Sitting of Thursday, 18 December 2025
Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 23062 ·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 Summoning 1 speeches
- 2 Papers Papers Tabled: Reports, Supplementary Estimate, Regulations, Orders and Performance Reports 10 speeches
- 3 Petitions Petitions Presented 3 speeches
- 4 Oral question Question by Private Notice: Credit Expansion and Ministerial Statement on Tourism 7 speeches
- Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF
AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake raised a Question by Private Notice under Standing Order 27(2) on the expansion of private sector credit by licensed commercial banks and non-bank financial institutions from 2023 to 2025. Citing Central Bank figures for 2024, he sought disaggregated data on gold-backed pawning loans, vehicle leasing and hire purchase, and credit card credit, arguing that these categories affect household indebtedness, consumer spending and financial stability. He requested annual rupee and percentage growth figures, non-performing loan and provisioning data, the contribution of these categories to 2025 credit growth, details of any emerging risks identified by the Central Bank, and publication of a standardized dataset for parliamentary oversight.
- Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha - Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning JJB
AI summary The Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning requested time from the Speaker to provide answers to the questions raised.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF
AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake sought permission from the Chair to raise a question. No substantive issue or policy matter was stated in the provided excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Vijitha Herath - Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism JJB
AI summary Multiple tourism initiatives are being coordinated through the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, Tourism Promotion Bureau, overseas missions, and industry stakeholders to accelerate policy implementation, worker onboarding, and promotion. The Minister reported increased Tourism Development Levy revenue in 2025, tourism receipts approaching USD 3 billion, and preparatory work for a unified national tourism brand. He said both budget and high-end travelers contribute to local economic activity, while noting hotel room supply of about 90,000 rooms affects room rates. He also referred to the Presidential Task Force on Tourism Development established by Gazette Extraordinary No. 2450/27 of 20 August 2025, which is coordinating relevant institutions and ministries.
- Hon. Dilith Jayaweera SB
AI summary Hon. Dilith Jayaweera said tourism earnings remain low despite high domestic costs, noting that average room rates are still over 20 percent below pre-Easter 2019 levels and that some Colombo five-star rates may amount to a net loss for the country. He proposed using Tourism Development Levy revenues for stronger nation branding and global promotional campaigns to attract higher-spending tourists and better position Sri Lanka against competing destinations.
- Hon. Vijitha Herath JJB
AI summary Vijitha Herath stated that preparatory work has begun on a nation branding initiative to support tourism development. He said stakeholder consultations are under way, substantial funding is being allocated, and the process will proceed in a structured manner.
Foreign Affairs Full speech →
- 5 Papers Bills Presented: Judicature (Amendment) Bill 1 speeches
- 6 Procedural Sittings of Parliament - Hours of Sitting Order 1 speeches
- 7 Adjournment Adjournment Debate: Current Situation of the Country After Disaster Caused by Cyclone Ditwah 109 speeches