Sitting of Friday, 23 January 2026
Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 23290 ·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 Parliament Opening and Announcements 1 speeches
- 2 Papers Papers Presented and Committee Reports 5 speeches
- 3 Petitions Petitions 4 speeches
- 4 Oral question Oral Questions: Heda Oya Irrigation, Thondaman Foundation, Schools, Hydropower, Sugar Factories, Ragama Town, Monaragala Lands, Badulla Cooperatives 41 speeches
- 5 Oral question Oral Question No. 8 (Deferred) and Question Stand Down 9 speeches
- 6 Procedural Procedural Matters and Points of Order 18 speeches
- 7 Oral question Standing Order 27(2) Questions: Attorney-General Independence, Gold Jewellery Return 25 speeches
- 8 Papers Ministerial Statement: Vehicles for Welfare Centres 2 speeches
- 9 Debate Debate: Universities (Amendment) Bill - Second and Third Reading 75 speeches
- 10 Procedural Business of Parliament: Constitutional Council Appointments Resolution 8 speeches
- 11 Adjournment Adjournment Debate: Stock Exchange Activity and Ministerial Response 17 speeches
- Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake formally moved that Parliament adjourn. The motion was put before the House for consideration.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Mano Ganesan SJB
AI summary Mano Ganesan questioned the Minister of Justice and National Integration on measures to reduce severe prison overcrowding, citing the Minister’s statement that prisons are overcrowded by about 300 percent. He asked whether the 2024 amendment allowing remand time to count toward sentences would be applied to earlier prisoners, what action is being taken to address delays caused by pending forensic reports, whether general amnesties for minor offences will be restored, and whether non-serious offenders over 70 can be released on good conduct.
- The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law – Minister of Justice and National Integration JJB
AI summary The Minister responded to concerns raised by Hon. Mano Ganesan on criminal justice and prison issues, stating that the Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Act, No. 25 of 2024 applies only to judgments after 3 May 2024 and that retrospective application may be unconstitutional, with the matter referred to the Law Commission for review. He said Cabinet approval has been obtained to create 50 temporary Scientific Research Officer posts to address Government Analyst’s Department backlogs contributing to case delays and prison overcrowding. He also stated that a general amnesty has been proposed to the President for Independence Day 2026, including provision for prisoners over 65 years of age.
- The Hon. Mano Ganesan SJB
AI summary Hon. Mano Ganesan urged the Minister to reconvene the Ministry Consultative Committee meeting, noting that it had not been held since July despite prior meetings, reminders in Parliament, and written requests. He said the delay had prevented discussion with officials on an amendment initiated by former Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe and previously considered by Cabinet, and requested that the process resume from where it had stalled, describing the matter as sensitive and democratic rather than political.
- Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Mano Ganesan SJB
AI summary Hon. Mano Ganesan asked for time to raise a sensitive issue relating to remand prisons, noting that he and Hon. Sujith Sanjaya Perera had visited them, discussed matters, and observed conditions. He stated that detainees have high expectations of the Government and urged the Government to take action.
- The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law JJB
AI summary Harshana Nanayakkara acknowledged delays in addressing required changes to legislation introduced by Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, while stating that retrospective legislation cannot be pursued. He said the matter has been referred to the Law Commission and affirmed readiness to act once the process allows.
Law & Order Full speech → - The Hon. Mano Ganesan SJB
AI summary Mano Ganesan urged that the matter under discussion be carried out without delay. He emphasized the need for prompt action and thanked the House.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha JJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha moved that Hon. Sujeewa Dissanayake take the Chair. The motion was agreed to, after which the Speaker left the Chair and Hon. Sujeewa Dissanayake presided.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Kanchana Welipitiya JJB
AI summary Kanchana Welipitiya asked the Minister of Finance about the Colombo Stock Exchange’s growth since the Government took office, citing a rise in the ASPI from 11,096.81 on 23 September 2024 to 23,958.51 and an increase in market capitalization from Rs. 4.04 trillion to over Rs. 8 trillion. He sought clarification on a recent questionable trading incident, including whether it had been resolved, who was responsible, and what safeguards would prevent recurrence. He also requested details on measures to attract more investors, broaden market activity, increase IPOs, and set targets for 2026, while arguing that market data reflected investor confidence despite Opposition claims of instability.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha – Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning
AI summary The Minister said stock market capitalization and activity had strengthened since September 2024, citing the ASPI’s rise from 11,096 to 23,956 and a doubling of daily turnover, and stressed the need to further support capital formation through the market. Addressing the 07 January 2026 incident involving Wealth Trust Securities Limited, he explained that unrestricted first-day IPO price discovery led to an abnormal opening price of Rs. 25,000 from an IPO price of Rs. 7, after which the CSE halted trading and annulled the day’s trades in consultation with the SEC. He stated that the SEC has begun an investigation into the identified orders and possible wrongdoing, with legal action to follow if warranted, and that temporary measures now disallow market orders on the first trading day after an IPO. He also outlined SEC plans for 2025–2035, including increased listings, investor education, outreach, and technology initiatives with the Ministry of Digital Economy.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural