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
- 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
- The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development JJB
AI summary The Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development moved that Parliament adjourn. The Deputy Chairperson of Committees then proposed the question for consideration.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. Imran Maharoof SJB
AI summary Hon. Imran Maharoof raised concerns about the use and enforcement of purse-seine/encircling net regulations in Trincomalee, citing clashes between fishermen and the Navy, including a recent incident in Kuchchaveli involving gunfire. He argued that nets permitted under the 1986 Gazette, based on mesh size over 3/8 inch, are being treated as illegal in the North and East while similar nets are used in the South. He asked the Minister to clarify which nets are legal, whether the Gazette will be amended if the seized nets are considered illegal, and what steps will be taken to standardize enforcement.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. Imran Maharoof SJB
AI summary Hon. Imran Maharoof asked why permits for night diving to catch cuttlefish, suspended since 2019, have not been restored, noting its foreign exchange value and asking whether NARA or NAQDA has issued guidance. He requested annual data on income from night-caught cuttlefish for 2015–2025 and sought clarification on lawful alternatives for fishermen affected by the prohibition on purse seine fishing, particularly in his district.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar - Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources JJB
AI summary Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekar said the Government is examining illegal and harmful fishing practices, particularly purse seine net use, night diving and fishing with powerful lights, following concerns raised about fishermen in Trincomalee and other coastal districts. He stated that although purse seine fishing is already banned, enforcement problems remain, and a new Cabinet paper has been submitted with legislation being drafted for future presentation to Parliament. He said NARA and NAQDA have been asked to study related issues, including possible amendments on mesh size, while the Government is considering future action against illegal night diving and wider measures to protect marine resources and fishermen’s livelihoods.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. (Mrs.) Oshani Umanga JJB
AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Oshani Umanga asked the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development about the implementation of the District Decentralized Programme in 2025, following the shift from MP-allocated decentralized provisions to allocations through District Coordinating Committees due to public criticism of low-yielding projects. She sought details on any new procedure, annual expenditure over the past decade, the objectives of the 2024 change, guidelines for fund use and project initiation, measures to ensure equitable distribution across districts and localities, and the Government’s monitoring and evaluation mechanism.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha - Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development JJB
AI summary Minister Anil Jayantha stated that Rs. 2,250 million has been allocated in 2025 under the Decentralized Programme, equivalent to Rs. 10 million per MP, but that funds will be implemented through District Coordinating Committees rather than as individually directed cash allocations. He said the approach, set out in Finance Ministry Circular MF/02/2025, prioritizes district-based economic development, entrepreneurship, empowerment, group cohesion, and integrated projects. He also tabled past allocation details from 2015 to 2025 and explained that District Coordinating Committees are intended to identify local needs through links with Divisional Secretariats and local authorities.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural