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
- 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
- Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB
AI summary Responding to a Standing Order 27(2) question by Hon. Ravi Karunanayake, the Prime Minister stated that the Government does not maintain data on public university graduates who leave the country within a year of graduation and has no restrictions, contracts, or service obligations requiring graduates to remain in Sri Lanka. She said there is no policy or proposal to recover the cost of free education or Mahapola assistance from graduates who migrate or work abroad. She emphasized that free education is treated as a right funded through general taxation, not as a transaction requiring individual monetary repayment, and that its benefits may accrue to society in various ways, including remittances.
- The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF
AI summary Ravi Karunanayake thanked the Prime Minister for the response and highlighted that while about 173,000 students pass the A/Ls, only around 53,000 enter State universities, leaving about 120,000 without State-funded higher education opportunities. He asked whether graduates who benefit from free university education could be linked to some form of contributory service to the country, particularly where they later leave Sri Lanka for opportunities abroad, noting that taxpayers fund their education.
- The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB
AI summary Free education was defended as a right, while the need to foster responsibility and public service among students through the education system was emphasized rather than relying only on laws or contracts. The Prime Minister said the Government is working to expand access through State institutions, vocational and professional education, and broader higher education opportunities. She also noted that strengthening the economy and society is necessary to retain graduates who might otherwise leave for better opportunities abroad.
- The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation and Leader of the House of Parliament JJB
AI summary Minister Bimal Rathnayake responded to a Standing Order 27(2) question on the Kankesanthurai Port rehabilitation project, outlining delays caused by cost increases from the original USD 45.27 million Indian Exim Bank loan estimate to USD 61.5 million in the 2021 Detailed Project Report and the absence of confirmed additional financing. He said the Sri Lanka Ports Authority had meanwhile completed several works with its own funds, including repairs, security infrastructure, utilities, a passenger terminal, a warehouse and weighbridge, and was proceeding with breakwater rehabilitation and rail extension. He stated that India had in March 2024 indicated willingness to fund the full revised cost, but Sri Lanka is negotiating amendments to certain MoU clauses considered potentially adverse before proceeding. The Environmental Impact Assessment was completed in 2018, and procurement and construction are expected to take about three years once the amended MoU is concluded.
- The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. (Prof.) A.H.M.H. Abayarathna - Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government JJB
AI summary The Minister answered a Standing Order 27(2) question raised by Hon. K. Kader Masthan regarding the Government Translators’ Service. He stated that a structured service already exists, but salary issues arising from a proposed higher initial scale in the draft service minute are being addressed in line with the National Pay Policy and a Supreme Court judgment, with Special Grade promotions granted under Circular 12/2019. He said the Government will seek relevant concurrence and submit a Cabinet Memorandum, and that an independent committee is not presently necessary.
- The Hon. K. Kader Masthan SLLP
AI summary K. Kader Masthan referred to salary disparities affecting Special Class and Class I Translators following Circular 06/2006. He asked whether the Minister would assign the SL salary scale to Special Class Translators and the MN 7 scale to Class I Translators to address the claimed injustice and ensure fairness.
Public Finance Full speech → - The Hon. (Prof.) A.H.M.H. Abayarathna JJB
AI summary Discussions have been held with the relevant trade union representatives regarding their concerns. Necessary measures will be taken to address any identified issues.
Employment Full speech →
- 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