Sitting of Friday, 11 July 2025
Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 1753082553092748 ·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 Establishment of Parliamentary Caucus on Arts and Cultural Affairs 1 speeches
- 2 Papers Tabling of Annual Reports - Ministers 5 speeches
- 3 Petitions Presentation of Petitions 7 speeches
- 4 Oral question Oral Questions - First Round 18 speeches
- 5 Procedural Points of Order and Standing Order 27(2) Questions 9 speeches
- 6 Debate US Tariff Duties - Member's Attention Matter and Discussion 20 speeches
- 7 Procedural Points of Order - Customs Container Matter and Questions of Privilege 65 speeches
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB
AI summary Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri’s remarks were largely expunged on the order of the Chair. The remaining statement alleged misuse of authority and appeared to refer to the application of a Standing Order before the speech was interrupted or removed from the record.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB
AI summary Chaminda Wijesiri objected to insults directed at the Deputy Speaker and stated that such conduct should not be permitted in Parliament.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB
AI summary Chaminda Wijesiri objected to the Deputy Speaker’s handling of proceedings, alleging misuse of authority after part of his remarks was expunged by order of the Chair. He requested that the Chair not allow its powers to be abused and asked for facilitation, indicating he would raise the matter with the Leader of the House if not permitted to proceed.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara rose on a point of Order. No substantive argument, question, or proposal is included in the provided excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara informed the House that he was raising a matter under Standing Order 92(2)(a) concerning a pending Question of Privilege. He noted that he had raised the same matter previously.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara requested clarification from the Chair on when he would be allowed to present a matter, stating that he had not been given an opportunity to speak as expected.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara requested one minute of speaking time from the Deputy Speaker.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara objected to a Member being questioned by the CID over remarks made in Parliament, arguing that parliamentary speech should not be subject to such action. He said a privilege matter should first be allowed to be raised in the House and then considered by the Speaker, rather than being referred to the Police before the Member can present it. He requested that Members’ legal and parliamentary rights to raise privilege issues be protected.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara raised a brief question in Parliament asking what action or outcome would follow regarding Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna. No further context, proposal, or substantive argument was provided in the excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna rose to raise a point of order. No substantive argument, proposal, or question is recorded in the provided excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna
AI summary Dr. Ramanathan Archchuna requested the Deputy Speaker for an additional 10 seconds to speak.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna questioned the basis for action taken against him, stating that unlike Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, he had not made any remarks outside Parliament. He said the Speaker’s letter did not refer to the 323 containers and that his statement was taken based on remarks made in Parliament, expressing concern over the handling of the matter.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara posed a brief remark emphasizing that the matter under discussion was the central or “big” question before the House. No specific proposal, demand, or policy position was elaborated in the excerpt provided.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip JJB
AI summary Opposition MPs’ claims that certain containers carried weapons were described as a serious national security matter. The Minister urged those making such allegations, whether inside or outside Parliament, to provide evidence to the Police and CID rather than rely on Parliamentary Privilege, so that investigations can proceed.
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara requested the Deputy Speaker to grant him half a minute to speak. No substantive policy matter or proposal was raised in the excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara sought a brief opportunity to speak, asking the Chair for a short allocation of time amid interruptions. No substantive policy issue, legislative matter, or proposal was raised in the recorded remarks.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara stated that, in response to remarks by Nalinda Jayatissa, he had been questioned by the CID for five hours. He said he answered all questions clearly during that questioning.
Justice & Human Rights Full speech → - The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara denied having raised the issue of weapons himself, stating that it was the Customs Officers’ Association that referred to it. He said the CID had been informed who released the consignments and urged that those officials, including those referred to in the presence of Hon. Bimal Rathnayake and the Deputy Minister, also be questioned.
Corruption & Governance Reform Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Clarified that the statement in question was made by the Deputy Minister, not by him. The intervention appears to correct attribution during the debate.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary Bimal Rathnayake stated that he rose only because his name had been mentioned, accusing others of making false claims under Parliamentary Privilege both inside and outside Parliament. He also referred to the matter as involving national security and asked Hon. Dr. Ramanathan Archchuna to remain calm and sit down.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary Bimal Rathnayake requested permission from the Deputy Speaker to continue speaking after an interruption. No substantive policy issue, proposal, or question was raised in the excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - An Hon. Member
AI summary An Hon. Member briefly noted a procedural or technical issue in the chamber, stating that two microphones were switched on at the same time.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary Bimal Rathnayake asked to be allowed to finish his remarks before another member was given the opportunity to speak. The intervention appears procedural, seeking orderly conduct of the debate.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary Bimal Rathnayake rejected allegations that he was involved in releasing containers from Customs. He said earlier claims, based on a Customs trade union statement, had alleged in Parliament in January that the containers belonged to the Western Province Governor.
Corruption & Governance Reform Full speech → - The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary Bimal Rathnayake denies allegations that he released the containers in question, noting that earlier claims linked them to the Western Province Governor. He states that if accusers believe he was responsible, they should take the matter to court and name him as a suspect rather than making shifting public accusations.
Corruption & Governance Reform Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake objected to an allegation he described as a serious national issue and requested time to respond in Parliament. He stated that he and his party had not entered politics through corruption and had no fear of addressing the claim, while indicating he lacked authority over the matter being discussed.
Corruption & Governance Reform Full speech → - The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna’s intervention was limited to requesting permission to read from material. No substantive policy position, proposal, or question was presented in the excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary Bimal Rathnayake requested the Deputy Speaker to restore order in the House or issue a ruling.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake stated that the rights of Government Members must also be protected. The remark appears to be a procedural intervention emphasizing equal protection of parliamentary privileges or speaking rights for Members on the Government side.
Justice & Human Rights Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake denied allegations that he used authority to release Customs consignments or waive demurrage on Ramadan-related donations. He stated that the release of about 60 tonnes of donated dates raised by the Saudi Ambassador was delayed, but the Ministry of Cultural Affairs paid the full duty and demurrage, and he did not exercise any authority in the matter.
Corruption & Governance Reform Full speech → - The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary Bimal Rathnayake denied allegations that he had intervened in the release of 323 containers, stating that he had no authority over such releases and had acted within legal limits. He challenged Opposition MPs who made the claims, including allegations about weapons, to provide evidence to the police or courts and cooperate with investigations. He argued that using Parliamentary Privilege to make unsupported accusations wasted Parliament’s time and created a national issue unless the claims were substantiated or withdrawn.
- The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary No substantive remarks beyond addressing the Deputy Speaker are included in the provided excerpt, so there is no policy position, proposal, question, or argument to summarize.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law, requested additional time to speak, noting that another member had spoken at length and asking to be allowed a minute.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara rose on a point concerning the Rules of Debate, invoking Standing Order 86. The available excerpt does not include the substance of the procedural issue or any further argument, request, or ruling sought.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara raised a point of order under Standing Order No. 86. No substantive issue, proposal, or argument was stated in the provided excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara requested the Chair to refer to Standing Order No. 86. The intervention appears to have been a procedural point, seeking guidance or enforcement of the relevant Standing Order during the proceedings.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara stated that there was no intention to imprison the individual concerned, but the excerpt cuts off before he explains the specific action or objective being sought. The available text is too limited to identify the broader context, demand, or policy issue.
Justice & Human Rights Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara referred to a statement issued by the Director-General of Customs. The recorded excerpt is incomplete due to an interruption, and no substantive argument, proposal, or question is set out in the available text.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
- 8 Papers Presentation of Mediation (Civil and Commercial Disputes) Bill 2 speeches
- 9 Procedural Points of Order - Broadcasting and Warrant Matter 26 speeches
- 10 Debate Private Members' Motion No. 1: Co-operative Rural Banks Supervision 14 speeches
- 11 Debate Private Members' Motion No. 3: Livestock Sector Enhancement 18 speeches
- 12 Debate Private Members' Motion No. 4: Making Every Youth Gainfully Employed 22 speeches
- 13 Adjournment Adjournment - Fishing Practices in Trincomalee and Parliamentary Decentralized Funds 12 speeches