Sitting of Wednesday, 10 September 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 Announcements 1 speeches ▸
2. 2 Papers Tabling of Reports and Papers (Annual Reports and Performance Reports) 5 speeches ▸
3. 3 Committee report Committee Report: Presidents' Entitlements (Repeal) Bill 1 speeches ▸
4. 4 Petitions Presentation of Petitions 4 speeches ▸
5. 5 Procedural Procedural: Points of Order regarding No-confidence Motion and Speaker's Ruling 16 speeches ▸
6. 6 Papers Tabling of Committee Report and Petitions (Second Round) 5 speeches ▸
7. 7 Oral question Oral Question: Ceylon Electricity Board (Q.1/2024) and Digital Economy Initiatives (Q.2/2025) 15 speeches ▸
8. 8 Oral question Oral Question: University Admissions based on G.C.E. (A/L) Examination Results 3 speeches ▸
9. 9 Oral question Oral Question: Tea Smallholder Contribution to Production (Q.1/2024) 8 speeches ▸
10. 10 Oral question Oral Questions: Stand Down (Q.2-117/2024 and Q.3-1253/2025) 5 speeches ▸
11. 11 Oral question Oral Question: UDA Projects in Gampaha DS Division (Q.4-1254/2025) 9 speeches ▸
12. 12 Oral question Oral Questions: Jaffna Massacre (Q. 2-117/2024) and Displaced Persons in Valikamam North (Q. 3-1253/2025) 7 speeches ▸
13. 13 Procedural Ministerial Statement: Private Lands in Vanni Electoral District and Leader of House Announcement 7 speeches ▾
    • The Hon. Speaker procedural
      Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Dr.) Dammika Patabendi - Minister of Environment JJB

      AI summary The Minister responded to Hon. Kader Mastan’s question on private lands acquired in the Vanni Electoral District, citing information from wildlife, forest, defence, archaeology and public security authorities. He tabled details of gazetted wildlife reserves in Mullaitivu and Mannar, noting that no wildlife reserves have been gazetted in Vavuniya, and provided district-wise extents and Gazette references. He also stated that forest reserves were marked and gazetted after post-war resettlement-related clearing, with 41,049.45 hectares in Vavuniya, 73,199.74 hectares in Mannar and 40,030.53 hectares in Mullaitivu, while noting difficulties in confirming private ownership where legal title has not been established.

      EnvironmentLand & Housing Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Dr.) Dammika Patabendi JJB

      AI summary In response to a question on land reservations in the Northern Province, it was stated that no archaeological reserves have been declared in Mannar District, while one site in Vavuniya and two sites in Mullaitivu have been gazetted as archaeological protected areas, all on government land. Details were also provided on lands used by the Tri-Forces under annual permits and on forest and wildlife reserves, including the position that settlements did not exist at the time of forest reserve declarations. The response noted that 9,123.78 hectares in Vavuniya have been identified for possible release from forest reservation, while any release of wildlife lands requires Environmental Sensitivity Assessments and Department of Wildlife Conservation approval.

      Land & HousingEnvironment Full speech →
    • The Hon. K. Kader Masthan SLLP

      AI summary Hon. K. Kader Masthan raised concerns that Forest Department and Department of Wildlife Conservation restrictions are preventing cultivation on about 60,000 acres of agricultural land in the Vanni District, and requested urgent action to release suitable lands before the coming season. He referred to earlier district and ministerial committee processes and asked that these be expedited or that a new sub-committee be appointed, noting the potential to revive tanks, increase food production, and reduce inflation. He also called for an inquiry into sand mining permits issued by the Forest Department near riverbanks, alleging widening extraction and resource destruction, and requested measures to stop environmental damage while regulating royalties.

      Land & HousingAgricultureEnvironment Full speech →
    • The Hon. Speaker procedural
      Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Dr.) Dammika Patabendi JJB

      AI summary A committee has been appointed with approximately six months to provide decisions, but the Minister indicated that the Government intends to intervene and offer solutions sooner. He also undertook to examine the issue concerning sand, noting that it falls under a different category of ownership, and said action would be taken expeditiously.

      Land & Housing Full speech →
    • The Hon. Speaker procedural
      Full speech →
14. 14 Debate Debate: Presidents' Entitlements (Repeal) Bill - Second Reading 41 speeches ▸
15. 15 Debate Presidents' Entitlements (Repeal) Bill - Voting and Third Reading 3 speeches ▸
16. 16 Adjournment Adjournment Debate: Fair Guaranteed Price for Paddy 31 speeches ▸