Sitting of Wednesday, 7 January 2026

Order of business

Speeches load per item. Summaries shown here are AI-generated and labelled; verbatim text is on each speech page.

1. 1 Papers Papers Presented 7 speeches ▸
2. 2 Petitions Petitions 5 speeches ▸
3. 3 Procedural Condolences and Privilege Matter 1 speeches ▸
4. 4 Oral question Oral Questions: Prime Minister 28 speeches ▸
5. 5 Oral question Oral Question: Factories in Ekala Industrial Zone (Q.1564/2025) 6 speeches ▾
   • FACTORIES IN EKALA INDUSTRIAL ZONE: DETAILS

     AI summary Hon. Stepni Fernando asked the Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development for details on factories in the Industrial Development Board’s Ekala Industrial Zone, including how many have been established, are currently operating, and have been closed for more than three years. He further sought information on action taken regarding long-closed factories, whether their sites could be brought back under the Industrial Development Board and reallocated to new investors, and what measures had been taken or, if not, why.

     EmploymentInfrastructure Full speech →
   • The Hon. Chathuranga Abeysinghe - Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development JJB

     AI summary The Deputy Minister reported that the Ekala Industrial Development Board Industrial Zone has 57 factories, of which 56 are operational, though six are not at full productivity. He said USS Engineering (Pvt.) Limited has been closed for about one and a half years, and the operator has been asked to restart it within a stipulated period. If it does not recommence operations, legal action will be taken to repossess the site for the IDB and reallocate it to another enterprise.

     InfrastructureEmployment Full speech →
   • The Hon. Stepni Fernando JJB

     AI summary The member raised a supplementary question on fire safety, noting the absence of an on-site fire unit despite the presence of many factories and nearby settlements. She asked what measures are being taken to address the risk that fire assistance from Colombo, Gampaha or Negombo may arrive too late to prevent spread to surrounding villages.

     Law & Order Full speech →
   • The Hon. Chathuranga Abeysinghe - Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development JJB

     AI summary The Deputy Minister stated that inadequate fire safety in industrial estates is a serious and widespread problem, noting that estates under the IDB, the Ministry, and the BOI were historically not designed with integrated fire protection. He said the Government is working to address this, including plans from the previous year to install water hydrants with proper water management. He also indicated that coordination is under way with nearby local authorities to position fire trucks close to industrial zones.

     InfrastructurePublic Finance Full speech →
   • The Hon. Stepni Fernando JJB

     AI summary Hon. Stepni Fernando raised concerns about poor road access in the area, noting that narrow sections prevent container movement and that Ashokarama Road is in severe disrepair. He asked whether there is a programme under the zone to rehabilitate these roads, given that local authorities lack sufficient maintenance funds.

     Infrastructure Full speech →
   • The Hon. Chathuranga Abeysinghe - Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development JJB

     AI summary The Deputy Minister stated that while the main access to the estate is adequate, secondary access roads remain problematic because the Ministry and the Industrial Development Board receive allocations only for internal development, not external roads. He said the Ministry would coordinate with the District Coordinating Committee and Provincial Council to address the issue, and noted that Gampaha District industrial estates face broader challenges in access roads and solid waste management to be tackled through a district development programme during the year.

     InfrastructurePublic Finance Full speech →
6. 6 Oral question Oral Question: Q.1576/2025 (Adjourned) 2 speeches ▸
7. 7 Oral question Oral Question: Holiday Bungalows in Somawathiya National Park (Q.1631/2025) 2 speeches ▸
8. 8 Oral question Oral Question: Establishment of National Cadet Corps (Q.1635/2025) 7 speeches ▸
9. 9 Oral question Oral Question: Detention Orders (Q.1638/2025) 6 speeches ▸
10. 10 Oral question Questions under Standing Order 27(2) 9 speeches ▸
11. 11 Procedural Ministerial Statement: Foreign Employment Issues 6 speeches ▸
12. 12 Procedural Points of Order and Privilege Questions 12 speeches ▸
13. 13 Procedural Ministerial Statements and Points of Order 11 speeches ▸
14. 14 Papers Presentation of Bills: Parliamentary Pensions (Repeal) Bill 4 speeches ▸
15. 15 Debate Debate: Colombo Port City Economic Commission (Amendment) Bill 57 speeches ▸
16. 16 Adjournment Adjournment 13 speeches ▸