Sitting of Wednesday, 22 October 2025
Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 22638 ·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 Parliament Opening and Stage Play Announcement 1 speeches
- 2 Papers Presentation of Reports and Petitions 7 speeches
- 3 Oral question Oral Question: Ceylon Electricity Board Restructuring (Q.1/2025) 7 speeches
- 4 Oral question Oral Question: Investigations into Assassinations, Abductions or Assaults of Journalists Since 2010 (Q.2/2025) 7 speeches
- 5 Oral question Oral Question: Post of Public Health Midwife - Vacancies (Q.3/2025) 9 speeches
- 6 Oral question Oral Question: Warehouses of Paddy Marketing Board in Ampara District (Q.8/2025) 8 speeches
- 7 Oral question Oral Question: 100,000 Kilometres Alternative Roads Programme in Kalutara District (Q.9/2025) 5 speeches
- 8 Oral question Oral Question: Fish Death in Beira Lake (Q.10/2025) 2 speeches
- 9 Oral question Oral Question: Oil Palm Cultivation and Imports (Q.11/2025) 2 speeches
- 10 Oral question Oral Question: Q.7/2025 - Deferred Answer 3 speeches
- 11 Oral question Oral Question: Mannar Water Supply Project (Standing Order 27(2)) 5 speeches
- 12 Papers Ministerial Statements: Poverty Alleviation and Industry Development 7 speeches
- 13 Debate Ministerial Statement and Debate: Power Generation Policy (Minister of Energy) 46 speeches
- 14 Papers Ministerial Statements: Flood Relief and Defence Updates 4 speeches
- 15 Procedural Procedural Motions: Exemptions and Sitting Hours 2 speeches
- 16 Debate Debate: Rules under Excise Ordinance and Special Commodity Levy Order (Session 1) 11 speeches
- 17 Debate Debate: Rules under Excise Ordinance and Special Commodity Levy Order (Session 2) 64 speeches
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- Hon. Susantha Kumara Nawarathna JJB
AI summary Hon. Susantha Kumara Nawarathna supported the Special Commodity Levy increases on big onions and potatoes, arguing they were necessary to protect domestic farmers from low harvest-time prices and to help them recover production costs. He said onion cultivation had recovered to 2,644 hectares in 2025 with fertilizer support, and that the levy rise had helped raise farmgate prices to profitable levels. He also supported amendments to Excise rules requiring liquor manufacturers to pay duties within one month, with suspension of production and licences for continued non-payment, citing about Rs. 10 billion in excise arrears among major companies and further arrears in ethanol and toddy production.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF
AI summary Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake raised concern over the shooting death of the Chairman of the Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha and said the withdrawal of security for Opposition members made the Government accountable for their safety. He criticized the delayed imposition of taxes on imported potatoes and onions, arguing that earlier action was needed to protect farmers in Uva Paranagama, Welimada and other areas affected by crop and storage losses. He alleged irregularities in a Gazette permitting imports of Ponni Samba and Pal Samba rice, claiming that only traders close to the Government or Minister could benefit due to timing, port arrivals and Indian holidays, and called for either reduced import duties to benefit consumers or direct support such as fertilizer subsidies or cash assistance to farmers. He also questioned the handling of imported salt consignments remaining uncleared at the port and warned a similar situation could occur with rice imports.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- Hon. Susantha Kumara Nawarathna JJB
AI summary Hon. Susantha Kumara Nawarathna rose on a point of order. No substantive issue or argument was recorded in the provided speech text.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- Hon. Susantha Kumara Nawarathna JJB
AI summary Hon. Susantha Kumara Nawarathna responded to remarks by Hon. Chamara Sampath on taxes on onions and potatoes, clarifying that the comments could give the impression that the taxes were newly imposed on that day.
Public Finance Full speech → - Hon. Susantha Kumara Nawarathna JJB
AI summary Hon. Susantha Kumara Nawarathna stated that the Order under the Special Commodity Levy Act, published in Extraordinary Gazette No. 2451/10 on 25 August 2025, was before Parliament for approval as a legal requirement. He urged members to verify facts before speaking, noting that the Gazette had been issued nearly two months earlier and warning against misleading the public.
Public Finance Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF
AI summary Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake acknowledged the Government’s position on the timing of a tax but emphasized that the key issue is the current market situation. He stated that potatoes are priced at Rs. 140 and onions at Rs. 90 and argued that, at those prices, they cannot be sold.
Cost of Living Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- Hon. Champika Hettiarachchi JJB
AI summary Hon. Champika Hettiarachchi criticized off-topic conduct in the debate and addressed the Excise Rules and Special Commodity Levy measures under discussion. He said proposed amendments to the 112-year-old Excise Ordinance would strengthen recovery of unpaid excise duties by shortening grace periods and enabling cancellation or suspension of licences, noting large arrears including Rs. 6.75 billion from one liquor company. He defended the potato and onion levy gazette as a seasonal measure to protect local harvests, citing import data to reject claims that importers were tipped off in advance. He also argued that the Government had proposals to improve farmer efficiency and accused the Opposition of spreading misinformation and failing to address seed and production issues when in office.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- Hon. Chanaka Madugoda SLPP
AI summary Hon. Chanaka Madugoda questioned the effectiveness of continuing import levies under the Special Commodity Levy Act to protect potato and onion farmers, noting that after nearly two decades domestic production remains about 28 per cent for potatoes and 4 per cent for onions. He argued that while farmers need protection, consumers must also be considered, and proposed targeted support, assured income mechanisms, and measures to raise domestic production instead of relying repeatedly on levies. He also urged the Government, in the context of floods and public hardship, to give local administrative officers discretion to provide relief based on actual conditions rather than rigid eligibility criteria.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna - Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure JJB
AI summary Minister Samantha Viddyarathna said the Government imposed import levies of Rs. 80 per kg on potatoes and Rs. 50 per kg on big onions to protect domestic farmers while seeking parliamentary approval for the relevant order. He said state and private sector purchasing mechanisms had been arranged, including Sathosa purchases and direct buying by Keells and Cargills at specified prices, with centres in areas such as Welimada/Bogahakumbura, Keppetipola, Dambulla, Thambuttegama and Jaffna. He also outlined plans to expand local seed potato production through tissue culture and state farm facilities, arguing that reducing dependence on imported seed and inputs is necessary to sustain cultivation.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. (Mrs.) M.A.C.S. Gangani
AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) M.A.C.S. Gangani moved a procedural motion proposing that Hon. Sarath Kumara take the Chair.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. Susantha Kumara Nawarathna JJB
AI summary Hon. Susantha Kumara Nawarathna formally seconded the motion under consideration. The question was then put and agreed to, after which the Deputy Chairperson of Committees left the Chair and Hon. Sarath Kumara presided.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. Ismail Muththu Mohamed
AI summary Hon. Ismail Muththu Mohamed referred to declining big onion production due to seed shortages during the debate on onion and potato levies, then raised concerns about post-local government election administration. He urged amendments to Ministry of Home Affairs Circular 3/2025, saying it restricts participation in District Development Committee and Divisional Coordinating Committee meetings to a few local authority members and excludes many elected representatives, particularly from the Opposition. He also requested seating accommodations in local authorities and asked the Prime Minister and Minister of Education to clarify whether any circular prohibits the use of school halls for student felicitation events, citing a refused request in Vavuniya.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- Hon. Fasmin Sharif JJB
AI summary Hon. Fasmin Sharif supported the Special Commodity Levy Act and related Orders, arguing that structured levies on essential imports such as sugar, onions and pulses would prevent fraud, stabilize consumer prices, reduce administrative burdens, and protect domestic producers by aligning imports with local production and demand. He also addressed concerns over Muslim burials, stating that the Justice Minister had clarified there would be no imposed delays except in exceptional cases requiring a Magistrate’s recommendation. He further said Qur’an copies previously kept in poor conditions had been secured for proper release, and that steps were being taken to legally vest and develop Ambuluwawe as a public asset. He concluded by urging against statements that create ethnic or religious disharmony and affirmed equal rights for all communities.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- Hon. Rauff Hakeem, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Hon. Rauff Hakeem supported attention to breast cancer awareness and called for a ministerial statement and urgent investigation into the killing of the Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman, citing concerns over public safety and possible political links. On the potato and big onion import measures, he said seasonal controls can help farmers during harvest but questioned whether they would increase domestic production, noting past reliance on imports and seeking clarification on reported pre-levy onion imports. He urged the Government to fill and promote Agricultural Extension Officer posts, address gaps in agricultural offices in the Kalmunai area, provide paddy drying facilities in Ampara, and ensure adequate seed onion supply.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- Hon. (Mrs.) Hiruni Wijesinghe, Attorney-at-Law JJB
AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Hiruni Wijesinghe defended the Government’s agricultural pricing measures, citing the guaranteed paddy price, expanded Government storage, Sathosa sales at concessionary prices, and increased import levies on big onions and potatoes to support local farmers while maintaining consumer access. She argued that concerns over Ponni Samba and Keeri Samba affected only a limited segment of consumers and could be addressed through imports. Supporting the Special Commodity Levy Order and Excise-related Rules, she outlined revised excise payment deadlines, a 3 per cent surcharge for late payment, and licence cancellation after 90 days of non-payment, saying these measures would strengthen revenue collection. She also urged the Excise Department to join the national “Ratama Ekata” operation against illicit liquor and drugs.
- Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB
AI summary Hon. Harsha de Silva called for a prompt investigation into the murder of Haliwala (Chaligama) Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Lasantha Wickramasekara and said elected representatives require appropriate security. He then referred to disputes over land in Dambulla and, in the context of the Committee on Public Finance, discussed the use of Special Commodity Levies to protect local farmers from imports during harvest periods. Citing the National Tariff Policy approved in May 2024 and the 2021 sugar levy controversy, he argued that levy changes must follow agreed procedures, including prior Cabinet approval, time limits, and advance announcement, rather than ad hoc ministerial action.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Stepni Fernando JJB
AI summary Hon. Stepni Fernando supported the Regulations under the Special Commodity Levy Act and the Rules under the Excise (Special Provisions) Act, stating that commodity levies are intended to protect farmers and secure fair prices for crops such as big onion and potato. He said levy decisions are now being made collectively with relevant agencies to avoid past abuses, and noted that the new excise rules would strengthen recovery of around Rs. 10.5 billion in arrears by enabling collection within three months. He also outlined plans to improve agriculture through local seed production, technology, expanded cultivation of available land, fertilizer support, and irrigation rehabilitation, linking revenue collection to farmer welfare and broader self-sufficiency goals.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen SJB
AI summary Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen urged the Government, in the context of Orders under the Special Commodity Levy Act, to align import levies and import timing with local harvest seasons to prevent depressed prices for farmers, citing past coordination through the Cost of Living Committee. He raised the case of Muthunagar farmers in Trincomalee being prevented from cultivating long-used lands and requested either the return of the land or prompt allocation of nearby alternative land, noting ongoing protests and deadlines from the President’s Office. He also called for payment of salary arrears to 91 locally recruited workers at Lanka Mineral Sands Limited in Pulmoddai, and proposed reopening closed Sathosa outlets to buy and sell farm produce at fair prices.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Co-operative Development JJB
AI summary The Minister defended the increase of the Special Commodity Levy on imported big onions and potatoes as a measure to support local farmers during the Yala supply period, citing import and consumption data to reject claims that large stocks had been pre-positioned before the levy. He also addressed the earlier salt import issue, stating that consignments outside the permitted Bill of Lading dates or failing quality standards would not be released and would be handled under Customs procedures. Responding to concerns about the Dambulla cold storage facility, he said remaining construction and technical defects, as well as required racking and handling equipment, were being addressed with Indian grant project stakeholders, with operations targeted for early December under a mixed public-private model.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara SJB
AI summary R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara condemned the shooting death of the Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman, describing it as a political assassination and linking it to a broader deterioration in security, citing 101 shootings and 57 deaths during the year. He urged the Government and the Speaker to ensure the security of elected representatives and protect democratic political activity. He also criticised the timing and handling of food import levies, arguing that delayed action on potatoes and onions failed to protect local farmers and allowed importers to benefit, and questioned the removal of the Director-General of the Department of Investment Policy.
- The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB
AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe clarified the procedural chain for decisions on levies, stating that the Food Policy and Security Committee makes recommendations to the Fiscal Policy Committee, which decides on levies before the matter goes to the President. He rejected a prior interpretation of the process as incorrect.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara SJB
AI summary R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara said the Committee’s decision had become known to importers and traders two weeks before implementation, enabling them to import 23,000 metric tonnes of potatoes under the previous levy. He argued that, as a result, the intended benefit of the levy change did not reach local farmers.
- The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB
AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe briefly rejected a preceding statement or assertion, saying it was not correct. No further argument, proposal, or policy detail was provided in this intervention.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB
AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe stated that recent import figures for potatoes and onions were within average levels, citing 17,108 metric tons of potatoes and 29,354 metric tons of onions in the previous month, with onions around 30,000 metric tons the month before. He rejected claims of a sudden increase to 50,000 metric tons as false and requested that proceedings move on to the next item due to the scheduled Adjournment Debate.
Agriculture Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Sudath Balagalla JJB
AI summary Sudath Balagalla argued that the previous Government’s excise and economic policies had worsened household debt, losses in State institutions, and social harms linked to alcohol and narcotics. He cited recent drug seizures, including about 1,248 kg of heroin and 1,852 kg of “ice” over nine months, and said investigations should proceed while holding the prior political culture morally accountable. Referring to potato farmers in Badulla, he said the Government plans to reduce production costs by developing domestic seed potato production, aiming to cut costs by about 25 per cent within two to three years.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) V.S. Radhakrishnan SJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) V.S. Radhakrishnan raised concerns about severe losses faced by potato and vegetable farmers in Nuwara Eliya due to high production costs, low market prices, and competition from imported potatoes kept in cold storage. He said farmers are selling below cost, risking abandonment of cultivation, while seed potatoes remain unsold and related labour and trading activity have declined. He urged the Government to prepare a plan and adjust import levies in a timely manner, noting that earlier action could have reduced the present distress.
- The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB
AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe stated that the Nuwara Eliya Economic Centre reported a wholesale purchase price of Rs. 200 per kilogram for potatoes and a selling price of Rs. 220. He noted that recent heavy rains had reduced potato digging, while those holding stocks were selling at Rs. 200 per kilogram.
Cost of Living Full speech → - The Hon. (Dr.) V.S. Radhakrishnan SJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) V.S. Radhakrishnan raised concerns over difficulties facing potato and onion farmers, including reduced digging due to rains and unsold seed stocks in Sita Eliya. He urged the Agriculture Ministry to establish a planned, region-specific cropping system and regulate cultivation to avoid inappropriate crop choices across areas. He said 3,000 postcards from Kandapola would be sent to the President and the Minister seeking a proper response, warning of the political and economic consequences of neglecting these farmers.
Agriculture Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Nalin Hewage - Deputy Minister of Vocational Education JJB
AI summary Nalin Hewage argued that agriculture must be central to Sri Lanka’s development and said import levy increases on potatoes and onions were intended to protect domestic farmers, while also noting the need to keep food affordable for consumers. He rejected Opposition claims that the Government delayed the levies to allow pre-levy imports, saying official monthly figures had disproved them, and called for more constructive criticism. He said the Government was pursuing lower production costs through better seed, fertilizer and technology, with a longer-term shift toward larger-scale, higher-productivity agriculture, and criticized past policies including the organic fertilizer decision. He also stated that Rs. 10.5 billion in excise arrears would be collected, alleging that some defaulters were linked to Opposition figures.
- The Hon. Nalin Hewage JJB
AI summary Nalin Hewage said Rs. 10.5 billion in unpaid excise dues remained outstanding, alleging that many arrears related to warehouses connected to former Ministers and MPs, though he declined to name individuals during the speech. He urged Members not to divert from the issue and argued that the Government’s current tax measures should be recognized as positive rather than criticized reflexively.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. K. Sujith Sanjaya Perera SJB
AI summary Hon. K. Sujith Sanjaya Perera raised concern over the murder of the Chalagama Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman and requested an impartial investigation, rejecting any premature attribution to drugs or the underworld. He also urged the Government to restore police protection for Members of Parliament, citing increased shootings and security concerns. He then tabled a residents’ letter questioning Urban Development Authority approval for a proposed 40-storey apartment project in Thummulla, alleging possible non-compliance with planning criteria and calling attention to suspected irregularities in the rapid approval process.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. K. Sujith Sanjaya Perera SJB
AI summary Hon. K. Sujith Sanjaya Perera argued that the Special Commodity Levy on imported potatoes and big onions was imposed too late to significantly assist local farmers, as large imported stocks are already in the market and prices remain unfavourable to domestic growers. He said vegetable farmers, particularly in Nuwara Eliya, are facing sharply reduced prices and distress. He requested the Minister of Agriculture to introduce a planned crop-zoning framework, with designated districts or zones for specific crops, to prevent oversupply and stabilize farmer returns.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Ananda Wijepala - Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs JJB
AI summary Minister Ananda Wijepala responded to concerns about the killing of Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Lasantha Wickramasekara, stating that the incident was linked to rivalries among organized criminal groups and did not constitute a broader threat to public security. He said the deceased had multiple criminal cases and alleged underworld links, including matters connected to narcotics proceeds and weapons, and that investigations by the Police and CID were ongoing. He argued that political parties should not appoint persons with alleged criminal backgrounds to public office, while stating that the Government does not condone any killing and would ensure a proper investigation.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Rajeevan Jeyachandramoorthy JJB
AI summary Supported the Special Commodity Levy to raise duties on imported onions and potatoes during local harvest periods, arguing it would help secure fair prices for local producers. He said import-oriented policies after 1977 contributed to the decline of domestic agriculture, citing the fall in Northern Province shallot production from 56% of national output in 1980 to about 20.6% by 2005. He called for insurance, marketing support, and measures to protect farmers from exploitative middlemen in order to revive shallot cultivation and improve self-sufficiency.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Upali Samarasingha - Deputy Minister of Co-operative Development JJB
AI summary Upali Samarasingha supported the Rules under the Excise Ordinance and the Regulation under the Special Commodity Levy Act, arguing that they are intended to close loopholes, prevent revenue evasion, and ensure taxes collected from alcohol sales are properly remitted to the Treasury. He said excise revenue is important for public services and that legal reforms are needed to hold evaders accountable. On agricultural levies, he stated that existing policies on commodities such as potatoes and onions aim to support food security, lower production costs, and develop the agro-industry, while rejecting Opposition claims as inaccurate.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Rohana Bandara
AI summary Rohana Bandara supported stricter enforcement under the Excise Ordinance, proposing that liquor licences not be renewed where producers have failed to remit collected excise revenue. He argued that high excise taxes on legal alcohol are pushing consumers toward illicit liquor and narcotics, including among youth, and called for reduced taxes to make legal products more affordable. He also urged planned paddy cultivation and Government intervention in Keeri Samba supply, alleging hoarding by major millers, and called for urgent marketing support for potato and big onion farmers facing unsold, perishable stocks.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha - Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning JJB
AI summary Minister Anil Jayantha said the new Excise Rules are intended to address administrative loopholes that allowed excise arrears to accumulate, not to introduce new taxes. He cited arrears of about Rs. 10,555 million across 40 entities and said the Rules would allow temporary suspension of production or bottling licences after 30 days of non-payment and cancellation within 90 days if dues remain unpaid. He also stated that revenue agencies were exceeding targets and that the Special Commodity Levy increases on onions and potatoes followed Food Security Committee and Cabinet approval to protect local farmers.
- 18 Procedural Procedural Motion: Approval of Rules and Order 1 speeches
- 19 Adjournment Adjournment Motion: Promote Early Detection of Breast Cancer 21 speeches
- 20 Procedural Parliament Adjourned 1 speeches