Sitting of Thursday, 20 November 2025
Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 22934 ·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 Parliament Opening 1 speeches
- 2 Papers Papers Presented: Annual Reports (National Apprentice and Industrial Training Authority, Sri Lanka Land Development Corporation, Sri Lanka Institute of Textile and Apparel, National Science Foundation) 4 speeches
- 3 Petitions Petitions: Petition from Mr. Jeevan Prasanna Wijegunawardena 1 speeches
- 4 Oral question Oral Question No. 1 (Q.680/2025): Environment - Deputy Minister Response and Adjournment 6 speeches
- 5 Oral question Oral Question No. 2 (Q.812/2025): Sapugaskanda Oil Refinery Expansion and Modernization Project 9 speeches
- 6 Oral question Oral Question No. 3 (Q.812/2025): Financial Cybercrime Complaints (Second Round) 7 speeches
- 7 Oral question Oral Question No. 1300/2025: Committee to Look into Proposed Education Council 2 speeches
- 8 Oral question Oral Question No. 3 (Q.812/2025): Second Round (Second Attempt) - Adjournment 3 speeches
- 9 Oral question Oral Question by Private Notice (Standing Order 27(2)): Grant of Permission for Muslim Female Nurses to Wear Trousers 5 speeches
- 10 Procedural Ministerial Statement and Points of Order: 'Aruna' News Report (19.11.2025) and Related Procedural Matters 61 speeches
- Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip JJB
AI summary In his capacity as Minister of Mass Media, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa raised concerns about an “Aruna” newspaper lead story claiming police complaints required approval from a Community Police Committee Chairman, stating that the report was unverified and later inadequately corrected. He cited previous reports by the same media group, including stories related to “Clean Sri Lanka” and Northern commemorations, alleging a pattern of publishing misleading information that could create public unrest or communal tension. He said complaints would be made to relevant authorities and legal action pursued where appropriate, while affirming the Government’s commitment to media freedom and the public’s right to accurate information.
- The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara rose on a Point of Order, referring to a document. The excerpt provided is incomplete, so no further substantive argument, proposal, or demand can be identified.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB
AI summary The Leader of the Opposition raised concerns that applicants for police character certificates are being required to obtain recommendations from Community Police Committee Chairmen. He cited two cases in the Kirinda-Puhulwella and Kamburupitiya areas, naming the applicants, police stations, GN divisions and committee chairmen involved, and questioned whether such requirements create partisan control over community-level administration.
- Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Sajith Premadasa SJB
AI summary Sajith Premadasa briefly stated that he was concluding his remarks and emphasized that he was presenting facts supported by data.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB
AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa questioned whether the Government was attempting to create an autocracy. He stated that his claim was based on evidence and identified himself as the source of that assertion.
Corruption & Governance Reform Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB
AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa said criticism and praise should both be accepted responsibly, referring to comments about Chathura and Chamuditha. He also alerted the Speaker, in a procedural manner, that he had received information about a snake entering the Speaker’s room and stressed that the matter was not intended as a joke or disruption.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB
AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa noted that Parliament is situated next to an environmentally sensitive area, implying concern about environmental protection in the parliamentary precinct. He appeared to be raising the need for attention to conservation or safeguards around the area, though the excerpt provides no further details of specific proposals or demands.
Environment Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB
AI summary Sajith Premadasa briefly urged the House to take the matter seriously and listen, emphasizing that his intervention was not a joke. No specific policy proposal, question, or legislative issue was raised in the provided extract.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB
AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa warned about the risk of snake bites within the Parliament premises, noting its location in an environmentally sensitive zone. He asked whether anti-venom is available and urged relevant officials to look into preparedness and safety precautions for Members and staff.
Environment Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara referred to a document that had been tabled previously in Parliament. The excerpt does not include further details on the document’s content, purpose, or any specific request or argument.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara stated that the tabled document was an agreement signed with the United States of America involving the defence establishment.
- Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara asked the Speaker to pause and hear him regarding a matter that had been tabled. He sought the Chair’s attention before proceeding, but did not state the substance of the issue in the excerpt provided.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara briefly refers to a matter that had been tabled in Parliament on a previous day. The excerpt does not provide sufficient detail to identify the specific document, issue, or argument being raised.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara requested time to make a brief point but did not proceed with a substantive statement in the provided excerpt. No specific issue, proposal, or demand is identifiable from the available text.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara raised a procedural concern regarding a document that had been tabled in Parliament. He sought the Speaker’s permission to address what was occurring in relation to that document.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB
AI summary Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri briefly requested the Speaker to allow another member an opportunity to speak. No substantive policy issue, proposal, or legislative matter was raised in this intervention.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara stated that a document tabled by a Minister was incorrect. He raised the issue as a procedural concern regarding the accuracy of material presented to Parliament.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB
AI summary Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri requested the Speaker to allow another member an opportunity to speak. He indicated that it was difficult for him to raise his matter under the circumstances.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB
AI summary Chaminda Wijesiri noted that interruptions were causing confusion during the proceedings and asked the Speaker to allow the Member who had the floor to continue.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara raised a matter under Standing Order 92(2). No substantive remarks, proposal, question, or policy issue are included in the provided excerpt beyond the procedural reference.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB
AI summary Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri briefly requested the Speaker to allow another member to speak or proceed. No substantive policy issue, proposal, or legislative matter was raised.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara requested the Speaker to provide him the microphone briefly. No substantive policy issue, proposal, or question was raised in the recorded intervention.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara objected that the document tabled as the Montana agreement was only a Sinhala copy without signatures, not the actual signed agreement. He requested that the real agreement signed by the Deputy Minister of Defence be presented to Parliament.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake stated that Members are responsible for the statements and documents they present in Parliament, and their accuracy must be established through other appropriate means. He noted that the Deputy Minister of Defence had independently obtained time from the Speaker to present a document, and emphasized that Parliament has no separate mechanism to verify the correctness of such documents.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake briefly asked whether there was an alternative mechanism available. The intervention appears to seek clarification on the procedural or administrative mechanism under discussion, but the excerpt is too limited to identify the specific policy or issue involved.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara stated that the matter was presented by the Deputy Minister of Defence. No substantive argument, proposal, question, or policy position is recorded in the provided text.
Security & Defence Full speech → - Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake stated that the Deputy Minister of Defence had presented the relevant document on his own initiative and could respond later if necessary. He emphasized that Members are responsible for the accuracy of documents they present, and requested the Speaker to allow Minister Ananda Wijepala to respond to the issue raised unexpectedly by the Leader of the Opposition.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Ananda Wijepala JJB
AI summary Ananda Wijepala asked the Leader of the Opposition to clarify a matter he had raised by specifying the date of the report being referenced.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB
AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa stated that the documents he had presented were the named village committee reports.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB
AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa indicates that he does not have information or records for the stated date, 20 November 2025. No substantive policy issue, legislative matter, proposal, or demand is raised in the provided text.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. Ananda Wijepala JJB
AI summary Hon. Ananda Wijepala stated that community police committees were established as part of efforts to strengthen public participation in policing and improve local security coordination. He appeared to begin explaining the origins or role of these committees, but the provided speech extract is incomplete and does not include further details, proposals, or demands.
Law & Order Full speech → - Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB
AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa briefly indicated that the relevant officers could be directed to involve the Hakmana Police. The statement appears to be an interjection or procedural remark rather than a substantive policy argument.
Law & Order Full speech → - Hon. Ananda Wijepala JJB
AI summary Hon. Ananda Wijepala stated that no circular from the Ministry of Public Security or the Police Department requires a certificate from Public Security Committees for the issuance of character certificates, which continue to be processed based on Grama Niladhari certification. He said any reported incident at a police station would be examined, but asserted that the matter being raised appeared to relate to former Community Police Committees under previous governments. He also rejected allegations that Public Security Committees are politicized, explaining their composition and the process for selecting chairpersons.
- The Hon. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Ananda Wijepala JJB
AI summary Hon. Ananda Wijepala stated that appointments to positions are made with majority consent and that canvassing for such appointments is not problematic. He emphasized that the Public Security Committees were established under a proper circular.
Law & Order Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB
AI summary Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri raised a point under Standing Orders 92(2) and 22(9), objecting to a statement made by Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa. He argued that the Minister had improperly used Parliament to address an internal matter and had not made a proper Ministry statement to the House.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB
AI summary Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri objected to a member bringing newspapers into the Chamber and reading from them while making points. He requested that the matter be referred to the Committee on Privileges.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa stated that, as Minister of Mass Media, he had the right to make a ministerial communication concerning media freedom and the public’s right to information. The remarks indicate he was defending the propriety of that communication in the parliamentary context.
Public Finance Full speech → - Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara asks whether the matter under discussion is accepted as having been wrong. The intervention is a brief question seeking acknowledgement of fault.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa stated that there was no police instruction or circular requiring approval from Public Security Committee chairmen for police reports. He argued that Public Security Committees were being deliberately targeted to undermine mechanisms used to combat the drug trade, and linked criticism of the committees to opposition to anti-drug enforcement efforts.
- The Hon. Mujibur Rahuman SJB
AI summary Hon. Mujibur Rahuman rose on a point of Order. No substantive argument, proposal, or question was recorded in the provided excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Mujibur Rahuman SJB
AI summary Mujibur Rahuman, citing Standing Order 92(2), referred to an issue raised by the Opposition Whip and the Minister responsible for Police regarding requests in Colombo and other areas for a letter from the chairman of the Public Security Committee. He offered to provide the relevant document privately if required.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
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