Sitting of Thursday, 24 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 met and Privilege notice 1 speeches ▸
2. 2 Papers Papers: Annual Reports and Committee Reports 9 speeches ▸
3. 3 Petitions Petitions: Citizens' petitions presented 5 speeches ▸
4. 4 Oral question Oral Question: Apeksha Hospital Treatment and Medicines (Q.1) 6 speeches ▸
5. 5 Oral question Oral Question: Fisheries Matter (Q.2) and Procedural Remarks 11 speeches ▸
6. 6 Oral question Oral Question: Mount Lavinia Coastal Belt Project (Q.3) 6 speeches ▸
7. 7 Oral question Oral Question: Environmental Matter (Q.4) - Stand down 3 speeches ▸
8. 8 Oral question Oral Question: Kumbukkan Oya Project (Q.5) 6 speeches ▸
9. 9 Oral question Oral Question: Government Analyst's Department Vacancies and Case Backlogs (Q.6) 8 speeches ▸
10. 10 Oral question Oral Question: Foreign Graduate Appointments (Q.7) 8 speeches ▸
11. 11 Oral question Oral Question: Education Zones for Uhana and Pottuvil (Q.8) 6 speeches ▸
12. 12 Oral question Oral Question: Petroleum Storage Tanks in Cities (Q.9) 11 speeches ▾
    • The Hon. Sunil Rathnasiri JJB

      AI summary Sunil Rathnasiri asked the Minister of Energy whether the Government is aware of petroleum storage tanks in cities such as Polonnaruwa, Matale and Anuradhapura, and requested details on the total number of such tanks nationwide, their ownership, and average capacity. He also asked whether any plans are currently in place to make use of these tanks, and if not, the reasons for inaction.

      Public Finance Full speech →
    • The Hon. Kumara Jayakody JJB

      AI summary The response states that 82 petroleum tanks are in use by the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation and 169 by Ceylon Petroleum Storage Terminals Ltd., under the Ministry of Energy, with total capacities of 612,611 kilolitres and 625,879 kilolitres respectively. It notes that CPC plans to refurbish and use 24 tanks in Trincomalee, while disused tanks behind several railway stations are to be removed and the related lands considered for return to Sri Lanka Railways through a review process. Tenders have been called and contractors selected for removal and disposal at Kaduruwela, Anuradhapura, Hatton and Matale, with further details referred to in an annex.

      Public Finance Full speech →
    • The Hon. Sunil Rathnasiri JJB

      AI summary Hon. Sunil Rathnasiri raised concerns about a fuel storage site on Railway Department land at Kaduruwela, Polonnaruwa, where tenders were called in September 2024 to dispose of specified above-ground tanks and related materials. He alleged that an additional 45,000-litre underground BBD tank, not included in the tender scope, was excavated and cut up, and asked what action would be taken against those responsible.

      Public FinanceLaw & Order Full speech →
    • The Hon. Kumara Jayakody JJB

      AI summary Hon. Kumara Jayakody stated that a police investigation is currently ongoing and that support is being extended to it. He indicated that further action will be taken depending on the outcome of the investigation.

      Law & Order Full speech →
    • The Hon. Sunil Rathnasiri JJB

      AI summary Hon. Sunil Rathnasiri raised concern that former district fuel distribution tanks are no longer in use and that islandwide fuel distribution now depends on bowser owners. He asked whether the Ministry has called a tender to award fuel distribution to a single individual, warning that such a move could affect around 400 families operating bowsers.

      Public FinanceEmployment Full speech →
    • The Hon. Kumara Jayakody JJB

      AI summary Kumara Jayakody stated that no tender process has been initiated to award fuel transportation to a single individual. The remark appears to address or deny an allegation regarding the allocation of fuel transport contracts.

      Corruption & Governance Reform Full speech →
    • The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
      Full speech →
    • The Hon. Kins Nelson SJB

      AI summary Kins Nelson requested the Presiding Member’s permission to speak briefly for one minute.

      Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
    • The Hon. Kins Nelson SJB

      AI summary Kins Nelson stated that despite raising an issue a month earlier regarding tanks in Polonnaruwa, no action had been taken and local unrest continued. He alleged that underground tanks and buildings had been removed although tenders were called only for two above-ground tanks, and noted that the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation claimed it was unaware of the underground tanks.

      Corruption & Governance ReformInfrastructure Full speech →
    • The Hon. Kumara Jayakody JJB

      AI summary The Hon. Kumara Jayakody stated that a tender awarded before the current administration took control authorized the clearing of all visible items on the land, including buildings, based on a committee recommendation. He said underground tanks were not included in that authorization, but the contractor unearthed and removed one during the work. He informed Parliament that all further removals under the tender have been suspended until the police investigation is concluded.

      Justice & Human RightsCorruption & Governance ReformPublic Finance Full speech →
    • The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
      Full speech →
13. 13 Oral question Oral Question: Agricultural Matter (Q.10) - Stand down 2 speeches ▸
14. 14 Oral question Question by Private Notice: Land Issues in Mannar, Mullaitivu and Vavuniya (Q. Private Notice 1) 6 speeches ▸
15. 15 Oral question Question by Private Notice: Rajya Osusala Outlet in Mannar Town (Q. Private Notice 2) 3 speeches ▸
16. 16 Procedural Procedural: Member's personal statement and Privilege matter 4 speeches ▸
17. 17 Adjournment Adjournment Debate: Proposed Educational Reforms 16 speeches ▸
18. 18 Adjournment Adjournment Debate: Proposed Educational Reforms (continued) 90 speeches ▸