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
- 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
- The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Sajith Premadasa SJB
AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa rose on a point of order and requested clarification amid interruptions. No substantive policy issue or proposal was stated in the excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara sought permission to make a clarification in response to matters being raised in the debate. No substantive policy position or proposal was stated in the brief intervention.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha - Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning JJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha responded to a Standing Order 27(2) question from Hon. Ravi Karunanayake regarding Treasury Bill and Bond issuance and the Employees’ Provident Fund. He said the transfer of government securities issuance from the Central Bank to the Ministry of Finance under the Finance Act and PDMO Act was to be completed on 1 January 2026, and that no final policy decision had yet been taken on related matters. He provided EPF asset and investment figures as at 31 October 2025, noting that most assets were held in government securities due to the fund’s scale and risk profile, and said EPF returns generally exceeded selected market indicators except in 2022. He also outlined EPF governance, reporting and IT modernization measures, stating that Cabinet approval had been obtained for a new EPF IT solution and that existing systems allow online contributions and account access.
- The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF
AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake objected that the requested information was not available on the website as claimed. He stated that his specific question had not been answered and was being evaded.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha JJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha stated that the relevant Code is too lengthy to read in full during the sitting and indicated that it is available on the website for reference.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF
AI summary Ravi Karunanayake sought a direct and comprehensive response to his three-part question on the Employees’ Provident Fund, saying a requested clear date had not been provided. He highlighted alleged contradictions between the President’s advisory committee position, an earlier statement by a Deputy Minister, and the IMF administrative agreement, and said 5 million EPF members were concerned about the future of the Fund.
- The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF
AI summary Ravi Karunanayake said the public is unaware of the constraints faced by Members of Parliament and may believe they are not fulfilling their duties fully. He requested that the true situation be clarified so members can better understand and communicate it.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha JJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha clarified that the EPF consists of workers’ funds held under the Central Bank, with administration by the Department of Labour, and that integrating the two related databases must be done carefully to avoid harming the Fund. He said policy decisions would be reported to the House once finalized. He also rejected media speculation that EPF lump-sum withdrawals would end or be converted into an annuity, stating only that broader social protection options, including possible annuity choices requested by workers, were under discussion with no decision made.
- The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha JJB
AI summary An oral question raised on 21 August 2025 was addressed procedurally, with the Minister indicating that the detailed answer was available. He sought permission to table the answer rather than read it out.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF
AI summary Ravi Karunanayake questioned the use of a fund that he said had increased from Rs. 4 trillion to Rs. 6 trillion. He sought clarification on how the expanded funds are being utilized.
Public Finance Full speech → - The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha JJB
AI summary Dr. Anil Jayantha rejected a claim that there was Rs. 6 trillion, stating that the figure was incorrect.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF
AI summary Ravi Karunanayake briefly stated that the Deputy Minister had already said so and should therefore be informed.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha JJB
AI summary Central Bank figures are managed by the relevant CBSL bodies, and any irregularities would be addressed through the appropriate processes. The member stated that conclusions should not be drawn based on suppositions alone.
Public Finance Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha JJB
AI summary In reply to a question by Hon. Ravi Karunanayake, the Minister set out export earnings targets rising from USD 23.6 billion in 2026 to USD 36 billion by 2030, with sectoral strategies aimed at higher value-added exports and access to new markets through FTAs, PTAs and improved existing agreements. He said the impact of new Trump tariffs would depend on bilateral negotiations and regional outcomes, while investment facilitation would proceed through the BOI and the amended Colombo Port City framework. He detailed MSME support measures, including concessional credit schemes, ADB programmes, and credit guarantees through NCGIL, with Rs. 96 billion budgeted across SME and related financing. He also stated that incentives remain rules-based under existing tax, strategic development and Port City laws, and that reserve accumulation is expected to support debt servicing after gross official reserves reached USD 6.82 billion by end-2025.
- The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF
AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake questioned the adequacy of current foreign reserves in light of rising borrowings, increased imports, rupee depreciation, and the need to resume substantial external debt repayments from 2028. He asked what specific measures would be taken to attract investment and develop exports, arguing that weak export and investment growth could undermine Sri Lanka’s future debt repayment capacity.
Public Finance Full speech → - The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha JJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha said reserve accumulation remains a priority and outlined a diversified export-promotion approach, including tourism and remittances. He stated that the exchange rate operates under a flexible regime, with current volatility around 5.1 per cent, and said Central Bank interventions cannot be pre-announced due to market sensitivity. He maintained that the situation is being managed rather than indicating a crash, while noting links to interest rate dynamics and agreeing to consider the points raised.
- 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