Sitting of Friday, 19 December 2025
Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 23115 ·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 Committee report Committee Report: Supplementary Estimate No. 1 of 2026 1 speeches
- 3 Petitions Petitions Presentation 4 speeches
- 4 Oral question Question by Private Notice: Foreign Employment in Republic of Korea 5 speeches
- 5 Procedural Ministerial Statements and Points of Order 13 speeches
- The Hon. Speaker procedural
- Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya informed Parliament that the answer to Hon. Ravi Karunanayake’s question to the Prime Minister, raised on 10 September 2025, would be provided by Hon. Kumara Jayakody, Minister of Energy.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. Kumara Jayakody - Minister of Energy JJB
AI summary Minister Kumara Jayakody said the CEB recorded an adjusted operating profit of Rs. 106,601 million in 2024, of which Rs. 96,264 million was used for debt servicing, including bank interest and principal payments. He stated that electricity tariff decisions are made independently by the PUCSL, noting a 20.08% tariff reduction in January 2025 through a clawback, a subsequent 15% increase in June 2025 following CEB losses, and PUCSL’s later decision to maintain prevailing tariffs for July–December 2025. He said renewable energy capacity has exceeded targets under the 2025–2044 generation plan and outlined the quarterly tariff-setting method for NCRE projects and recent changes to Battery Energy Storage System terms, including a 15-year operating cycle and import duty waiver for qualifying systems.
- Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF
AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake questioned the rationale for raising electricity tariffs again after earlier reductions, arguing that the focus appeared to be on increasing revenue rather than reducing costs. He asked why battery energy storage system projects were limited to 10 or 15 years when a 20-year lifecycle funded by the private sector was feasible, and urged the use of clawback mechanisms to return more benefits to consumers from debt settlements. He also sought details on the impact of Cyclone “Ditwah” on CEB transmission and generation, and asked whether the Government accepted the need for firm generation through battery storage to reduce exposure to fossil fuel costs.
- Hon. Kumara Jayakody JJB
AI summary Hon. Kumara Jayakody stated that the Government is pursuing cost control in the electricity sector through lower purchase prices and competitive tenders, while planning to review exchange rate-related conditions early next year to prevent losses or windfalls. He said rooftop solar tariff formulas are being corrected to reflect faster capital recovery, and that battery energy storage tenders have extended guarantees from 10 to 15 years while balancing investor returns, consumer interests and grid stability. He also noted that the CEB bore significant emergency restoration costs after Cyclone “Ditwah” and deployed crews rapidly without external assistance.
- The Hon. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Kumara Jayakody JJB
AI summary Hon. Kumara Jayakody stated that the power sector transition should be managed smoothly and stably. He emphasized the need to protect consumer interests while maintaining reliability in the electricity system.
Infrastructure Full speech → - Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya stated that the Government will pursue a new Constitution, including abolition of the Executive Presidency and establishment of a parliamentary system with a non-executive President, after public consultation, Cabinet consideration and a referendum. She said Provincial Council elections will be held as soon as possible, but the Government must first decide whether to proceed under the 2017 delimitation-based framework or amend the law to revert to the previous system, with funds allocated in the 2026 Budget. She also outlined Cabinet-approved steps to study and draft legislation for a Public Prosecutor’s Office through a technical expert committee, followed by Legal Draftsman and Attorney-General review before submission to Parliament.
Parliamentary ProcedureEthnic Reconciliation & DevolutionCorruption & Governance Reform Full speech → - Hon. Sajith Premadasa SJB
AI summary Welcoming the Government’s stated position on constitutional reform, Sajith Premadasa urged that any new constitutional framework expand Fundamental Rights to include socio-economic and cultural rights such as health, education, culture and religion. He raised concerns over reported deaths of two women in Habarakada and Matugama after receiving a contaminated batch of Ondansetron, arguing that access to quality medicines under free healthcare should be protected as a fundamental right linked to the right to life. He also questioned the interdiction of Dr. Bellana after he spoke publicly on alleged health-sector corruption and substandard drugs, tabled the relevant Health Ministry letter dated 18.12.2025, and asked what action and justice would be provided for the deceased women and to safeguard patients’ rights.
- Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya expressed sorrow over the deaths of two women and stated that the Government is investigating the matter and will take necessary action, while avoiding detailed comment until the inquiry is completed. She said further information could be provided by the Health State Minister. She also affirmed support for expanding the Fundamental Rights chapter to include economic, social and cultural rights alongside civil and political rights, supported by strong institutions.
- Hon. Shantha Pathma Kumara Subasingha JJB
AI summary Hon. Shantha Pathma Kumara Subasingha raised a question of privilege alleging that false statements about him had been circulated on social and electronic media by named police officers, a local government member, and Hon. Ajith P. Perera. He argued that these actions obstructed his parliamentary duties and violated the Parliament (Powers and Privileges) Act. He requested that those responsible be referred to the Committee on Ethics and Privileges for appropriate action.
- Hon. Sajith Premadasa SJB
AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa raised a Point of Order objecting to a reference made during a privilege matter to Hon. Ajith P. Perera as “said to be a Senior Attorney.” He stated that Hon. Perera is a duly qualified Attorney-at-Law and requested that the wording be expunged from the Hansard.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law - Minister of Justice and National Integration JJB
AI summary Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara clarified a point of legal terminology, stating that Sri Lanka does not recognize a title of “Senior Attorney” for private practitioners. He noted that comparable titles apply only to officers of the Attorney-General’s Department and said the clarification was made for the House’s understanding.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
- 6 Procedural Business of Parliament and Principal Business Motion 3 speeches
- 7 Debate Debate: Supplementary Estimate – Head 240 – Programme 02 – Cyclone Disaster Relief (Rs. 500 Billion) 83 speeches