Sitting of Tuesday, 6 January 2026
Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 23111 ·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 Opening of Parliament and Official Business 15 speeches
- 2 Papers Papers: Presidential Message, Auditor-General Reports, and Annual Reports 11 speeches
- 3 Petitions Petitions and Procedural Matters 13 speeches
- 4 Oral question Oral Question: Fishermen in Pottuvil DS Division - Provision of Facilities (Q.1397/2025) 11 speeches
- 5 Oral question Oral Question: Balance Funds of Members of EPF - 30 Per Cent Withdrawal Permitted (Q.1436/2025) 7 speeches
- 6 Oral question Oral Question: Import of Cut Flowers and Plants - Details (Q.1463/2025) 7 speeches
- 7 Oral question Oral Question: Wildlife and Forest Conservation Lands in Polpithigama DS Division (Q. relating to Mrs. Geetha Herath) 8 speeches
- 8 Oral question Oral Question: Sinharaja Forest World Heritage Site Protection (Q. relating to B. Ariyawansha and points of order) 32 speeches
- The Hon. B. Ariyawansha SJB
AI summary Hon. B. Ariyawansha asked the Minister of Environment to provide details on the Sinharaja Forest, including the date it was declared a World Heritage Site and the extent of land it covers. He also requested information on current and future measures to conserve both the internal and external ecosystems of the forest, citing its importance to Sri Lanka’s environmental sustainability.
Environment Full speech → - The Hon. Dammika Patabendi JJB
AI summary Hon. Dammika Patabendi provided a ministerial answer on the status and conservation of the Sinharaja Forest, stating that it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site on 2 December 1988 and now covers 36,474.93 hectares. He outlined its legal protections under the National Heritage Wilderness Areas Act, its earlier designation as a biosphere reserve, the 2019 boundary expansion, and conservation planning under ESCAMP, including ecotourism regulation and 2025 allocations for the Kudawa and Pitadeniya entrances. He also stated that lands within and around the Sinharaja boundary, including Land Reforms Commission and private forested lands, are being vested with the Forest Department, with future action planned to protect buffer forests and complete boundary demarcation.
- The Hon. B. Ariyawansha SJB
AI summary B. Ariyawansha asked the Minister to address poor road infrastructure around the Sinharaja World Heritage Site, noting its importance for domestic and foreign tourism through routes in Ratnapura, Matara and Galle Districts. He highlighted the deteriorated condition of the Deniyaya–Sooriyakanda road and approach roads between Rakwana, Pothupitiya and Kalawana, and requested their development.
- The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. B. Ariyawansha SJB
AI summary Hon. B. Ariyawansha raised concerns about declining wildlife in the Sinharaja environment, noting reported reductions in elephants and threats to endemic animals such as gaur and leopards from poaching. He asked whether a programme would be proposed to protect these animals.
Environment Full speech → - The Hon. Dammika Patabendi JJB
AI summary Dammika Patabendi stated that no new programme is needed for Sinharaja, as it is already protected as a Reserved Forest and World Heritage Site. He said the existing management system is sufficient to safeguard Sinharaja and is the basis for its current protection.
Environment Full speech → - The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB
AI summary Sajith Premadasa questioned how the Government can effectively protect reserves, forests and buffer zones, including Sinharaja and the Hakwatunawa Tank Reserve, if officials enforcing conservation laws are transferred or obstructed. He cited the transfer of Wildlife officer Chathura Gunaratne in Herathgama and alleged obstruction of Forest Department officers in Galgamuwa and Kumbukwewa who opposed illegal soil excavation.
- The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Sajith Premadasa SJB
AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa questioned how the Government intends to implement its reserve protection policy, citing incidents in Galgamuwa/Kumbukwewa where Forest Department officers were allegedly driven out while protecting forest lands. He also referred to the transfer of Mr. Chathura Gunaratne after efforts to protect the Hakwatunawa Tank Reserve, asking whether such actions reflect the Government’s approach to reserve conservation.
- The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Sajith Premadasa SJB
AI summary Sajith Premadasa briefly referred to the protection of reserves. The remark appears to indicate concern or interest regarding measures to safeguard reserved areas or resources, but no specific proposal, question, or demand is recorded in the provided excerpt.
Environment Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Sajith Premadasa SJB
AI summary Sajith Premadasa briefly stated that his question was connected to the ongoing matter and clarified that he was asking specifically about the protection of reserves.
Environment Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Sajith Premadasa SJB
AI summary Sajith Premadasa sought the Speaker’s permission to address Parliament at the start of the New Year. No substantive policy issue, proposal, or question was raised in the quoted remarks.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Sajith Premadasa SJB
AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa briefly raised a related question concerning the protection of reserves, seeking clarification on that matter.
Public Finance Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Sajith Premadasa SJB
AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa briefly raised a question regarding the protection of reserves. The intervention sought clarification on measures or responsibilities related to safeguarding such reserved areas.
Public Finance Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Sajith Premadasa SJB
AI summary Sajith Premadasa questioned whether the Government’s policy on protecting reserves is reflected in reported obstruction of Forest Department officers safeguarding lands in Galgamuwa and Kumbukwewa. He also raised concern over the transfer of Mr. Chathura Gunaratne, who had worked to protect the Hakwatunawa Tank Reserve, seeking clarification on the Government’s stance.
- The Hon. Dammika Patabendi JJB
AI summary The Hon. Dammika Patabendi invoked Standing Order 33(1) to decline answering a supplementary question, stating it was unrelated to the original oral question. He told the Leader of the Opposition to submit the matter separately, indicating it could be answered on another day.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Sajith Premadasa SJB
AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa rose to a point of order. No substantive issue, proposal, or question was recorded in the provided extract.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Sajith Premadasa SJB
AI summary Raised a procedural concern that earlier Members were allowed broad latitude in questioning and received ministerial responses, while he was being treated differently. He asked the Chair to explain the apparent inconsistency in applying parliamentary procedure.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB
AI summary Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri rose to raise a point of order. No substantive argument, proposal, or policy issue was stated in the excerpt provided.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB
AI summary Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri challenged the Minister’s response, citing Standing Order 34(18). He argued that parliamentary questions may not only seek information within a Minister’s responsibility but also urge action on such matters.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Speaker procedural
- 9 Oral question Oral Question: OIC Official Residence and Land at Yatiyantota Police Station (Q. relating to Dr. Nandana Millagala) 7 speeches
- 10 Oral question Oral Question: CEB Transformer and Chartered Engineer Requirements for Electricity Supply (Q. relating to W.H.M. Dharmasena) 10 speeches
- 11 Oral question Oral Question: Batticaloa Suwa Seriya Ambulance Service Operations (Q. relating to Kanthasamy Prabu) 8 speeches
- 12 Oral question Oral Question: Co-operative Hospital Gampaha Administration and Irregularities (Q. relating to Lasith Bhashana Gamage) 4 speeches
- 13 Oral question Oral Question: Passport Issuance Delays for Sri Lankans Living Abroad (Q. relating to Hon. Gayan Janaka) 3 speeches
- 14 Procedural Procedural: Points of Order on Auditor-General Appointment and Parliamentary Matters 20 speeches
- 15 Oral question Oral Question under Standing Order 27(2): National Electricity Policy (Hon. Sajith Premadasa) 7 speeches
- 16 Oral question Oral Question under Standing Order 27(2): Trade Negotiations between Sri Lanka and USA (Hon. Ravi Karunanayake) 6 speeches
- 17 Procedural Procedural: Motions at Commencement of Public Business 3 speeches
- 18 Debate Debate: Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Act and Fishermen's Pension Regulations 39 speeches
- 19 Debate Debate: Public Security Ordinance Resolution and Delimitation Motion 22 speeches
- 20 Adjournment Adjournment 1 speeches
- 21 Oral question Questions and Papers (Resumption after Adjournment) 22 speeches