Sitting of Tuesday, 9 September 2025
Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 1757672711095734 ·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 Opening and Parliamentary Announcements 11 speeches
- 2 Papers Papers Tabled and Committee Reports 13 speeches
- 3 Petitions Petitions 3 speeches
- 4 Oral question Oral Question: Appointment of Directors to Road Development Authority (Q.?/2025) 6 speeches
- 5 Oral question Oral Question: Disabled Military Personnel - Reliefs/Allowances Provided (Q.1118/2025) 7 speeches
- 6 Oral question Oral Question: Bungalow in Kalugalle Estate - False Ownership (Q.?/2025) 4 speeches
- 7 Oral question Oral Question: Housing Schemes and NHDA Land Allocation (Q.?/2025) 8 speeches
- 8 Oral question Oral Question: Lands in Kilinochchi District - Freehold Deeds or Land Permits (Q.1178/2025) 5 speeches
- 9 Oral question Oral Question: Foreign Employment Agencies - Details (Q.1234/2025) 5 speeches
- 10 Oral question Oral Question: Lands in Anuradhapura District Leased Out for Development (Q.1241/2025) 4 speeches
- 11 Oral question Oral Question: LRC Lands Allocated for Industrial Purposes - Kegalle District (Q.1250/2025) 9 speeches
- 12 Oral question Oral Question: Government Schools in Eastern Province - Teacher Vacancies (Q.1112/2025) 11 speeches
- 13 Procedural Procedural and Standing Order 27(2) Questions 18 speeches
- 14 Debate Debate: Agreement between Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates on Investment Promotion and Protection 38 speeches
- The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha - Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development JJB
AI summary Moved a resolution under Article 157 of the Constitution to approve the Sri Lanka–United Arab Emirates Agreement on the Promotion and Reciprocal Protection of Investments, signed on 12 February 2025 and presented to Parliament on 21 August 2025, noting Cabinet approval and the requirement of a two-thirds majority. He outlined the agreement’s provisions on investment definitions, state and investor obligations, protections against discriminatory treatment and expropriation, transfer safeguards, and dispute settlement through domestic courts and possible arbitration. He argued that the agreement would support economic growth by improving investor confidence, attracting UAE investment, reducing the bilateral trade deficit, and expanding opportunities in sectors such as manufacturing, ICT, tourism, and agri-industries.
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Mujibur Rahuman SJB
AI summary Hon. Mujibur Rahuman used the debate on the Sri Lanka–UAE investment agreement to raise concerns about the Gaza conflict and its implications for Sri Lanka’s relations with the Arab world, citing the importance of Middle East remittances to the economy. He questioned the Government’s policy after reports that Sri Lankan media and state-sector personnel travelled to Israel, asking whether the CID would investigate the purpose of the visit and whether it was consistent with Sri Lanka’s stated support for Palestine. He also called for clarification on the role of Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Israel, urged the Government to recall him if his actions contradicted official policy, and criticised free visas for Israeli tourists while alleging a “double standard” in the Government’s position on Palestine.
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Mujibur Rahuman SJB
AI summary Hon. Mujibur Rahuman urged authorities to address what he described as pressure by the CID on women activists supporting Palestine and online campaigns portraying local activists as terrorists. He said complaints had been made to the IGP in April without action, and registered his opposition and concern over the matter.
- The Hon. (Dr.) (Ms.) Kaushalya Ariyarathne JJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) (Ms.) Kaushalya Ariyarathne rejected calls to sever diplomatic relations with Israel, noting that the journalists’ visit was privately sponsored by Israel and that around 20,000 Sri Lankans work there. She supported the new bilateral investment treaty, arguing that it improves on earlier agreements by recognizing sustainable investment, the State’s right to regulate, environmental protection, narrower definitions of investor and investment, safeguards during balance-of-payments crises, and investor obligations. Citing past arbitration awards against Sri Lanka, she said the treaty better protects public welfare while attracting investment, and proposed further measures such as dispute-prevention mechanisms and developing Sri Lanka as an arbitration venue.
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Mujibur Rahuman SJB
AI summary Mujibur Rahuman stated that representatives from Rupavahini, KDU, and the Sri Lanka Ports Authority participated in an Israel tour, with the Sri Lankan Ambassador in Israel also present, indicating Government involvement because state officials require approval to travel. He framed the matter as a humanitarian issue and criticized the previous speaker’s remarks as insensitive.
- The Hon. (Dr.) (Ms.) Kaushalya Ariyarathne JJB
AI summary A clarification was made that government officials may take private leave to travel abroad. It was argued that an official’s participation in such travel does not by itself make the visit government-sponsored, as it may still be a private tour.
Corruption & Governance Reform Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran ITAK
AI summary Hon. Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran said foreign agreements, including the Sri Lanka–UAE agreement before Parliament, should be evaluated primarily on their contribution to Sri Lanka’s economic recovery and development. He rejected reliance on domestic mechanisms for accountability over alleged wartime human rights violations, citing the UN Human Rights Council context, and called for an international mechanism with international support. He also raised the Kalmunai North administrative issue, objecting to plans for a joint Coordinating Committee with Kalmunai South and urging the Government to preserve the long-standing separate arrangement to avoid community tensions.
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Sugath Wasantha de Silva JJB
AI summary Hon. Sugath Wasantha de Silva defended the NPP Government’s foreign policy as non-aligned and consistent, rejecting Opposition claims that it was retreating or creating divisions, while reaffirming support for Palestinians and opposition to attacks on civilians. He highlighted the Foreign Minister’s statement at the 60th UN Human Rights Council session and said the Government is drafting a new Bill, now with the Legal Draftsman, to align Sri Lanka’s disability law with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. He argued that the existing 1996 Act is inadequate and called for a whole-of-government framework with ministry focal points, coordination mechanisms, and independent monitoring to secure the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities.
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana NDF
AI summary Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana supported the Sri Lanka–United Arab Emirates agreement as important for attracting investment, but argued that investment facilitation depends on a confident and efficient public service. He said officials are reluctant to make decisions because of the way the Public Property Act is being applied, leading to arrests and remand even where decisions may have been made in good faith, and urged protections for public servants to enable approvals and implementation. He also expressed condolences over the Ella bus accident and asked transport authorities to act against specific offenders rather than impose blanket punitive measures on all bus operators and staff.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC SJB
AI summary Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC clarified that public officers travelling abroad privately must obtain prior leave and approvals under Section 12 of the Establishments Code, while official travel requires ministry or departmental authorization. In the context of the Sri Lanka–UAE Agreement, he criticized reported attendance by Sri Lankan officials at a media event in Israel amid the Gaza conflict, arguing it could imply state legitimacy or support. He urged the Government to oppose Israel’s actions in Gaza and to investigate who attended the event and under what authorization.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. Ruwan Wijeweera JJB
AI summary Hon. Ruwan Wijeweera supported the Sri Lanka–United Arab Emirates Agreement on Investment Promotion and Mutual Protection, stating that it would help attract investment in infrastructure, technology, manufacturing and tourism while strengthening investor protection and the legal framework. He rejected claims that public servants are afraid to act, arguing that only corrupt or bad-faith decisions are being challenged, and cited ongoing development projects at Divisional Secretariat level. He said the Government is seeking to reverse past anti-investment practices, rebuild confidence after the financial crisis, and pointed to increased exports, remittances and FDI as evidence of improving economic conditions.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB
AI summary Ajith P. Perera criticised what he described as the Government’s double standards on Israel and Palestine, arguing that while Sri Lanka should maintain relations with Israel, it should also uphold its historic support for Palestinian statehood and speak against civilian suffering in Gaza. He welcomed the Sri Lanka–UAE investment promotion and protection agreement as a measure to improve investor confidence, and supported stronger narcotics enforcement, including expedited courts and lawful penalties. He raised concerns over the alleged release of 323 Customs “Red Channel” containers without physical examination in January 2025, citing committee findings that procedures and legal authority were breached and warning of risks involving prohibited goods, narcotics, revenue loss, and national security. He urged implementation of the committee’s recommendations and legal action against those responsible.
- The Hon. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment, Arun Hemachandra
AI summary Arun Hemachandra urged Members to focus the debate on approving the UAE investment agreement, which he said required a two-thirds majority and would help rebuild investor confidence in Sri Lanka. He argued that past politically driven actions, including the breakdown of arrangements involving Etisalat, Emirates and SriLankan Airlines, damaged confidence and imposed economic costs on the public. He said the agreement provides a reciprocal framework for genuine investments, with dispute resolution through consultation, a joint commission, UNCITRAL procedures and then ICSID if necessary, and called for broad support to pass it as part of a transparent economic recovery strategy.
- The Hon. Namal Rajapaksa, Attorney-at-Law SLPP
AI summary Welcoming the Sri Lanka–UAE agreement, Namal Rajapaksa argued that the Government should improve the investment climate and stop making unproven allegations against investors and political opponents. He questioned the Government’s record on foreign direct investment, factory closures, organized crime, shootings, fraudulent passports, and the release of two containers from the port despite alleged intelligence warnings. He demanded impartial investigations and prosecutions into the container incident and organized crime links, rejecting what he described as selective prosecutions, media displays, and attempts to blame the Opposition.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe - Deputy Minister of Labour JJB
AI summary The Deputy Minister supported the Sri Lanka–UAE Investment Promotion and Mutual Protection Agreement, saying it includes safeguards on sustainable investment, environmental standards, public safety, public morals, and investor de-risking, and is intended to help restore investor confidence. He linked the need for such confidence to past controversies, including the 2007 end of Emirates’ management of SriLankan Airlines and subsequent losses. He also accused members of the former government and Opposition of links to drug trafficking and of selectively taking disciplinary action, while stating that the current government would pursue traffickers and past corruption through law enforcement.
- Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe JJB
AI summary Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe alleged that information relating to criminal rackets, including claims about 80 politicians and undeclared assets, had previously been suppressed, and said those responsible would be exposed and brought before the law. He stated that the Government would not protect criminals and would take action to eradicate the narcotics trade. He also described the UAE-Sri Lanka agreement signed that day as important for investment, citing rising remittances, foreign direct investment, and national income as signs of economic progress.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva supported the investment protection agreement with the United Arab Emirates, noting it was Sri Lanka’s 29th such agreement and expressing hope it would increase UAE investment. He then urged the Government to take a stronger and more principled position on the Gaza crisis, citing Sri Lanka’s historic recognition of Palestine, its non-aligned foreign policy tradition, and the humanitarian impact of the conflict. He argued that Sri Lanka should actively defend Palestinian statehood and the two-State solution in regional, international, bilateral and multilateral forums.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB
AI summary Hon. Harini Amarasuriya supported the Sri Lanka-UAE agreement, arguing that it strengthens trade, diplomatic relations, and international confidence in Sri Lanka’s economic and political stability, while also benefiting over 300,000 Sri Lankans working in the UAE. She emphasized that the Government’s priority is not merely signing agreements but creating the institutional conditions for implementation, including anti-corruption measures and a strengthened independent public service. Responding to Opposition criticism, she rejected claims that public servants are fearful, stating that officials are being freed from political interference while wrongdoing will be dealt with under the law. She also reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to dismantling organized narcotics networks and ending political protection for the drug trade.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation and Leader of the House of Parliament JJB
AI summary Bimal Rathnayake said comprehensive international agreements such as the UAE agreement require two-thirds parliamentary approval, which he described as a constitutional safeguard, and stated the Government had sufficient support to pass it. He highlighted realized FDI of about US$1.015 billion within the past year, attributed improved investor confidence to the current administration, and said an investment protection bill would be brought with the Budget. He also referred to Sri Lanka’s position before the UN Human Rights Council, asserting a non-communal governing policy, and said the Government would pursue criminal infiltration linked to narcotics without political obstruction. He reiterated Government support for a free Palestine while recognizing Israel, and raised concern about Sri Lankan media personnel visiting the Israeli Embassy in India.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- Hon. Dilith Jayaweera SB
AI summary Hon. Dilith Jayaweera stated support for the agreement with the UAE, then referred to Sri Lanka’s position at the 60th UNHRC Session opposing external accountability mechanisms. He warned that proposed domestic laws on an Independent Prosecutor’s Office and a Truth-Seeking Commission could replicate external mechanisms, and urged a sincere domestic reconciliation process through credible national institutions, with international observers invited to assess it. He also tabled a letter to the Minister of Foreign Affairs from the National Organizations Collective, signed by Dr. Gunadasa Amarasekara.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- Hon. Muneer Mulaffer - Deputy Minister of National Integration JJB
AI summary Deputy Minister Muneer Mulaffer supported the Sri Lanka-UAE Agreement, arguing that Middle Eastern countries, including the UAE, had previously assisted Sri Lanka through housing, health, education and equipment projects, but that smear campaigns and distrust had driven away investors and reduced tourist arrivals. He said the Government was working to restore investor confidence and rebuild economic growth. He also condemned the suffering in Gaza as a humanitarian issue, recalled the impact of the COVID-19 cremation policy on Muslims, and called for responsible media conduct and cross-party support for action against narcotics and underworld networks.
- 15 Debate Debate: Agreement between Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates (Continued) 26 speeches
- 16 Procedural Division Vote on UAE Agreement 7 speeches
- 17 Adjournment Adjournment Debate: Tourism Promotion and Finance Company Interest Charges 19 speeches