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
- 7 Adjournment Adjournment Motion: Ceylon Electricity Board Financial Status and Tariff Reduction 14 speeches
- The Hon. (Dr.) Upali Pannilage - Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment JJB
AI summary Moved the motion that Parliament do now adjourn. The Question was then proposed to the House.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Kabir Hashim SJB
AI summary Hon. Kabir Hashim moved a motion opposing the Ceylon Electricity Board’s proposed 6.8 per cent electricity tariff increase for October–December 2025, citing PUCSL concerns about the regulatory basis for the pricing tables and questioning whether the claimed losses were justified. He argued that repeated tariff increases contradicted the NPP’s pledges on fair pricing and reducing electricity bills, and urged that the proposed revision not be implemented and bills be reduced by at least 15 per cent. He further challenged the Minister’s loss figures by referring to CEB monthly accounts showing reported surpluses from April to July and a projected profit in August, and tabled those reports in the Library.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Kabir Hashim SJB
AI summary Kabir Hashim argued that the Ceylon Electricity Board is profitable when recent earnings and clawback provisions are considered, and that further tariff increases after the June 2025 increase are unjustified. He said the proposed increase is driven by a Cabinet decision linked to IMF EFF Third Review conditions to pass legacy debt to consumers, rather than by operating costs, and questioned whether the tariff formula legally permits this. He also asked whether IMF-flagged accounting and data issues at CEB had been corrected and sought details on when and how the promised 30% reduction in electricity bills would be delivered.
- The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB
AI summary Hon. Ajith P. Perera seconded Hon. Kabir Hashim’s Motion and argued that CEB restructuring is necessary but is being handled in an opaque manner that risks higher tariffs and employee uncertainty. He called for disclosure of the boards, chairpersons, headquarters, governance structures, staff placement arrangements, and migration plan for the six successor companies, noting that four have already been established and the transition is expected around November. He urged the Government to use competent professional advice, resolve labour concerns, build confidence, and ensure the reforms support renewables, a smart grid, investment, and fair tariffs for households and industry.
- The Hon. Thanura Dissanayake JJB
AI summary Hon. Thanura Dissanayake defended the current power sector restructuring, stating that the proposed companies would remain 100 per cent state-owned under the Treasury Secretary and did not amount to CEB privatization. He argued that restructuring is needed to lower electricity tariffs by reducing generation, transmission and distribution costs, while addressing under-investment in the network and expanding renewable energy toward the 70 per cent target by 2030. He also said electricity and other prices had been stabilized or reduced under the Government, citing lower bills for low-consumption households, and stated that IMF-related measures were being negotiated in a manner suited to Sri Lanka.
- The Hon. Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna
AI summary Hon. Ramanathan Archchuna opposed the proposed expansion of the Mannar wind power project, stating that the existing 35 turbines and planned additional turbines were degrading land and causing public resistance. He questioned the development rationale behind concentrating turbines in Mannar, referred to an unmet presidential undertaking for stakeholder consultation, and criticized continued project activity despite local opposition. He called on Mannar residents and religious leaders of all communities to unite against the current project design and associated excavation activities.
- The Hon. Ravindra Bandara
AI summary Hon. Ravindra Bandara supported the Government’s electricity-sector reforms, stating that the restructuring of the CEB would create core companies for generation, transmission, distribution and system operation, while retaining state ownership and safeguarding employee benefits. He rejected claims of mass layoffs and criticized union-led opposition to reforms such as smart grids and renewable-energy expansion. He argued that the Government is already reducing fuel and electricity costs across household, hotel and industrial categories, and called for efficient, transparent management of the CEB without emergency procurements.
- The Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC SJB
AI summary Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper supported the Motion and criticised the Government for allegedly breaking its promise to reduce electricity bills by 30 per cent. He argued that tariff increases were being justified through claimed CEB losses and IMF-related cost-reflective pricing, while insufficient attention was being given to inefficiency, coal dependence, and renewable energy options such as rooftop solar. He urged the Government to follow the PUCSL framework, review the pricing formula through due process, and avoid further tariff increases that would burden households and small industries.
- The Hon. M.A.M. Thahir ACMC
AI summary Hon. M.A.M. Thahir supported Hon. Kabir Hashim’s Motion and criticized the Government for not fulfilling its promise to reduce electricity tariffs by 30 per cent. He said poor households face disconnections, interest on arrears, and high reconnection fees for small unpaid bills, and urged that these practices be stopped. He also questioned restrictions on rooftop solar capacity and argued that with available hydro generation and previous pledges to curb fuel and coal-related commissions, tariffs should be reduced to assist households and small producers.
- The Hon. Kumara Jayakody - Minister of Energy JJB
AI summary Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody said the CEB has sought PUCSL approval for a tariff increase for October–December 2025, citing forecast below-average rainfall and an estimated hydropower output of 4,388 GWh. He stated that hydro and thermal plant maintenance scheduling is based on meteorological and operational forecasts, not arbitrary decisions. He said the cost estimate includes fuel, capacity charges, debt servicing, Uma Oya delay penalties, supply reliability projects, project management, and 2025 insurance reserves.
- [Unnamed Minister/Member]
AI summary Forecasts for October–December 2025 project electricity-sector revenue of LKR 112,372 million against expenditure of LKR 125,377 million, with the tariff methodology requiring prior-quarter profit or loss adjustments, including a second-quarter 2025 regulated profit of LKR 5,311 million and a resulting LKR 7,994 million loss deviation. The member said the Government’s policy is to reduce electricity tariffs by 30% over five years, while tariff revision authority remains with the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka and is to be exercised without ministry interference. The speech defended amendments and state-owned restructuring in the electricity sector, rejected opposition claims of privatization, and stated that the Government aims to revive the sector, protect employees, reduce input costs, and eventually cap electricity purchase prices at 5 US cents per unit.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural