Sitting of Friday, 9 January 2026
Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 23149 ·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 Procedural Speaker's Ruling on Motion Inclusion in Order Book 46 speeches
- Mr. Speaker [The Hon. (Dr.) Jagath Wickramaratne]
AI summary The Speaker ruled on a motion submitted by 31 Members seeking a Parliamentary Select Committee to examine the Judicial Service Commission’s exercise of powers over judicial officers’ appointments, promotions, transfers, dismissals and discipline from 1 January 2025 onward. Referring to Standing Order 27(3), the constitutional separation of powers, judicial independence, and a 2001 Speaker’s ruling involving a parliamentary select committee, he framed the issue as whether Parliament may create an oversight mechanism over the JSC’s constitutionally assigned functions. He outlined the motion’s proposed inquiries into legality, natural justice, reasons for decisions, possible extraneous considerations, effects on public confidence, and recommendations for reforms.
- The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara raised a point of order and requested a few minutes to address the House. No substantive policy issue or legislative matter was stated in the excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara requested a few minutes to speak, appealing to fairness in allowing the Opposition time in the debate or proceedings.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara began by drawing attention to Article 4 of the Constitution, indicating that his remarks would concern constitutional provisions on the exercise of sovereignty. The available excerpt is incomplete and does not include any specific proposal, demand, or detailed argument beyond this constitutional reference.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara requests permission to present his side or position to the House. No substantive policy issue, proposal, or legislative matter is raised in the statement.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development and the Leader of the House of Parliament JJB
AI summary Bimal Rathnayake welcomed the Speaker’s determination on the matter and reminded the House that, under Standing Orders, a Speaker’s ruling cannot be debated. He argued that there was therefore no valid point of order, and contrasted past government pressure on the Judiciary with what he described as current attempts by others to pressure it.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB
AI summary Ajith P. Perera rose to raise a point of order. No substantive argument, proposal, or question is included in the provided excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB
AI summary Ajith P. Perera welcomed the Speaker’s detailed ruling by recalling former Speaker Anura Bandaranaike’s 2001 assertion of parliamentary supremacy. He emphasized that, under Article 4(c) of the Constitution, judicial power is vested in Parliament and exercised through the courts.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB
AI summary Ajith P. Perera objected to the Speaker’s conduct, arguing that it undermined a power previously articulated by Anura Bandaranaike. He stated that the Speaker’s actions were unacceptable.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara rose on a point of Order. No substantive argument, proposal, or question was recorded in the provided excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara requested the Speaker to first read a previous ruling delivered by Anura Bandaranaike, noting that he had read and marked it.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara requests the Speaker to grant him one minute to speak.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara briefly intervened to ask whether the allotted speaking time was one minute.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka SJB
AI summary Gayantha Karunathilleka argued that disputes among the Judiciary, Parliament, and Executive should be addressed by elected representatives as part of safeguarding the people’s sovereignty. He objected to the Speaker’s rejection of a requested Committee, claiming it undermined constitutional rights and the public mandate of Parliament.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara raised a point of Order under Standing Order 92(2). No substantive issue or request beyond invoking that procedural provision was stated in the excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara raised a point of order under Standing Order 92(2), arguing that the scope of the proceedings must be confined to matters permitted under that rule. He referred to Erskine May’s Parliamentary Practice, specifically the section on the extent of Parliament’s legislative authority, in the context of a discussion on people’s sovereignty raised by Hon. Ajith P. Perera.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC SJB
AI summary Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC raised a point of Order during the sitting. No substantive argument, proposal, or issue is included in the provided excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC SJB
AI summary Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper raised a point of order objecting to the final sentence of the Speaker’s ruling, arguing that it violated a basic Standing Order. He stated that the principle of separation of powers does not prevent Parliament from establishing criteria for judicial officers.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB
AI summary Sajith Premadasa, Leader of the Opposition, rose on a point of order. No substantive issue, proposal, or question is included in the provided excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB
AI summary Sajith Premadasa responded to the Speaker’s ruling by saying he was not challenging its substance, but wished to reaffirm democratic principles. He emphasized that the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary derive their authority from the people’s sovereignty under the Constitution, and that separation of powers and checks and balances must guide how each branch exercises its powers.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB
AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa responded to the Speaker’s ruling, stating that he was not challenging it but emphasizing the supremacy of people’s sovereignty and the role of Parliament within the system of checks and balances. He argued that the Constitutional Council and Parliament have responsibilities to safeguard institutional independence, and said the Opposition’s request for a Select Committee was intended to protect and promote the independence of the Judiciary.
- Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB
AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa objected to the Speaker’s ruling, arguing that it undermined the sovereignty of the people and violated the Constitution. He requested to be allowed to finish his remarks while making this constitutional objection.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB
AI summary Sajith Premadasa challenged the Speaker’s ruling or reading of a memo from a third party, arguing that it violated the Constitution, people’s sovereignty, and fundamental and human rights. He sought to place this objection on record during the parliamentary proceedings.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake defended the Speaker’s ruling on a constitutional matter, stating that such decisions should be informed by legal advice and parliamentary experience. He rejected criticism of reliance on legal experts, cited Hon. Anura Bandaranaike’s precedent, and asserted that Parliament’s powers should not be diminished or diverted. He also alleged that the opposition’s aim was to disrupt parliamentary proceedings.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary Commending the Speaker for presenting a considered position, Bimal Rathnayake said Parliament’s powers must not be undermined or diverted. He argued that the objective of others was to create complete disorder within Parliament.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
- 2 Papers Papers Presented and Committee Reports 9 speeches
- 3 Oral question Oral Question: Agricultural Support (Q.1/206/2024) 4 speeches
- 4 Oral question Oral Question: Policy Implementation and Case Re-filing (Q.2/219/2024) 10 speeches
- 5 Oral question Oral Question: Department of Government Information (Q.3) 6 speeches
- 6 Oral question Oral Question: Bridge Reconstruction in Batticaloa (Q.5) 14 speeches
- 7 Oral question Oral Question: Mahapola Scholarship Trust Fund (Q.6/472/2025) 6 speeches
- 8 Oral question Oral Question: Disaster Relief and Compensation (Q.7/726/2025) 20 speeches
- 9 Oral question Oral Question: Gas Imports and Emergency Procurement (Q.9) 11 speeches
- 10 Oral question Oral Question: Water Supply in Bandarawela (Q.10) 6 speeches
- 11 Oral question Oral Questions: Paddy Field Damage and Potato Imports (Q.11, Q.12) 4 speeches
- 12 Oral question Questions by Private Notice under Standing Order 27(2) 7 speeches
- 13 Debate Ministerial Statement: Education Reform Issues 9 speeches
- 14 Oral question Answers to Questions under Standing Order 27(2) 22 speeches
- 15 Procedural Business of the Parliament Motion 2 speeches
- 16 Debate Debate: Shop and Office Employees (Regulation of Employment and Remuneration) Regulation Amendment 49 speeches
- 17 Debate Debate: Imports and Exports (Control) Act Regulations 40 speeches
- 18 Adjournment Adjournment Debate and Adjournment 8 speeches