Sitting of Friday, 24 October 2025
Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 22644 ·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 Opening of Parliament and Privilege Matter 1 speeches
- 2 Papers Tabling of Reports: Monetary Policy Deviation, Public Accounts Report, Public Finance Committee Report 4 speeches
- 3 Petitions Petitions: W.P. Erandi Lanka Weerasinghe 1 speeches
- 4 Oral question Oral Question: Mines and Minerals Regulation (Q.2/2025) 6 speeches
- 5 Oral question Oral Question: (Q.3/2025) - Question stood down 3 speeches
- 6 Oral question Oral Question: (Q.4/2025) - Question stood down 3 speeches
- 7 Oral question Oral Question: International and School Cricket Stadiums (Q.5/2025) 5 speeches
- 8 Oral question Oral Question: Palmyrah as a Crop of Significant Value (Q.6/2025) 5 speeches
- 9 Oral question Oral Question: Long-Distance Bus Services (Q.7/2025) 5 speeches
- 10 Oral question Oral Question: SLTB Bus Depot in Pottuvil DS Division (Q.8-9/2025) 6 speeches
- 11 Oral question Oral Question: Health Service Delivery - Supplementary Questions and Answers 9 speeches
- 12 Papers Tabling of Answers: Lakhanda Radio Service and Vocational Training Centres 2 speeches
- 13 Oral question Private Notice Question: Appropriation Bill 2025 Budget Execution 6 speeches
- 14 Procedural Point of Order and Procedural Matters - Budget-related Discussion 17 speeches
- 15 Procedural Ministerial Statement: Amendments to Appropriation Bill 2026 and Ministerial Reshuffle 12 speeches
- 16 Oral question Oral Answer: Human Rights Situation in Sri Lanka and Reparations (Q. raised 08.10.2025) 10 speeches
- 17 Procedural Ministerial Statement: Export of Rough Gems and Foreign Currency 9 speeches
- 18 Procedural Procedural Matters: Questions under Standing Order 27(2) and Security Concerns 13 speeches
- 19 Procedural Personal Explanation and Privilege Matter: Hon. Chathuranga Abeysinghe 19 speeches
- 20 Procedural Security Concerns Raised by Opposition Members - Jagath Vithana Death Threat 21 speeches
- 21 Procedural Notice of Motion: Adjournment of Parliament 2 speeches
- 22 Adjournment Votes of Condolence: Opening and Lunch Suspension 3 speeches
- 23 Adjournment Votes of Condolence: Seven Former Members of Parliament 29 speeches
- 24 Adjournment Adjournment Motion: Voting Rights for Female Divisional Secretaries at Diyawadana Nilame Election 13 speeches
- The Hon. (Dr.) Hiniduma Sunil Senevi - Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs JJB
AI summary The Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs moved the adjournment of Parliament. The motion “Parliament do now adjourn” was then proposed.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Chathura Galappaththi SJB
AI summary Chathura Galappaththi moved an adjournment proposal calling for amendments to the Buddhist Temporalities Ordinance, No. 19 of 1931, particularly Section 40, to allow female Divisional Secretaries and relevant women officials to vote in elections for the Diyawadana Nilame and Basnayake Nilames. He argued that the exclusion is a colonial-era legal anomaly, not a Buddhist principle, and is inconsistent with constitutional equality guarantees, public service practice, and women’s historical role in Buddhist and temple-related contexts. He also proposed that future reforms consider the tenure and term limits of the Diyawadana Nilame, with the blessings of the Malwatte and Asgiriya Chief Prelates.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. (Mrs.) Rohini Kumari Wijerathna SJB
AI summary Hon. Rohini Kumari Wijerathna seconded Hon. Chathura Galappaththi’s motion and argued that the current framework for the relevant electorate, rooted in 1931 wording referring to “gentlemen,” excludes women and should be revised. She cited Buddhist teachings and historical examples to reject claims that custom or doctrine justify excluding women, and noted that many Divisional Secretaries are now women, leaving female officeholders effectively disenfranchised under the existing interpretation. She urged the Minister to amend the relevant Ordinance to extend voting rights to women Divisional Secretaries, with the consent and guidance of the Malwatte and Asgiriya Chapters and related Sangha authorities.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Thanura Dissanayake JJB
AI summary Thanura Dissanayake supported the motion’s call to modernize outdated laws, including reforms to the Buddhist Temporalities Ordinance, while emphasizing that changes affecting Buddhist institutions should be pursued through broad consultation. He said the Malwatte and Asgiriya Chief Prelates, Anunayake Theras, Karaka Sangha Sabhas, and the Minister of Buddhasasana are already engaged in discussions and have offered progressive proposals for the longevity of the Sasana. He urged that reforms proceed with the guidance and blessings of the Sangha, noting the cultural and religious sensitivities involved.
Religion & Culture Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC SJB
AI summary Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper argued that voting rights linked to the office referenced as “gentlemen of the country” under the Buddhist Temporalities Ordinance should extend to current office-holders, including female Divisional Secretaries. He said the law should be amended to reflect administrative changes and contended that excluding women solely on gender grounds may violate Article 12 of the Constitution on equality.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC SJB
AI summary Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper argued that female Divisional Secretaries should be allowed to vote in the relevant elections, whether or not an amendment is made. He used a story from the Ummagga Jataka to illustrate that women have historically exercised sound judgment in decision-making.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Hiniduma Sunil Senevi - Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs JJB
AI summary Responding for the Government to an adjournment motion on reforms to the Buddhist Temporalities Ordinance, the Minister said the 1931 law is outdated and that Cabinet has approved work on amendments to several statutes, including current draft amendments to Sections 41 and 42 concerning monastic disciplinary matters. He stated that the Government has no objection in principle to granting women voting rights in relevant elections, but noted that Section 40 currently refers to “a male person” and said changes affecting institutions such as the Dalada Maligawa should proceed with the guidance of the Malwatte and Asgiriya Chief Prelates and the Tri-Nikaya Maha Sangha. He also outlined existing legal provisions on the Diyawadana Nilame’s ten-year term and age-related qualifications, and called for broad public consultation before further reforms.