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Sri Lanka
10th Parliament· 154 sittings on record · 30,475 speeches · latest 10 June 2026

Sitting of Friday, 26 September 2025

10th Parliament· 18 debates· 165 speeches· 61 speakers

Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 1760588641001872 ·English daily/uncorrected Hansard

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Order of business

Speeches load per item. Summaries shown here are AI-generated and labelled; verbatim text is on each speech page.

  4. 4 Oral question Oral Question: Container Release from Colombo Port (Q.1/2025) 14 speeches
    • The Hon. Speaker procedural
      Full speech →
    • The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB

      AI summary The Minister said there is no current congestion in releasing import containers at the Port of Colombo, though difficulties have arisen in inter-terminal trucking of export and re-export containers due to increased capacity and traffic. He outlined measures being implemented in response to Chamber of Commerce proposals, including reactivating the Speedy Clearance Committee, extending scanning and screening toward 24-hour operations, expanding Green Channel access, increasing RCT capacity, adding staff, and introducing a real-time port operations dashboard. He also cited steps to diversify trucking operators, provide an off-dock Customs inspection bay, address private sector clearance delays, and improve agency staffing, while noting that incomplete Customs digitalization, delays at the East Container Terminal, and regional disruptions have contributed to pressure. He stated that congestion has eased but may recur around December-January, and planning is underway.

      Public FinanceInfrastructure Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Dr.) Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana SJB

      AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana referred to earlier container congestion and an alleged large-scale fraud involving 320 containers, noting that a report led by the President had been presented to Parliament. He asked whether the report’s recommendations are being implemented and whether those responsible are being prosecuted, in the context of the Government’s mandate to address theft and corruption.

      Law & OrderCorruption & Governance Reform Full speech →
    • The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB

      AI summary President-appointed committee findings have been referred to investigative authorities for further action. Bimal Rathnayake said the matter is outside his Ministry’s purview, but based on information received from the State Minister of Finance a week earlier, investigations were still ongoing.

      Corruption & Governance Reform Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Dr.) Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana SJB

      AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana indicated that the second supplementary question would be asked by Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha, addressing the Minister.

      Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
    • The Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha SJB

      AI summary Asked the Minister whether staffing shortages at the newly established Blue Mandal inspection bay for expediting Customs clearance would be addressed urgently. He also sought assurance that Customs officers would be given reasonable discretion to make good-faith decisions without being deterred by fear or lengthy State approval procedures.

      InfrastructurePublic Finance Full speech →
    • The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB

      AI summary Vacancies in certain Sri Lanka Ports Authority grades have been approved for recruitment, reportedly for about 215 posts, under the Prime Minister’s committee, with further proposals pending. Bimal Rathnayake said SOR-related issues are being addressed, bonuses have been paid, Port profitability has increased by about 100 percent, and partial operations at the East Container Terminal are beginning. He urged public officers to act prudently and in good faith in light of past mismanagement.

      InfrastructureEmployment Full speech →
    • The Hon. Speaker procedural
      Full speech →
    • The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB

      AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake provided a written answer on the 2018 agreement to re-engineer Department of Motor Traffic services for vehicle registration, transfers and related activities using new technology. He stated that the agreement was approved by Cabinet and signed on 19 July 2018 with Metropolitan Advanced Technologies (Pvt) Ltd., selected through a SCAPC procurement process with TEC evaluation. He further said no government expenditure was borne, no related issue had been reported, and other parts of the question were not applicable.

      Infrastructure Full speech →
    • The Hon. Mujibur Rahuman SJB

      AI summary Mujibur Rahuman raised concerns about delays in issuing driving licence cards and vehicle number plates, noting that applicants since 2023 still rely on temporary paper licences and that many vehicles reportedly lack plates despite fees of around Rs. 5,000 being charged. He asked the relevant Minister how long it would take to resolve these administrative backlogs.

      InfrastructurePublic Finance Full speech →
    • The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB

      AI summary Bimal Rathnayake said the driving licence backlog of about 1.1 million had been cleared by April, while acknowledging earlier delays and long-standing problems at the Department of Motor Traffic involving weak institutional capacity, vendor dependence, expired contracts, and alleged corruption. He stated that new licences with updated features are being developed and that tender procedures for number plates have been completed. He said number plates with enhanced security features are expected to be issued by 15 November, with possible interim arrangements before then.

      InfrastructureCorruption & Governance Reform Full speech →
    • The Hon. Mujibur Rahuman SJB

      AI summary Requested that the Minister inquire into the suspension of several bus services in Colombo, specifically noting that the recently launched Route 155 Mattakkuliya–Fort service had ceased operating after its ceremonial commencement.

      Infrastructure Full speech →
    • The Hon. Speaker procedural
      Full speech →
    • The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB

      AI summary Urban commuters face inadequate public transport and high taxi costs due to weaknesses in SLTB operations and depot management. District-level officials and Police OICs have been asked to intervene to improve depot performance, with some successful coordination between private and SLTB services, such as on the Kalutara–Colombo route. In response to concerns about Route 155, it was stated that 20 trips had operated the previous day and that specific lapses should be reported for inquiry.

      Cost of LivingEnvironmentInfrastructure Full speech →