Sitting of Tuesday, 23 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 President's Message on Navy Act 1 speeches ▸
2. 2 Papers Papers: Annual Reports and Committee Reports 5 speeches ▸
3. 3 Petitions Petitions Presented by Members 6 speeches ▸
4. 4 Procedural Procedural: No-Confidence Motion and Speaker's Rulings 28 speeches ▸
5. 5 Oral question Oral Question Q.1/2025: Natural Streams and Stream Reservations Protection 7 speeches ▾
   • Mr. Speaker procedural
     Full speech →
   • The Hon. Danushka Ranganath JJB

     AI summary Hon. Danushka Ranganath asked the Minister of Environment what measures are being taken to protect natural streams and maintain legally required stream reservations, including the extent of land that should be reserved along streams. He sought clarification on enforcement against persons who have forcibly occupied stream reservations and on whether reservations have been granted as freehold lands, particularly in the Kalutara District. He further asked whether the Government will take steps to reacquire such stream reservations, and if not, the reasons for not doing so.

     Land & HousingEnvironment Full speech →
   • The Hon. (Dr.) Dammika Patabendi - Minister of Environment JJB

     AI summary The Minister stated that a national policy on protecting water sources, catchments and reservations was gazetted in 2014, with implementation involving the Central Environmental Authority, Irrigation Department and District Secretariats under relevant environmental and land laws. He detailed measures such as declaring Environmental Protection Areas, regulating river basin activities, preventing harmful land use and waste discharge, conserving stream reservations, and conducting awareness and enforcement activities. He also outlined reservation widths under the State Lands Ordinance and said confirmed encroachments are removed by the Divisional Secretary after joint inspection.

     EnvironmentInfrastructure Full speech →
   • The Hon. Danushka Ranganath JJB

     AI summary Danushka Ranganath thanked the Minister for the response and raised concerns about enforcement gaps despite the existence of nearly 40 instruments on water source protection. He asked whether those instruments would be reviewed and updated to meet current needs, citing new tourism activity in areas such as Agalawatta and Bulathsinhala in Kalutara as a potential risk to water sources.

     EnvironmentInfrastructure Full speech →
   • The Hon. (Dr.) Dammika Patabendi - Minister of Environment JJB

     AI summary The Minister stated that no specific decision has been made to amend relevant laws, but the Ministry has begun identifying and conserving water sources. He said proposed areas in Kalutara could be included in the conservation programme, and noted that a Water Resources Board project is preparing groundwater maps to support future conservation measures.

     EnvironmentPublic Finance Full speech →
   • Mr. Speaker procedural
     Full speech →
   • The Hon. Danushka Ranganath JJB

     AI summary Danushka Ranganath stated that he would not ask a second supplementary question.

     Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
6. 6 Oral question Oral Question Q.2/2025: Divisional Hospitals in Jaffna and Kilinochchi Districts 5 speeches ▸
7. 7 Oral question Oral Question Q.3/2025: Fishermen Compensation 8 speeches ▸
8. 8 Oral question Oral Question Q.4/2025: Ratalankawa Land - Land Reform Commission 6 speeches ▸
9. 9 Oral question Oral Question Q.5/2025: Cinnamon and Tea Fertilizer Subsidies 6 speeches ▸
10. 10 Oral question Oral Question Q.6/2025: Principals' Recruitment and Confirmation 8 speeches ▸
11. 11 Oral question Oral Question Q.7/2025: Maize Production and Pricing 7 speeches ▸
12. 12 Oral question Oral Question Q.8/2025: Mullaitivu District General Hospital 8 speeches ▸
13. 13 Oral question Oral Question Q.9/2025: Sri Lanka Telecom Employment 6 speeches ▸
14. 14 Oral question Oral Question Q.10/2025: Alawwa Water Scheme 6 speeches ▸
15. 15 Oral question Oral Questions under Standing Order 27(2): Unemployment and Vehicle Emission Testing 8 speeches ▸
16. 16 Procedural Procedural: Transition to Public Business 5 speeches ▸
17. 17 Debate Second Reading Debate: National Building Research Institute Bill 57 speeches ▸
18. 18 Debate Third Reading: National Building Research Institute Bill 1 speeches ▸
19. 19 Adjournment Adjournment Motion: Law College Special Entrance Examination 15 speeches ▸