Sitting of Wednesday, 20 August 2025
Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 1756378373069107 ·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 Announcements 1 speeches
- 2 Papers Papers Tabled: Annual Reports and Performance Reports 3 speeches
- 3 Petitions Citizens' Petitions 6 speeches
- 4 Oral question Oral Question: NMRA Data Deletion Incident (Q.1/2025) 11 speeches
- 5 Oral question Oral Question: National Gem and Jewellery Authority Property (Q.4/2024) 7 speeches
- 6 Oral question Oral Question: Staffing at Gallassa Maternity and Children's Hospital (Q.5/2025) 7 speeches
- 7 Procedural Procedural Item: Speaker Directions and Questions Stood Down 9 speeches
- 8 Oral question Oral Questions (Second Round): Various Ministries 9 speeches
- 9 Oral question Question Under Standing Order 27(2): Tamil Qur'an Translations 4 speeches
- 10 Oral question Question Under Standing Order 27(2): Jaffna International Airport Phase II 5 speeches
- 11 Procedural Ministerial Statement: Temporary Driving Licences for Foreign Tourists 2 speeches
- 12 Debate Debate: Samurdhi (Amendment) Bill, Rubber Control (Amendment) Bill, Sports Law Regulations, and Judicature Act Rules 79 speeches
- 13 Procedural Second Reading Passed: Rubber Control (Amendment) Bill and Sports Regulations 2 speeches
- 14 Adjournment Adjournment Debate: NMRA Medicine Supply and State Land Leasing 13 speeches
- The Hon. (Dr.) Upali Pannilage - Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment JJB
AI summary The Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment moved the adjournment motion, “That Parliament do now adjourn.” No substantive policy issue or proposal was raised beyond the procedural motion.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Hector Appuhamy SJB
AI summary Hon. Hector Appuhamy raised a Special Question to the Minister of Health on medicine shortages and the functioning of the National Medicines Regulatory Authority. He sought details on the number of lifesaving and priority medicines currently in shortage, urgent procurement mechanisms for local and imported medicines, and the process for identifying essential medicines and determining prices. He alleged that the NMRA Chairman and some officials were creating difficulties for local manufacturers, favouring Indian manufacturers, and causing registration delays that affect local production, exports, patients, and government supply. He asked what operational plan and corrective action the Minister would take regarding the NMRA leadership and these issues.
- The Hon. (Dr.) Hansaka Wijemuni - Deputy Minister of Health and Mass Media JJB
AI summary Deputy Minister Hansaka Wijemuni stated that shortages remain in two lifesaving medicines and about 50 priority medicines due to supplier and registration issues, but hospitals have been given expanded authority and higher financial limits to make local purchases to prevent stockouts. He said 2025 local supply orders have been placed with Cabinet approval, expressions of interest for 2026 local supplies have been called, and 2026 import orders were submitted to the State Pharmaceuticals Corporation by 31 January 2025 through procurement procedures. He emphasized that no preference is given to foreign manufacturers, while local manufacturers receive registration and procurement support, including multi-year purchase assurances. He also said the NMRA has reduced registration backlogs, particularly for local producers, approving 217 new local medicine registrations over the past year while continuing to address delays in import registrations.
- The Hon. Hector Appuhamy SJB
AI summary Hon. Hector Appuhamy sought clarification on procurement of medicines, referring to documents he had tabled showing a locally produced injection priced at Rs. 150 compared with Rs. 300 from an Indian supplier. He argued this appeared inconsistent with the Government’s stated preference for local suppliers and warned against a repeat of the previous medicine crisis. He requested that the Minister examine the price comparisons and review the actions of the NMRA Chairman and officials, with a response after verification if immediate details were unavailable.
- The Hon. (Dr.) Hansaka Wijemuni JJB
AI summary Requested that specific references be provided, stating that the matter would then be inquired into and a response given.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. Asitha Niroshana Egoda Vithana JJB
AI summary Asitha Niroshana Egoda Vithana raised a question to the Minister of Urban Development, Construction and Housing concerning alleged misuse of prime state lands obtained cheaply and subleased for excessive profit. He asked whether the UDA owns land near the Second Bypass Road in Kalapaluwawa, Kaduwela, and, if so, its extent and whether it has been leased, including the lessee, purpose, and terms.
- The Hon. T. B. Sarath - Deputy Minister of Housing JJB
AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Urban Development, Construction and Housing, T. B. Sarath stated that UDA-acquired lands in Kallapaluyaya, Battaramulla, including Plots 33 and 35, belong to the Urban Development Authority and have been leased or are being processed for lease to the Sri Sankhapala Buddhist Social Service Foundation for Buddhist educational and meditation purposes. He said Plot 33 was leased in 2014 for 30 years at an annual rent of Rs. 87,500, while Plot 35 is being processed under a 30-year lease at Rs. 870,000 annually, with Rs. 1,025,512.50 already recovered and possession handed over in August 2024 after removing unauthorized constructions. He clarified that there is no legal provision for the Foundation to sublease Plot 35, and that if the land is not used for the intended development activities after the Letter of Understanding is executed, the UDA will cancel it.
- The Hon. Asitha Niroshana Egoda Vithana JJB
AI summary Hon. Asitha Niroshana Egoda Vithana briefly sought permission from the Chair, with the Deputy Minister’s consent, to be given an opportunity to speak or intervene. No substantive policy issue, proposal, or question was raised in the excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. Asitha Niroshana Egoda Vithana JJB
AI summary Hon. Asitha Niroshana Egoda Vithana alleged that land leased in 2014 for a learning centre for novice monks has instead been misused for commercial purposes, including parking for a supermarket and storage for a construction company, generating private income. He argued that this was contrary to the lease purpose and cited provisions under the Land Alienation Act and the UDA’s authority to re-enter and recover the land if the intended purpose is not fulfilled. He asked the Deputy Minister whether the Ministry is prepared to reclaim the land and prevent further misuse of public property.
- The Hon. T. B. Sarath JJB
AI summary Hon. T. B. Sarath stated that a full inquiry should be conducted into the issue raised regarding the leasing of two parcels of land in 2014 and 2023. He said the Ministry was also concerned about whether the activities of Venerable Itthekande Saddhātissa Thera had received approval, and that action would be taken according to law following a proper investigation.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural