Sitting of Thursday, 11 September 2025
Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 1758278142029989 ·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 Speaker's Certificate 8 speeches
- 2 Procedural Procedural Matters and No-Confidence Motion Dispute 90 speeches
- Mr. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka SJB
AI summary Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka questioned the Speaker’s decision to reject a submitted No-Confidence Motion, noting that such motions had previously been accepted under other Speakers and governments. He requested that the Attorney-General’s report and the Parliamentary Secretariat’s report cited in the Speaker’s decision be tabled, arguing this was necessary to inform Members and uphold the dignity of the Speaker’s Office and Parliament.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB
AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa, Leader of the Opposition, rose to raise a point of Order. No substantive issue or argument was presented in the provided excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB
AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa asked the Speaker to reconsider the decision delivered the previous day in light of Articles 46(1) and 47(3) of the Constitution. He argued that Deputy Ministers form part of the Executive, sometimes answer in Parliament on behalf of Cabinet Ministers, and therefore their appointment and removal powers require attention under those constitutional provisions.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB
AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa stressed that the public, especially the Catholic community and victims of the Easter attacks, are awaiting clarity on the truth behind the attacks. He said the proposed debate should focus on identifying the mastermind or masterminds responsible, and made a specific request in that context.
- Mr. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB
AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa briefly requested permission to finish the point he was making, without adding substantive policy or procedural content in the quoted portion.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB
AI summary Sajith Premadasa requested permission to conclude his remarks. No substantive policy position, proposal, or question was raised in this statement.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB
AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa requested permission to conclude his remarks. No substantive policy argument, proposal, or question was made in the provided excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB
AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa urged the Speaker to permit a debate on the Easter Sunday attacks, invoking the 269 lives lost as the basis for granting the request. He framed the appeal as a matter of fairness and parliamentary necessity.
- Mr. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB
AI summary Hon. Ajith P. Perera raised a point of order. No substantive argument, proposal, or policy matter was stated in the excerpt provided.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB
AI summary Hon. Ajith P. Perera questioned the Speaker’s ruling of the previous day, arguing that it lacked reasoning and that the Speaker must act independently and transparently. He requested that the Attorney-General’s report and the Parliamentary Secretariat’s report be tabled, stating that Parliament must know the basis for the ruling to maintain confidence in the Speaker’s impartiality.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. Mujibur Rahuman SJB
AI summary Hon. Mujibur Rahuman raised a point of Order. No substantive argument, proposal, or policy issue is included in the provided excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Mujibur Rahuman SJB
AI summary Hon. Mujibur Rahuman objected to the Speaker’s rejection of a No-Confidence Motion against the Deputy Minister of Defence, arguing that the Standing Orders do not prohibit such a motion and that the Deputy Minister exercises executive functions, including answering on behalf of the President and acting in defence-related capacities. He said the motion was politically relevant in light of issues being raised about the Deputy Minister’s role concerning the Easter bombings, and contended that blocking it was a political decision despite the Government’s parliamentary majority.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara referred to Chapter VIII of the Constitution and Article 46(1) to argue that Deputy Ministers, appointed by the President on the Prime Minister’s advice to assist Cabinet Ministers, form part of the Executive. He stated that this constitutional position remains unchanged.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara argued that questions on defence should be answered with clear parliamentary accountability when the President, as Minister of Defence, is absent. He said reliance on Article 46(2) regarding delegation of powers does not resolve the issue of responsibility in Parliament, and questioned the legal basis on which a Deputy Minister answers on the President’s behalf. He requested the Attorney-General’s report and the Secretariat’s report, and warned that preventing a No-Confidence Motion while allowing only a censure motion would set a problematic precedent for ministerial accountability.
- Mr. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha SJB
AI summary Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha argued that, under Westminster parliamentary practice followed in Sri Lanka, the UK and India, No-Confidence Motions against Deputy Ministers are procedurally valid. He questioned the Government’s handling of allegations against the Deputy Minister of Defence relating to the Easter attacks, noting his former role as Eastern Commander, and called for him to address Parliament on national security. He also urged the Government to uphold parliamentary propriety by replacing the current Defence Minister if necessary.
- Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation and Leader of the House of Parliament JJB
AI summary Minister Bimal Rathnayake stated that the Government was prepared to face any motion brought according to parliamentary procedure and approved by the Speaker, but argued that the current attempt was wasting Parliament’s time. He cited a 2007 precedent involving a motion against Hon. Mervyn Silva, noting that former Speaker Joseph Michael Perera did not allow it to proceed as a No-Confidence Motion because the member concerned was a State Minister rather than a Cabinet Minister. The speech was interrupted when Opposition Members entered the Well of the House and caused an uproar.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation and Leader of the House of Parliament JJB
AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake, as Leader of the House, briefly requested that Parliament proceed with its scheduled business. No substantive policy issue, proposal, or debate point was raised.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation and Leader of the House of Parliament JJB
AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake begins to continue a prior point by referring to an event or date, 12 October 2007, but the provided excerpt ends before any substantive argument, proposal, or context is stated. No policy position, legislative issue, or demand can be identified from the available text.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara requested that the Attorney-General’s report and the Secretariat’s report be tabled in Parliament.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation and Leader of the House of Parliament JJB
AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake referred to and began reading a parliamentary motion dated 12 October 2007 concerning the conduct of Hon. Mahinda Ratnatilaka during a division on Money Bills on 6 September 2007. The reading was interrupted by uproar in the House.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation and Leader of the House of Parliament JJB
AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake stated that the government was willing to debate the matter concerning Deputy Minister Aruna Jayasekara if Parliament admitted it under proper procedure, but argued that such motions against Deputy or State Ministers should be treated as censure or condemnation motions rather than No-Confidence Motions. He cited precedents from 2007 involving a State Minister and Mahinda Ratnatilaka, and said the decision on tabling the motion rested with the Speaker. He criticized attempts to proceed with an inadmissible No-Confidence Motion as a waste of parliamentary time.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara briefly questioned the relevance of a preceding point to the matter under discussion. No substantive policy position, proposal, or legislative argument was advanced in this intervention.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation and Leader of the House of Parliament JJB
AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake complained that Members were raising irrelevant matters and urged the Chair to control the House, alleging that threats of a No-Confidence Motion against the Chair amounted to intimidation and reflected a return to disruptive conduct. He clarified that No-Confidence Motions may be brought against parliamentary office-holders such as the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Ministers and Opposition office-holders, but argued that a Deputy Minister does not hold such a parliamentary office. He also stated that only the Prime Minister and Cabinet can respond on behalf of the President.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - An Hon. Member
AI summary An Hon. Member notes that the Minister of Defence also answers in the relevant context, implying ministerial responsibility or accountability for the matter under discussion. No specific policy proposal, question, or demand is elaborated in the excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation and Leader of the House of Parliament JJB
AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake noted that the President, as Minister of Defence, is assisted by a Deputy Minister of Defence, two additional Deputy Ministers under the President, and other Ministers present in the House. He stated that, under the Standing Orders, a report had been requested from the Ministry of Defence.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation and Leader of the House of Parliament JJB
AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake briefly requested the Speaker to give the Government side an opportunity to be heard, noting that the opposing side had already spoken at length. No substantive policy issue or proposal was developed in the recorded portion.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB
AI summary Hon. Ajith P. Perera made a brief interjection suggesting that another party had enabled or empowered someone who then caused them difficulty. The remark appears to be a political rejoinder rather than a substantive policy proposal or legislative argument.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation and Leader of the House of Parliament JJB
AI summary Only a Cabinet Minister or the Prime Minister can present reports concerning the Ministries of Defence or Digital Economy, and a Deputy Minister’s defeat in a No-Confidence Motion would have no legal effect on the Government. Referring to the Speaker’s ruling that such a motion cannot be brought against a Deputy Minister, he said the Government was prepared to face any other permissible motion of that nature.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB
AI summary Hon. Ajith P. Perera reminded the House that the person being addressed had previously signed a motion against Mervyn Silva. The remark was made to point out an apparent inconsistency or prior position in the context of the ongoing debate.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation and Leader of the House of Parliament JJB
AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake clarified that the matter under discussion was correctly categorized as a censure motion. No further substantive argument or proposal was made in the quoted remark.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation and Leader of the House of Parliament JJB
AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake stated that he signed the relevant document because, based on his understanding after seven years in Parliament, the appropriate parliamentary action available at the time was a censure motion. He indicated that this was the reason for his decision to sign it.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- Mr. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation and Leader of the House of Parliament JJB
AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake stated that the motion concerning Mervyn Silva was a motion of censure, not a No-Confidence Motion. He challenged others to bring any motion in the proper form and said the Government was prepared to face it, while urging them not to burden Parliament due to procedural errors.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation and Leader of the House of Parliament JJB
AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake stated that the conduct in question was merely an attempt to disrupt proceedings. He did not raise a substantive policy issue or proposal in this brief intervention.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation and Leader of the House of Parliament JJB
AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake requested that parliamentary sittings continue without interruption due to scheduled Government business. He urged the House to proceed with its work.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara raised a point of Order. No substantive argument, proposal, or question was recorded in the provided excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara stated that the opposition had not presented a motion of censure, contrary to the Leader of the House’s characterization. He questioned the authority of the Deputy Minister of Defence, noting that the office has staff and facilities but arguing that, if powers have not been formally delegated or gazetted, the Army Commander and others should not act on his instructions.
- Mr. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka SJB
AI summary Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka requested the Speaker to bring the House to order so that he could proceed with his remarks.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka SJB
AI summary Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka called for the noise in the Chamber to stop before proceedings continued.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation and Leader of the House of Parliament JJB
AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake rose on a point of order. No substantive argument, proposal, or policy matter was stated in the provided excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation and Leader of the House of Parliament JJB
AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake objected to what he described as an imbalance in speaking opportunities during the debate, saying many Opposition Members had spoken while only one Government Member had been allowed. He urged the Chair to maintain discipline and proceed with House business, asserting that the Government’s restraint should not be treated as a disadvantage during the No-Confidence Motion proceedings.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation and Leader of the House of Parliament JJB
AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake, as Leader of the House, urged the Speaker to proceed with parliamentary business. He characterized the disruption or incident occurring in the House as “terrorism,” repeating the term to emphasize his objection.
Security & Defence Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- An Hon. Member
AI summary A Member objected to a remark made in the Chamber and requested that it be withdrawn.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation and Leader of the House of Parliament JJB
AI summary A brief procedural statement noting that a Bill must be passed by Parliament that day.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation and Leader of the House of Parliament JJB
AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake stated that Parliament needed to pass two Supplementary Estimates. No further details on their contents or related allocations were provided in the excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation and Leader of the House of Parliament JJB
AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake urged the Chair to proceed with Government business, stating that the Bill and two Supplementary Estimates needed to be passed. He argued that obstruction of proceedings was not parliamentary procedure and asked that such political disruption not be allowed.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation and Leader of the House of Parliament JJB
AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake indicated that parliamentary proceedings should continue regardless of whether members take their seats. His remark was procedural, urging the Chair or House to proceed without delay.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation and Leader of the House of Parliament JJB
AI summary The Minister, as Leader of the House, urged that government business proceed despite interruptions or Members remaining standing. He emphasized that the Bill under consideration should be passed and that proceedings should continue.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- Mr. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara requested the Speaker to direct another member to withdraw a remark made in the Chamber.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara requests the Speaker to direct another member to withdraw a remark made in the House. The intervention is procedural and concerns maintaining order or propriety during the debate.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka SJB
AI summary Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka objected to Opposition Members being referred to as “lapai - sipai” during proceedings. He requested that the remark be expunged from the Hansard and that a withdrawal be sought.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka SJB
AI summary Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka briefly indicated that there was an additional matter to raise, but the excerpt ends before any substantive issue, proposal, or question is stated.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Leader of the House JJB
AI summary Bimal Rathnayake objected to remarks made against his side and its Members, asking the Speaker to inquire into such statements. He characterized the conduct as “cheap politics” and criticized the opposition’s handling of a No-Confidence Motion, claiming they did not know how to properly bring one.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- 3 Oral question Oral Questions (Multiple Questions with Answers) 145 speeches
- 4 Oral question Questions under Standing Order 27(2) and Ministerial Statements 40 speeches
- 5 Procedural Ministerial Statements and Privilege Question 30 speeches
- 6 Debate National Audit (Amendment) Bill Second Reading and Supplementary Estimates Debate 179 speeches
- 7 Adjournment Adjournment Questions 19 speeches