialist Students’ Union, JVP, and NPP, particularly in Kegalle, and his leadership during the 2022 people’s uprising. He described Jayawira as a principled activist who prioritized collective political struggle and public service over personal advancement. Gunasekara said the best tribute would be to continue Jayawira’s mission of building a more just Sri Lanka.
Religion & Culture Full speech → - The Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen SJB
AI summary Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen paid tribute in a condolence debate to former MPs Donald Dissanayake, J. R. P. Suriyapperuma, Kosala Nuwan Jayawira, and Mavai S. Senathirajah, extending sympathies to their families and political communities. He recalled their public service, including Dissanayake’s continued district-level work, Suriyapperuma’s roles in the UNP and SLFP, and Jayawira’s brief parliamentary service and committee work. He gave particular emphasis to Senathirajah’s long association with ITAK, sacrifices during periods of detention, advocacy for Tamil-speaking people, and concern for Muslim community issues, describing his death as a loss to the country.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Kanchana Welipitiya JJB
AI summary Kanchana Welipitiya paid tribute to the late Kosala Nuwan Jayawira, outlining his education, student activism, local government service, and roles in the JVP/NPP and Socialist Youth Union in Kegalle. He highlighted Jayawira’s leadership in campaigns against environmentally harmful oil palm cultivation and his contribution to mobilizing youth and community groups in the district. Welipitiya noted Jayawira’s 2024 General Election performance and his reputation among parliamentary staff, and conveyed condolences to his family and associates.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. G. G. Ponnambalam ACTC
AI summary Hon. G. G. Ponnambalam paid tribute to the late Mavai S. Senathirajah, recalling their work together after the formation of the Tamil National Alliance in 2001 despite earlier party rivalries. He said Senathirajah remained consistent in agreed political positions, was committed to Tamil rights and liberation politics, and helped build a principled political culture within his party. He emphasized that Senathirajah’s advocacy for Tamils was not hostility to Sri Lanka, but a call for an inclusive country based on diversity, and extended condolences to his family, colleagues, supporters, and the people who valued him.
- The Hon. (Dr.) Najith Indika JJB
AI summary Dr. Najith Indika offered condolences on the deaths of four former MPs, with particular focus on Hon. Kosala Nuwan Jayawira. He recalled Jayawira’s background as a student leader, his activism during a repressive period, and his work on education rights, environmental issues, youth mobilization, and agrarian concerns in Kegalle. He said Jayawira, who died at 38 after a brief parliamentary tenure, represented a new political hope from among ordinary people and that his colleagues would carry forward the social and political goals he pursued.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan DTNA
AI summary Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan offered condolences to the families of four former MPs and focused on the late Mavai S. Senathirajah, describing his lifelong service to the people of the North and East. He highlighted Senathirajah’s role in ITAK and the TNA, his imprisonment linked to advocacy for Tamil grievances, and his work in areas such as Ampara District among marginalized communities. He called on Senathirajah’s family and colleagues to continue his political mission and uphold the ideals for which he had worked.
Ethnic Reconciliation & Devolution Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Sugath Wasantha de Silva JJB
AI summary Sugath Wasantha de Silva expressed condolences on the deaths of four former Members of Parliament, reflecting in detail on J.R.P. Suriya Peruma, Maavai S. Senathirajah and Kosala Nuwan Jayawira. He described Suriya Peruma as a bilingual intellectual, writer, historian and political thinker shaped by post-independence ideological debates, and Senathirajah as a committed representative of the Tamil people who remained steadfast in his political convictions. He also recalled Jayawira as a colleague who had taken oaths alongside him and, despite a brief parliamentary tenure, was remembered for a long period of public and political service.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Nishantha Samaraweera JJB
AI summary Dr. Nishantha Samaraweera spoke during condolence motions for several late former MPs, focusing on the late Kosala Nuwan Jayawira, who died at age 38 after about five months in Parliament. He recalled Jayawira’s academic promise, political commitment, work in COPE, and reputation for compassion, humility, and dedication to public service. He conveyed condolences to Jayawira’s family, the people of Kegalle, and the nation, and pledged to continue working toward the ideals Jayawira supported.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Thanura Dissanayake JJB
AI summary Thanura Dissanayake expressed condolences on the deaths of former MPs Maavai S. Senathirajah, Donald Dissanayake, J.R.P. Suriya Peruma, and Kosala Nuwan Jayawira, with particular reference to his close association with Jayawira. He highlighted Jayawira’s role in youth political activism, service as Kegalle District Organizer of the Socialist Youth Union, local authority member, and MP, and said his short life demonstrated collective responsibility and public service. He stated that Jayawira’s mission should continue as a message to youth to improve their own lives while serving fellow citizens and conveyed sympathies to his family.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Asitha Niroshana Egoda Vithana JJB
AI summary Asitha Niroshana Egoda Vithana paid tribute to the late Kosala Nuwan Jayawira, describing his service as a young left-wing parliamentarian, student leader, environmental advocate, and representative of workers and local communities in Kegalle. He highlighted Jayawira’s work on free education, estate workers’ wages, anti-corruption efforts in local bodies, and his recent role in COPE addressing public finance losses and fraud. He also referred to World Environment Day initiatives in Kegalle, including plans to protect five forest systems and establish a sanctuary for the endemic “Bandula pethiya” fish, presenting these as causes Jayawira had supported.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. R.M. Samantha Ranasinghe JJB
AI summary R.M. Samantha Ranasinghe paid tribute to the late Kosala Nuwan Jayawira, the young MP from Kegalle whose seat he now represents, highlighting his rise from a rural background and his leadership in building the National People’s Power in the “three Korales” electorate. He recalled Jayawira’s interventions on local livelihood issues, human–wildlife conflict, COVID-19 health facilities, teachers’ struggles, and divisional development work. He conveyed condolences to Jayawira’s family and stated that his party would work to continue the development and youth-oriented goals Jayawira had pursued.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Chandima Hettiaratchi JJB
AI summary Chandima Hettiaratchi offered condolences for former parliamentarians Maavai S. Senathirajah, Donald Dissanayake, J.R.P. Suriya Peruma, and Kosala Nuwan Jayawira, noting their contributions to parliamentary politics and public life. He particularly praised Senathirajah’s commitment to representing his people through parliamentary democracy and Suriya Peruma’s public commentary on international affairs. The speech focused mainly on Jayawira, whom Hettiaratchi described as a unifying student and political organizer, an Open University colleague, and a committed party and government member active in areas including organization, environment, the economy, Parliament, and COPE. He conveyed condolences to Jayawira’s family, party colleagues, government, constituents, and university comrades, stating that his loss would be deeply felt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- 17 Adjournment Adjournment: Adjournment Motion and Questions 13 speeches