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
- 4 Procedural Business of Parliament: Private Members' Motions - Point of Order on Motion P.30/2025 23 speeches
- 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
- The Hon. (Dr.) Dammika Patabendi - Minister of Environment JJB
AI summary The Minister of Environment, Hon. (Dr.) Dammika Patabendi, formally moved the motion for Parliament to adjourn. No substantive policy issues, proposals, or questions were raised.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Arjuna Sujeewa Senasinghe, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Arjuna Sujeewa Senasinghe moved an adjournment motion urging Parliament to intervene over reported plans to transfer powers over OIC transfers from the National Police Commission to the IGP by Gazette. He argued that such a move would undermine the constitutional independence of the NPC, as strengthened under the 19th and 21st Amendments, and said he had written to the Speaker as Chair of the Constitutional Council seeking urgent action. He linked the issue to concerns over politicization of investigative institutions and rising organized crime, citing figures for serious incidents and murders in 2024 and early 2025, and requested the Prime Minister to act to preserve the Commission’s independence.
- The Hon. D.V. Chanaka SLPP
AI summary Hon. D.V. Chanaka seconded the Motion supporting the independence of the National Police Commission, arguing that the powers granted under the 19th Amendment over police appointments, promotions, transfers, discipline, and dismissal should remain with the Commission. He requested government intervention to ensure Special Task Force officers receive fair promotion parity with other police ranks. He also cited allegations of politicized transfers and intimidation of officers, warning that shifting NPC powers to the IGP could worsen abuse and undermine police independence.
- The Hon. Ananda Wijepala - Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs JJB
AI summary The Minister stated that the JVP and NPP have consistently supported Independent Commissions and their powers, framing them as important to democratic governance and institutional independence. He appears to be addressing the Government’s position on such commissions in the context of parliamentary debate, emphasizing continuity with those parties’ stated policy stance.
- The Hon. Ananda Wijepala JJB
AI summary Hon. Ananda Wijepala rejected claims that the Government was seeking to abolish or reclaim the powers of Independent Commissions, arguing that the NPP/JVP had consistently supported their independence while others had supported earlier rollbacks. He said the Constitution, particularly Articles 155A and 155G, permits the National Police Commission to delegate specified powers to the IGP or other authorities by Gazette, while retaining overall authority and setting conditions. He cited previous Gazettes from 2011, 2016 and 2020 as precedents and tabled two of them, stating that current concerns relate to transfers of Officers-in-Charge rather than new appointments. He also alleged that past OIC appointments had been politically influenced and maintained that any present delegation must follow NPC criteria such as performance records and pending disciplinary or legal matters.
- The Hon. Arjuna Sujeewa Senasinghe, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Arjuna Sujeewa Senasinghe raised a point of order, addressing a Minister regarding whether Members were present in a particular context. He sought clarification after noting that some had stated otherwise.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Ananda Wijepala JJB
AI summary Ananda Wijepala argued that the debate concerned transfers of Officers-in-Charge in the Police, not appointments, and said such transfers are lawful when powers are delegated by the National Police Commission under the Constitution. He cited previous Gazette notifications as precedents and stated that the President or Minister does not acquire these powers, while the IGP must follow Commission-set criteria and affected officers may appeal to the Commission. He rejected claims of politicization, contrasted current procedures with alleged past political influence in OIC appointments, and said the Government is strengthening police independence, discipline, promotions, resources, and rule-of-law enforcement.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Najith Indika JJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Najith Indika argued that the National Police Commission’s delegation of powers to the IGP regarding OIC transfers is constitutionally permitted under Article 155G(1) and does not amount to a reduction of Commission powers. He said the delegation is revocable, subject to criteria and limits, and supported by the Attorney General’s clarification that SI, IP, and CI officers may serve as OICs without it constituting a promotion or demotion. He linked the need for swift operational decisions to current action against organized crime and drug networks, while rejecting allegations of political pressure on the NPC. He also criticized the Opposition for requesting the debate under Standing Order 19 as urgent while many of the Members who supported it were absent.
- The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara alleged that the National Police Commission was being pressured over police transfers, particularly OIC appointments, and cited media reports, presidential remarks, and an NPC media release explaining its retained powers under Article 155G. He argued that recent transfers of 34 officers and wider OIC transfer processes lacked transparency, proper inquiries, and merit-based criteria, with performance reports allegedly manipulated to favour certain officers. He demanded that transfers be conducted through due process, asked that disabled police officers be assigned suitable light duties, and called for review of prison overcrowding and recent SI promotions. He warned that if the Government would not allow the NPC to function independently, it should formally move to abolish it rather than undermine it.
- The Hon. Ananda Wijepala JJB
AI summary Hon. Ananda Wijepala raised a point of order disputing previous claims about staff transfers, stating that all transfers had National Police Commission approval. He said around 4,000 uniformed personnel are on non-uniform light duties and that any reassignments of disabled officers occurred only after a second medical board, with no officer being forced into unsuitable work.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Sunil Watagala, Attorney-at-Law - Deputy Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs JJB
AI summary Deputy Minister Sunil Watagala opposed the Opposition motion, arguing that delegation of police transfer powers by the National Police Commission through Gazette notification would be constitutional under Article 155G(2). He said affected officers already have appeal mechanisms through the NPC, the Administrative Appeals Tribunal, and fundamental rights jurisdiction, and defended the need for IGP discretion in deploying officers for operations against drugs and organized crime. He rejected newspaper-based allegations and crime claims as unproven, contending that the motion sought to pressure independent bodies such as the NPC, CIABOC and CID and lacked any identified illegality.
- The Hon. Susantha Dodawatta, Attorney-at-Law JJB
AI summary Hon. Susantha Dodawatta rejected the adjournment motion, arguing that the Opposition figures sponsoring it had previously supported or enabled measures such as the 18th and 20th Amendments that weakened independent commissions. He stated that the National Police Commission’s delegation of powers by Gazette was constitutionally permissible and did not amount to curtailing its authority. He further argued that the current Government is supporting an independent and effective Police service while acting against organized crime, drug networks, and political wrongdoing.
- The Hon. U.P. Abeywickrama, Attorney-at-Law JJB
AI summary Hon. U.P. Abeywickrama argued that constitutional safeguards and independent commissions depend on political leadership and institutional respect, not merely legal provisions. He cited the 17th Amendment in 2001 as a progressive reform establishing independent commissions, contrasted with later amendments that weakened or restored them, and criticized past governments for politicizing appointments. He maintained that under the current Government the commissions, including the National Police Commission, are exercising their constitutional powers freely.
- The Hon. Rohana Bandara
AI summary Hon. Rohana Bandara argued that the Government was using measures such as a Cabinet reshuffle and a delayed Gazette to avoid accountability over issues including the 323 missing containers and to bypass the National Police Commission. He warned that undermining Independent Commissions would politicize the Police and return it to practices seen before the Commissions were strengthened, citing alleged incidents in Kalutara and Monaragala as examples of political pressure. He urged the Government not to threaten Commissioners, defended the role of the 19th Amendment in strengthening democratic safeguards, criticized the 20th Amendment, and called for disabled police officers to receive suitable postings without arbitrary transfers.
- Hon. [Name not clearly identified in OCR]
AI summary The member questioned the transfer of disabled police officers who had long been permitted to serve near their homes, arguing that officers disabled in service or for health reasons should not lose that accommodation. He alleged political influence over police and Civil Security Committee appointments, warned that police powers in drug cases could be misused for retaliation, and accused the Government of seeking to protect its public standing through control of the police. He also raised concerns about claimed independence in law enforcement and independent commissions, citing public commentary around the arrest and bail of Ranil Wickremesinghe, and urged officials in independent commissions to act independently.
- Hon. Rohana Bandara
AI summary Hon. Rohana Bandara raised a procedural point about Adjournment Motions, arguing that the Member moving such a Motion is not required to remain in the Chamber after presenting it, unlike a Private Member’s Motion where a reply may be expected. He criticized ministerial objections made when he had left the Chamber after moving an Adjournment Motion, saying there was no rule requiring his presence. He also warned officials appointed to Independent Commissions not to allow political interests to undermine their mandate, urging them to resign if they cannot protect democratic rights independently.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Presiding Member
AI summary The Presiding Member called on the Hon. Prime Minister to speak at 5.16 p.m.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB
AI summary Hon. Harini Amarasuriya responded to an Opposition motion concerning Independent Commissions, arguing that the Government had treated the debate seriously while many Opposition Members who requested it were absent. She maintained that no constitutional violation had occurred in relation to the National Police Commission, noting that it may lawfully delegate certain transfer-related authority to the IGP subject to Commission guidelines. She said affected officers retain appeal options through the Police Commission, the Administrative Appeals Tribunal, or Fundamental Rights applications, and rejected claims that legal rights or Commission powers had been weakened.
- Mr. Presiding Member
AI summary At 5.30 p.m., the Presiding Member adjourned Parliament without putting a question to the House. Parliament was adjourned until 9.30 a.m. on Tuesday, 21 October 2025.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →