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Sri Lanka
10th Parliament· 154 sittings on record · 30,475 speeches · latest 10 June 2026

Sitting of Thursday, 13 November 2025

10th Parliament· 12 debates· 169 speeches· 67 speakers

Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 22816 ·English daily/uncorrected Hansard

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Order of business

Speeches load per item. Summaries shown here are AI-generated and labelled; verbatim text is on each speech page.

  4. 4 Oral question Oral Question: Curbing Illegal Fishing in Mullaitivu and Mannar Districts (1352/2025) 4 speeches
    • The Hon. Mayilvaganam Jegatheeswaran JJB

      AI summary Asked the Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources whether the Government is aware of illegal fishing in Mullaitivu and Mannar using prohibited methods and unauthorized vessels, and what measures have been taken or planned to curb it. He requested details on future surveillance, enforcement and operational strengthening, as well as the impact on fish quality and fishermen’s economies. He also asked what action is being taken to protect affected fishermen’s livelihoods, why the law has not been adequately enforced, and whether coordination is maintained among the Ministry, Navy and Police.

      Law & OrderAgriculture Full speech →
    • The Hon. Rathna Gamage - Deputy Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources JJB

      AI summary Rathna Gamage, replying on behalf of the Minister, said fisheries are regulated under existing Acts and 104 regulations, with 17 licensed fishing methods permitted, while unlicensed and destructive practices remain illegal across all fisheries districts, including Mullaitivu and Mannar. He stated that Cabinet has approved a new Bill to replace the current fisheries law and that recruitment of departmental officers, joint enforcement by the Navy, Coast Guard and Police, and measures against blast fishing are being pursued. He said illegal methods harm fish quality, ecosystems and livelihoods, but rejected claims of inadequate enforcement, citing ongoing patrols, raids, prosecutions and inter-agency coordination meetings to strengthen district-level countermeasures.

      Public FinanceAgricultureLaw & Order Full speech →
    • The Hon. Mayilvaganam Jegatheeswaran JJB

      AI summary Hon. Mayilvaganam Jegatheeswaran raised concerns about illegal fishing practices by fishers from other districts in Mullaitivu, especially Kokkilai, and Mannar, as well as encroachment by Indian fishers affecting local livelihoods, and asked what action the Ministry has taken. He also said inland fisheries registration and licensing in Mullaitivu, Mannar, and Vavuniya are delayed because only one NAQDA officer is available, citing the case of Pawarkulam fishers awaiting licences for months. He requested expedited licensing, resolution of disputes among Pawarkulam fishers, and measures to secure their livelihoods.

      Law & OrderEmployment Full speech →
    • The Hon. Rathna Gamage - Deputy Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources JJB

      AI summary The Deputy Minister said recent discussions in Mannar and Mullaitivu with Defence authorities and fisheries officials led to a decision to establish a joint operations room and hotline to address local inter-district fishing intrusions, and that he would check its status and ensure follow-up on complaints. He stated that Indian fishing incursions are being addressed through diplomatic engagement with India alongside joint Navy–Department operations, with continued efforts expected to reduce incidents. On NAQDA licensing delays, he said staff shortages had prompted recruitment requests, and interim deployment of officers from other institutions would be considered to clear backlogs in the North and speed up licensing and dispute resolution.

      Foreign AffairsSecurity & DefenceAgriculture Full speech →