Sitting of Friday, 28 November 2025
Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 23026 ·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 and Announcements 1 speeches
- 2 Papers Regulations under National Medicines Regulatory Authority Act, No. 5 of 2015 1 speeches
- 3 Committee report Public Finance Committee Report on Regulations 1 speeches
- 4 Procedural Presentation of Petitions and MP Resignation 2 speeches
- 5 Debate Statements on Emergency Situation - Cyclone and Rainfall 4 speeches
- 6 Debate Motions at Commencement of Public Business - Emergency Response Coordination 18 speeches
- Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. J.C. Alawathuwala SJB
AI summary Hon. J.C. Alawathuwala said the country was facing an unfortunate situation and argued that declaring a State of Emergency under Article 155 of the Constitution would legally empower the Tri-Forces, Police and District Secretaries to maintain essential services. He noted that the Leader of the Opposition had raised the matter the previous day and requested the President to declare an emergency to facilitate relief to the public.
- Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF
AI summary Ravi Karunanayake urged that, given the seriousness of the situation, an emergency be declared so funds can be allocated and essential items distributed without hesitation by State officials. He also warned that the Diyawanna Oya water level was high, recalling the flooding of Parliament in November 2010, and requested immediate steps to reduce the water level.
- Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Hector Appuhamy SJB
AI summary Hon. Hector Appuhamy requested urgent action by Local Authorities, coordinated by Governors, to convene Commissioners and Chairmen and approve funds through an expedited process. He argued that delays would hinder timely canal cutting, blockage clearing, and desilting of waterways needed to prevent flooding.
- Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB
AI summary As Chair of the Committee on Public Finance, Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva stated that existing disaster-related allocations include Rs. 8.508 billion for recurrent expenditure and Rs. 1.58 billion for capital expenditure, with a further Rs. 15 billion available to be spent in the coming weeks without fresh parliamentary approval. He emphasized the need to make provision in the 2026 Budget, calling for at least Rs. 15 billion to be immediately allocated under 2026 heads, particularly for capital works to repair canals and waterways.
- The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK
AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam warned that flood impacts in the North and East, particularly Batticaloa and Ampara, may worsen as runoff from central rains reaches those areas. He said many residents are reluctant to evacuate to camps due to fears of looting and requested legal clarity and measures to protect property so evacuations can proceed safely. He also urged the Government to consider administrative experience when appointing District Secretaries, raising concerns about the current Batticaloa District Secretary’s responsiveness and suitability.
- Mr. Speaker procedural
- Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB
AI summary Hon. Ajith P. Perera raised an urgent matter concerning a bus with about 70 passengers stranded on the Kalawewa bridge on the Anuradhapura–Puttalam road, noting that approval for a helicopter rescue had not yet been granted and calling for immediate Government intervention. He also highlighted severe weather conditions, including a red alert in Kalutara District and heavy rains in Ratnapura, and requested special attention to relief efforts in Kalutara where floodwaters remained stagnant in several DS divisions.
- Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) M.L.A.M. Hizbullah SLMC
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) M.L.A.M. Hizbullah raised the impact of recent heavy rains, winds, and a cyclone across the Eastern Province, particularly Batticaloa, Trincomalee and Ampara. He acknowledged the President’s immediate action and requested urgent assistance and shelter facilities for thousands of affected residents whose roofs had been destroyed and who were displaced.
- The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law — Minister of Justice and National Integration JJB
AI summary Minister Harshana Nanayakkara confirmed the incident in Anuradhapura raised by Hon. Ajith P. Perera, stating that a bus with about 70 people aboard had proceeded despite prior instructions from the Senior DIG and was now stuck. He informed Parliament that two Army units were engaged at the location and that, according to Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe, helicopters were being arranged for the response.
- Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa — Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip
AI summary The Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip called for the matter under discussion to be concluded so the House could proceed to the next item.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Sajith Premadasa — Leader of the Opposition
AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa said the Opposition would support a government motion or Supplementary Estimate to secure additional funds for disaster relief. He urged that any allocated funds be quickly released to District and Divisional Secretariats and relevant institutions to ensure timely assistance to affected people.
- 7 Procedural Business of Parliament - Exemption from Standing Order 278 2 speeches
- 8 Papers Public Debt Management Act: Regulations to be Approved 2 speeches
- 9 Adjournment Adjournment 1 speeches