Sitting of Tuesday, 18 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: Amendment to Committee Stage Programme and Supplementary Estimates 2 speeches ▸
2. 2 Petitions Petitions: G.H. Janaka Kumara and W.T.B.S.J. Seneviratne 2 speeches ▸
3. 3 Oral question Oral Question No. 880/2025: Request for Postponement 3 speeches ▸
4. 4 Oral question Oral Question No. 1431/2025: Substandard Food and Consumer Goods Prevention of Sale 6 speeches ▸
5. 5 Oral question Oral Question No. 827/2025: Request for Postponement (Second Round) 3 speeches ▸
6. 6 Oral question Oral Question No. 880/2025: Grant of Urumaya Freehold Deeds - Manmunaipattu DS Division 2 speeches ▸
7. 7 Oral question Oral Question No. 1063/2025: Import of Rice under Present Government 2 speeches ▾
   • The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka (on behalf of the Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana) SJB

     AI summary A question was raised seeking details on rice imports since the current Government took office, including imported quantities, varieties, taxes per kilogramme, tax revenue, and any price ceiling. It also asked whether further imports are planned, what impact imports have on local paddy farmers, and what national measures are proposed to reduce reliance on rice imports.

     Public FinanceAgriculture Full speech →
   • The Hon. R.M. Jayawardhana — Deputy Minister of Trade, Commerce and Food Security

     AI summary The Deputy Minister tabled data on rice imports, stating that 263,878 metric tonnes were imported between 18 November 2024 and 13 November 2025, with Special Commodity Levy revenue of Rs. 14,686 million for specified HS codes from 25 November 2024 to 31 October 2025. He also provided the applicable import tax categories and the current maximum retail prices for rice varieties under Gazette No. 2459/12 of 21 October 2025. The answer stated that further imports are not presently expected except for specialty types such as Basmati, and that imports are considered only during market shortfalls so no adverse impact on local paddy farmers is anticipated. It outlined Agriculture Ministry measures to improve domestic production, including new high-quality varieties, strengthened seed systems, fertilizer efficiency, mechanization, drone technology, and a Paddy Production Cluster Programme targeting higher yields from the 2025/26 Maha season through 2028.

     Public FinanceAgriculture Full speech →
8. 8 Oral question Question by Private Notice: Proactive Utilization of Opportunities Provided by Colombo Security Conclave 3 speeches ▸
9. 9 Procedural Privilege: Remark Made by Hon. Sujeewa Senasinghe on 10.11.2025 3 speeches ▸
10. 10 Procedural Privilege Motion: Request to Raise a Question of Privilege 2 speeches ▸
11. 11 Procedural Main Business: Committee Stage Announcement 2 speeches ▸
12. 12 Debate Committee Stage Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Defence and Public Security Expenditure Heads 155 speeches ▸
13. 13 Adjournment Adjournment 1 speeches ▸