Sitting of Wednesday, 12 November 2025
Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 23378 ·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 Announcements 1 speeches
- 2 Oral question Oral Question 1289/2025: Lands belonging to Land Reform Commission - Transfer 5 speeches
- 3 Procedural Questions on Order Paper - Q.1312/2025, Q.1323/2025 3 speeches
- 4 Oral question Oral Question 1347/2025: Takeover of Maduwanwela Walawwa by Department of Archaeology 6 speeches
- 5 Oral question Oral Question 1477/2025: Use of Street Lighting Lamps by Local Authorities 6 speeches
- 6 Oral question Oral Question 1312/2025: Minimum Fixed Price for Paddy from 2015-2023 2 speeches
- 7 Oral question Question by Private Notice: Reforms to Piriven Education (Standing Order 27(2)) 19 speeches
- Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB
AI summary Under Standing Order 27(2), Sajith Premadasa sought Government clarification on proposed amendments to the Piriven Education Act, including whether powers of Chief Incumbents would be altered, and asked for details on curriculum revisions, affected subjects, and timelines. He questioned whether the Government has plans to protect the Sangha and address monks allegedly acting against the Sasana, including possible strengthening of relevant laws and Sections 41 and 42 of the Buddhist Temporalities Ordinance. He also requested information on 2025 budget allocations and progress under the Ministry of Buddhasasana, and on 2026 programmes and allocations for the development of the Sasana.
- Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB
AI summary The Prime Minister responded to questions under Standing Order 27(2), stating that a seven-member Special Committee including scholar monks nominated by the Mahanayaka Theros has been appointed to draft amendments to the 45-year-old Piriven Education Act in line with wider education reforms. She said the amendments would address recruitment qualifications for Piriven teachers, the composition of the Piriven Education Board, and curriculum reforms, while preserving the distinctive role of Piriven education. She added that the Committee, working with the NIE and NEC, is preparing research toward a National Piriven Education Policy and reforms to Mulika, Maha, and Vidyayathana Piriven syllabi, with a research report due by 31 January 2026, a curriculum framework in 2026, pilot implementation in 2027, and full implementation in 2028.
- Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Hiniduma Sunil Senevi - Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs JJB
AI summary Minister Hiniduma Sunil Senevi stated that the Government is acting on matters concerning monks and anti-Sasana activities in line with the guidance of the Mahanayaka Theros of the Three Nikayas, including through the establishment of a Buddhasasana Council. He said Cabinet approval has been obtained to amend Sections 41 and 42 of the Buddhist Temporalities Ordinance, with draft amendments sent to the Attorney General for observations. He also reported that Rs. 3,484 million was allocated for 2025, with Rs. 968.82 million in financial progress by 30 September, noting that commitments including the India-funded solar power project are expected to raise financial and physical progress above 90% by December.
- The Hon. (Dr.) Hiniduma Sunil Senevi JJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Hiniduma Sunil Senevi outlined allocations for Buddhasasana-related programmes, stating that a project on over 25 acres of allocated land was progressing well and expected to show strong financial and physical progress by the third week of December. He said the total allocation was Rs. 2,154 million, comprising Rs. 1,620 million under the Ministry, Rs. 463.5 million under the Department of Buddhist Affairs, and Rs. 70.3 million from the Buddhasasana Fund. He detailed major allocations including religious activities, Punya Grama, development of places of worship and rural temples, and solar power facilities for temples, and stated that no heads under the Department had been reduced. He tabled annexures setting out the allocations requested by the Leader of the Opposition.
- The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB
AI summary The Leader of the Opposition asked the Minister to state the total amount being referred to in the discussion.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. (Dr.) Hiniduma Sunil Senevi JJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Hiniduma Sunil Senevi provided figures on allocations related to Buddhist affairs, stating that Rs. 1,620 million was allocated under the Ministry, Rs. 463 million from the Department of Buddhist Affairs, and Rs. 70 million from the Buddhasasana Fund. He said these amounts total Rs. 2,154 million, apparently in response to the Leader of the Opposition.
Public Finance Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB
AI summary Sajith Premadasa argued that the proposed allocation for Buddhasasana in 2026 falls by Rs. 1,330 million from the 2025 figure, and said such a reduction is inappropriate given the constitutional status accorded to Buddhism. He requested that the allocation be increased and urged the Government to expedite appointments for about 600 Dhamma University Higher Diploma holders and address the 14,000 who have passed the Dharmacharya Examination. He also stated that sufficient public revenue is available, citing high tax collections and revenue exceeding IMF expectations.
- The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB
AI summary Requested that increased revenue be used to raise allocations to the Ministry of Buddhasasana at the current stage of budget consideration.
- The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary Bimal Rathnayake objected to two Ministers responding to clarifications on a question raised under Standing Order 27(2), arguing that the Prime Minister alone should answer as previously indicated. He requested that the matter be handled fairly until it is discussed at the Parliamentary Business Committee, warning against setting a precedent where multiple Ministries respond during clarifications.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Hiniduma Sunil Senevi JJB
AI summary Clarified that the apparent reduction between the 2025 and 2026 figures was due to Rs. 1,130 million recorded in 2025 as income from an Indian grant, not Treasury funds. Stated that steps had already been taken to spend those grant funds and that there was no reduction in the Ministry’s allocation.
Public Finance Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB
AI summary Under Standing Order No. 121(5)(i), Dr. Harsha de Silva stated that the Committee on Public Finance had completed its 70-page report on the assumptions of the Budget. He clarified that, contrary to a Daily Mirror headline, the Committee had not decided that the proposed Rs. 200 allowance for estate workers was unlawful, but had only agreed to bring related concerns to the Government’s notice.
- 8 Procedural Procedural Matters - Points of Order and Standing Order 27(2) clarifications 11 speeches
- 9 Debate Appropriation Bill, 2026 - Second Reading Debate 163 speeches