Sitting of Thursday, 9 October 2025
Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 22973 ·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 Announcements 8 speeches
- 2 Oral question Oral Question 1: Oil Tanks and Pipeline in Kankesanthurai (Cement Corporation) 21 speeches
- 3 Oral question Oral Question 2: Hospitals in Galle District 22 speeches
- 4 Oral question Oral Question 3: Telecommunication Towers in Mahaweli System C 6 speeches
- 5 Oral question Oral Question 4: Special Schools and Standing Order 27(2) Questions 9 speeches
- 6 Debate Ministry Statements and Clarifications on Independent Commissions and Provincial Council Elections 45 speeches
- Mr. Speaker procedural
- Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB
AI summary Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya commended the Sri Lanka Election Commission after it was recognized as the best Election Commission in the world at the 21st International Conference organized by the ICPS and Botswana’s electoral body, noting its constitutional role in safeguarding free and fair elections. Responding to Hon. Ravi Karunanayake’s Standing Order 27(2) question, she clarified that there are nine constitutional Independent Commissions, with the National Women’s Commission newly added, while the PUCSL is a statutory body rather than a constitutional Independent Commission. She stated that some Commissions use approved SOPs while others rely on internal guidelines, and that adopting or publishing such procedures remains within each Commission’s independent authority unless Parliament creates a legal requirement.
- The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF
AI summary Ravi Karunanayake thanked the Prime Minister for the response but questioned the accountability framework for independent bodies, specifically asking where the Central Bank fits if it operates independently yet appears to lack clear accountability. He also asked how the Government ensures proper conduct by Independent Commissions if their standard operating procedures are formulated internally, while noting the Prime Minister’s reference to the Election Commission being internationally recognized.
- Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya stated that Sri Lanka’s Election Commission has received international recognition as the best in the world, extending beyond the regional level. The remark emphasized the Commission’s standing and credibility in the context of electoral administration.
Foreign Affairs Full speech → - The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF
AI summary Ravi Karunanayake questioned whether the Commission should recommend a timeline for long-delayed Provincial Council Elections, stating that independence should deliver practical benefits to the public. He also asked how the Central Bank’s independence operates in practice, particularly who formulates its standard operating procedures and how differences between Government policy preferences on interest rates and Central Bank decisions are managed.
- Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF
AI summary Ravi Karunanayake asked the Prime Minister how the Government intends to proceed regarding Independent Commissions, specifically referring to the Election Commission and Central Bank independence. He proposed establishing a Youth Commission, citing the post-1987 Youth Unrest Commission under President Ranasinghe Premadasa as a precedent, and questioned why such a body should not exist alongside commissions such as a Women’s Commission.
Corruption & Governance Reform Full speech → - Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya commended the Election Commission for being named the best in the world, describing it as important to strengthening democracy. She argued that delays in Provincial Council Elections were not caused by the Commission, but by parliamentary processes and actions taken by the then-Government during the Opposition’s previous period in power.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF
AI summary Ravi Karunanayake stated that the current Government came to power as a result of mistakes made by his Government. The remark was a brief political admission attributing the change in power to the previous administration’s shortcomings.
Corruption & Governance Reform Full speech → - Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya stated that the Government is addressing identified issues and rejected claims that it avoids elections, noting that three elections, including previously postponed ones, were held peacefully. She also said the Central Bank’s independence is established by law enacted under the previous Government, and invited proposals to amend that law or to establish a Youth Commission for discussion.
- Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Vijitha Herath - Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism JJB
AI summary Minister Vijitha Herath reviewed the history of UN Human Rights Council resolutions on Sri Lanka, arguing that successive governments failed to address post-war human rights, reconciliation and accountability issues domestically, leading to continued international scrutiny and mechanisms such as the Sri Lanka Accountability Project. He said the current Government inherited this situation in 2024 and intends to “de-internationalize” the process by protecting the rights of all communities and resolving issues through strong, independent domestic institutions. He also noted that the composition and voting dynamics of the Human Rights Council make it difficult for Sri Lanka to defeat such resolutions, with Sri Lanka having won only the 2009 vote on its own resolution.
- Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK
AI summary The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam raised a point of Order and requested clarification from the Chair. No substantive policy issue, proposal, or legislative matter was stated in the excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF
AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake rose on a point of Order. No substantive argument, question, or proposal was recorded in the provided speech text.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF
AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake acknowledged the Foreign Minister’s response and the statement made by Sri Lanka’s UN Permanent Representative, Himali Arunatilaka. He questioned why Sri Lanka did not call for a vote, arguing that doing so would have demonstrated global support following the statement.
- Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Vijitha Herath JJB
AI summary Hon. Vijitha Herath stated that he had already explained in detail during his speech why a vote was not sought. He indicated that this prior explanation constituted his answer to the matter raised.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF
AI summary Ravi Karunanayake stated that his question was asked due to lack of knowledge on the matter.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK
AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam sought clarification from the Foreign Minister regarding a statement made about his party and the country. He questioned why the Minister had not mentioned Provincial Council Elections and accused the Government of misleading the international community on that issue.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK
AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam questioned the Minister’s statement in Geneva that the delimitation process had been completed and raised the issue of holding Provincial Council elections. The intervention sought clarification on the status of the delimitation process and the Government’s position on conducting the elections.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar - Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources JJB
AI summary The Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources rose under Standing Order 27(2). No substantive remarks, proposals, or questions are included in the provided excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Vijitha Herath JJB
AI summary Vijitha Herath stated that, during his visit to Geneva, he had clearly set out the Government’s position on the Provincial Councils Election.
Ethnic Reconciliation & Devolution Full speech → - The Hon. Jeevan Thondaman UNP
AI summary Hon. Jeevan Thondaman rose on a point of Order. No substantive argument, proposal, or question is recorded in the provided excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Jeevan Thondaman UNP
AI summary Hon. Jeevan Thondaman sought clarification on the Government’s position and timetable for holding Provincial Council Elections, including the proposed delimitation process referenced in Geneva. He also asked about the composition of the Office for Reparations, specifically whether its membership consists only of ex-servicemen, whether others are included, and whether additional members will be appointed.
- The Hon. Vijitha Herath JJB
AI summary Vijitha Herath stated that Parliament has a duty to address delimitation and that the process will be concluded once completed. He added that matters concerning the Office for Reparations fall under a separate body and that the question would be referred to it for a final response.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Jeevan Thondaman UNP
AI summary Hon. Jeevan Thondaman asked for the Government’s timeline for holding the Provincial Councils Election. The intervention was a brief procedural question seeking clarification on when the elections would take place.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Vijitha Herath JJB
AI summary Vijitha Herath stated that Provincial Council Elections would be held the following year after discussions on delimitation and the electoral system. He noted that Parliament would decide whether the elections proceed under the previous system or a new one.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva raised a point of Order. No substantive argument, proposal, or policy matter was presented in the excerpt provided.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva urged the Government not to fear votes, citing Sri Lanka’s experience in Brussels regarding GSP Plus. He said that when a vote was sought there, Sri Lanka’s position prevailed by a large margin, with around 400 votes in favour and about 100 against.
Foreign Affairs Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar - Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources JJB
AI summary The Minister tabled a response detailing enforcement action under the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Act, reporting 568 cases in Northern and Eastern districts in 2024 and 362 cases up to end-August 2025 for offences including illegal gear, prohibited species, unlicensed fishing, and unauthorized Indian operations. He stated that district officers have been instructed to act on complaints despite resource constraints, that 30 prosecutions under the Foreign Fishing Boats Act have been instituted this year and 15 Indian trawlers confiscated, and that no Ministry development activity is taking place at Kurikattuwan. He also outlined the phased development of Myliddy Fisheries Harbour, said sea cucumber aquaculture sites are assessed by relevant agencies before approval, and noted recent Cabinet approvals to fill technical vacancies in the Department.
- The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK
AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam raised a privilege matter alleging he was denied the opportunity to seek clarification through a question to the Prime Minister on the UN High Commissioner’s report. He said his question, submitted and amended between 02 and 03 October 2025, was ultimately deferred for two weeks on 08 October, while an inaccurate statement was made that it had been received only on 07 October. He requested that the matter be referred to the Committee on Ethics and Privileges and that an inquiry determine whether delays occurred in the Prime Minister’s Office, the Office of the Leader of the House, or the Office of the Secretary-General of Parliament.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK
AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam asked whether his raised privilege matter would be referred to the Committee on Ethics and Privileges.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya clarified that the Office of the Leader of the House had asked for the question to be reduced to the 150-word limit, and that the revised version reached her office around noon two days earlier. She stated that the amended question differed substantially from the original and that she had not refused to answer it, but had requested two weeks to provide a response. She rejected any suggestion of a conspiracy regarding the answer to the Member’s question.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- 7 Procedural Procedural: Bills Presented and Privilege Matter Motion 4 speeches
- 8 Adjournment Adjournment Motion: Implementation of Manifesto "A Thriving Nation, A Beautiful Life" - Opening Speeches 14 speeches
- 9 Adjournment Adjournment Debate: Implementation of Manifesto - Government and Opposition Speeches 22 speeches
- 10 Adjournment Adjournment Debate: Implementation of Manifesto - Multiple Speakers 25 speeches
- 11 Adjournment Adjournment Debate: Implementation of Manifesto - Continued Discussion 34 speeches
- 12 Adjournment Adjournment Debate: Implementation of Manifesto - Final Speeches 8 speeches
- 13 Oral question Questions on Advisers and Personal Staff of Ministers 6 speeches