Sitting of Friday, 25 July 2025
Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 1754382585021621 ·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 Parliament Opening and Speaker's Announcements 1 speeches
- 2 Papers Tabling of Reports and Orders 5 speeches
- 3 Committee report Committee on Public Accounts: Second Report 2 speeches
- 4 Petitions Petitions Presented to Parliament 9 speeches
- 5 Oral question Oral Question: Easter Sunday Attack - Officers Accused (Q.115/2024) 17 speeches
- Mr. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi SJB
AI summary Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi stated that he would proceed to ask the question. No substantive policy issue, proposal, or argument was presented in the excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB
AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Irrigation and Community Infrastructure, Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa requested one week to answer the question. The question was ordered to stand down.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB
AI summary Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri sought clarification under Standing Order 32(2) on the procedure for answering parliamentary questions. He argued that once a relevant Minister answers a question, further intervention by the Leader of the House or Chief Government Whip is not provided for, even if another Minister considers the matter irrelevant. He requested the Chair to ensure orderly conduct and protect Members’ ability to proceed with their questions.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB
AI summary Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri introduced Question No. 115/2024 concerning officers accused of failing in their duty in relation to the Easter Sunday attack. He stated that he was providing an explanation because he had not been permitted to do so previously.
- Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB
AI summary Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri asked the Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education to disclose details of officers accused by commissions investigating the Easter Sunday attacks of failing in their duties. He requested the number and names of such officers, their current positions, whether any still hold responsibilities under the present Government, and what action will be taken against them.
- Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB
AI summary The Prime Minister stated that one Commission of Inquiry has been appointed regarding the Easter Sunday attacks, and its report, chaired by Justice Janak de Silva, was tabled in Parliament on 25 February 2021 and is available on the Parliament website. She said the Attorney-General is studying the report, while CID investigations and related court cases are ongoing, so disclosing details of accused officers at this stage could prejudice proceedings. She added that the Government will take disciplinary and legal action, including against any current officeholders if implicated, once the Attorney-General’s recommendations and investigations are complete.
- Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB
AI summary Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri raised concerns about the investigation into the Easter Sunday attacks, particularly the disputed DNA findings regarding the alleged disappearance and reported death of Sara. He questioned how justice for victims could be achieved while Aruna Jayasekara, who was Eastern Province Commander when an Army team first arrived at the Sainthamaruthu blast site and is now State Minister of Defence, remains in office.
- Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya stated that investigations are ongoing and that all necessary steps will be taken to ensure justice for the victims. She added that while the Member’s refusal to accept the matter is his right and is respected, it will not affect the proceedings.
Justice & Human Rights Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB
AI summary Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri briefly objected to the adequacy or acceptability of a response given in the House and requested that unacceptable answers not be provided. He then yielded his second supplementary question to Hon. Mujibur Rahman.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. Mujibur Rahman SJB
AI summary Hon. Mujibur Rahman questioned the fairness of ongoing investigations into the Sainthamaruthu incident and the confirmation that “Sara” was alive, noting that the relevant Army team arrived when Major General Aruna Jayasekara was Eastern Commander. He referred to allegations of a conspiracy over the third DNA report and the President’s statement that the Government was involved, and argued that an impartial inquiry is doubtful because the former Eastern Commander is now the State Minister of Defence and his subordinates are involved in the investigation.
- Mr. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Mujibur Rahman SJB
AI summary Hon. Mujibur Rahman questioned the impartiality of an investigation involving the Defence establishment, noting that the individual who was Eastern Commander at the relevant time now serves as State Minister of Defence. He argued that an inquiry conducted by officers subordinate to that person could not be considered fair, and raised concern about the credibility of the process.
- Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya stated that Hon. Aruna Jayasekara was not a Deputy Minister at the time of the 2019 Easter attacks or during 2019–2022, when independent investigations could have been carried out. She said the current administration is now pursuing investigations, including statements made in Parliament and to the CID, and will present all facts to ensure justice for the victims.
- 6 Oral question Oral Question: Ambilanthurai–Kokkaddichcholai Road Reconstruction (Q.184/2024) 21 speeches
- 7 Oral question Oral Question: Gulf of Mannar - Exploration of Gas and Oil (Q.199/2024) 15 speeches
- 8 Oral question Oral Question: Employees' Provident Fund - Investments in Share Market (Q.217/2024) 25 speeches
- 9 Oral question Oral Question: Drafting of a New Constitution (Q.225/2024) 10 speeches
- 10 Oral question Oral Question: Import of Vehicles Under Duty-Free Permits (Q.508/2025) 18 speeches
- 11 Oral question Second Round Oral Questions and Procedural Matters 13 speeches
- 12 Oral question Standing Order 27(2): Renewal of Pharmacy Licences and Training of Pharmacists 17 speeches
- 13 Oral question Standing Order 27(2): Central Bank Accountability and Medicine Procurement Delays 12 speeches
- 14 Procedural Committee on Ethics and Privileges - Referral Motion 2 speeches
- 15 Adjournment Vote of Condolence: Late Hon. Rajavarothiam Sampanthan and Others 2 speeches
- 16 Debate Condolence Debate: Late Hon. Members (R. Sampanthan, A. Pilapitiya, W. B. Ekanayake, Lucky Jayawardana, Malani Fonseka) 41 speeches
- 17 Adjournment Adjournment Questions 7 speeches