Politick Parliament. On record. For every citizen.
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
10th Parliament· 154 sittings on record · 30,475 speeches · latest 10 June 2026

Sitting of Friday, 10 October 2025

10th Parliament· 11 debates· 177 speeches· 58 speakers

Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 22640 ·English daily/uncorrected Hansard

‹ Previous sitting Next sitting ›

Order of business

Speeches load per item. Summaries shown here are AI-generated and labelled; verbatim text is on each speech page.

  6. 6 Debate Private Members' Motion P.41/2025: Ruwanpura Expressway 15 speeches
    • The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
      Full speech →
    • The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB

      AI summary Sajith Premadasa said he opposes political parties formed on the basis of religion, ethnicity, caste or class, but argued that such parties emerge when mainstream parties fail to address community grievances fairly. Referring to post-Easter attack communal tensions and examples from India, he said these political formations cannot be curtailed until just solutions are provided and the fundamental rights of non-Sinhala communities are protected.

      Religion & CultureJustice & Human RightsEthnic Reconciliation & Devolution Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB

      AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa stated that, given objections from party leaders and Members to a Motion on banning parties formed on ethnic and religious bases, the debate should not proceed at that moment. He proposed that the matter be discussed at noon in the Committee on Parliamentary Business to decide whether it should be taken up.

      Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
    • The Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi SJB

      AI summary Moved a motion urging the Government to continue and implement the Ruwanpura Expressway in phases, arguing that it would benefit Ratnapura, Badulla, Hambantota, Monaragala and sectors such as tourism, gems, tea and cinnamon exports. He called for clarity on financing, credit arrangements and a commencement timeline, and criticized the Government for making broad development promises without time-bound delivery. He also referred to Indian-credit housing, the Kelani Valley Railway extension proposal, and other infrastructure commitments, asking Ministers to provide direct and specific answers.

      InfrastructureAgriculturePublic Finance Full speech →
    • The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
      Full speech →
    • The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF

      AI summary Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake seconded the Motion calling for continuation of the Ruwanpura Expressway and urged the Government to complete it along with the Kandy Expressway within the next five years. He argued that a Ruwanpura route via Horana and Ratnapura would shorten travel to Badulla compared with the current route via Matara, and cited congestion and travel times on existing roads as reasons for prioritising these projects. He also requested completion of related routes such as the Walapane–Rikillagaskada road and said he would acknowledge infrastructure delivery regardless of which Government implements it.

      Infrastructure Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Dr.) Janaka Senarathna JJB

      AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Janaka Senarathna said the Ruwanpura Expressway has not been abandoned, noting that the Kahatuduwa–Ingiriya section is proceeding with land acquisition while the Ingiriya–Ratnapura section requires a new feasibility study and redesign due to riverine alignments, landslide risks, and the planned Kelani Valley Railway extension. He cited the 2018 feasibility study’s projected economic benefits and linked delays to the 2022 financial crisis, while also alleging past irregularities in road development and “paper” road projects in Ratnapura. He further stated that the Government intends to restore the Kelani Valley Railway to Ratnapura and address losses in the gem sector, where export earnings are lower than estimated annual mining costs.

      InfrastructurePublic Finance Full speech →
    • The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK

      AI summary Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam supported the proposal for a Ratnapura highway but urged the Government to give equal priority to transport connectivity in the underdeveloped North and East, including earlier proposals for expressways to Batticaloa and the Northern region. He raised concerns about loan terms and corruption allegations linked to past highway projects, calling for prudent financing and greater reliance on grants, including from India. He also urged development of Trincomalee Harbour, Batticaloa Airport, Jaffna–Palali Airport and Kankesanthurai Harbour, stating that improved regional infrastructure could help attract funding for further highway development.

      Corruption & Governance ReformInfrastructureForeign Affairs Full speech →
    • The Hon. Shantha Pathma Kumara Subasingha JJB

      AI summary Hon. Shantha Pathma Kumara Subasingha said the Ruwanpura Expressway has not been halted, noting a 2025 Budget allocation of Rs. 2,500 million for planning and land acquisition and a presidential pledge to begin Phase I from Kahatuduwa to Ingiriya next year. He outlined related transport plans for Ratnapura, including widening the Ingiriya–Ratnapura road and High Level Road, restarting the Kelani Valley Railway with a Rs. 250 million allocation, and funding several national and rural road upgrades in the district. He also reported progress on the Central Expressway and maintenance of the Southern Expressway, framing these works as part of islandwide balanced development.

      InfrastructurePublic Finance Full speech →
    • The Hon. Jeevan Thondaman UNP

      AI summary Hon. Jeevan Thondaman supported the Motion on the Ruwanpura Expressway and emphasized the importance of road development in estate areas, citing road rehabilitation and funding allocations made during his period in government. He raised procedural concerns about his microphone being cut off in the Chamber and criticized alleged misstatements regarding housing, asking how many houses the current administration had built and distinguishing between completed houses and land or ownership certificates. He also questioned progress on estate workers’ wage increases, referring to earlier proposals for a Rs. 1,700 wage and competing demands for Rs. 2,138.

      InfrastructureParliamentary ProcedureEmployment Full speech →
    • The Hon. J.C. Alawathuwala SJB

      AI summary Hon. J.C. Alawathuwala supported the Motion, stating that expressways are important for reducing travel time and promoting economic activity, including tourism. He noted that the Ruwanpura Expressway had been delayed after earlier groundbreakings due to the economic crisis but had now been recommenced, and urged its swift implementation to improve access to Ratnapura. He also called on the Deputy Minister of Transport and Highways to expedite the Kurunegala–Dambulla section of the Central Expressway, citing its importance for connectivity to Polonnaruwa, Anuradhapura, Trincomalee and the North, and noting that much of the land acquisition had already been completed.

      Infrastructure Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Dr.) Prasanna Gunasena - Acting Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development JJB

      AI summary Acting Minister Prasanna Gunasena said the Government is prioritizing the resumption of the halted Ruwanpura Expressway, beginning with the Kahatuduwa–Ingiriya section, while examining investor-backed and domestic financing options. He stated that the expressway would be integrated with the Kelani Valley Railway extension to Ratnapura, including road-rail realignment, removal of level crossings, limited resettlement with compensation, and a Cabinet-backed feasibility study. He also outlined progress and targets on the Central Expressway and northern transport projects, including the Vattuvakal Bridge, reopening of the Palali road, rail signalling upgrades, and replacement of old rail bridges.

      Infrastructure Full speech →
    • The Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi SJB

      AI summary Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi reiterated his call for the rapid commencement of the Ruwanpura Expressway, noting cross-party support and the Deputy Minister’s assurance that the project would proceed. He said the confirmed Ingiriya section was welcome, but requested clarity on the alignment and phasing towards Ratnapura and Pelmadulla, while accepting that the full route could not be built at once. He also argued that improved road access and stronger legal mechanisms for accurate gem export valuation could help Ratnapura capture greater economic value from the gem industry.

      Public FinanceInfrastructure Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Dr.) Janaka Senarathna JJB

      AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Janaka Senarathna raised a point of Order responding to Hon. Hesha Withanage’s allegation that he had made an untrue statement. He cited Central Bank, National Gem and Jewellery Authority, and EDB reports, stating that gem exports earned USD 168 million last year and about USD 100 million annually over two decades, while operating about 8,000 mines costs around USD 200 million a year. He asked that relevant research on the sector’s economic and environmental impacts be reviewed and suggested holding a separate debate on the matter.

      Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
    • The Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi SJB

      AI summary Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi clarified that his remarks were not a personal challenge to another Member. He argued that weaknesses in the legal framework allow gem buyers to under-declare export values, and said stronger laws would help prevent losses to export earnings.

      Public Finance Full speech →