Sitting of Tuesday, 7 October 2025
Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 22573 ·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 Auditor-General's Report - Tabling and Printing 2 speeches
- 2 Papers Papers Presented - Annual Reports and Ministry Reports 5 speeches
- 3 Committee report Sectoral Oversight Committee Reports 2 speeches
- 4 Petitions Petitions Presented 6 speeches
- 5 Oral question Oral Question: Use of Plastic and Polythene - Minimization (Q.1/2025) 8 speeches
- 6 Oral question Oral Question: Three-Storey Building of Thelijjawila Central College, Matara - Renovation (Q.1083/2025) 5 speeches
- 7 Oral question Oral Question: Lands Belonging to Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority - Trincomalee District (Q.1102/2025) 7 speeches
- Mr. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Roshan Akmeemana JJB
AI summary Hon. Roshan Akmeemana asked the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism to provide details on lands owned by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority in the Trincomalee District and the Government’s future plans for them. He specifically sought information on an SLTDA land in the Sweat Bay area, including its extent, the identity and legal entitlement of a company allegedly fencing and occupying it unlawfully, and what legal action would be taken if the company has no valid claim.
- Hon. (Prof.) Ruwan Ranasinghe - Deputy Minister of Tourism JJB
AI summary On behalf of the Minister, the Deputy Minister stated that the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority owns 632 acres, 3 roods and 5 perches of land in the Trincomalee District, including major extents at Kuchchaveli and Nilaveli. He said the lands face significant encroachment issues, with action being taken to remove unauthorized occupants, while tourism resort development plans, investor leases, approvals and calls for Expressions of Interest are proceeding. Regarding the 12-acre Sweat Bay land, he said Red Rock Beach/Dilmah is in occupation, no authorization has been given, and the Divisional Secretary’s notice to vacate is subject to a writ application before court.
- Hon. Roshan Akmeemana JJB
AI summary Hon. Roshan Akmeemana asked what Budget plans would develop Sweat Bay and Marble Beach in Trincomalee as national tourism assets, noting that the district’s tourism growth accelerated after the war and was previously limited by security restrictions. He emphasized the need for development that also ensures benefits for local communities.
- Hon. (Prof.) Ruwan Ranasinghe - Deputy Minister of Tourism JJB
AI summary Hon. (Prof.) Ruwan Ranasinghe said lands previously held by the Tri-Forces are being progressively released after the war, while the Sweat Bay land remains subject to court proceedings. He stated that, once legal matters conclude, SLTDA lands will be opened for proposals for environmentally appropriate, sustainability-focused tourism projects involving local and foreign investors, and that discussions will be held with Defence authorities to release other suitable military-held lands for commercial tourism investment.
- Hon. Roshan Akmeemana JJB
AI summary Hon. Roshan Akmeemana asked what support the Ministry, Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority and Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau could provide in the next Budget to diversify Trincomalee tourism beyond seasonal beach tourism. He outlined plans for ecotourism, rural tourism, agrotourism and religious tourism in areas such as Morawewa and Gomaran Kadawala, including youth cooperatives, homestay training, a tourism cooperative from Sweat Bay, and a tourism zone linked to Sooriyapura, Kanthale Ara and Kanthale tank.
- Hon. (Prof.) Ruwan Ranasinghe - Deputy Minister of Tourism JJB
AI summary Hon. (Prof.) Ruwan Ranasinghe said Sri Lanka’s tourism has remained concentrated on coastal areas, with limited expansion into inland locations such as Gomaran Kadawala near Trincomalee. He stated that the Ministry is preparing provincial-level tourism plans to be completed within the year, which will inform a 10-year national tourism plan, with resources and action plans to be implemented through forthcoming Budgets.
- 8 Oral question Oral Question: Mullaitivu and Mannar General Hospitals - Staff and Physical Resources 7 speeches
- 9 Oral question Oral Questions: Irrigation Department Tanks and Land Reform Commission Lands - Kalutara District 9 speeches
- 10 Oral question Oral Question: Drinking Water Shortage - Galle District 6 speeches
- 11 Oral question Oral Question: Regional Ayurvedic Hospitals - Monaragala District 11 speeches
- 12 Oral question Oral Question: Transfer of Resources - Northern Province (Tabled Answer and Deferred Question) 4 speeches
- 13 Oral question Standing Order 27(2) Questions - Leader of Opposition and Hon. Adaikkalanathan 10 speeches
- 14 Procedural Ministry Statement: Security of Former Presidents 2 speeches
- 15 Procedural Privilege Matter: Submission of False Information to Constitutional Council 27 speeches
- 16 Debate Debate: Convention Against Doping in Sport (Amendment) Bill - Second and Third Reading 70 speeches
- 17 Procedural Motion to Amend Standing Orders of Parliament 4 speeches
- 18 Adjournment Adjournment and Adjournment Questions 8 speeches