Sitting of Thursday, 13 November 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 and Papers 5 speeches ▸
2. 2 Petitions Petitions 3 speeches ▸
3. 3 Oral question Oral Question: Kinniya-Colombo Main Road Widening (1350/2025) 4 speeches ▸
4. 4 Oral question Oral Question: Curbing Illegal Fishing in Mullaitivu and Mannar Districts (1352/2025) 4 speeches ▸
5. 5 Oral question Oral Question: Payment of Pension since 2020 (1354/2025) 4 speeches ▸
6. 6 Oral question Oral Question: Heda Oya Water Supply Project Status (1395/2025) 8 speeches ▸
7. 7 Oral question Oral Question: Recovery of EPF Contributions 3 speeches ▸
8. 8 Oral question Private Notice Question: Paddy Prices and Rice Imports (27(2)) 8 speeches ▾
   • The Hon. Speaker procedural
     Full speech →
   • The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna

     AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna raised a Point of Order regarding a work-to-rule campaign by nurses across the Northern Province, including Mannar, warning that it could seriously affect public healthcare services. He said the action was linked to administrative measures such as requiring officers to sign a single attendance book, and requested the Minister of Health and Mass Media to invite Northern Province nursing representatives for discussions to resolve the matter.

     Parliamentary ProcedureHealthcare Full speech →
   • The Hon. Nalinda Jayatissa JJB

     AI summary Nalinda Jayatissa clarified that the token action in the Northern Province was limited to the previous day and concerned the nurses’ attendance register. He said provincial authorities, including the Governor and health officials, had discussed the matter following an audit of hospital staff attendance, and that negotiations with trade unions were held the previous night to reach an understanding.

     EmploymentHealthcare Full speech →
   • The Hon. Speaker procedural
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   • The Hon. K. Kader Masthan SLLP

     AI summary Hon. K. Kader Masthan raised questions under Standing Order 27(2) to the Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development regarding recent issues in rice distribution and pricing. He requested data on annual demand and domestic production by rice variety, especially any shortfalls, and asked how alleged stockpiling and black-market pricing of Keeri Samba could be controlled. He also sought details on imports of equivalent varieties such as Ponni and others, and asked whether new measures could support farmers, producers, consumers, regional millers, price stability, and uninterrupted supply.

     AgricultureCost of LivingPublic Finance Full speech →
   • The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development JJB

     AI summary Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe stated that Sri Lanka’s annual rice requirement is about 2.7 million metric tons and that Yala 2025 production data show a surplus of Nadu but a shortfall in Keeri Samba and other Samba varieties. He said Cabinet approved imports of Ponni/GR-11 rice as substitutes for Keeri Samba after CAA and Lanka Sathosa monitoring indicated shortages, with about 63,000 metric tons imported by 13 November 2025 and controls placed on shipment timing and importer quantities. He outlined current maximum retail prices, CAA enforcement actions including raids and fines, and said government intervention is limited to addressing unaffordable prices, hoarding, or black-market practices. He also cited longer-term measures such as encouraging diversified cultivation, supporting farmers, re-establishing the Cooperative Wholesale Establishment, distributing rice through Sathosa and cooperatives, providing paddy dryers in 2026, and registering millers for oversight.

     Cost of LivingAgriculturePublic Finance Full speech →
   • The Hon. K. Kader Masthan SLLP

     AI summary Hon. K. Kader Masthan raised concerns that rice import decisions, except in relation to Keeri Samba shortages, can undermine local farmers when other domestic varieties are available. He alleged that millers and traders buy Keeri Samba paddy at low prices, stockpile it, and later sell rice at higher prices, including through supermarkets, and requested action to ensure proper availability and prevent such practices. He also urged timely official paddy price-setting before harvests in the North and East, arguing that delayed pricing harms farmers and weakens national production.

     AgricultureCost of Living Full speech →
   • The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development JJB

     AI summary The Minister stated that announced paddy prices include Nadu at Rs. 1,208, Samba at Rs. 1,258 and Keeri Samba at Rs. 1,328 per 5 kg, with a possible Keeri Samba revision to be discussed with the Minister of Agriculture on the 25th. He said Keeri Samba shortages stem from demand exceeding production, some stock aggregation by large millers, and black-market activity, and that the Government is importing GR-11 and Ponni/Chiru Samba as substitutes. He added that Keeri Samba cultivation under the Yaya 500 programme must increase from about 35,000–37,000 hectares to at least 50,000 hectares per season, and that instructions have been given to expand cultivation in assured-water areas.

     AgricultureCost of Living Full speech →
9. 9 Procedural Privilege Matters and Procedural Issues 10 speeches ▸
10. 10 Procedural Sittings Motions and Adjournment of Debate Order 13 speeches ▸
11. 11 Debate Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Second Reading (Fifth Allotted Day) 84 speeches ▸
12. 12 Adjournment Adjournment Motion: National Strategic Plan for Eye Health 23 speeches ▸