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
- 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
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB
AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe explained the Government’s paddy procurement and milling arrangements, stating that 50,000 MT was procured in the Yala season, with 20,000 MT subject to a services tender and another 20,000 MT planned for allocation to small and medium millers through co-operatives on a rotational basis. He rejected claims that the tender was intended for 50,000 MT or restricted to large millers, saying the process follows capacity and technical criteria. He also addressed criticism of Sri Lanka’s participation in the WTO Trade Policy Review in Geneva, describing it as a technical engagement involving multiple state institutions and warning that legal action would be taken against alleged misrepresentations. He concluded that the Government had made progress over the past year and would continue its programme with public and international support.
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana NDF
AI summary Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana questioned whether the Government had delivered on its promise of “A Prosperous Country - A Beautiful Life,” citing World Bank poverty figures, rising public debt, and continued borrowing. He argued that promised reductions in fuel prices, electricity costs, VAT on essentials, fair prices for farmers and fisherfolk, affordable vehicles, and collateral-free youth loans had not materialized. He called for Provincial Council elections to be held promptly in 2026 so voters could assess the Government’s performance, and criticized what he described as the Government’s focus on weekly political themes rather than implementation.
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka - Minister of Urban Development, Construction and Housing JJB
AI summary Minister Anura Karunathilaka responded to an Adjournment Motion calling for implementation of the NPP policy statement “A Prosperous Country - A Beautiful Life,” arguing that the Government is acting consistently with it and that any remaining issues concern timing rather than policy deviation. He rejected claims that the Government had promised to cancel the IMF programme, citing the policy’s commitment to re-discuss implementation with the IMF while protecting poor and vulnerable groups. He listed welfare and education measures, including increased Aswesuma benefits, school vouchers and supplies, Mahapola allowances, Suraksha insurance allocations, and higher social welfare expenditure. He also cited increased Inland Revenue, Customs and Excise collections as evidence of progress in tax administration and public financial management.
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB
AI summary Sajith Premadasa argued that the Government had failed to implement promised changes, citing the unfulfilled pledge for a new Debt Sustainability Analysis framework and IMF agreement, and criticized electricity tariff increases despite earlier promises of a 33% reduction. He questioned the Government’s economic direction in light of IMF conditions, future external debt servicing of about USD 5 billion annually from 2028, weak investment climate assessments, and World Bank concerns on poverty, wages, food prices, health and education. He also challenged the Government to explain why favourable statements by many countries at Geneva were not converted into votes against the Sri Lanka resolution, describing this as a failure of diplomacy and urging national unity and transparent domestic resolution of issues.
- The Hon. (Dr.) Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana SJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana raised a point of order referring to a Daily Mirror report quoting the Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security as saying the main conspirator behind the Easter Sunday attacks had been identified. He requested that the Government disclose who the alleged mastermind is and make a formal statement to Parliament.
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. (Mrs.) Samanmali Gunasingha JJB
AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Samanmali Gunasingha defended the Government’s “Prosperous Country - Beautiful Life” policy framework for 2024–2029, arguing that it is aimed at national unity, economic recovery, and equitable distribution of benefits. She cited increases in official reserves, debt servicing, resumed vehicle imports, revival of stalled projects, SOE improvements, fertilizer support, and public-sector salary measures as evidence of progress. She also listed implemented or initiated pledges, including Cabinet restructuring, abolition of MPs’ duty-free vehicle permits, reduced presidential privileges, reforms to retired Presidents’ benefits, AML/CFT measures, and tax administration changes. Referring to assessments such as PEARL’s tracking of 1,333 pledges and comments by the IMF and World Bank, she urged the Opposition to evaluate the Government’s programme fairly as an ongoing stabilization and reform process.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara SJB
AI summary R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara questioned whether the Government had fulfilled its first-year promises, particularly on public sector salaries and pensions, arguing that increases were far below commitments and that promised pension adjustments had not been made. He criticized reported moves to reduce the powers of the National Police Commission over transfers and promotions, saying this would undermine the intent of the 19th and 21st Amendments on independent commissions. He also asked what progress had been made on justice for the Easter Sunday attacks, including claims about “Sara” being in India, and challenged the Government over rising borrowing, lack of visible development projects, weak public purchasing power, and unfulfilled commitments to teachers under the Subodinee Report.
- The Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe - Deputy Minister of Labour JJB
AI summary Deputy Minister Mahinda Jayasinghe rejected a Member’s claim on pensions, stating that pension adjustments planned from 2020 after the 2016–2020 wage increases were halted by the Gotabaya Rajapaksa Government. He said the current Government will align pensions by 1 January 2027 for those retiring during the present three wage-adjustment phases, while phasing adjustments for 2016–2018 retirees between July 2025 and July 2027. He also stated that an Education Council chaired by the Prime Minister has been established and that a committee report led by Prof. S.T. Dayaratne will be presented, with the aim of professionalizing the teaching service, removing anomalies, and improving standards.
- The Hon. R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara SJB
AI summary R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara asked the Deputy Minister when the Government would fulfill its promise to pay two-thirds of the remaining settlement due under the Subodinee Report within the first year.
Public Finance Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe JJB
AI summary Mahinda Jayasinghe sought clarification on the meaning of “two-thirds” and urged that the debate not be prolonged. He said the Government would move quickly to bring legislation establishing the Education Council, using it as the mechanism to professionalize the education service and reduce anomalies.
Education Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. K.D. Lal Kantha - Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation JJB
AI summary The Minister argued that political decay, corruption and poor governance were the root causes of Sri Lanka’s wider economic and social collapse, and said the Government’s first priority has been to stabilize governance and change the political culture. He claimed the administration had ensured peaceful elections without reprisals or violence and created conditions for policy implementation under a corruption-free framework. On agriculture, he said the Government had intervened to secure fairer prices for paddy and big onion farmers, including through duty adjustments and purchases by Sathosa and supermarket chains, and highlighted the “Yaya 500” programme to improve productivity through coordinated irrigation, fertilizer and agronomic support. He stated that reduced public agitation reflected public confidence in Government action, and rejected calls for another immediate election after recent presidential and local authority polls.
- The Hon. Harsha de Silva SJB
AI summary Hon. Harsha de Silva raised a point of order regarding documents Minister Vasantha Samarasinghe had said were tabled on paddy procurement of 20,000 metric tons and 30,000 metric tons for SMEs. He stated that the Hansard Department had no record of such documents being tabled and requested that they be provided.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. D.V. Chanaka SLPP
AI summary D.V. Chanaka argued that the Government should be held to its first-year promises, particularly on initiating abolition of the executive presidency, reducing electricity and fuel costs, raising estate workers’ daily wage to Rs. 1,700, and building 4,000 houses. He questioned tariff increases after the election and cited economic indicators, FDI shortfalls, rising inflation, higher essential food prices, and farmer protests to argue that the Government’s management of agriculture, industry, and cost-of-living issues had fallen short. He also criticized underuse of cold storage facilities in Dambulla and said governance should not depend on whether public protests emerge.
- The Hon. (Dr.) Upali Pannilage - Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment JJB
AI summary Minister Upali Pannilage said the “Prosperous Country - Beautiful Life” policy statement was developed through consultations since 2018 and reflects post-Aragalaya demands for anti-corruption governance, rule of law, and national unity. He argued that the Government has reduced political corruption, applied the law equally, and built cross-community trust through its electoral mandate across most districts. Responding to Opposition criticisms, he cited projected poverty reduction, lower fuel prices, increased public sector salaries and tax thresholds, and tourism growth, while emphasizing multidimensional poverty measures. He outlined social protection and rural development measures, including a new Rural Development Agency, 184 village projects, higher elderly and disability allowances, increased Aswesuma payments, and expanded student support.
- The Hon. Dilith Jayaweera SB
AI summary Hon. Dilith Jayaweera argued that the Government is implementing a socialist-Marxist policy direction and linked this to its positions on territorial integrity and the unitary state. He questioned why Sri Lanka did not call for a vote on UN Human Rights Council draft resolution A/HRC/60/L.1/Rev.1 despite stating opposition to it, and objected to the proposed Independent Prosecutor’s Office, saying it undermines confidence in domestic legal institutions. He warned of consequences for war veterans and national sovereignty, criticized perceived shifts away from alliances such as BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, and tabled a Cardinal’s homily urging development consistent with culture, dignity, and independence from IMF-related dependency.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- 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