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
- 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
- The Hon. Chanaka Madugoda SLPP
AI summary Asked why the debate was not addressing individuals or groups connected to the Easter Sunday attacks. The intervention called for attention to accountability and the identification of those linked to the attacks.
Security & Defence Full speech → - The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake argued that the Government is fulfilling its mandate by rebuilding the economy, combating corruption and the underworld, and restoring democracy rather than engaging in “media spectacle.” He cited the President’s remarks at the UN General Assembly on anti-corruption, reconciliation, and representation for women and persons with disabilities, and referred to improvements in democracy and rule of law indices. He rejected the Opposition’s allegation of “constitutional autocracy,” pointing to multiparty representation in Parliament, fair elections, local authority administration, and planned vehicle allocations to Pradeshiya Sabhas, including those outside Government control.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Upali Pannilage JJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Upali Pannilage moved that Hon. (Prof.) Sena Nanayakkara take the Chair. The motion was put to the House and agreed to, after which the Deputy Chairperson of Committees left the Chair and Hon. (Prof.) Sena Nanayakkara assumed it.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. M.A.M. Thahir ACMC
AI summary Hon. M.A.M. Thahir stated that his allotted speaking time had been reduced from five minutes to three and requested an additional two minutes from the Presiding Member.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. M.A.M. Thahir ACMC
AI summary Hon. M.A.M. Thahir supported concessions for tourism under the Import and Export (Control) Act but argued that benefits should reach local landowners, workers, fishing and farming communities rather than only large tourism businesses. He called for better organization of tourist areas such as Arugam Bay and Pasikuda, local sourcing of seafood, improved wages and opportunities for trained hotel-sector workers, and expanded fruit exports including star fruit and Karuthakolumban mangoes. He also urged the Government to release war-affected lands for cultivation, housing and livelihoods, particularly for Tamil-speaking Muslim and Tamil communities. He commended Nintavur schools for winning national Kabaddi titles and requested the Sports or Education Ministry to provide indoor facilities and continued support.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. M.A.M. Thahir ACMC
AI summary Hon. M.A.M. Thahir referred to matches held at a privately owned venue belonging to a former MP, noting that events had reportedly been conducted there for about twenty years. He appeared to raise concerns or seek clarification regarding the status or use of that venue in relation to the matches.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. K. Ilankumaran JJB
AI summary K. Ilankumaran supported the Import and Export (Control) Act regulations, arguing that the NPP Government had maintained economic and exchange-rate stability despite Opposition predictions of shortages and currency depreciation. He highlighted tourism development in the North, including proposed zones in Poonakary and diaspora investment, as well as plans for a northern coconut cultivation programme with free saplings, fertilizer subsidies and per-acre support. He urged northern Opposition Members to support the Government’s development agenda and said those violating the law or reviving “old political culture” would be dealt with under the law.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. Chandana Thennakoon JJB
AI summary Hon. Chandana Thennakoon supported regulations enabling vehicle imports for tourism, arguing they align with the sector’s recovery and the Government’s targets of three million tourist arrivals and US$ 5 billion in revenue. He emphasized expanding tourism beyond coastal areas into inland, community- and environment-based destinations, particularly in the North Western Province and around reservoirs, heritage sites, and rural attractions. He identified poor rural roads and infrastructure as a key constraint and said the Government intends to address this while developing sites such as Yapahuwa, Haththikuchchi, Rasvehera, and areas in Galgamuwa. He also linked tourism growth to wider economic stabilization and welfare measures, while defending the Government’s first year in office against Opposition criticism.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. B. Ariyawansha SJB
AI summary Hon. B. Ariyawansha argued that export development is essential for economic growth, citing past support for village-level apparel and minor export crops. He called for renewed assistance to revive agarwood cultivation, including support for saplings and industry development, noting its export potential and recent price recovery after earlier declines and import competition. He also welcomed the halt to clove re-exports but requested faster Agriculture Ministry export permit approvals, saying delays affect exporters, traders, farmers, and foreign exchange earnings.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. (Mrs.) Deepthi Wasalage JJB
AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Deepthi Wasalage supported the regulations extending the deadline for releasing vehicles imported for tourism from 30 June to 30 September 2025, citing technical delays and the earlier impact of vehicle import restrictions on tourism. She argued that past corruption and mismanagement caused the economic crisis, while the current Government has begun stabilizing the economy and easing import restrictions. She also defended the President’s policy direction, highlighting education and welfare measures such as increased student allowances, enhanced Mahapola benefits, book grants, and President’s Fund scholarships.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. M.S. Abthul Wazeeth SLMC
AI summary Hon. M.S. Abthul Wazeeth raised several service-delivery and compensation issues affecting Pottuvil and surrounding areas in Ampara District, including unpaid relief supplier bills from the January 2024 floods and unpaid compensation for 14 fishermen affected by a mini-cyclone in October 2024. He requested action on water shortages through bowser allocations and the Keda Oya project, a fire engine and beach-cleaning machine for Arugam Bay, school infrastructure and staffing improvements, reduced fruit import duties, and proper staffing for the Pottuvil Divisional Veterinary Office vehicle. He also thanked the President for supporting recognition of Palestine at the UN and noted the commemoration of the International Day of Sign Languages.
- The Hon. (Dr.) Upali Pannilage - Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment JJB
AI summary Minister Upali Pannilage supported the extension of regulations under the Import and Export (Control) Act, stating that limited vehicle imports were intended to assist tourism recovery after the economic crisis. He argued that the crisis stemmed from past borrowing, particularly International Sovereign Bonds issued during 2015–2019, and said this debt did not generate sustained growth. He outlined the Government’s tourism targets and cited recent indicators on GDP growth, unemployment, inflation, exchange rates, and interest rates as evidence of stabilization before moving toward broader economic growth.
- 7 Adjournment Adjournment Motion: Ceylon Electricity Board Financial Status and Tariff Reduction 14 speeches