Sitting of Wednesday, 23 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: Parliament Convened 1 speeches ▸
2. 2 Papers Papers: Annual Reports and Performance Reports 6 speeches ▸
3. 3 Petitions Petitions: Various Citizens' Petitions Presented 3 speeches ▸
4. 4 Papers Papers: Additional Reports Tabled 2 speeches ▸
5. 5 Oral question Oral Question: Reservoirs and Tank Management (Q.3/2025 – 794/2025) 7 speeches ▸
6. 6 Oral question Oral Question: Security at Temple of the Tooth Relic and Road Closure 15 speeches ▸
7. 7 Procedural Procedural: Points of Order and Interjections on Historical Matters 9 speeches ▸
8. 8 Oral question Oral Question: Export of Rock Phosphate (Q.5/2025 – 857/2025) 38 speeches ▸
9. 9 Oral question Oral Question: Tourism Zones in Matara District (Q.6/2025 – 866/2025) 7 speeches ▸
10. 10 Oral question Oral Question: Transfer of LRC Lands to Private Individuals (Q.7/2025 – 869/2025) 6 speeches ▸
11. 11 Oral question Oral Question: Sea Erosion in Puttalam District (Q.9/2025 – 956/2025) 6 speeches ▸
12. 12 Oral question Oral Question: Grant of LRC Lands for Factory Establishment (Q.10/2025 – 997/2025) 6 speeches ▸
13. 13 Oral question Oral Question: Second Round Questions (Q.1, 2, 3/2025 – Second Round) 7 speeches ▸
14. 14 Procedural Procedural: Standing Order 27(2) Questions – Sri Lanka Electricity Bill Scheduling 11 speeches ▸
15. 15 Procedural Procedural: Standing Order 27(2) – Simplified VAT (SVAT) Abolition 4 speeches ▾
    • The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF

      AI summary Ravi Karunanayake raised concerns under Standing Order 27(2) about the planned abolition of the Simplified VAT scheme from 1 October 2025, reportedly linked to IMF EFF commitments, and its replacement with a 45-day VAT refund system. He argued that exporters face serious cash-flow risks due to past Inland Revenue refund delays, new US tariff pressures, and possible loss of competitiveness, and asked what safeguards, audit mechanisms, impact assessments, and transition policies the Government has prepared. He also requested that IMF recommendations and the Government’s abolition plan be presented to Parliament, and asked whether bridging facilities such as credit lines, VAT offsets, or interim payment channels would be provided for MSMEs and exporters.

      Public FinanceEmploymentForeign Affairs Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha - Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development JJB

      AI summary The Minister said the decision to end SVAT followed long-term review and is part of a move to a unified VAT administration with strengthened Inland Revenue Department systems. He stated that a digital, risk-based refund mechanism will classify claims as low, medium or high risk, with low and medium risk refunds paid within 45 days and high-risk claims subject to basic verification. He said deemed exporter cash-flow concerns would be addressed during the transition, accurate e-submissions would be required, IMF recommendations were already tabled and published, and necessary provisions would be introduced through an amendment to the Act.

      EmploymentPublic Finance Full speech →
    • The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF

      AI summary Ravi Karunanayake urged the Government to retain the SVAT mechanism until e-filing and VAT-1 automation are fully operational, citing the short implementation timeline and risks to exporters’ cash flows if VAT is payable upfront. He said exporters already face high interest rates, taxes, utility costs, tariff pressures, and anti-dumping-related cost issues, and asked that the IMF be informed that export-sector protection is necessary.

      Foreign AffairsPublic FinanceEmployment Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha JJB

      AI summary Dr. Anil Jayantha said the Government is transitioning from multiple existing processes to a single digitalized refund system without creating a gap, supported by investments including RAMIS integration. He stated that timely, risk-based refunds to exporters should enable them to pay deemed exporters, and that the Inland Revenue Department cannot justify exporters failing to pass on funds. He added that the objective is to ensure the refund system functions properly, with simulations currently underway.

      Public FinanceEmployment Full speech →
16. 16 Procedural Procedural: Standing Order 27(2) – Kankesanthurai Port Renovation Delay 9 speeches ▸
17. 17 Procedural Ministerial Statement: Government Policies on Paddy Purchase and Rice Import 7 speeches ▸
18. 18 Procedural Procedural: Kodhagoda Gunarathana Nahimi Foundation Bill – First Reading 3 speeches ▸
19. 19 Debate Debate: Companies (Amendment) Bill – Second Reading 94 speeches ▸
20. 20 Procedural Committee Stage: Companies (Amendment) Bill – Clauses and Amendments 6 speeches ▸
21. 21 Adjournment Adjournment: Questions at Time of Adjournment 15 speeches ▸