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 ▸
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 ▾
    • The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha – Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning

      AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Finance and Planning, the Minister explained that amendments to the Appropriation Bill, 2026 are needed to reflect ministerial subject changes made by Extraordinary Gazette No. 2458/65 of 18 October 2025. He outlined the creation of a new Ministry of Ports and Civil Aviation, renaming and reallocation of functions among several Ministries, and the transfer of specified departmental Heads and institutions. He stated that 2025 reallocations would be handled administratively under Financial Regulation 208 without changing total expenditure, while formal amendments for 2026 would be moved at Committee Stage, including possible use of Head 176 for the new Ministry.

      Public FinanceParliamentary Procedure Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB

      AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva welcomed the Deputy Minister’s statement and requested a copy of the tabled document. He noted that while the arrangement had been described as temporary, any transfer of assets between Ministries should be backed by legislation.

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    • The Hon. Speaker procedural
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    • The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka SJB

      AI summary Gayantha Karunathilleka stated the Opposition’s position on legal and technical issues arising from changes to ministerial portfolios after the Appropriation Bill had been presented, noting that the number of Cabinet Ministries had increased from 24 to 25. He said Opposition representatives had met government officials and agreed that, given existing Cabinet approval, the Committee Stage could proceed, while drawing attention to Article 78(3) of the Constitution on amendments to Bills. He emphasized that any legal responsibility for proceeding in this context rests with the Government, not the Opposition.

      Parliamentary ProcedurePublic Finance Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB

      AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa stated that officials had reviewed concerns raised about handling changes to expenditure Heads after the Appropriation Bill is presented. Citing the 2024 Budget process and earlier creation of new Heads following ministerial changes, he argued that Cabinet reshuffles or new ministerial assignments can be accommodated at Committee Stage as long as total expenditure remains unchanged. He said there is precedent and no legal impediment to debating and adjusting the relevant Heads accordingly.

      Parliamentary ProcedurePublic Finance Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB

      AI summary Dr. Harsha de Silva said that while there is no change in the total funds, legal and accounting clarity is needed when assets and liabilities are divided between Ministries. He cited potential confusion over borrowings and assets, and urged that projects such as the Maritime Facilitation Centre and the Port Access Elevated Highway be separated in a legally robust manner within the relevant two-month period to avoid future disputes.

      Parliamentary ProcedurePublic Finance Full speech →
    • The Hon. Speaker procedural
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    • The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF

      AI summary Ravi Karunanayake sought clarification on how legal effect would be given to the year’s Cabinet changes through a complementary estimate. He asked whether this would be done through the Budget or by another procedure, and when it would occur.

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    • The Hon. Speaker procedural
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    • The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB

      AI summary As Chairman of the Committee on Public Finance, Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva clarified that the matter under discussion relates to the current two-month period rather than the following year. He indicated that the Member’s question concerns whether a specific measure or instrument needs to be introduced for that interim period.

      Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB

      AI summary Dr. Harsha de Silva clarified that the matter under discussion concerns only a two-month period and does not extend to the following year.

      Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB

      AI summary The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa responded to concerns about whether the Budget scheduled for 7 November could proceed following the reshuffle. He stated that the matter had been discussed and resolved at the Office of the Leader of the House, and confirmed that the Budget would be presented, debated, and any necessary amendments introduced at Committee Stage, citing precedent and assuming responsibility.

      Parliamentary ProcedurePublic Finance Full speech →
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 ▸