Sitting of Thursday, 21 August 2025
Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 1757391500023637 ·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: Reports and Agreements Tabled 8 speeches
- 3 Petitions Petitions 8 speeches
- 4 Oral question Oral Question: Technical Officer Vacancies in Sri Lanka Railways (Q.676/2025) 8 speeches
- 5 Procedural Procedural: Parliamentary Business Committee Announcement 3 speeches
- 6 Oral question Oral Question: Strengthening Power Supply Stability (Q.735/2025) 8 speeches
- 7 Oral question Oral Questions: Q.3-808/2025, Q.4-832/2025, Q.5-859/2025 6 speeches
- 8 Oral question Oral Question: Vehicle Emission Testing Programme (Q.868/2025) 6 speeches
- 9 Oral question Oral Question: Flyovers and Road Tunnels (Q.955/2025) 6 speeches
- 10 Oral question Oral Questions: Second Round (Q.971/2025 and others) 19 speeches
- 11 Oral question Oral Questions under Standing Order 27(2) 6 speeches
- 12 Debate Debate: Customs Ordinance Resolution and Related Regulations 24 speeches
- 13 Debate Debate: Customs Ordinance, Excise Regulation, Finance Act Order, and Construction Industry Development Act (Continued) 47 speeches
- The Hon. Kitnan Selvaraj JJB
AI summary Hon. Kitnan Selvaraj supported the proposed Customs Ordinance measures on vehicle imports and regulations under the Construction Industry Development Act, arguing they are part of restoring economic stability and reviving sectors affected by the previous import ban and construction downturn. He said the legal updates would align taxation for new-technology electric vehicles with earlier treatment of hybrids and provide some relief to the middle class. He also referred to the Chemmani issue, stating that the Government had promised fair investigation and accountability, and urged Northern and Eastern leaders to prioritize economic development over communal rhetoric.
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Kitnan Selvaraj JJB
AI summary Hon. Kitnan Selvaraj stated that the Government would implement the laws presented for the welfare and benefit of the people. He concluded by affirming the Government’s commitment to carrying out its public duties.
Public Finance Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha SJB
AI summary Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha criticized the current vehicle import duty structure, saying small cars have become unaffordable for lower middle-income workers despite prior political promises, and urged tax reforms to make vehicles accessible. He called for a more flexible response to postal workers’ trade union action and highlighted salary and retention problems at the Road Development Authority, proposing legal empowerment for the RDA to generate revenue. He also alleged failures in the Government’s paddy procurement programme, citing low Paddy Marketing Board purchases and a wide gap between farmgate paddy prices and controlled rice prices that benefits large millers. Additionally, he questioned the proposed use of BOI land in Mirigama for cannabis cultivation, arguing such scarce industrial land near Colombo should be reserved for export processing and investment activities.
- The Hon. Susantha Kumara Nawarathna JJB
AI summary Hon. Susantha Kumara Nawarathna raised a point of order challenging Hon. Nalin Bandara’s claim that only 16,000 MT of paddy had been purchased. He stated that the latest report showed purchases exceeding 25,000 MT through more than 140 buying points nationwide, and said previously damaged stores were being rehabilitated. He requested that inaccurate information not be presented under parliamentary privilege.
- The Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha SJB
AI summary As of 13 August 2025, 16,000 metric tons had been recorded for purchases in the 2025 Yala season, with the possibility of further increases after that date. A document containing purchase details up to that date was tabled and placed in the Library.
Agriculture Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Ruwanthilaka Jayakody JJB
AI summary Hon. Ruwanthilaka Jayakody addressed regulations on construction and vehicle imports, arguing that both sectors reflect economic direction and require transparent, needs-based policy. He cited COPE concerns over alleged misuse of the electric vehicle permit scheme for overseas workers, including permits granted despite inadequate overseas employment, questionable remittance patterns, and lack of proper delegation or review. He also argued that improved Customs revenue reflects stricter enforcement and reduced corruption, not only higher taxes. On construction, he called for infrastructure projects to be linked to production, exports, and rural development, stating that the Government is restarting projects with greater value for money and reduced corruption.
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Suranga Rathnayaka SJB
AI summary The Hon. Suranga Rathnayaka addressed the Customs Ordinance Resolution, welcoming the reopening of vehicle imports but criticizing high vehicle taxation and arguing that promised relief for public servants and middle-income earners had not materialized. He questioned the government’s claim of improved cash reserves, saying revenue growth relied mainly on indirect taxes that burden low-income households, and asked why promised relief measures, including a Rs. 5,000 goods pack for poor families, were not implemented after the election. He also raised concerns about farmers’ difficulties in selling paddy, debt burdens, price-setting decisions, and the government’s handling of negotiations with large millers, urging the government to honour its commitments.
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Padmasiri Bandara JJB
AI summary Hon. Padmasiri Bandara defended the Government’s handling of paddy purchasing in Polonnaruwa, stating that district collection centres had opened, only dry paddy was being bought, and more than 26,000 metric tonnes had already been purchased in the Yala season. Speaking during debate on Orders under the Finance Act and the Construction Industry Development Act, he argued that the construction sector was being revived through housing, public building and road projects, with fairer access to contracts and reduced CIDA registration renewal fees. He said past political interference, contract capture and misuse of community-based organisations were being ended, and maintained that taxes and the Rs. 10,200 million Budget allocation for Polonnaruwa were being directed to public development and rural livelihoods.
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. D.V. Chanaka SLPP
AI summary Hon. D.V. Chanaka criticised the Government’s vehicle import tax policy, arguing that the reopening of imports was offset by a new 60 per cent luxury tax and that vehicle taxation had increased beyond previous levels. He disputed Government claims of economic revival, citing lower GDP growth, negative agricultural growth, rupee depreciation, money printing, and questioned statements about a Rs. 1 trillion Central Bank reserve. He also alleged insufficient action on corruption complaints and raised specific concerns over coal procurement, claiming tender timelines were shortened in breach of fair international bidding standards and that the process appeared structured to benefit a preferred supplier.
- The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB
AI summary Ajith P. Perera raised a point of order challenging another Member’s allegation of corruption exceeding one billion dollars. He questioned whether the claim was being made responsibly, asked what evidence supported it, and disputed the implication that a minister known to oppose corruption would engage in such conduct.
- The Hon. D.V. Chanaka SLPP
AI summary Hon. D.V. Chanaka alleged irregularities in a coal tender process, citing Cabinet Paper No. 78/2025-P, which he said reduced the tender period from six weeks to five, followed by a further reduction by the NPC to three weeks. He claimed the mandatory chair’s signature was not obtained because the chair had resigned and refused to sign, and alleged the process was manipulated to favour a connected bidder, comparing it to earlier fertilizer procurement issues.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. Ajantha Gammeddage JJB
AI summary Hon. Ajantha Gammeddage supported the Orders on the Luxury Tax on motor vehicles and under the Construction Industry Development Act, arguing that improved economic management has stabilized the Treasury and enabled the resumption of vehicle imports. He said the construction sector had been distorted by political interference, commissions, proxy contractors, and cartel-like tender practices, including contracts routed through community-based organizations. He welcomed CIDA’s reduction of contractor registration and renewal fees to encourage wider participation, genuine contractors, and competition, and called for legal and administrative measures to regularize tenders and prevent collusion and corruption.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. J.C. Alawathuwala SJB
AI summary Arguing during debate on Finance Ministry orders and vehicle taxation, J.C. Alawathuwala said recent Customs revenue increases are largely driven by high vehicle and consumption taxes after years of import restrictions, making vehicles unaffordable for most Sri Lankans. He criticized taxes on essentials, higher electricity tariffs, forthcoming VAT on digital services, and increased stamp duty, citing UN data on food insecurity, poverty and malnutrition to argue that indirect taxation is burdening low-income households. He urged the Government to correct vehicle import and EV regulatory issues through consultation rather than re-exporting imported vehicles, and also called for clarity on allegedly unchecked container releases and equal enforcement of court orders and anti-corruption investigations involving ministers.
- The Hon. Namal Rajapaksa, Attorney-at-Law SLPP
AI summary Namal Rajapaksa asked the Minister to intervene on behalf of SMEs, stating that despite sovereign debt restructuring and deferred payments, they continue to face serious difficulties in sustaining their businesses. He linked the concern to strengthened recovery laws and requested ministerial attention to the issue.
- The Hon. Sunil Handunnetti - Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development JJB
AI summary Hon. Sunil Handunnetti said the Government was mediating with banks to provide relief for distressed borrowers, while rejecting blanket loan write-offs because they involve depositors’ funds. He argued that economic conditions, governance, and accountability had improved after the change in political power, citing increased profits in airports and ports, higher FDI, tourism earnings, remittances, Customs revenue, and a reduced budget deficit. Referring to the Construction Industry Development Act and vehicle import and EV-related reforms, he said regulations would be brought before Parliament and that construction and industry policy should align with economic recovery and new technologies. He also said law enforcement and scrutiny of past corruption, including construction-related projects, should apply equally to politicians and officials.
- The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF
AI summary Ravi Karunanayake addressed vehicle-related fiscal measures, including regulations under the Excise (Special Provisions) Act, the Luxury Tax Order and an import duty resolution. He urged the Government to take a Cabinet-level administrative decision on 8,724 vehicles held at Hambantota due to cross-border letters of credit, arguing that a process issue at the Import and Export Control Department was blocking clearance of about Rs. 90 billion in value. He also called for clarification of media reports about double-cab imports, stressing that any vehicles should be for public service institutions rather than MPs, and warned against perceptions of waste amid expenditure cuts.
- The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF
AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake criticised proposed vehicle allocations, arguing that Sri Lanka’s public institutions already have excessive government vehicles and that importing or allocating 2,000 more, particularly to MPs, would undermine public confidence in reform efforts. He urged proper use of official facilities, including the Speaker’s residence, and questioned public expenditure in areas such as Railway overtime payments and stalled projects. He also cited concerns from the National Construction Association about continuing institutional corruption and the decline in the construction sector’s contribution to GDP, calling for funds and attention to be redirected to substantive governance and economic problems.
- The Hon. Amila Prasad SJB
AI summary Hon. Amila Prasad supported revenue and reform measures in principle but questioned whether increased taxation and Customs revenue were improving public services or reducing living costs. He raised concerns over remittances linked to Sri Lankans in the Russia–Ukraine war, tourist driving permits affecting local employment, Customs delays increasing consumer costs, and proposed CEB engineering recruitment despite internal candidates. He also called for redeploying staff from downsized state entities to services such as the Postal Department, adjusting teacher transfer timing and benefits to avoid disruption, and considering leadership capacity, not only qualifications, in appointments to major schools such as Bandaranaike College, Gampaha.
- The Hon. R. G. Wijerathna JJB
AI summary Hon. R. G. Wijerathna supported the regulations and orders under debate, arguing that the Government has increased public revenue by enforcing laws, reassessing assets, and regularizing previously under-assessed or unpaid use of state property. He cited examples from Hagguranketha and Rikillagaskada, including a quarry whose annual revenue rose after valuation and auction, arrears from leased state-land shops, and action to recover dues or pursue legal remedies involving Samurdhi-related property and other premises. He also said benefits are being distributed through public mechanisms, such as providing agricultural machinery via the Agrarian Service Centre and coordinating fodder production for dairy development on underused lands.
- The Hon. Riyas Farook JJB
AI summary Hon. Riyas Farook spoke in support of the customs and excise-related measures, explaining the phased lifting of vehicle import restrictions from 2024 to 2025 and the associated duty and HS code arrangements for various vehicle categories. He said disputes over documentation, undervaluation, cross-border letters of credit, and classification of electric and new-technology vehicles had led to re-exports and court cases, including issues concerning BYD vehicles. He rejected claims about Hambantota Port congestion and increased fees, attributing uncleared vehicles there to earlier duty changes and legal constraints. He also responded to criticism of Muslim government MPs, stating they participate without making communal speeches and support the government’s anti-communal stance.
- The Hon. (Ms.) Lakmali Hemachandra, Attorney-at-Law JJB
AI summary Hon. Lakmali Hemachandra rejected Opposition allegations that the Government had printed Rs. 1.2 trillion, citing Central Bank clarifications that no monetary financing occurred from October 2024 to June 2025. She stated that the 2023 Central Bank of Sri Lanka Act prohibits such financing and emphasized the distinction between Treasury functions and Central Bank functions. She argued that recent growth in money circulation reflects increased private sector credit, lower interest rates, and economic expansion, unlike the pandemic-era monetary financing of 2020–2022.
Public Finance Full speech → - The Hon. Gayan Janaka JJB
AI summary Hon. Gayan Janaka defended the Government’s economic management, stating that vehicle imports had resumed in 2024/2025 after a five-year halt and that letters of credit worth US$1,378 million had been opened by 19 August. He said the Government had stabilized an economy it inherited 11 months earlier, citing IMF, World Bank and media assessments, and reported improved fiscal performance including revenue of Rs. 2,325 billion in the first two quarters of 2025 and a 32.3 per cent reduction in the budget deficit. He also highlighted increases in port profits, FDI, tourism earnings, remittances, exports, reserves and domestic investment, and urged public confidence in the Government’s economic programme.
- The Hon. (Dr.) (Ms.) Kaushalya Ariyarathne (Presiding) JJB
AI summary Before the next speech, the presiding Member asked whether any Member would move that she take the Chair, indicating a procedural transition in the sitting.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. (Mrs.) Saroja Savithri Paulraj – Minister of Women and Child Affairs
AI summary Hon. Saroja Savithri Paulraj moved that Hon. Dr. Kaushalya Ariyarathne take the Chair during the sitting. The motion was agreed to, after which the Deputy Chairperson of Committees left the Chair and Dr. Ariyarathne assumed it.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara argued that high vehicle taxes have made imported vehicles unaffordable, despite the Government allowing imports. He alleged serious irregularities and corruption in the coal procurement process, including violations of procurement guidelines, tender conditions tailored to a specific company, and a resignation by the Coal Company Chairman over the issue. He also raised concerns over Litro Gas and the reintroduction of a failed immunoglobulin product, citing reported deaths and demanding accountability from the NMRA and the Government. He further questioned the handling of legal proceedings involving Ranil Wickremesinghe and warned that public threats, magistrate transfers, and alleged pressure on judicial officers undermine the rule of law.
- The Hon. (Mrs.) Nilanthi Kottahachchi, Attorney-at-Law JJB
AI summary The speech supported the Regulations under the Construction Industry Development Act, No. 33 of 2014, citing recent Central Bank PMI data as evidence of recovery in the construction sector after previous declines and stalled projects. It argued that improved political leadership, reduced interference, and stronger institutional independence would help restore confidence, employment, and investment in the industry. The speaker highlighted CIDA’s role in registering and grading contractors and accrediting adjudicators, and specifically endorsed reducing the adjudicator registration renewal fee from Rs. 20,000 to Rs. 5,000 to support dispute resolution.
- The Hon. Nishantha Jayaweera JJB
AI summary Hon. Nishantha Jayaweera supported the proposed Customs, Finance, Excise, and Construction Industry Development regulations, stating that new HS codes were needed to classify series hybrid vehicles and apply fairer duties after vehicle imports reopened in February 2025. He disputed Opposition claims on excessive vehicle taxes, citing CIF and duty data to say average duties were about 152 percent, with higher rates on luxury vehicles and lower rates on commercial vehicles. He also reported that Customs revenue had exceeded targets, defended the recognition of Bureau Veritas as a lawful vehicle certifier, noted that disputed LC-related consignments were before court, and said reforms such as online pre-filing and tourist VAT refunds were being implemented.
- The Hon. Manoj Rajapaksha JJB
AI summary Hon. Manoj Rajapaksha supported the Resolution under the Customs Ordinance updating HS codes for vehicle imports after their resumption on 1 February 2025, stating that it would address new vehicle technologies and avoid higher “Other” duties. He argued that economic confidence has improved, citing vehicle imports, export growth, rupee stability, increased remittances and investment, tax compliance, and resumed construction activity. He also referred to the planned completion of the Warakapola bypass by 2026 and the resumption of water and sanitation projects in Thulhiriya, while emphasizing the Government’s agenda of rebuilding production, reducing waste, and combating corruption.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC SJB
AI summary Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper supported aligning customs and excise tax treatment for vehicles with carbon-footprint objectives as Sri Lanka transitions from combustion engines to hybrids, plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles. He urged the Government to develop fast-charging infrastructure, particularly at expressway terminals and service areas, noting that limited range and charging access discourage EV adoption. He also called for a special programme for electric three-wheelers, addressing high upfront costs and safe charging requirements, and cautioned that rapidly changing vehicle technologies and HS code classifications require stronger verification to prevent misclassification and fraud.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC SJB
AI summary M. Nizam Kariapper proposed using renewable energy sources, particularly wind and solar power available during peak sun hours, to establish onsite vehicle charging systems. He presented this as a practical measure for sustainable energy use and thanked the Chair for the opportunity to speak.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. (Mrs.) Saroja Savithri Paulraj JJB
AI summary Mrs. Saroja Savithri Paulraj moved that Hon. (Prof.) Sena Nanayakkara take the Chair. The motion was agreed to, after which Hon. (Dr.) (Ms.) Kaushalya Ariyarathne vacated the Chair and Prof. Nanayakkara assumed it.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. T. B. Sarath - Deputy Minister of Housing JJB
AI summary Hon. T. B. Sarath supported amendments under the Construction Industry Development Act to reduce contractor renewal fees from Rs. 20,000 to Rs. 5,000 and raise grading financial limits, including increasing the CS2 ceiling to Rs. 6,000 million, saying these measures respond to contractor demands and support the sector’s recovery. He also defended government policy on paddy procurement, stating that the Paddy Marketing Board is buying at 142 locations at about Rs. 120 per kg, with fertilizer subsidies increased and production costs reduced. Responding to Opposition criticisms on taxes and vehicle prices, he argued that revenue collection is being directed to public infrastructure and housing, and that higher vehicle prices reflect the exchange-rate depreciation after the economic crisis.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. T. B. Sarath JJB
AI summary Hon. T. B. Sarath argued that current vehicle prices should be compared with 2019 levels rather than crisis-period peaks. He stated that the Government’s objective is to provide maximum relief within available fiscal space and said the proposed amendments are intended to meet public needs, contrasting this with what he described as the Opposition’s lack of data.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip JJB
AI summary Responding at the close of the debate, the Minister rejected allegations by Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara that immunoglobulin linked to the Keheliya Rambukwella-era procurement scandal had been reused and caused three deaths. He said the later batch in question was from a different consignment, had been temporarily withheld after adverse reactions and an NMRA test, but was later cleared for controlled use after review including a WHO-prequalified laboratory report; remaining stocks were then permitted for use. He stated that reports did not attribute the cited deaths to the medicine, defended continued procurement of immunoglobulin as life-critical, and requested that the allegation be withdrawn from Hansard.
- 14 Papers Papers: Regulations under Finance Act Moved 3 speeches
- 15 Adjournment Adjournment Motion: Government's Initiative towards an Inclusive Digital Economy 10 speeches
- 16 Procedural Parliament Adjourned 1 speeches