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

Sitting of Thursday, 27 November 2025

10th Parliament· 12 debates· 220 speeches· 65 speakers

Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 23013 ·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.

  6. 6 Oral question Oral Question: Digital Identity Card Introduction (Q.552/2025) 12 speeches
    • The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB

      AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara urged the Chair to allow a Party Leader to raise a point of order. The intervention was procedural, seeking recognition for the Member to speak on that basis.

      Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
    • Mr. Speaker procedural
      Full speech →
    • The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB

      AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara raised Question 552/2025 seeking details on the proposed introduction of a digital identity card. He requested information on the policy framework, implementation process, data protection safeguards, and the Government’s plans for issuing or integrating the digital ID system.

      Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
    • The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB

      AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara asked the Minister of Digital Economy whether Sri Lanka will introduce a digital identity card and requested details on its benefits, preparation methodology, per-card cost, and total cost for all registered citizens. He also sought information on funding sources, any foreign loans or assistance, investor benefits, safeguards to prevent access to citizens’ personal data, and whether all related agreements would be tabled in Parliament.

      Security & DefencePublic Finance Full speech →
    • The Hon. Eranga Weeraratne - Deputy Minister of Digital Economy JJB

      AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Digital Economy, the Deputy Minister confirmed that Sri Lanka is introducing a biometric-based digital identity system as part of its digital transformation. He said the system is expected to improve access to public and private online services, reduce fraud in benefit distribution and financial transactions, support inclusion in the digital economy, and strengthen national security and law enforcement by preventing forged or multiple identities.

      InfrastructurePublic FinanceJustice & Human Rights Full speech →
    • The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB

      AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara questioned a tender condition requiring the master systems integrator for a biometric digital initiative to have at least 51 per cent Indian shareholding, arguing that this could exclude Sri Lankan companies and affect national control over citizens’ data. He asked the Government to table the related agreements and procedural framework in Parliament, citing concerns over sovereignty, data safeguards, and the absence of Supreme Court review without a Government reference.

      Foreign AffairsJustice & Human RightsParliamentary Procedure Full speech →
    • The Hon. Eranga Weeraratne JJB

      AI summary Hon. Eranga Weeraratne clarified that India’s role in the digital ID project is limited to assistance in procuring and installing the initial system, not ownership or control of an operating entity. He stated that no company will be created with a 51 per cent Indian stake, and that the system will remain in Sri Lanka under the Department for Registration of Persons, operated by Sri Lankan public officers. He emphasized that no digital IDs or biometric data will be populated during initial setup, and that data will not be sent abroad or accessed by foreign entities.

      Public FinanceForeign Affairs Full speech →
    • The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB

      AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara questioned the terms of a tender notice, particularly a requirement for 51 per cent Indian shareholding, and said the Deputy Minister’s verbal assurances did not address what was stated in the document. He also raised concerns over digitalization-related licensing and alleged conflicts of interest involving the Deputy Minister’s past company roles, shareholdings, and work connected to the toll system. Citing prior parliamentary precedents on conflicts of interest, he called for full disclosure of interests to Parliament or for the Minister to make a statement and resign.

      Parliamentary ProcedurePublic FinanceCorruption & Governance Reform Full speech →
    • The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB

      AI summary Requested that the Deputy Minister be allowed to answer the Member’s question.

      Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
    • The Hon. Speaker procedural
      Full speech →
    • The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB

      AI summary Bimal Rathnayake stated that any issue concerning the Deputy Minister appointed from his party would be addressed by the party. He said the Deputy Minister should respond directly to the specific question raised by the Member.

      Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
    • The Hon. Eranga Weeraratne JJB

      AI summary Eranga Weeraratne responded to a supplementary question by Dayasiri Jayasekara, stating that Dialog and companies associated with him are not Indian companies. He clarified that Indian companies may only assist with system setup and delivery, with no operational control being granted, and said procurement would be conducted lawfully by public officials to serve the Government and the public.

      Corruption & Governance ReformPublic Finance Full speech →