Sitting of Thursday, 25 September 2025
Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 1759483897051145 ·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 Ruling on No-Confidence Motion 6 speeches
- 2 Papers Papers Presented 16 speeches
- 3 Oral question Oral Answers to Questions 51 speeches
- Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha SJB
AI summary Nalin Bandara Jayamaha formally posed a question to the House. No substantive details or policy issue were stated in the recorded remark.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Arun Hemachandra - Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism JJB
AI summary The Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism requested two weeks’ time to answer the question. The question was ordered to stand down.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB
AI summary Ajith P. Perera briefly rose to ask a question in Parliament. No further details of the question or its subject matter are provided in the excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media, Acting Minister of Justice and National Integration and Chief Government Whip JJB
AI summary The Minister requested three weeks to provide an answer to the question raised. The question was accordingly ordered to stand down.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF
AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake asked the Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment for detailed information on the assets, number, governance, and financial performance of Samurdhi Banks and Samurdhi General Societies. He sought clarification on whether Samurdhi Banks are regulated by the Central Bank, reasons for any exclusion, details of the board chairmanship and shareholders, and ten-year data on profits or losses, balance sheets, deposit interest rates, and lending rates.
- The Hon. (Dr.) Upali Pannilage - Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment JJB
AI summary Minister Upali Pannilage provided data on Samurdhi Community-Based Banks and Bank Societies as of 30 June 2025, stating that 1,097 banks held assets of Rs. 316.65 billion and 335 bank societies held assets of Rs. 196.27 billion. He said they are not supervised by the Central Bank because the Samurdhi Act, No. 1 of 2013 excludes the application of the Banking Act and Finance Business Act, with oversight handled through a management board within the Department of Samurdhi Development. He reported recent annual figures for 2023 and 2024, noted that no consolidated balance sheets had been prepared because each bank is treated separately, and said a consolidated balance sheet is planned from 2025 onward. He also outlined membership/shareholding arrangements and deposit interest rates, and tabled the detailed answer for the Library.
- The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna
AI summary Citing Standing Order No. 141 on the Speaker’s responsibility for the management of Parliament buildings, Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna raised a point of Order regarding the public restroom outside Parliament reportedly being closed by Police at 4.30 p.m. He requested that the facility remain open at night for visitors who otherwise have nowhere to go.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF
AI summary Ravi Karunanayake sought a response on the financial performance of an institution with Rs. 196 billion in assets and Rs. 11 billion profit in 2024, noting that the net return was about 4.5 per cent. He questioned why returns on deployed capital appeared low when lending rates were reportedly 12–14 per cent and deposit rates 4–8 per cent, and asked for the relevant Minister’s view.
Public Finance Full speech → - The Hon. (Dr.) Upali Pannilage JJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Upali Pannilage stated that loans are issued based on applications and noted that there are 20 available loan schemes.
Public Finance Full speech → - The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF
AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake asked for the current lending interest rates. The intervention appears to be a brief request for information, likely directed to the relevant minister or authority, without further argument or policy proposal.
Public Finance Full speech → - The Hon. (Dr.) Upali Pannilage JJB
AI summary Loan interest rates were stated to vary by category, generally ranging from 12 to 14 per cent, with some reaching 17 per cent. Examples cited included cultivation loans at 12 per cent, consumer loans at 13 per cent, and Sushakthi loans at 10 per cent.
Public Finance Full speech → - The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF
AI summary Ravi Karunanayake questioned why Samurdhi lending rates remain at 12–14 per cent when commercial banks lend to agriculture at 6–8 per cent, arguing this is unfair to borrowers and asking what steps can reduce the rates. He also urged that Samurdhi banks be brought under Central Bank oversight in the context of IMF engagement and the upcoming tranche, noting that the 2013 Act cited in the response may be an obstacle.
- The Hon. (Dr.) Upali Pannilage JJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Upali Pannilage stated that the Samurdhi programme, established in 1995 and later reorganized under the 2013 Act, was addressed in accordance with the current legal framework. He said the Government recently amended the law to bring all Samurdhi Bank activities under the audit and supervision of the Auditor General, and added that any move to place them under Central Bank supervision would be considered through further legislative amendments if required.
- The Hon. S.M. Marikkar SJB
AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar asked the Minister of Energy to provide annual details for 2022 to 2024 on crude oil and refined oil imports by the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation. He sought confirmation on whether prescribed procurement procedures were followed, reasons for any deviations, the quantities bought through emergency purchases, and the financial difference between emergency and normal procurement purchases.
Public Finance Full speech → - The Hon. Kumara Jayakody - Minister of Energy JJB
AI summary In response to a parliamentary question on fuel imports, the Minister of Energy provided annual import quantities for crude oil and petroleum products for 2022, 2023 and 2024, including petrol, diesel, Jet A-1, fuel oil, naphtha and aviation gasoline. He stated that emergency purchases were not made, and related sub-questions on that basis were not applicable.
Public Finance Full speech → - The Hon. S.M. Marikkar SJB
AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar asked a supplementary question about emergency fuel purchases, noting that the prior response covered 2022–2024 and suggesting the relevant period may include 2021. He requested details on the premium paid above the world market price per barrel for emergency purchases made around 2021–2022.
Public Finance Full speech → - The Hon. Kumara Jayakody JJB
AI summary Kumara Jayakody stated that he did not have the exact figures available, but noted that there had been periods when premiums were in the range of USD 30 to 35.
Public Finance Full speech → - The Hon. S.M. Marikkar SJB
AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar asked what the current typical insurance premium is. No further context or substantive policy argument is provided in the excerpt.
Public Finance Full speech → - The Hon. S.M. Marikkar SJB
AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar said he would correct and resubmit a question later, then raised a second supplementary regarding NRR procurement. He asked why lower bidders were not awarded contracts due to the Central Bank’s lack of dollars, while higher-premium suppliers were paid on arrival or within short periods, and sought comment on instances where even USD 5 million was unavailable but paid months later.
- The Hon. Kumara Jayakody JJB
AI summary Hon. Kumara Jayakody stated that accurate statistics and details could be provided if the matter were raised formally.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana NDF
AI summary Rohitha Abeygunawardhana asked the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation for details on Sri Lanka’s animal census, including its date, cost, objectives, implementation measures, progress, and separate counts of deer, monkeys, giant squirrels and peacocks. He also requested information on the Grama Niladhari Divisions covered or excluded from the census and the reasons for any exclusions.
Agriculture Full speech → - The Hon. Namal Karunaratne - Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock JJB
AI summary Deputy Minister Namal Karunaratne stated that the national animal census was conducted on 15 March 2025 at a total cost of Rs. 3,916,314, rejecting claims that over Rs. 70 million had been spent. He said the survey aimed to assess wildlife causing crop damage, covering toque macaques, purple-faced langurs, giant squirrels and peafowl, with verification reducing reported monkey and langur figures by 50% for planning purposes. The finalized public report maps species distribution and risk areas, with official figures of 5,197,517 langurs, 1,747,623 monkeys, 2,666,630 giant squirrels and 4,285,745 peafowl. He added that the census covered all Grama Niladhari Divisions except six in Delft Island, where the surveyed species do not occur.
Agriculture Full speech → - The Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana NDF
AI summary Rohitha Abeygunawardhana questioned the methodology and coverage of a March wildlife census reportedly costing Rs. 3.9 million, which recorded large populations of langurs, monkeys, giant squirrels and peafowl, noting the Deputy Minister’s statement that only six GN Divisions in Delft were omitted. He asked whether urban areas such as Colombo 07 and Colombo 05 were included and, given the availability of district- and division-wise data, sought clarification on what action would be taken in areas with high animal populations, including whether culling, relocation or other measures were planned.
Environment Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana NDF
AI summary Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana briefly requested additional time, noting that the answer was lengthy. He then asked for clarification of the “langur number,” without providing further substantive context.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana NDF
AI summary Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana asked what action the Government intends to take in areas with high animal populations. He sought clarification on whether the plan is to cull, relocate, or adopt another method of population control.
Environment Full speech → - The Hon. Namal Karunaratne - Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock JJB
AI summary The Deputy Minister explained that a nationwide survey, excluding only Delft Island, had established baseline data on relevant animal populations, with provisions for people who missed official forms to submit information separately. He said the exercise was low-cost, would support work by ministries and researchers, and was being discussed jointly with relevant agencies. He clarified that no decision had been made to cull or harm animals, and that any population management would be lawful and guided by expert recommendations. He also noted that the survey relied on public reporting, applied a correction factor for possible over-reporting, and was intended to inform management rather than provide exact census figures.
- The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF
AI summary Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake questioned the Minister on why the matter had gone to the Court of Appeal and why employees had protested if there was no issue regarding ETF Board salary decisions. He argued that the Ministry of Finance representatives and the Board should be accountable for denying Budget-funded salary increases to about 523 employees, despite a recommendation from the Commissioner General of Labour. He tabled documents from the Labour Commissioner General and the Sri Lanka Human Rights Commission in support of his claim.
- The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha - Minister of Labour and Acting Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development JJB
AI summary The Acting Minister said the ETF salary issue stems from irregular salary increases granted in 2006, 2013 and 2015 contrary to circulars, which created disparities. He stated that Management Services Circular 01/2025 requires verification of salary conversions since 2006 and that the ETF Board has regularised salaries accordingly, with the increase paid from May 2025. He said there has been no salary cut, only the removal of unauthorised increments or allowances, and noted that the matter is before court in CA/WRIT/709/2025 following union protests.
- The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF
AI summary Chamara Sampath Dasanayake questioned why the matter involving 513 staff had reached court and urged the authorities to meet the trade unions and resolve it without further litigation. He also raised concern that the Employees’ Trust Fund had halted housing loans of up to Rs. 2 million against members’ balances, saying plantation workers depended on this facility for housing repairs, and asked why the new Chairman and Board had stopped it islandwide.
- The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha - Minister of Labour and Acting Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development JJB
AI summary Loans are governed by established regulations and were described as outside the scope of the main question. The Minister said the figure of 513 affected employees was incorrect and attributed the issue to unauthorised salary increments, noting that Circular 01/2025 regularises salaries in three phases so that by 1 January 2026 no employee will be negatively affected. He added that disparities affecting 77 identified employees will be resolved, while any interim relief must await the court’s determination because the matter is pending before it.
- The Hon. Major General (Rtd.) Aruna Jayasekera - Acting Minister of Defence JJB
AI summary Acting Minister of Defence Aruna Jayasekera provided figures on Sri Lanka Air Force deserters, stating there were 45 officers and 3,402 other ranks, with arrests and surrenders recorded between February and September 2025. He said absentees face disciplinary action and possible discharge, while eligible personnel may be retained after intelligence and police clearance, with the process taking about 30 days depending on the case. He also clarified that two C-130 aircraft are being transferred from the United States under the Excess Defense Articles framework, not purchased, with Sri Lanka expected to bear about USD 30 million for refurbishment, transport and technical support to strengthen heavy airlift capacity.
- The Hon. Ravindra Bandara
AI summary Asked what cooperation the Ministry provides to ensure impartial law enforcement in recent operations against narcotics and organized crime, particularly where former or serving military personnel or deserters are implicated. He noted that allegations of a “witch-hunt against war heroes” are raised when such action is taken, despite past political protections and the involvement of only a limited number of military personnel.
- The Hon. Major General (Rtd.) Aruna Jayasekera - Acting Minister of Defence JJB
AI summary Acting Minister of Defence Aruna Jayasekera stated that serving or former military personnel linked to narcotics or other crimes are handed over to the CID in accordance with the law. He said Service Commanders and the Ministry do not interfere in such investigations, and that additional information and military disciplinary action are provided or pursued where applicable.
- The Hon. Ravindra Bandara
AI summary Asked what support Sri Lanka Air Force aircraft and helicopters provide for maritime interdiction operations, particularly in response to Opposition claims that maritime seizures are fewer than land-based operations. He also sought details on the use of SLAF air assets for disaster response.
Security & Defence Full speech → - The Hon. Major General (Rtd.) Aruna Jayasekera - Acting Minister of Defence JJB
AI summary Tri-services remain on standby for disaster response at the request of the Disaster Management Centre, with Air Force and Navy assets deployed as needed. Law-enforcement support is provided by the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Civil Security Department upon requests routed through the Police and the Ministry. The Navy continues around-the-clock deep-sea operations to counter narcotics smuggling, and these activities will be maintained.
- The Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar - Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources JJB
AI summary Accepted parts of the question while rejecting one sub-part, stating that shrimp re-exports are allowed only under strict SOP-based controls and that 1,187 metric tons were re-exported in 2024. He said NAQDA is promoting domestic shrimp farming through disease-control measures, expansion of SPF P. monodon hatchery capacity, encouragement of larger “Sri Lankan Jumbo Shrimp” for niche export markets, and planned removal of sand and silt bars in key lagoon and canal systems. He added that lands in the North and East are being identified for environmentally friendly shrimp farms to increase export volumes and support processing centres.
- The Hon. Ajith Gihan JJB
AI summary Hon. Ajith Gihan raised concerns that EU and Western market restrictions could increase shrimp re-exports through Sri Lanka, creating risks of disease entering local aquaculture zones and damaging Sri Lanka’s export reputation if products are sold under the Sri Lankan name. He also asked how the Government would prevent imported shrimp from entering the domestic market and depressing prices for local producers.
- The Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar - Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources JJB
AI summary Ramalingam Chandrasekar stated that the Puttalam District, which contributes around 70 per cent of shrimp production, has been affected by disease risks linked to imported shrimp. He said the Government has identified risks to local farms and Sri Lanka’s export reputation, and therefore prohibits imported shrimp from being sold domestically or exported under the Sri Lankan name while seeking solutions within those controls.
Agriculture Full speech → - The Hon. Ajith Gihan JJB
AI summary Asked whether the Government has clear programmes to support the dollar-earning industry by upgrading hatchery technology to improve quality post-larvae, reducing farmers’ production costs, and resolving practical bottlenecks faced by exporters.
- The Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar - Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources JJB
AI summary The Minister said the fisheries and aquaculture sector is being refocused through expansion in the North and East and renewed attention to Puttalam’s contribution. He stated that past political interference had damaged the sector, and that the Ministry will convene exporters and engage stakeholders in producing districts to address issues. He also outlined plans for modernisation, including breeding centres and hatcheries, aimed at sectoral transformation.
- The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna - Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure JJB
AI summary The Minister provided details of financial assistance given to registered tea nurseries in the Galle District by the Sri Lanka Tea Board in 2020 and 2024, including grant amounts to multiple nurseries, with detailed schedules tabled in the Library. He also stated that the Tea Smallholdings Development Authority assisted 17 nurseries in 2022–2023, of which 13 remain active and four are inactive. Among Sri Lanka Tea Board-assisted nurseries, two were reported inactive, and the remaining part of the question was stated to be not applicable.
Agriculture Full speech → - The Hon. Nishantha Perera JJB
AI summary Hon. Nishantha Perera questioned why tea nurseries funded in 2022–2023, including unregistered nurseries around Elpitiya, are no longer operating and in some cases are derelict. He argued that nursery development should follow Tea Research Institute varieties and standards, and asked what action would be taken regarding alleged politically motivated allocations that distorted varietal adoption and harmed the tea industry.
- The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna - Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure JJB
AI summary Minister K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna said any nurseries not reflected in Tea Board or TSHDA records would be investigated, including whether they were supported through other projects or in previous years. He stated that if state funds had been politically misdirected and projects had failed, the matter would be inquired into and findings provided.
- The Hon. Nishantha Perera JJB
AI summary Nishantha Perera welcomed the QR code mechanism for providing subsidized fertilizer through the open market, noting significant per-ton relief for farmers. He asked the Government to clarify the criteria used to select beneficiaries for nursery assistance, arguing that previous allocations lacked clear standards and contributed to the current crisis.
Agriculture Full speech → - The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna - Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure JJB
AI summary Rs. 2,000 million has been allocated through the Tea Board and the Ministry for a QR-based fertilizer support scheme for tea smallholders, to be launched at Walipanne. Registered growers are being verified through a dedicated app and factory leaf-supplier lists, with disbursement from October 1 through multiple suppliers using QR codes. The scheme will provide a Rs. 4,000 subsidy per 50-kg fertilizer bag and will allocate support based on leaf supply volumes rather than acreage, with further field-level briefings to follow.
- The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB
AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Co-operative Development, he tabled a reply on Sri Lanka’s salt requirement, production sources, producers, and storage capacity. The reply stated that annual demand is about 180,000 MT, normally met through local salterns in areas including Hambantota, Puttalam, Elephant Pass, Mannar and Trincomalee, with storage capacity sufficient for more than a year and harvests generally adequate under normal weather. It also noted that imports rose from 1,282 MT in 2024 to 142,549.3 MT up to 10 September 2025 due to adverse weather and heavy rainfall disrupting production in late 2024.
Agriculture Full speech →
- 4 Oral question Standing Order 27(2) Questions and Statement on Na Uyana Tragedy 13 speeches
- 5 Debate Debate: Imports and Exports (Control) Act - Regulations for Vehicle Imports 65 speeches
- 6 Debate Debate Continuation: Vehicle Import Regulations 19 speeches
- 7 Adjournment Adjournment Motion: Ceylon Electricity Board Financial Status and Tariff Reduction 14 speeches