Sitting of Friday, 23 January 2026

Order of business

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1. 1 Opening Parliament Opening and Announcements 1 speeches ▸
2. 2 Papers Papers Presented and Committee Reports 5 speeches ▸
3. 3 Petitions Petitions 4 speeches ▸
4. 4 Oral question Oral Questions: Heda Oya Irrigation, Thondaman Foundation, Schools, Hydropower, Sugar Factories, Ragama Town, Monaragala Lands, Badulla Cooperatives 41 speeches ▸
5. 5 Oral question Oral Question No. 8 (Deferred) and Question Stand Down 9 speeches ▸
6. 6 Procedural Procedural Matters and Points of Order 18 speeches ▸
7. 7 Oral question Standing Order 27(2) Questions: Attorney-General Independence, Gold Jewellery Return 25 speeches ▸
8. 8 Papers Ministerial Statement: Vehicles for Welfare Centres 2 speeches ▸
9. 9 Debate Debate: Universities (Amendment) Bill - Second and Third Reading 75 speeches ▸
10. 10 Procedural Business of Parliament: Constitutional Council Appointments Resolution 8 speeches ▾
    • The Hon. Speaker procedural
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    • The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB

      AI summary Bimal Rathnayake moved, following a decision of the Parliamentary Business Committee, that the motion on “Approval of Resolutions under the Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka” be taken up immediately as the first item on the Order Paper. He requested exemption from Standing Order 27 and approval of the motion the same day with the special leave of the House, which was agreed to.

      Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
    • The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka SJB

      AI summary Gayantha Karunathilleka stated that three civil society nominees to the Constitutional Council had been agreed by the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition under Article 41A of the Constitution. He said there was no objection to the nominees, but requested that their approval follow the proper parliamentary procedure, including entry in the Order Book and consideration after the period required by Standing Orders.

      Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
    • The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB

      AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake argued that presenting the names was permitted under Standing Orders, citing Standing Order 23(1) on the business of the House. He said the Secretariat had informed the Parliamentary Business Committee accordingly, and that suspending only Standing Order 27 was consistent with previous parliamentary practice.

      Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
    • The Hon. Speaker procedural
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    • Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB

      AI summary Moved a resolution to approve three non-Members of Parliament for appointment to the Constitutional Council under Article 41A of the Constitution, following the expiry of the terms of the previous members on 19 January 2026. The nominees, proposed by the Speaker with the agreement of the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition, are Kalupage Austin Fernando, Professor Wasantha Seneviratne, and Udunuwara Gampathige Ranjith Ariyaratna.

      Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
    • Mr. Speaker procedural
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    • Hon. Members

      AI summary A vote was taken and the motion or question before the House was agreed to. The recorded response was “Aye,” indicating assent by the Members present.

      Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
11. 11 Adjournment Adjournment Debate: Stock Exchange Activity and Ministerial Response 17 speeches ▸