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
- 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
- The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation and Leader of the House of Parliament JJB
AI summary Moved that Parliament adjourn, initiating the formal adjournment procedure. No substantive policy matters or proposals were raised.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. M.S. Abthul Wazeeth SLMC
AI summary Hon. M.S. Abthul Wazeeth asked the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation why the Heda Oya Irrigation Project, identified in 1922 and subsequently designed, studied, approved and allocated funds under several governments, has still not commenced. He outlined its expected benefits for Ampara and Moneragala, including irrigation for over 6,270 hectares, support for more than 5,000 farming families, drinking water for several DS areas, and related economic gains. He requested clarification on delays, funding in the 2026 Budget, timelines, a dedicated implementation and oversight mechanism, stakeholder consultation, assessment of social/environmental/economic benefits, and integration with rural water, agricultural modernization and regional irrigation programmes.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe - Deputy Minister of Land and Irrigation JJB
AI summary Deputy Minister Susil Ranasinghe said the Heda Oya Reservoir has been studied since 1956, with later updates showing that the full project would inundate 6,000 acres and displace over 250 permanent households, creating major social and political concerns. He stated that no funds will be allocated for the project in Budget 2026 and that there are no immediate implementation plans, though the project has not been abandoned and would require further socioeconomic and environmental assessments. He said the Government’s current priority is to complete stalled irrigation projects such as Pahala Malwathu Oya, Pahala Yan Oya, Lower Uma Oya, Mundeni Aru and Kivul Oya, where work, land acquisition or expenditure has already begun.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Ashoka Gunasena JJB
AI summary Hon. Ashoka Gunasena raised questions to the Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment following the launch of the National Policy for Older Persons on 1 October, World Children’s and World Elders’ Day. He emphasized that older persons should be viewed as active contributors to development, cultural transmission and decision-making, rather than passive welfare recipients, and highlighted the need for digital literacy and measures to reduce isolation. He asked for details on the age threshold for older persons, their number and population share, the goals of the new policy, and current and planned government programmes for older persons.
Women & Children Full speech → - The Hon. (Dr.) Upali Pannilage - Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment JJB
AI summary The Minister stated that Sri Lanka legally defines elders as persons over 60 under the Protection of the Rights of Elders Act, No. 9 of 2000, and noted that the share of people aged 60+ has risen from 6.6 per cent in 1981 to an estimated 18 per cent in 2024. He outlined the newly launched national policy on older persons, covering rights protection, age-friendly environments, health care, economic security, social inclusion, long-term care, and evidence-based implementation. He detailed current welfare measures, including increased monthly assistance for elders aged 70+, health, sanitation, livelihood and housing grants, and support for registered elder care institutions. He said the Government is preparing amendments to the Elders Act, digitizing maintenance tribunals, developing a pension mechanism for informal-sector workers through the National Social Security Board, and introducing guidelines to regulate standards in elder care homes.