Sitting of Friday, 12 September 2025
Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 1758618446023035 ·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 Papers Tabling of Papers: Auditor-General's Report and Government Regulations 2 speeches
- 2 Committee report Committee Report: Public Finance Committee on Budget Estimate of CIABOC 1 speeches
- 3 Petitions Petitions: Various Citizens' Petitions (Multiple Ministers) 5 speeches
- 4 Procedural Point of Order: CIABOC Report (Hon. Harsha de Silva) 1 speeches
- 5 Oral question Oral Question: Ceylon Fisheries Corporation Fish Purchases (Q.2/2025) 10 speeches
- Mr. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Hector Appuhamy SJB
AI summary Hon. Hector Appuhamy asked the Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources for year-by-year data from 2015 to date on the quantity of fish purchased by the Ceylon Fisheries Corporation and its share of Sri Lanka’s total fish harvest. He also sought an admission on whether the CFC’s market intervention is insufficient to purchase fish and stabilize prices, and requested details of corrective measures if so.
Agriculture Full speech → - Hon. Rathna Gamage - Deputy Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources JJB
AI summary Deputy Minister Rathna Gamage provided figures on Ceylon Fisheries Corporation purchases from 2016 to July 2025, totalling 42,256 metric tons, noting that 2015 records were unavailable and that CFC purchases amounted to about 1 per cent of the national fish harvest annually. He acknowledged that CFC’s market intervention is insufficient and outlined measures including new retail outlets, cooperation with Sathosa, wholesale centres, expanded and rehabilitated cold storage, and increased supply to public institutions. He also said a “mother vessel” model is being introduced to reduce fuel costs and improve logistics for multi-day fishing boats.
- Hon. Hector Appuhamy SJB
AI summary Hon. Hector Appuhamy asked what comprehensive State programme exists to support fishermen beyond CFC’s limited fish purchasing, particularly to improve offshore yield, protect breeding seasons, promote sustainable harvesting, and help fishers capture more value. He highlighted high input costs for small-scale fishers and the lapse of previous support schemes, seeking details on concrete technology and productivity support measures.
Agriculture Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Rathna Gamage - Deputy Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources JJB
AI summary Hon. Rathna Gamage said CFC purchases remain about 1% of the national fish harvest and acknowledged this as inadequate, noting a five-year plan to raise the share to around 4% by 2029. He said the Ministry is reviewing previous cold-room lease agreements with the Attorney-General’s Department and seeking private investment to expand cold storage at fishery harbours. He also stated that a mother-vessel support system has been launched to reduce fuel costs and improve collection efficiency.
- Mr. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Hector Appuhamy SJB
AI summary Hon. Hector Appuhamy briefly stated that he was handing over his second supplementary question to the Hon. Leader of the Opposition.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB
AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa asked the Deputy Minister to clarify reports that the Ceylon Fisheries Corporation was to be closed. Referring to a prior denial at the Advisory Committee, he requested a categorical public confirmation on whether the Corporation would be closed.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. Rathna Gamage - Deputy Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources JJB
AI summary Hon. Rathna Gamage said the Ceylon Fisheries Corporation had inherited liabilities of about Rs. 1,600–1,700 million, including dues to suppliers and unpaid EPF/ETF, but was now being stabilized and had recorded small profits in July and by 31 August 2025. He stated that the Government had sought two years of Treasury support to make the Corporation sustainably profitable by 2028 and rejected reports that it would be closed. He also announced plans to introduce a pension scheme for the fishing community on International Fisheries Day, 21 November.
- 6 Oral question Oral Question: Condominium Management Authority Objectives (Q.3/2025) 5 speeches
- 7 Oral question Oral Question: Co-operative Development Functions (Q.4/2025) 47 speeches
- 8 Oral question Oral Question: Economic Centres Details (Q.5/2025) 12 speeches
- 9 Oral question Oral Question: National Youth Services Council Objectives (Q.6/2025) 11 speeches
- 10 Oral question Oral Questions: Stood Down (Q.7/2025, Q.8/2025, Q.9/2025) 9 speeches
- 11 Oral question Oral Question: Wanawasala and Aruwakkalu Waste Projects Current Status (Q.10/2025) 8 speeches
- 12 Oral question Oral Question: E-Visa Fraud Forensic Audit (Q.2 Second Round/2025) 6 speeches
- 13 Oral question Questions by Private Notice: Issues in Education and Higher Education Sectors (Standing Order 27(2)) 88 speeches
- 14 Procedural Procedural Matters: Points of Order and Bill Presentation 4 speeches
- 15 Papers Bills Presented: Convention Against Doping in Sport (Amendment) Bill 1 speeches
- 16 Debate Votes of Condolence: Late Former Members of Parliament (P. Dayaratna, Gamini Lokuge, Indradasa Hettiarachchi, M. H. Cegu Isadean, W. B. Ranatunga) 41 speeches
- 17 Adjournment Adjournment 1 speeches