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 ▸
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 ▾
    • Mr. Speaker procedural
      Full speech →
    • The Hon. K. Kader Masthan SLLP

      AI summary Hon. K. Kader Masthan raised concerns under Standing Order 27(2) about difficulties faced by pensioners in accessing the Department of Pensions, including limited direct contact with officers, ineffective phone and hotline services, and the need for elderly pensioners to travel to Colombo. He asked the Minister to introduce direct appointment systems, online live consultations, improved district and divisional-level services, a national pensioners’ advisory committee, and better coordination with other state institutions. He also requested information on benefit processing timelines, pensioner access to verify online applications, and possible legal provisions to grant pensions to persons appointed beyond the maximum age limit after long public service.

      Public FinanceLaw & Order Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Prof.) A.H.M.H. Abayarathna - Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government JJB

      AI summary The Minister detailed service arrangements at the Department of Pensions, including Public Day access, weekday inquiries, front-desk officers for high-demand areas, ongoing online coordination with District and Divisional Secretariats, training programmes, and an Advisory Council for district-level issues. He said phone responses are constrained by staffing, but recruitment is being arranged, including 15 dedicated call-handling posts and additional staff for the 1970 hotline. He stated that complete and error-free online pension applications should result in the first pension being paid the following month, while W&OP death gratuity and pension payments take about two and three months respectively if documents are complete. He also explained that appointments made over the age limit of 45 require Cabinet approval before pension payment, and pensions remain subject to the Pensions Minute requirements, with gratuity or compensation payable where those requirements are not met.

      Public Finance Full speech →
    • The Hon. K. Kader Masthan SLLP

      AI summary K. Kader Masthan noted that pensioners are facing practical difficulties with the current online pension system and are still required to travel long distances to the Department. He requested urgent action to address these shortcomings and asked that legal amendments be considered to allow pensions for those who joined service after age 45, citing expectations of fairness and reform.

      Public FinanceJustice & Human Rights Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Prof.) A.H.M.H. Abayarathna - Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government JJB

      AI summary Necessary measures have been initiated to address the requests raised. A committee chaired by the Prime Minister is examining them with the aim of ensuring fair outcomes.

      Corruption & Governance Reform Full speech →
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 ▸