Sitting of Tuesday, 21 October 2025

Order of business

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

1. 1 Opening Announcements: Global Breast Cancer Awareness Month 1 speeches ▸
2. 2 Papers Presentation of Papers and Committee Reports 6 speeches ▸
3. 3 Petitions Petitions Presented to Parliament 7 speeches ▸
4. 4 Procedural Parliamentary Business and Disaster Management Discussion 6 speeches ▸
5. 5 Procedural Point of Order on Foreign Affairs Statement 7 speeches ▸
6. 6 Oral question Oral Question 2 (825/2025): Ministry of Health - Purchase of Medicines 6 speeches ▸
7. 7 Oral question Oral Question 3 (859/2025): Agriculture - Stand Down 3 speeches ▸
8. 8 Oral question Oral Question 4: Occupants of State Lands in Manmunai Pattu DS Division 6 speeches ▸
9. 9 Oral question Oral Question 5: Ceylon Electricity Board Regional Offices 20 speeches ▸
10. 10 Oral question Oral Question 7: Safeguard of Interests of Farmers, Traders and Consumers 9 speeches ▸
11. 11 Oral question Oral Question 8 (1313/2025): Stand Down 3 speeches ▸
12. 12 Oral question Oral Question 9: First Prison in Sri Lanka and Prison Conditions 6 speeches ▾
    • The Hon. Sujeewa Dissanayake JJB

      AI summary Hon. Sujeewa Dissanayake asked the Minister of Justice and National Integration for detailed information on Sri Lanka’s prison system, including the first prison established, its initial inmate population, the current number and names of prisons, inmate numbers by gender in each prison, and the cell space allocated per inmate. He also requested specific details on the largest prison in the North-western Province, including its capacity and the average daily inmate population in August 2025, and asked for reasons if the information could not be provided.

      Justice & Human RightsParliamentary 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 provided answers to a parliamentary question on prison facilities and inmate accommodation. He stated that Welikada Prison was established in 1844, tabled annexes containing requested data, and cited accommodation standards for cells and wards. He also identified Wariyapola Prison as relevant to the question, with a capacity of 1,188 and an average inmate population of 1,636 in August 2025.

      Justice & Human Rights Full speech →
    • The Hon. Sujeewa Dissanayake JJB

      AI summary Hon. Sujeewa Dissanayake raised security concerns regarding the Wariyapola Remand Prison, which is located within a village and receives inmates and visitors from across the North-western Province. He asked the Minister whether steps would be taken to establish at least a police post in the area in response to residents’ requests.

      Law & OrderSecurity & Defence 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 responded to concerns about public safety near long-established remand prisons, stating that villagers’ fears or requests for clarification should be addressed. He said the matter could be discussed, including the possible establishment of a police post, and asked the Member to submit the issue in writing so he could intervene through the Ministry of Public Security if necessary.

      Justice & Human RightsLaw & Order Full speech →
    • The Hon. Sujeewa Dissanayake JJB

      AI summary Hon. Sujeewa Dissanayake raised concerns about overcrowding at Wariyapola Prison, noting that inmate numbers exceed its normal capacity and are causing environmental impacts on a nearby village tank and the Deduru Oya-adjacent water purification plant. He asked whether the Government would prioritize Budget allocations to construct additional buildings and provide necessary facilities within the existing 25-acre prison premises.

      Public FinanceJustice & Human RightsInfrastructure 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 prisons are holding remand and convicted inmates beyond their designed capacity, creating health and environmental concerns. He said the Government is constructing new buildings and relocating some facilities, and undertook to examine the situation at Wariyapola specifically. He requested further details from Members and said action would be taken to ensure the safety of inmates and nearby residents.

      Justice & Human Rights Full speech →
13. 13 Oral question Oral Question 10: Ceylon Petroleum Corporation Land at Deniyaya 4 speeches ▸
14. 14 Oral question Oral Question 11: University Faculty Enrolment (Answer Tabled) 2 speeches ▸
15. 15 Oral question Oral Question 12: Religious Activities in Wildlife Conservation Areas (Answer Tabled) 2 speeches ▸
16. 16 Oral question Question by Private Notice (SO 27(2)): Health Services and Drug Shortages 8 speeches ▸
17. 17 Oral question Question by Private Notice (SO 27(2)): Department of Pensions Services 5 speeches ▸
18. 18 Opening Ministerial Statement: Teacher Vacancies and Development Officers 4 speeches ▸
19. 19 Opening Ministerial Statement: Fair Prices for Paddy 2 speeches ▸
20. 20 Opening Ministerial Statement: Tamil Translations of Holy Qur'an 8 speeches ▸
21. 21 Papers Presentation of Bills: Betting and Gaming Levy (Amendment) Bill 6 speeches ▸
22. 22 Debate Debate: Regulations under National Medicines Regulatory Authority Act No. 5 of 2015 67 speeches ▸
23. 23 Debate Personal Data Protection (Amendment) Bill - Committee Stage 4 speeches ▸
24. 24 Adjournment Adjournment Motion: Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability 17 speeches ▸