Sitting of Wednesday, 6 August 2025
Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 1755159820030645 ·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 Opening: National Audit (Amendment) Bill - Supreme Court Decision 1 speeches
- 2 Papers Papers: Tabling of Annual and Performance Reports 6 speeches
- 3 Petitions Petitions 9 speeches
- 4 Oral question Oral Question: Poverty Eradication Programmes (Q.59/2025) 32 speeches
- The Hon. Nandana Pathmakumara JJB
AI summary Hon. Nandana Pathmakumara asked the Prime Minister for details on the Government’s “Praja Shakthi” Programme, presented as an integrated, multi-pronged poverty eradication initiative. He sought information on its objectives, implementation framework, differences from earlier poverty alleviation schemes, reasons those schemes failed, and targets for 2030 and beyond.
- The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip JJB
AI summary A Cabinet Sub-Committee has been appointed to consider matters relating to the “Praja Shakthi” programme. The Minister stated that once the framework is finalized, the Prime Minister will provide a comprehensive response.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Asitha Niroshana Egoda Vithana JJB
AI summary Hon. Asitha Niroshana Egoda Vithana asked the Government for details on enforcement action relating to bribery and corruption allegations, including the number of arrests in 2024 and so far in 2025. He also sought the Government’s response to criticism of legal action against current and former officials and political leaders, and asked whether the Bribery Commission has undertaken prevention-focused measures and what plans or actions are in place.
Corruption & Governance Reform Full speech → - The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB
AI summary In response to questions from Hon. Asitha Niroshana Egoda Vithana, the Prime Minister stated that 86 persons were arrested over bribery allegations in 2024, while by 30 June 2025, 34 persons had been arrested over bribery allegations and 29 over corruption allegations. She said the Anti-Corruption Act, No. 9 of 2023, had expanded CIABOC’s investigative and prosecutorial powers, including over new offences, related Penal Code and public property offences, and money laundering, while the Government does not interfere with CIABOC’s independent work. She outlined prevention measures including public education, Internal Affairs Units, awareness programmes for local authority members, and implementation of the National Anti-Corruption Action Plan 2025–2029, approved by Cabinet on 24 March 2025.
- The Hon. Asitha Niroshana Egoda Vithana JJB
AI summary Asitha Niroshana Egoda Vithana asked the Prime Minister about ongoing anti-corruption investigations following the Government’s strengthening of CIABOC, the CID and the Attorney General’s Department. He referred to recent arrests and inquiries into politicians and officials accused of large-scale misuse of public funds, and questioned how the Government views claims of political victimization by those who had previously demanded such investigations.
- The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB
AI summary The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya stated that the Government is allowing the law to operate without interference in relation to corruption and misuse of authority. She said there is no intention to act vindictively against public officials, but officials who authorized improper transactions using their names and signatures will be subject to legal action. She framed continued enforcement as part of the public mandate to stop theft and corruption.
- The Hon. Asitha Niroshana Egoda Vithana JJB
AI summary Asitha Niroshana Egoda Vithana referred to arrests and allegations involving misuse of public funds, counterfeit medicines, substandard eye drops, fertilizer procurement losses, and illicit assets linked to political figures. He argued that these incidents reflect a harmful political culture and asked what urgent measures would be taken to reform political conduct and accountability.
- The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya stated that the public has rejected an old political culture and that its associated political traditions are weakening. She argued that stronger enforcement of the law is compelling politicians to change, and that such rejected practices are naturally disappearing from public life.
Corruption & Governance Reform Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB
AI summary Chaminda Wijesiri asked the Prime Minister for details on several alleged major frauds involving public funds, including the Central Bank bond scam, sugar tax scam, white onion fraud and coconut oil import fraud. He requested the estimated losses, identities of persons and institutions involved, the status of investigations, details of those questioned or arrested, any planned future action, measures to pursue legal accountability, and steps to recover losses from those responsible.
- The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB
AI summary Based on Ministry of Finance information, the reduction of the special commodity levy on sugar from Rs. 50 per kg to 25 cents per kg in October 2020 was made by Gazette on the then President’s instruction, approved by the Finance Minister, and later approved by Parliament under the Special Commodity Levy Act. The Ministry had not provided names or addresses of individuals or institutions, while the Committee on Public Finance, Auditor-General, Committee on Public Accounts, IGP and CID had taken steps relating to reports and investigations into the sugar duty reduction. The CID requested a forensic audit in January 2025, but the Auditor-General stated in March 2025 that an expanded audit could not proceed without access to required information and evidence. Information on the bond scam, white onion fraud and coconut oil import fraud had been requested from relevant institutions and would be provided later.
- The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB
AI summary Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri questioned the Government’s lack of new investigations, arrests or legal action since taking office on issues it had highlighted during the election campaign, including the sugar tax matter, bond scam, white onion transactions, sugar, and aflatoxin-contaminated coconut oil. He alleged irregularities in Sathosa’s handling of white onions, the release of contaminated coconut oil, and a recent 50 MW wind power tender approved by Cabinet despite earlier rejection by evaluation bodies. He also asked for an explanation of salt imports and resale arrangements that reportedly increased retail prices from about Rs. 100 to Rs. 350 per kilogram, including who profited from the transaction.
- Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB
AI summary Chaminda Wijesiri stated that his question concerned alleged thefts, indicating he intended to raise an issue or seek clarification on that matter.
Law & Order Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB
AI summary Chaminda Wijesiri indicated that he was raising a question concerning thefts and the bond scam. He addressed the Prime Minister, suggesting the matter was directed to the Government for a response, but the excerpt does not include the substance of the question or any specific demand.
Corruption & Governance Reform Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB
AI summary Chaminda Wijesiri objected to the Chair’s handling of proceedings, alleging partiality in protecting the Government over corruption allegations, including the bond scam. He requested that his question be allowed.
- Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB
AI summary Chaminda Wijesiri questioned the Prime Minister on alleged fraud and irregularities involving salt, onions, sugar SCL reductions, and the release of uninspected containers under the Government. He asked whether, while pursuing past frauds, the Prime Minister and NPP Government would take decisive action to punish wrongdoing in the cases he cited.
Corruption & Governance Reform Full speech → - The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB
AI summary Corruption includes both illegal acts and unethical practices such as conflicts of interest, cronyism, and policies designed to create loopholes or benefit a few. Investigations into the matters raised are ongoing, with evidence-gathering and identification of perpetrators, and CIABOC retains authority to act where illegality is found. The Government is also seeking to end practices that may have been legal but unethical, particularly undisclosed conflicts of interest.
Corruption & Governance Reform Full speech → - The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB
AI summary Chaminda Wijesiri questioned the Prime Minister on alleged corruption and irregularities under the current administration, comparing issues involving salt, sugar, container releases and tenders to past scams. He asked whether the Prime Minister recognizes such a political culture and whether decisions will be taken impartially, without favouring allies or cronies.
- The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB
AI summary The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya rejected claims that arrests linked to anti-corruption efforts were a cover or political theatre. She stated that any illegal acts would be investigated without hesitation, including wrongdoing within the anti-corruption process itself, and that offenders would be brought to justice.
Corruption & Governance Reform Full speech → - The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara stated that the appropriate course of action would be to arrest and detain those involved. The remark indicates a call for enforcement action against the relevant individuals, though no further context or details were provided in the excerpt.
Law & Order Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. K. Kader Masthan SLLP
AI summary Hon. K. Kader Masthan raised questions about 500 tsunami housing units in Akkaraipattu, built with Saudi Arabian assistance, which have remained undistributed for 20 years due to litigation over ethnic-ratio-based allocation. He asked whether the Supreme Court had issued directions following the Attorney-General’s reference to the Ampara District Coordinating Committee’s allocation decision, and noted that the donor was prepared to rehabilitate the project and build 500 additional houses. He further stated that 308 tsunami-affected families had been identified for allocation and requested consideration of a Parliamentary Committee to study the matter and take steps to resolve it while supporting bilateral relations.
- The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB
AI summary Following a question by Hon. K. Kader Masthan, it was stated that the 500-house Norochcholai Tsunami Housing Project in Ampara, built with Saudi assistance after the 2004 tsunami, remains undistributed due to a 2009 Supreme Court judgment concerning the alienation of State land and beneficiary selection. The proposed current approach is to seek Supreme Court concurrence to allocate the houses according to the Ampara District’s 2012 Census ethnic ratios, while obtaining reports on their now-uninhabitable condition and continuing consultations with the Attorney-General’s Department and relevant officials. It was also noted that no donor commitment for rehabilitation or additional houses has been communicated to the District Secretary, that a request exists to consider 308 identified tsunami-affected families, and that a Parliamentary Committee may be appointed to identify a lawful distribution method.
- The Hon. K. Kader Masthan SLLP
AI summary Hon. K. Kader Masthan said Saudi-funded houses intended for tsunami-affected families should first be allocated to the 308 identified beneficiaries, in light of the court decision based on equality in the distribution of public resources. He argued that the litigation had been pursued on ethnic grounds and asked the Prime Minister to ensure justice through a Parliamentary Committee and the Attorney-General’s assistance. He proposed that any remaining houses be distributed according to district-level ethnic ratios and sought the Government’s position.
- The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB
AI summary The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya stated that a Supreme Court judgment requires the 500 houses to be distributed according to the national ethnic ratio, and legal advice indicates the Government cannot act contrary to it. She said a proposal for district-based distribution should therefore be considered through a Parliamentary Committee, while a separate intervention could be made regarding the 308 families if a distinct fairness issue exists.
- The Hon. K. Kader Masthan SLLP
AI summary Hon. K. Kader Masthan urged the Government, citing its anti-racist and equality-based mandate, to provide housing assistance to the 308 affected families. While affirming acceptance of the Supreme Court judgment and respect for judicial independence, he claimed the outcome was driven by legal technicalities and racist actors, and requested that justice be ensured for those affected.
- The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya stated that a parliamentary committee would be established to gather Members’ views and develop a solution to the issue raised. She said the Government was working continuously to address the matter properly and that the committee’s work would be taken forward expeditiously.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
- 5 Oral question Oral Question: Cases Filed by Attorney-General's Department (Q.2/2025) 13 speeches
- 6 Procedural Procedural: Record on Second Reading Debate - Sri Lanka Electricity (Amendment) Bill 1 speeches
- 7 Oral question Oral Question: Sri Lanka Customs - Release of Containers without Inspection (Q.1/2025) 7 speeches
- 8 Oral question Oral Question: Ceylon Electricity Board Power Cut Decision (Q.1/2025) 8 speeches
- 9 Oral question Oral Question: Hospitals Governed under Central Provincial Council (Q.1/2025) 21 speeches
- 10 Oral question Oral Question: Agricultural Crop Export Producers and Regulatory Framework (Q.1/2025) 6 speeches
- 11 Oral question Oral Question (Standing Order 27(2)): Review of Policies in the Leasing Sector 6 speeches
- 12 Procedural Ministerial Statement: Response to Question on Foreign Direct Investment (2025-07-09) 7 speeches
- 13 Procedural Personal Explanations and Committee Resignations 7 speeches
- 14 Procedural Procedural: First Reading of Institute of Facilities Management Sri Lanka Bill 1 speeches
- 15 Debate Debate: Sri Lanka Electricity (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading, Committee and Third Reading 93 speeches
- 16 Papers Papers: Order under Tobacco Tax Act and Regulations under Tea Act 2 speeches
- 17 Adjournment Adjournment: Parliamentary Adjournment and Adjournment Questions 13 speeches
- 18 Adjournment Closing: Adjournment of Parliament 1 speeches