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 ▸
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 ▾
    • The Hon. Speaker procedural
      Full speech →
    • The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Co-operative Development JJB

      AI summary Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe stated that responses were being prepared to questions raised on 9 July 2025 by Hon. Sajith Premadasa and Hon. Shritharan. He said data on red onions had been obtained from relevant departments but the full answer was still pending and would be provided within the week. He also informed the House that the response to Hon. Premadasa’s question was lengthy and asked whether it should be read out or tabled.

      Parliamentary ProcedureAgriculture Full speech →
    • The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB

      AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe responded to an SO 27(2) question on rice supply, stating that annual national rice demand is 2.4 million metric tons and expected production from the Yala and Maha seasons could reach about 2.7 million metric tons, with current PMB and Sathosa stocks and procurement continuing. He outlined district-level production costs, guaranteed paddy procurement prices, maximum retail rice prices, and said Rs. 6,000 million had been allocated for PMB purchases with additional funding possible if needed. He also reported that 101,267.56 metric tons of rice had been imported up to 13 July 2025 and referred to crop insurance and programmes to reduce crop losses, with detailed responses tabled in the Library.

      AgriculturePublic Finance Full speech →
    • The Hon. Sajith Premadasa SJB

      AI summary Sajith Premadasa questioned the rationale for rice imports despite reported domestic production exceeding requirements, and proposed a scientific review of the production, procurement and distribution cycle. He asked the Government to re-examine paddy production cost estimates, citing input costs, crop losses and human–wildlife conflict, and urged legislation to make guaranteed paddy prices legally enforceable. He also called for investment in post-harvest technology, continuous updating of agricultural data, and concessional debt restructuring and working capital support for distressed small and medium rice millers.

      AgricultureEmploymentPublic Finance Full speech →
    • The Hon. Speaker procedural
      Full speech →
    • The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
      Full speech →
    • The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB

      AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe explained that guaranteed paddy prices are set with input from farmer organizations and stakeholders, with Rs. 120 per kg for dry paddy and Rs. 102 per kg for moist paddy reflecting drying losses. He noted supply-chain pressures including limited Paddy Marketing Board storage, private storage dependence, industrial use of paddy, population and dietary changes, and said the Government is providing Rs. 40 billion in seasonal credit while helping small and medium millers access bank facilities. He stated that rice imports are considered only when local supply is inadequate and that the Government is working with the Consumer Affairs Authority to stabilize the market, particularly for Keeri Samba.

      Cost of LivingAgriculture Full speech →
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 ▸