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Sri Lanka
10th Parliament· 154 sittings on record · 30,475 speeches · latest 10 June 2026

Sitting of Wednesday, 20 August 2025

10th Parliament· 14 debates· 158 speeches· 65 speakers

Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 1756378373069107 ·English daily/uncorrected Hansard

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Order of business

Speeches load per item. Summaries shown here are AI-generated and labelled; verbatim text is on each speech page.

  8. 8 Oral question Oral Questions (Second Round): Various Ministries 9 speeches
    • The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha - Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development JJB

      AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, the Minister requested two weeks’ time to respond to the pending question. The question was ordered to stand down, and the proceedings moved to the second round, including the item on steps taken to establish Smart Courts.

      Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
    • The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB

      AI summary Ajith P. Perera asked the Minister of Justice and National Integration whether the Government’s policy statement, “A Thriving Nation, A Beautiful Life,” commits to establishing smart courts. He requested details on which courts have already been converted, the steps taken to transform Sri Lanka’s judicial system into a smart judicial system, and the amount allocated for this purpose under the Appropriation Act, 2025.

      Justice & Human Rights Full speech →
    • The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law - Minister of Justice and National Integration JJB

      AI summary The Minister tabled a written answer stating that the Ministry of Justice and National Integration is pursuing smart court initiatives under the Government’s policy statement, with Kandy and Negombo selected for a Rapid Digital Strategy pilot under the EU-funded “Justice for All” programme. He outlined UNDP-supported Model Court Initiative measures including case management systems, backlog analysis, court calendars, e-filing of bail applications, remote testimony arrangements, and training for judges, court staff and lawyers across listed courts. He further stated that audio-visual technology for remote hearings and remandee video-link appearances is being provided through development partners, including UNODC, and that no Government funds are used for these projects.

      Justice & Human Rights Full speech →
    • The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka (on behalf of the Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara) SJB

      AI summary Asked the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to table Sri Lanka’s agreement with the International Monetary Fund and provide details of any amendments made before and after the current Government took office. The question seeks information on who approved such amendments, whether the IMF accepted them unconditionally, and which Government proposals or IMF counterproposals were accepted.

      Public FinanceForeign Affairs Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha JJB

      AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Dr. Anil Jayantha tabled a written answer on Sri Lanka’s IMF Extended Fund Facility programme, citing public IMF staff reports and reviews available online. The answer states that two IMF reviews were completed before September 2024 and two after the current Government took office, and outlines revenue measures agreed by the previous Government, including property tax proposals, service export taxation, VAT/excise changes, and removal of SVAT. It further states that after September 2024 the Government secured amendments including higher personal income tax thresholds and bands, VAT removal on fresh milk and yoghurt, deferral of deemed rental property tax, reduction of the services export corporate tax rate to 15 per cent, revised withholding tax arrangements, and removal of vehicle import restrictions.

      Foreign AffairsPublic Finance Full speech →
    • The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka (on behalf of the Hon. Ravi Karunanayake) SJB

      AI summary A question was raised to the Minister of Energy seeking details on the Trincomalee oil tank farm, including whether Ceylon Petroleum Corporation tanks are inside or outside Trincomalee Harbour, the total number of tanks, and whether they have been leased out. It asks for the lessees’ institutions and countries, annual income earned from leasing, and the latest investment made in the Trincomalee Oil Tank project.

      InfrastructurePublic FinanceForeign Affairs Full speech →
    • The Hon. Kumara Jayakody - Minister of Energy JJB

      AI summary The Minister of Energy tabled a written answer regarding CPC-owned tanks, stating that 24 tanks are vested in the CPC and that three were leased to Prima Ceylon Ltd in 2001 at Rs. 100 per tank per month, generating Rs. 3,600 annually. He further stated that Prima Ceylon (Pvt) Ltd is the lessee and that Rs. 7,010 million is planned for refurbishing the remaining 21 CPC-owned tanks.

      Public Finance Full speech →
    • The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka (on behalf of the Hon. S.M. Marikkar) SJB

      AI summary A question was raised to the Minister of Urban Development, Construction and Housing regarding residents removed from Pothuvil Kumbura in the Kolonnawa Divisional Secretary’s Division due to the Kolonnawa Meethotamulla garbage dump project. It sought information on the number displaced, how many have received housing, how many families remain without housing, and whether arrangements exist to provide housing to those still affected.

      Land & Housing Full speech →
    • The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka - Minister of Urban Development, Construction and Housing JJB

      AI summary Alternative housing has been arranged under the Urban Regeneration Project for 116 applicants identified for removal, with 111 units allocated because five are dependent sub-households that do not meet minimum eligibility. Of the 24 others initially identified, 15 have left the land and nine remain in unauthorised occupation; eviction orders have been issued by the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court because they do not qualify for housing. The Minister also stated that Cabinet approval will be sought to appoint a committee to consider applications from homeless persons and establish a transparent selection method for future allocations.

      Land & Housing Full speech →