Sitting of Tuesday, 22 July 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: Awareness Programme for Newly Elected Members 1 speeches ▸
2. 2 Papers Papers: Annual Reports of Various Institutions (2023) 4 speeches ▸
3. 3 Committee report Committee Reports: Environment, Education, Infrastructure Bills 3 speeches ▸
4. 4 Petitions Petitions: Citizens' Petitions Presented 3 speeches ▸
5. 5 Oral question Oral Question: Sale of Petroleum (Q.2/2024) 5 speeches ▸
6. 6 Oral question Oral Question: Establishment of Rajya Osusala - Batticaloa District 5 speeches ▸
7. 7 Procedural Procedural: Question No. 3 Deferred 1 speeches ▸
8. 8 Oral question Oral Question: Active Accounts in Employees' Provident Fund (Q.4/2024) 5 speeches ▸
9. 9 Oral question Oral Question: National Minimum Wage and Plantation Workers Wages 15 speeches ▸
10. 10 Oral question Oral Question: Construction of Milleniya Export Processing Zone (Q.5/2024) 9 speeches ▸
11. 11 Procedural Procedural: Speaker's Time Management Announcement 1 speeches ▸
12. 12 Oral question Oral Question: Migrant Workers - Remittances (Q.6/2024) 10 speeches ▸
13. 13 Oral question Oral Question: Mosque at Mahara Prison Premises 7 speeches ▾
    • The Hon. S.M. Marikkar SJB

      AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar asked the Minister of Justice and National Integration whether the Government is aware that the long-standing mosque within the Mahara Prison premises has not functioned since 2019. He sought reasons for its closure and asked whether permission and facilities could be provided to resume its functions.

      Religion & CultureJustice & Human Rights Full speech →
    • The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
      Full speech →
    • The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law - Minister of Justice and National Integration JJB

      AI summary The Minister replied that a mosque on Mahara Prison Department land had originally served Muslim prison officers but was later used by outsiders, creating security risks due to its location near the prison wall, staff quarters, and internal access routes. He stated that prison authorities had repeatedly refused reopening the old site to outsiders, citing risks of contraband entry and large gatherings near a prison housing high-risk inmates, and tabled related annexes. He said the old mosque cannot be reopened, but an alternative five-perch site on Prisons Department land has been identified and may be considered once mosque management submits a formal request.

      Justice & Human RightsReligion & CultureLaw & Order Full speech →
    • The Hon. S.M. Marikkar SJB

      AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar raised concerns that a proposed five-perch site would cause congestion and Friday parking problems, potentially leading to Sinhala–Muslim misunderstandings. He asked whether the Government would mediate to enable donors to acquire and develop a larger plot at their own cost, with adequate parking and without requiring government funds.

      Religion & CultureLaw & Order Full speech →
    • The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law - Minister of Justice and National Integration JJB

      AI summary The Minister stated that he could address the issue concerning the five perches of land because it falls under the Ministry of Justice, while broader proposals would require a feasibility assessment. He said the Ministry could mediate, upon receiving an official request, to support community needs within its mandate of promoting inter-ethnic cooperation, but could not specify the exact intervention at that stage.

      Justice & Human RightsEthnic Reconciliation & Devolution Full speech →
    • The Hon. S.M. Marikkar SJB

      AI summary S.M. Marikkar requested the Minister’s policy concurrence to facilitate, through State mediation, the purchase of land and construction of a mosque by donors. He noted that the previous mosque had been on State land and asked that the Government assist in resolving the matter procedurally.

      Land & Housing Full speech →
    • The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law - Minister of Justice and National Integration JJB

      AI summary The Minister stated that the matter would be considered and affirmed the Government’s support for freedom of religion. He indicated that, depending on the circumstances, the Ministry would intervene to the fullest extent possible.

      Religion & CultureJustice & Human Rights Full speech →
14. 14 Procedural Procedural: Leader's Time Management Notice 1 speeches ▸
15. 15 Oral question Oral Question: Post of Sub-Inspector of Police - Recruitments (Q.7/2024) 21 speeches ▸
16. 16 Oral question Oral Question: Airlines and Aviation Services (Q.8/2024) 7 speeches ▸
17. 17 Oral question Oral Question: Sugar Demand and Production (Q.10/2024) 5 speeches ▸
18. 18 Oral question SO 27(2) Question: Human-Elephant Conflict 21 speeches ▸
19. 19 Oral question SO 27(2) Question: Ferry Service Thalaimannar-Rameswaram 25 speeches ▸
20. 20 Procedural Questions of Privilege: Incidents at Airport and COPE Committee 15 speeches ▸
21. 21 Procedural Procedural: Sitting Hours Extension and Land Development Bill First Reading 3 speeches ▸
22. 22 Debate Debate: National Minimum Wage of Workers and Budgetary Relief Allowance Bills (Second and Third Readings) 118 speeches ▸
23. 23 Adjournment Adjournment Debate: Safeguarding Local Sugar Industry 20 speeches ▸