Sitting of Tuesday, 19 August 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 Parliament Opening and Speaker's Certificate 1 speeches ▸
2. 2 Petitions Petitions under Article 121(1) - Presidents' Entitlements (Repeal) Bill 1 speeches ▸
3. 3 Papers Papers: Annual Reports and Sectoral Committee Reports 7 speeches ▸
4. 4 Petitions Petitions Presented by Members (Citizens' Petitions) 10 speeches ▸
5. 5 Oral question Oral Question: Drainage Infrastructure - Batticaloa (Q.3/185/2024) 6 speeches ▾
   • Mr. Speaker procedural
     Full speech →
   • The Hon. (Prof.) A.H.M.H. Abayarathna - Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government JJB

     AI summary The Minister confirmed that 63 drainage stretches totaling 35.110 kilometres have been identified for construction and repair, with 10 kilometres already newly constructed. He stated that the remaining work is being implemented through the Provincial Specific Development Grant, the Decentralized Budget, and Special Provisions, and that part (b) of the question was not applicable.

     Infrastructure Full speech →
   • The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK

     AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam raised concerns about flooding and waterlogging on the Kalmunai–Batticaloa and Trincomalee–Batticaloa main roads during the North and East monsoon season beginning around October. He said available divisional funds were inadequate for drainage needs across more than 35 km and asked for urgent coordination with the Disaster Management Centre to take immediate flood-mitigation measures.

     InfrastructureEnvironment Full speech →
   • The Hon. (Prof.) A.H.M.H. Abayarathna JJB

     AI summary Hon. (Prof.) A.H.M.H. Abayarathna acknowledged that flood-related road damage and poor drainage affect communities in Batticaloa and other areas, causing hardship and health risks. He stated that the Government has allocated funds in recent Budgets for road development and new construction, that work has commenced on the roads mentioned, and that further allocations will be made in the upcoming Budget.

     InfrastructurePublic Finance Full speech →
   • The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK

     AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam questioned the Government on delays in holding Provincial Council elections, linking the absence of functioning councils to a lack of transparency in PSDG allocations and difficulties in managing local infrastructure such as drains in Batticaloa. He referred to his Private Member’s Bill proposing elections under the old system and asked when elections would be held, whether they would use the old system, and when powers would be restored to Northern and Eastern representatives.

     Ethnic Reconciliation & DevolutionParliamentary Procedure Full speech →
   • The Hon. (Prof.) A.H.M.H. Abayarathna JJB

     AI summary Identified drainage works cover 63 stretches totaling 35.11 km, with two completed and the remaining 61 in progress. The Minister stated that the Government intends to strengthen elected Provincial Councils, will not postpone elections, and will remove obstacles to holding them. Until Provincial Councils are elected, road development and maintenance works will continue as required.

     Ethnic Reconciliation & DevolutionInfrastructure Full speech →
6. 6 Oral question Oral Question: Petroleum Corporations and Companies (Q.5/623/2025) 6 speeches ▸
7. 7 Oral question Oral Question: SLTB Bus Journey Cancellations (Q.6/1075/2025) 4 speeches ▸
8. 8 Oral question Oral Question: Park Properties Fraud Investigation (Q.7/1081/2025) 6 speeches ▸
9. 9 Oral question Oral Question: Government Management Service Recruitment (Q.9/1091/2025) 6 speeches ▸
10. 10 Oral question Oral Question: Q.10/1102/2025 (Deferred) 3 speeches ▸
11. 11 Oral question Second Round Questions: Tea Production/Export and M-Class Locomotives (Tabled and Deferred) 9 speeches ▸
12. 12 Oral question Question by Private Notice: Tellippallai Base Hospital Financial Irregularities 5 speeches ▸
13. 13 Opening Ministerial Announcement: National Youth Conference Statement 2 speeches ▸
14. 14 Papers Bills Presented: National Building Research Institute Bill 1 speeches ▸
15. 15 Debate Debate: Gambling Regulatory Authority Bill, Public Debt Management Act Regulations, and Foreign Exchange Act Regulations 90 speeches ▸
16. 16 Adjournment Adjournment Motion: Youth Engagement for Sustainable Development Goals 10 speeches ▸