Sitting of Friday, 24 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 Opening of Parliament and Privilege Matter 1 speeches ▸
2. 2 Papers Tabling of Reports: Monetary Policy Deviation, Public Accounts Report, Public Finance Committee Report 4 speeches ▸
3. 3 Petitions Petitions: W.P. Erandi Lanka Weerasinghe 1 speeches ▸
4. 4 Oral question Oral Question: Mines and Minerals Regulation (Q.2/2025) 6 speeches ▸
5. 5 Oral question Oral Question: (Q.3/2025) - Question stood down 3 speeches ▸
6. 6 Oral question Oral Question: (Q.4/2025) - Question stood down 3 speeches ▸
7. 7 Oral question Oral Question: International and School Cricket Stadiums (Q.5/2025) 5 speeches ▸
8. 8 Oral question Oral Question: Palmyrah as a Crop of Significant Value (Q.6/2025) 5 speeches ▸
9. 9 Oral question Oral Question: Long-Distance Bus Services (Q.7/2025) 5 speeches ▾
   • The Hon. (Dr.) Prasanna Gunasena - Acting Minister of Transport and Highways JJB

     AI summary Acting Minister of Transport and Highways Prasanna Gunasena stated that 73 restaurants serve SLTB long-distance routes, while identified private-sector rest stops include 14 on the Puttalam/Colombo–Jaffna corridor and 19 on high-level/low-level corridors, with further identification ongoing. He said restaurants must operate under Medical Officer of Health/Public Health Inspector supervision, be registered with local authorities, and comply with conditions under Gazette No. 1742/26 and related SLTB, Health Ministry, and National Transport Commission specifications. He noted that the 73 SLTB-linked restaurants are not yet registered with SLTB, no SLTB registration fee has so far been charged, and proposed SLTB conditions include a Rs. 25,000 non-refundable security deposit and a Rs. 3,000 monthly fee.

     Infrastructure Full speech →
   • The Hon. (Prof.) Sena Nanayakkara JJB

     AI summary Prof. Sena Nanayakkara raised concerns about inadequate facilities at rest stops used by long-distance bus passengers, including poor food, hygiene, and sanitation, despite some improvements in bus transport services. He asked the Minister of Transport whether restaurants or canteens could be established under direct Government oversight through a new administrative mechanism to address these issues.

     Cost of LivingInfrastructure Full speech →
   • The Hon. (Dr.) Prasanna Gunasena - Acting Minister of Transport and Highways JJB

     AI summary The Acting Minister of Transport and Highways said the Ministry has begun regulating long-distance bus rest-stop restaurants on the Puttalam Corridor, alongside an integrated timetable and standardized bus dispatch arrangements. He stated that inspections are being conducted with Ministry of Health support under PHI supervision, and that the programme will be expanded corridor by corridor to establish national standards for such rest-stops.

     Public FinanceInfrastructure Full speech →
   • The Hon. (Prof.) Sena Nanayakkara JJB

     AI summary Hon. (Prof.) Sena Nanayakkara alleged that some hotels and restaurants induce private bus owners, drivers and conductors through narcotics or illicit payments to stop at substandard establishments. He asked the Minister whether the Ministry would conduct a genuine nationwide investigation into these practices, including possible official interference despite the work of PHIs and Police.

     Corruption & Governance ReformLaw & Order Full speech →
   • The Hon. (Dr.) Prasanna Gunasena - Acting Minister of Transport and Highways JJB

     AI summary The Acting Minister of Transport and Highways said drug use among bus drivers and conductors is part of a wider national drug problem rather than an issue limited to long-distance buses. He stated that the Ministry, through the National Transport Medical Institute and with support from the Ministry of Health, plans to introduce on-the-spot testing to help reduce drug use in the bus sector as part of broader national eradication efforts.

     InfrastructureLaw & OrderHealthcare Full speech →
10. 10 Oral question Oral Question: SLTB Bus Depot in Pottuvil DS Division (Q.8-9/2025) 6 speeches ▸
11. 11 Oral question Oral Question: Health Service Delivery - Supplementary Questions and Answers 9 speeches ▸
12. 12 Papers Tabling of Answers: Lakhanda Radio Service and Vocational Training Centres 2 speeches ▸
13. 13 Oral question Private Notice Question: Appropriation Bill 2025 Budget Execution 6 speeches ▸
14. 14 Procedural Point of Order and Procedural Matters - Budget-related Discussion 17 speeches ▸
15. 15 Procedural Ministerial Statement: Amendments to Appropriation Bill 2026 and Ministerial Reshuffle 12 speeches ▸
16. 16 Oral question Oral Answer: Human Rights Situation in Sri Lanka and Reparations (Q. raised 08.10.2025) 10 speeches ▸
17. 17 Procedural Ministerial Statement: Export of Rough Gems and Foreign Currency 9 speeches ▸
18. 18 Procedural Procedural Matters: Questions under Standing Order 27(2) and Security Concerns 13 speeches ▸
19. 19 Procedural Personal Explanation and Privilege Matter: Hon. Chathuranga Abeysinghe 19 speeches ▸
20. 20 Procedural Security Concerns Raised by Opposition Members - Jagath Vithana Death Threat 21 speeches ▸
21. 21 Procedural Notice of Motion: Adjournment of Parliament 2 speeches ▸
22. 22 Adjournment Votes of Condolence: Opening and Lunch Suspension 3 speeches ▸
23. 23 Adjournment Votes of Condolence: Seven Former Members of Parliament 29 speeches ▸
24. 24 Adjournment Adjournment Motion: Voting Rights for Female Divisional Secretaries at Diyawadana Nilame Election 13 speeches ▸