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 ▸
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 ▾
   • The Hon. Thurairasa Ravikaran ITAK

     AI summary Raised Question No. 6 (1075/2025) to the Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation regarding the cancellation of SLTB bus journeys for which passengers have made online seat reservations. Sought clarification on the issue, including the handling of affected reservations and related passenger arrangements.

     Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
   • The Hon. (Dr.) Prasanna Gunasena - Deputy Minister of Transport and Highways JJB

     AI summary On behalf of the Ministry of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation, the Deputy Minister stated that 4,928 reserved-seat bus journeys had been cancelled in 2025 to date, with alternatives provided for 4,046 through substitute buses or other travel dates/journeys. He said refunds amounting to Rs. 1,196,040 had been made, and outlined the procedure of notifying passengers by SMS and 1315, offering alternative travel, or issuing refunds where alternatives are not accepted. He added that technical arrangements with People’s Bank were underway to enable direct card refunds for online reservations, targeted for implementation from 1 September.

     Infrastructure Full speech →
   • The Hon. Thurairasa Ravikaran ITAK

     AI summary Welcoming the direct refund system due to begin on 1 September, Thurairasa Ravikaran raised concerns about passengers being informed of bus or transport cancellations only minutes before departure, leaving them stranded at night without alternatives to reach Colombo. He cited incidents on 17–18 June involving the Pudukkudiyiruppu–Mullaitivu connection and asked the Deputy Minister to ensure timely notification, proper remedies, and a definite solution by 1 September.

     InfrastructureCost of Living Full speech →
   • The Hon. (Dr.) Prasanna Gunasena JJB

     AI summary Dr. Prasanna Gunasena undertook to examine the matter raised by the Hon. Member and ensure that it receives attention.

     Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
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 ▸