Sitting of Friday, 10 October 2025
Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 22640 ·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 Speaker's Ruling on Privilege Matter (7 October 2025) 1 speeches
- 2 Papers Auditor-General's Report: Printing Motion 1 speeches
- 3 Oral question Oral Questions and Government Answers (Questions 342/2024, 7/561/2025, 9/984/2025, 10/1120/2025, 8/625/2025) 56 speeches
- The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka - Chief Opposition Whip SJB
AI summary The Chief Opposition Whip argued that when over 20 Members request an Adjournment Motion on an issue involving the National Police Commission, it should be treated as urgent and taken up the same day. He also stated there was no objection to scheduling Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri’s motion for another day, as his speaking time had been reduced.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB
AI summary Hon. Ajith P. Perera raised concerns about delays in answering parliamentary questions, citing unanswered questions to the Prime Minister on Indian agreements and the X-Press Pearl incident. He requested that the Minister provide an answer on anti-corruption measures at least by the next sitting date.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law - Minister of Justice and National Integration JJB
AI summary The Minister of Justice and National Integration stated that he had requested relevant information from the Judicial Service Commission and therefore sought two weeks to respond. He noted that he had not previously asked for additional time on the question and requested the Member’s indulgence.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF
AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake raised a procedural concern about delays in placing and answering parliamentary questions, noting that a question submitted in 2024 was only being included in the Order Paper in late 2025. He called for a proper mechanism to ensure timely responses, particularly because Members are limited to asking one question per month.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha - Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning JJB
AI summary The Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning requested two weeks to gather the necessary data to respond to a question directed to the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development. The question was ordered to stand down.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK
AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam asked the Minister of Finance about Privelth Global (Pvt.) Ltd., a financial institution operating in several Eastern Province areas, and alleged that its directors had defrauded 1,400 people of over Rs. 1,700 million. He sought details on action against the directors, who were reportedly deported from India and are now missing, measures to recover and return the funds, and steps to improve monitoring and credibility of such institutions.
- The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha JJB
AI summary On behalf of the Finance Minister, Dr. Anil Jayantha stated that the Central Bank investigated Privelth Global (Pvt.) Limited after complaints in 2020 and found reports that it operated in several Eastern Province locations, collected about Rs. 1,356 million from 1,150 individuals, and had claimed repayments of around Rs. 800 million. He said the company was not licensed by the Central Bank to conduct banking, finance, microfinance, or leasing business, and that its directors had been arrested after attempting to flee to India. He added that the matter had been referred to the Attorney-General under the Finance Business Act for possible High Court proceedings, where any mechanism for settling liabilities to depositors and other parties would be determined.
- The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK
AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam raised concerns about unregulated financial entities such as Privelth Global and questioned whether depositors would be able to recover their funds through legal action. He asked the Government to investigate alleged unfair treatment and selective repayment of depositors in the liquidation of The Finance Company, and to ensure affected depositors are paid. He also urged action against entities registered only at Divisional Secretariat level that allegedly lend at interest rates of 200–300 percent, calling for such institutions to be brought under Central Bank oversight. He additionally referred to reports of Hon. Bimal Ratnayake’s removal from certain portfolios and linked it to public confidence in any investigation into the container case.
- The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha JJB
AI summary Cabinet changes will be reported to Parliament in due course, with the Minister stating they involve a reallocation of subjects to better align responsibilities rather than removals. Regarding The Finance Company, he said the Government would examine its regulatory status, Central Bank monitoring, and any shortcomings, noting that registration at Divisional Secretariat level is not equivalent to licensing and supervision as a financial institution by the Central Bank.
- The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha JJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha said some entities presenting themselves as microfinance institutions operate outside the Microfinance Act, often under the Companies Act, limiting Central Bank supervision and requiring action under general criminal law where fraud is involved. He stated that the Government is examining these regulatory gaps and intends to introduce a new Bill on the microfinance sector. Regarding Privelth Global (Pvt.) Limited, he said action to recover depositors’ money depends on evidence that deposits were accepted, and requested affected persons to submit such evidence so authorities can proceed.
- The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK
AI summary Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam thanked the Minister for the response and expressed willingness to work with ministers and the newly appointed State Minister on rehabilitating ports. He then yielded the second supplementary question to Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB
AI summary Sajith Premadasa raised concerns about illegal financial institutions, online loan schemes, and vehicle seizure groups, citing major depositor losses at the Eastern Hewagamkorala Cooperative Society and alleged harassment of borrowers through social media and workplaces. He asked the Minister what action would be taken to protect the public from illegal micro and small loan rackets, online lending operations charging excessive interest, and unlawful vehicle seizures.
- The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha JJB
AI summary Dr. Anil Jayantha responded to concerns about illegal microfinance and finance schemes, noting that many operate through legal corporate registration while conducting unregulated financial activities, sometimes with political or influential backing. He said the Government, with the Central Bank and Financial Intelligence Unit, is strengthening supervision under the anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing framework ahead of the March 2026 evaluation, and will use new legislation to regulate the thousands of unregistered village-level microfinance operators. He also highlighted online financial fraud and pyramid-style schemes, stressing the need for legal action and improved financial literacy to prevent people being misled by unrealistically high returns.
- The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB
AI summary From 2015 to 2024, government hospital data recorded a rise in leptospirosis hospitalizations from 10,036 to 20,200, with reported deaths ranging from 155 to 325 annually. Control measures include national and district guideline committees, targeted programmes in identified high-risk districts, expert subcommittees, public and community awareness campaigns, doxycycline prophylaxis, hospital mortality reviews, updated clinical guidelines, medical officer training, and research on environmental and animal-related factors. Sri Lanka also intends to propose at the 2025 World Health Assembly that leptospirosis be recognized as a priority neglected disease.
Healthcare Full speech → - The Hon. Rohana Bandara
AI summary Hon. Rohana Bandara noted that leptospirosis admissions were rising ahead of the Maha cultivation season, when farmers are entering fields, and urged stronger promotion and wider implementation of doxycycline prophylaxis. He proposed using private media as a public service alongside state media and integrating prophylaxis prompts into fertilizer subsidy registration processes. He asked what immediate steps would be taken during the short preventive window, warning that severe cases require limited ICU capacity and can lead to avoidable deaths.
- The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa said cultivated land and the number of farmers have increased, prompting Cabinet approval of an additional Rs. 5,000 million for fertilizer assistance. He noted that many new cultivators may lack awareness despite media campaigns and said the Government would consider using private media to strengthen farmer guidance. He stated that doxycycline stocks are sufficient for three months, with a further nine months’ supply expected shortly, and emphasized the need to inform farmers entering fields and ensure prompt prophylactic treatment.
- The Hon. Rohana Bandara
AI summary Hon. Rohana Bandara raised concerns about chronic kidney disease patients, particularly in Anuradhapura District and Medawachchiya, saying dialysis needles are in short supply due to procurement delays and some patients are being sent home without treatment. He noted that kidney disease screening by the National Unit for Prevention and Research on Kidney Disease had stopped for ten months despite previously conducting about 350 screenings a day, leading to late detection and higher costs. He asked that preliminary screenings be resumed and dialysis needles be supplied urgently.
Healthcare Full speech → - The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa said dialysis services were being maintained at hospitals including the National Institute in Polonnaruwa and Badulla Teaching Hospital, with no reported patient transfers. He acknowledged temporary shortages of fistula needles due to local procurement delays, during which some patients had been asked to purchase needles privately, but said private imports and expedited procurement would stabilize supplies. He added that the Medical Supplies Division would distribute fistula needles to hospitals in the coming days and undertook to examine the screening issue raised.
Healthcare Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna - Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure JJB
AI summary The Minister reported that Sri Lanka received international recognition at a tea auction in Osaka, where New Vithanakanda Tea Factory won a gold award and set a Guinness record with black tea priced at USD 860 per kilo. Responding to Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake, he stated that 662 tea factories are registered and 567 are producing in 2025, and rejected as false a claim that about 225 factories had closed this year. He said only six factories had closed in 2025 while ten previously closed factories had reopened, and added that the Sri Lanka Tea Board, Tea Small Holdings Development Authority and Tea Research Institute are carrying out programmes to support sustainability and productivity.
Agriculture Full speech → - The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF
AI summary Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake said his question on tea factory closures had been submitted six months earlier after a former Tea Small Holdings Development Authority Chairman claimed 225 factories had closed in a year, a statement later corrected, and he also noted that a Minister’s claim about Sri Lanka winning a Nobel prize for tea was inaccurate. He welcomed the planned issuing of deeds in Bandarawela to people connected to estates, but asked whether estate workers, who have long sought a wage increase, would receive one this year given the government’s time in office.
- The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna JJB
AI summary Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna responded to questions on the tea industry, stating that some factory closures were due to accidents or management and workforce shortages, and affirmed the Government’s commitment to safeguarding the sector. He said the Kahagalla facility processes waste tea and is operating below capacity because only 20 workers are available out of the 155 needed. He also outlined a housing deed programme for the Malaiyaha community, saying 2,056 houses built with Indian assistance, each with basic infrastructure and 10-perch plots, will receive ownership deeds, with 237 ready for initial distribution at Bandarawela under the President’s leadership.
- The Hon. Jeevan Thondaman UNP
AI summary Jeevan Thondaman raised a point of order challenging a minister’s claim that 2,056 houses would be provided on the 12th, arguing that only certificates were being issued and that the beneficiaries had not received houses. He alleged that the government had been in office for a year without building any houses.
- The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna JJB
AI summary K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna assured the House that the public need not be alarmed regarding ownership deeds for completed houses in Bandarawela. He stated that while 2,056 completed houses cannot all be handed over in a single day, the deeds will be provided.
Land & Housing Full speech → - The Hon. Mano Ganesan SJB
AI summary Asked whether the deeds would be granted, seeking a direct response on the provision of property title documents.
Land & Housing Full speech → - The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna JJB
AI summary Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna stated that legal ownership deeds will be issued for 2,056 houses as they are completed and handed over. He rejected claims that only informal papers were being provided, saying formal ownership documents would be granted in the presence of the President.
Land & Housing Full speech → - The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka SJB
AI summary Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka raised a point of order noting that during the good governance administration, Sinnaakkara (Crown grant) deeds were issued for plots. The intervention appears to be directed to the Minister in the context of land grant or deed issuance matters.
- The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna JJB
AI summary Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna responded to Hon. Jeevan Thondaman’s remark that the Government should not provide “a mere paper,” stating that the initiative represents more than documentation. He said President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s statement at Hatton, marking 200 years, affirmed the Government’s commitment to provide land and house ownership, and that this promise is being implemented.
Land & Housing Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF
AI summary Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake noted that no answer had been provided to the first matter raised, concerning an increase in estate workers’ wages.
Employment Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna JJB
AI summary K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna stated that the Budget increased public servants’ basic salaries and that private-sector wages had also been raised within the legal framework. He said the Government is intervening with 69 estate employers to implement the President’s policy decision to raise estate workers’ daily wage to Rs. 1,700.
- The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF
AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake disputed the answer given in Parliament, stating it was entirely incorrect. He said that under President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s government, funds were allocated in 2016 for 5,000 houses following requests by Hon. Palani Digambaram and Hon. Mano Ganesan.
Land & Housing Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF
AI summary Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake yielded his second supplementary question to Hon. Jeevan Thondaman.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Jeevan Thondaman UNP
AI summary Jeevan Thondaman accused the Minister of misleading Parliament about housing delivery and asked how many houses had been built during the year. He also demanded a timeline for preparing and issuing 2,307 deeds and pressed the Minister to state whether estate wages could be increased.
- The Hon. Nishantha Perera JJB
AI summary Raised a point of order under Standing Order 34(2), arguing that a question being considered was improperly turning into a debate. He requested adherence to the rule that questions should not be used as a pretext for debate.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna JJB
AI summary K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna stated that 2,056 houses are being built this year with Indian assistance and that Rs. 1,300 million from the Treasury is being used for infrastructure development, including 456 houses. He said 50 families displaced by the 2023 Kabaraagala, Haldummulla landslide, who had been housed in a closed factory for two years, are now receiving houses with roofing work and construction support from the Tri-Forces. He also stated that the Government is increasing estate workers’ daily wage to Rs. 1,700 to better meet living standards.
- The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB
AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Digital Economy, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa requested two weeks to provide an answer to the question. The question was accordingly ordered to stand down.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB
AI summary On behalf of the Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa requested two weeks to provide an answer to the question. The question was ordered to stand down.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Padmasiri Bandara (on behalf of the Hon. Ravindra Bandara) JJB
AI summary Asked the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to provide detailed information in response to a multi-part question submitted on behalf of Hon. Ravindra Bandara. The questions covered several unspecified items under parts (a) and (b), requiring answers to sub-questions (i) to (v) and (i) to (vii), respectively.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha JJB
AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Dr. Anil Jayantha tabled answers regarding the recruitment and placement of 10,326 graduates under a 2000 Ministry of Finance and Planning letter, including appointment dates for three intakes and confirmation instructions. He stated that institutional details and service minutes should be obtained from the respective bodies, that recruitment schemes have been prepared, and that promotions are governed either by the Development Officers’ Service Minute or by schemes being prepared by relevant departments.
- The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB
AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa raised a Private Notice question under Standing Order 27(2) seeking government responses on unresolved issues in the education sector, including university academic vacancies, staff recruitment, salary anomalies, facilities, and the migration of academics. He requested data and policy explanations on reported school closures, education reforms including the status of History and Aesthetics subjects, and promised teacher salary increases, difficult area allowances, and Guru Setha loan interest reductions. He also sought specific timelines for recruiting Central Province teacher examination candidates and implementing the settlement to absorb Development Officers who served as teachers into the teacher service.
- The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa clarified that a reference to having a school within a maximum distance of three kilometres should not be interpreted as constructing schools at three-kilometre intervals. He stated that the Prime Minister, in her capacity as Minister of Education, would respond in the following sitting week to questions raised by the Leader of the Opposition.
- The Hon. Sajith Premadasa SJB
AI summary Sajith Premadasa sought the Speaker’s permission to briefly present a statement attributed to the President about establishing “a school every three kilometres.” The intervention appears to be aimed at placing the President’s words on record in relation to education policy or commitments.
Education Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Sajith Premadasa SJB
AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa referred to a statement by the President, asserting that it should be accepted as the President’s own words. He cautioned against challenging matters without sufficient knowledge.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF
AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake, raising a question under Standing Order 27(2), called for reforms to make Sri Lanka’s gem industry more export-oriented and better able to generate foreign exchange and employment. He argued that despite Sri Lanka’s historic reputation for gems, the sector is constrained by limited mining access, weak value addition, poor market access, inefficiencies, and irregularities in oversight and stock handling. He questioned whether high taxation, excessive licensing, and over-regulation are discouraging small miners and traders and pushing activity into informal channels, and urged steps to revive and relaunch the industry.
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- 5 Procedural Privilege Motion: Hon. Nalin Hewage 1 speeches
- 6 Debate Private Members' Motion P.41/2025: Ruwanpura Expressway 15 speeches
- 7 Debate Private Members' Motion P.42/2025: Sinharaja Tourism Zone 12 speeches
- 8 Debate Private Members' Motion P.43/2025: Integrating Law and Ethics to School Curriculum 15 speeches
- 9 Debate Private Members' Motion P.46/2025: National Drug Quality Assurance Laboratory 15 speeches
- 10 Debate Private Members' Motion P.47/2025: Insurance Scheme for Farming Community 17 speeches
- 11 Adjournment Adjournment: Motion on Independence of National Police Commission (SO 19(2)) 21 speeches