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
- 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
- The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip JJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa moved condolence motions for five former Members of Parliament, beginning with Hon. Indradasa Hettiarachchi and Hon. M.H. Cegu Isadean. He recalled Hettiarachchi’s service as MP for Horana, Kalutara District Minister, Deputy Minister, and Minister, highlighting contributions to education, industry, religious and community initiatives, and requested that Parliament’s sympathies be conveyed to his family. He also outlined Cegu Isadean’s career as a teacher, attorney-at-law, provincial opposition leader, founding Chairman of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress, MP and ministerial office-holder, noting his service to the Muslim community, his district and the country.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB
AI summary Sajith Premadasa contributed to condolence motions for several former Members of Parliament, recalling their public service and development work. He paid tribute to Indradasa Hettiarachchi, P. Dayaratna, Vijayasundara Bandara Ranatunga and Gamini Lokuge, highlighting their roles in Parliament, ministerial office, regional development, education, health, employment creation, poverty alleviation and programmes such as Gam Udawa, Mahapola, Janasaviya and the 200 Garment Factories Programme. He also began referring to the late M. H. Cegu Isadean’s legal and provincial council service. He conveyed condolences to the families of the deceased members and invoked the attainment of Nibbana.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Rauff Hakeem, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Hon. Rauff Hakeem paid tribute on behalf of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress to several former Members of Parliament whose Votes of Condolence were before the House. He recalled the public service of P. Dayaratna in Digamadulla, Gamini Lokuge’s long ministerial and trade union role, Indradasa Hettiarachchi’s contributions in Kalutara, education and Buddhist institutions, and W. B. Ranatunga’s political work in Nuwara Eliya. He gave particular emphasis to former SLMC Chairman M. H. Cegu Isadean, describing his role in the party, his defence of Akkaraipattu during periods of insecurity, and his political leadership in the North-East Provincial Council.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka SJB
AI summary Gayantha Karunathilleka paid tribute during a condolence debate to former Members Gamini Lokuge, P. Dayaratna and Indradasa Hettiarachchi, recalling their parliamentary service, ministerial roles and constituency work. He highlighted Lokuge’s long undefeated electoral career, work in tourism, vocational training, SOS Children’s Villages, trade union organizing and religious patronage; Dayaratna’s development of Ampara, including electricity, roads, schools and health services; and Hettiarachchi’s reputation as a clean politician and early leadership in local government and Kalutara district politics. He conveyed condolences to the families of the deceased members.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Nihal Abeysinghe JJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nihal Abeysinghe expressed condolences on behalf of Horana, Kalutara and Raigam Korale for the late former MP Deshabandu Indradasa Hettiarachchi. He outlined Hettiarachchi’s political career from local government service in 1948 to representing Horana in Parliament, serving as Kalutara District Minister, Deputy Minister of Ports and Shipping, and Minister of Coconut Industries and Crop Diversification. He highlighted Hettiarachchi’s contributions to local development, including education, health facilities, bridges, housing, electrification, model villages, industrial parks, the cooperative movement, and religious and social initiatives such as the Kalutara Bodhi Trust and Janasetha Foundation.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Kumara Jayakody - Minister of Energy JJB
AI summary Minister of Energy Kumara Jayakody moved that Hon. (Prof.) Sena Nanayakkara take the Chair. The motion was agreed to, after which the Deputy Speaker left the Chair and Hon. Nanayakkara assumed the Chair.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. (Dr.) Nihal Abeysinghe JJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nihal Abeysinghe paid tribute to the late Hon. Indradasa Hettiarachchi, highlighting his social service in Horana, including the development of the Yahalakale Elders’ Home and the Galpatha “Sukhitha” Children’s Home. He expressed condolences, requested that the Assembly’s sympathies be conveyed to Hettiarachchi’s family, and thanked several individuals who assisted in compiling the information for the tribute.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan ITAK
AI summary Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan paid tribute to the late former Members of Parliament being commemorated, with particular reference to M.H. Cegu Isadean’s role in the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress, North-East politics, and the merged North-East Provincial Council under the 13th Amendment. He used the commemoration to discuss Tamil-Muslim political relations, stating that ITAK supports Muslim self-determination within a governance structure for all peoples and reiterating its position on a Tamil homeland in the North and East. He criticised recent remarks by some Muslim leaders, referenced past peace process interactions and wartime allegations involving SLMC leader Rauff Hakeem, while also stating that Tamils bore no anger towards Muslims and acknowledging Muslims who fought alongside the LTTE.
- Hon. S. Sritharan ITAK
AI summary Hon. S. Sritharan paid tribute to Sehu Iszadeen, describing him as a figure who worked for Tamil–Muslim unity, and conveyed condolences to his family. He urged the strengthening of unity between Tamil and Muslim peoples while reaffirming the North and East as the Tamil homeland. He also stated that the Illankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi rejects the concept of a separate “Muslim state” while maintaining its position on Tamil unity and the homeland concept.
Ethnic Reconciliation & Devolution Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- Hon. K. Sujith Sanjaya Perera SJB
AI summary Hon. K. Sujith Sanjaya Perera spoke in support of condolence motions for former Ministers Indradasa Hettiarachchi, P. Dayaratna, and Gamini Lokuge, highlighting their public service and contributions to their districts. He noted Hettiarachchi’s development work in Kalutara and Horana, support for temples, model villages, garment factories and schools, and referred to his personal sacrifices and family hardships. He described Dayaratna’s service in Ampara as an engineer-politician, including his roles in power, energy, health and district administration, and credited him with improving health and infrastructure facilities. He also recalled Lokuge’s trade union background, work for employees and development efforts in Colombo District, particularly Kesbewa, and extended condolences to the families of the deceased members.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- Hon. J.C. Alawathuwala SJB
AI summary Hon. J.C. Alawathuwala supported the condolence motions for former Members P. Dayaratna, Gamini Lokuge, Indradasa Hettiarachchi, M.H. Sehu Iszadeen, and W.B. Ranatunga. He recounted their education, entry into politics, ministerial and parliamentary roles, and contributions to their respective districts, particularly in infrastructure, public service, local governance, plantation development, trade union activity, and community and religious work. He also offered condolences to their families and, where appropriate, prayers for their attainment of Nibbana or eternal peace.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- Hon. R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara SJB
AI summary Hon. R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara paid tribute to five former Members of Parliament, recalling their public service and personal associations with them. He highlighted P. Dayaratna’s long parliamentary career and development work in Ampara-Digamadulla, Gamini Lokuge’s trade union leadership and parliamentary service, Indradasa Hettiarachchi’s ministerial roles and constituency development, W.B. Ranatunga’s work in Kotmale and Nuwara Eliya, and M.H. Sehu Iszadeen’s role in Ampara politics and the SLMC. He conveyed condolences to their families and offered religious observances according to each member’s faith.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara paid tribute to five former Members and Ministers, highlighting their public service and contributions to their constituencies and national policy areas. He recalled Hon. Gamini Lokuge’s long parliamentary career and work with constituents and public petitions; Hon. P. Dayaratna’s role in Ampara’s land, irrigation, electricity and welfare development; and Hon. Indradasa Hettiarachchi’s work in industry, education, coconut development and religious institutions in Horana and Kalutara. He also noted Hon. Sehu Iszadeen’s role as a founding SLMC figure, former North-Eastern Provincial Council Opposition Leader and minister, before offering condolences and religious wishes on behalf of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF
AI summary Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake delivered condolences on former MPs Gamini Lokuge, P. Dayaratna, Indradasa Hettiarachchi, M.H. Sehu Iszadeen and W.B. Ranatunga, noting their parliamentary service, constituencies and party affiliations. He highlighted Lokuge’s long representation of Kesbewa and the attacks on his property during the Aragalaya, Dayaratna’s service to Ampara and the Eastern Province as Minister of Power, and Ranatunga’s role in Kotmale in the context of Mahaweli-related resettlement. He conveyed personal, party and parliamentary condolences to their families and offered prayers according to their respective faith traditions.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- Hon. (Mrs.) Anushka Thilakarathne, Attorney-at-Law JJB
AI summary On behalf of the Kotmale electorate, Hon. Anushka Thilakarathne expressed condolences on the death of former MP Wijayasundara Bandara Ranatunga, noting his entry to Parliament in 1989 with the support of Hon. Gamini Dissanayake and his service in a difficult electorate. She recalled his personal background, reputation for modesty and honesty, and contributions to development in Kotmale, including the apparel factory linked to the Mahaweli Programme, electrification, and canal rehabilitation. She also extended condolences to the families of former MPs P. Dayaratna, Gamini Lokuge, Indradasa Hettiarachchi, and M.H. Sehu Iszadeen.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe SLMC
AI summary Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe paid tribute to the late Hon. P. Dayaratna, highlighting his long parliamentary career, ministerial service, development work in Ampara and relations with all communities, and conveyed condolences on behalf of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress and the people of Ampara. He also recalled the late Hon. M.H. Sehu Iszadeen as his former teacher, lawyer, poet, provincial councillor, MP and minister, emphasizing his role in advocating for Muslim security and representation during debates on devolution and the proposed merged North-Eastern Province. He noted Sehu Iszadeen’s contributions to the SLMC and to proposals for Muslim-majority administrative arrangements in the North and East, and extended condolences to the families of all former Members named in the motions.
- Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna
AI summary Hon. Ramanathan Archchuna paid condolences to the families of former Members Gamini Lokuge, Indradasa Hettiarachchi, W.B. Ranatunga, P. Dayaratna and M.H. Sehu Iszadeen, linking their public service to periods of ethnic conflict, displacement and political change. He reflected on the history of Tamil, Muslim and Sinhalese relations, arguing that majoritarian and divisive politics, including language-based discrimination and chauvinist rhetoric, damaged earlier Tamil-Muslim unity. He highlighted Sehu Iszadeen’s literary and political contributions, particularly his advocacy of Tamil-Muslim unity, and urged current politicians not to use ethnic or religious division in contemporary politics.
Ethnic Reconciliation & Devolution Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- Hon. M.S. Abthul Wazeeth SLMC
AI summary Hon. M.S. Abthul Wazeeth offered condolences to the families of five former Members being commemorated and paid tribute in particular to the late M.H. Sehu Iszadeen. He highlighted Iszadeen’s role in drafting the SLMC Constitution, participation in the party’s founding and the 1990 Bangkok Conference for Justice and Peace, and service as Opposition Leader of the North-Eastern Provincial Council and Chairman of the SLMC. He also noted Iszadeen’s work as a lawyer and poet, and his efforts from 1985 to defend Muslim communities during a period of terrorism.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. Aboobucker Athambawa JJB
AI summary Aboobucker Athambawa supported the condolence motion for five former Members of Parliament, focusing on the late M. H. Cegu Isadean of Ampara District. He recounted Isadean’s background as an educator, lawyer, provincial opposition leader, SLMC figure, parliamentarian and minister, highlighting his efforts during the conflict to discourage Muslim youth from joining violence and to promote unity among Tamil-speaking communities. He noted Isadean’s contributions to media, roads and development, including the establishment of Pirai FM, and also referred to his literary, cultural, international and spiritual work. Athambawa conveyed condolences to Isadean’s family and to the families of the other former MPs named in the motion.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB
AI summary Ajith P. Perera supported the condolence motions for former MPs Indradasa Hettiarachchi, P. Dayaratna, Gamini Lokuge, M. H. Cegu Isadean, and W. B. Ranatunga, expressing condolences to their families and associates. He gave particular emphasis to Hettiarachchi’s long public career, advice to the UNP leadership in 1994, development work in Horana including industrial estates and schools, and continued community service after retirement through the Kalutara Bodhi Trust. He also recalled Dayaratna’s service to Ampara and all communities, Lokuge’s trade union background and ministerial work, Isadean’s role in representing Muslim rights and Ampara, and Ranatunga’s representation of Nuwara Eliya District.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Gnanamuththu Srineshan ITAK
AI summary Hon. Gnanamuththu Srineshan supported the condolence motion for former Members of Parliament P. Dayaratna, Gamini Lokuge, Indradasa Hettiarachchi, M. H. Cegu Isadean, and W. B. Ranatunga, conveying condolences to their families. He paid particular tribute to M. H. Cegu Isadean as an Eastern Province politician, poet, teacher, lawyer, and advocate of Tamil–Muslim coexistence, noting his efforts to prevent ethnic tensions during difficult periods. He also recalled P. Dayaratna’s service to all communities in Ampara and acknowledged the public service of the other former Members.
- The Hon. (Mrs.) Oshani Umanga JJB
AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Oshani Umanga paid tribute to former MP Indradasa Hettiarachchi, who represented Horana after being elected in 1977 and later served in ministerial office. She recalled his early life, education, local government service, electoral perseverance, and contributions to Horana and Kalutara District over about 16 years in Parliament. She conveyed condolences to his family and wished him the supreme bliss of Nibbana.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Kabir Hashim SJB
AI summary Kabir Hashim paid tribute to several former Members of Parliament who had passed away, recalling their political service and personal contributions. He highlighted P. Dayaratna’s role in Ampara and the 1977 UNP government, Gamini Lokuge’s involvement in forming the Jathika Sevaka Sangamaya and service to workers, Indradasa Hettiarachchi’s grassroots rise, W. B. Ranatunga’s quiet service, and M. H. Cegu Isadean’s work for communities in the East. He extended condolences to their families and noted their contributions to Parliament, party politics, and public service.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. D. V. Chanaka SLPP
AI summary Hon. D. V. Chanaka offered condolences on behalf of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna for five former Members of Parliament, focusing particularly on Hon. Gamini Lokuge. He recalled Lokuge’s long political career from 1983 to 2024, his service to Kesbewa, roles as Minister and State Minister, involvement in tourism development, support for the Mahinda Rajapaksa Government during the war, and later leadership in the “Mahinda Sulanga” movement and the SLPP. He also emphasized Lokuge’s close engagement with trade unions and constituents, describing his routine interventions to resolve public and public service issues.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva paid tribute to former MP Deshabandu Indradasa Hettiarachchi, recalling his long public career from village council chairman to District Minister for Kalutara and Minister of Coconut Industry. He highlighted Hettiarachchi’s contributions to education, health, religious institutions, libraries, the Horana Industrial Zone, Uda Gam projects, and the Kalutara Bodhi, as well as his continued social service despite the nationalization of family estates in 1971. He also referred to personal family ties and guidance he had received from Hettiarachchi, and conveyed condolences to his children and grandchildren while praying for him to attain Nibbana.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- 17 Adjournment Adjournment 1 speeches