Sitting of Wednesday, 8 October 2025
Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 22594 ·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 Announcements 9 speeches
- 2 Committee report Committee Reports 2 speeches
- 3 Petitions Petitions 8 speeches
- 4 Procedural Procedural Matters: National Police Commission and Standing Orders 29 speeches
- 5 Oral question Oral Question: Children of Incarcerated Mothers 18 speeches
- 6 Oral question Oral Question: UN Human Rights Report on Sri Lanka 8 speeches
- 7 Oral question Oral Question No. 1 – 1180/2025: AWOL Service Members 11 speeches
- Mr. Speaker procedural
- Hon. (Major General (Rtd.)) Aruna Jayasekera - Deputy Minister of Defence
AI summary The Deputy Minister of Defence provided figures on tri-service personnel currently absent without leave, including 385 Army officers and 47,265 other ranks, 87 Navy officers and 3,108 other ranks, and 46 Air Force officers and 3,396 other ranks. He stated that only limited numbers are specifically identified as having gone abroad, and that accurate data on overseas travel or remittances are unavailable. He explained that AWOL personnel returning to Sri Lanka without lawful discharge are taken into military custody and dealt with under service procedures, including court-martial, summary trials, retention subject to clearances, or discharge. He added that discharge processes can be delayed due to sureties, loans and other institutional liabilities requiring due process.
- Hon. Lieutenant Commander (Rtd.) Prageeth Madhuranga JJB
AI summary Hon. Lieutenant Commander (Rtd.) Prageeth Madhuranga asked whether a technical procedure could be introduced to lawfully discharge service personnel who left active duty without leave, including those overseas, without requiring their physical presence. He suggested using a valid power of attorney or next of kin, where no other institutional issues are involved.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. (Major General (Rtd.)) Aruna Jayasekera - Deputy Minister of Defence
AI summary The Deputy Minister of Defence said commissioning authority rests with the President and that some service personnel have gone abroad without lawful discharge while owing bonds, sureties, or loans, creating difficulties in tracing them and coordinating with relevant institutions. He noted concerns that a small number may be linked to criminal or service-related offences, and highlighted the State’s investment in military training and controls such as service certification for passports. He said a general amnesty had been discussed with the President but rejected by service commanders as setting a wrong precedent, while procedures would be developed to enable lawful discharge without undue delay for returnees found not connected to crimes or misconduct.
- Hon. Lieutenant Commander (Rtd.) Prageeth Madhuranga JJB
AI summary Hon. Lieutenant Commander (Rtd.) Prageeth Madhuranga asked whether a general amnesty could be granted for all AWOL personnel, including those overseas and within Sri Lanka, to facilitate regularized discharges. He noted that taking such personnel into custody and processing them could be time-consuming and create humanitarian difficulties, and referred to previous amnesty periods as precedent.
Security & Defence Full speech → - Hon. (Major General (Rtd.)) Aruna Jayasekera - Deputy Minister of Defence
AI summary Hon. (Major General (Rtd.)) Aruna Jayasekera stated that an immediate blanket amnesty for service personnel is not feasible, as it could create a harmful precedent for those currently serving. He said previous amnesties were linked to wartime conditions and manpower needs, while recent criminal incidents involving some personnel who left with weapons, munitions, or funds require careful consideration. He added that the President’s commissioning authority includes revocation where necessary, and that the Government will consider a humane and lawful process for discharges.
- Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF
AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake raised a point of order. No substantive issue, proposal, or question was stated in the provided text.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF
AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake raised a procedural point concerning the organization of ministerial business, noting that subjects such as aviation, naval and transport matters, education, and health are ordinarily handled under relevant ministries. The intervention appears to question or seek clarification on how those subjects were being grouped or addressed in the parliamentary agenda.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF
AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake questioned why the relevant Ministerial Consultative Committee had not been constituted or convened. He sought clarification from the Chair on the absence of this parliamentary oversight mechanism.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
- 8 Oral question Oral Questions Nos. 03, 04, 05: Prison Inmates, Mahiyangana Fair, GN Offices in Vavuniya 27 speeches
- 9 Oral question Second Round Questions and Standing Order 27(2) Questions 16 speeches
- 10 Procedural Ministry Statements: Brain Drain, Kankesanthurai Port, Government Translators Service 11 speeches
- 11 Adjournment Adjournment Motion: National Police Commission Powers 8 speeches
- 12 Debate Debate: Supplementary Sum - Head 117 - Programme 02 (Ministry of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation) 84 speeches
- 13 Adjournment Adjournment Motion: Release of Sri Lanka Ports Authority Lands in Trincomalee District 16 speeches