Sitting of Tuesday, 3 February 2026
Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 23252 ·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 Opening and Parliamentary Announcements 60 speeches
- 2 Petitions Presentation of Petitions 10 speeches
- 3 Oral question Oral Questions and Ministerial Answers 52 speeches
- 4 Opening Parliamentary Announcements and Ministerial Statement 15 speeches
- 5 Adjournment Adjournment Motion 3 speeches
- 6 Debate Debate: Regulations under the Sri Lanka Telecommunications Act 32 speeches
- 7 Procedural Points of Order regarding Parliamentary Secretariat 7 speeches
- 8 Debate Debate: Regulations under the Sri Lanka Telecommunications Act (continued) 93 speeches
- 9 Adjournment Adjournment Debate: Muthurajawela Wetland 25 speeches
- The Hon. (Dr.) Dammika Patabendi - Minister of Environment JJB
AI summary The Minister of Environment moved the adjournment of Parliament. The motion was formally proposed by the Presiding Member.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Lasith Bhashana Gamage JJB
AI summary Moved an Adjournment Motion calling for an urgent programme to protect the 6,232-hectare Muthurajawela Wetland, citing its biodiversity, flood-control role for Gampaha District, and increasing risks from human activity and weak institutional coordination. He said the District Coordinating Committee’s Environment Subcommittee had appointed an expert committee, whose report was approved for submission to the Ministry, and highlighted legal and gazette changes that had reduced protected areas over time. He urged revision of the current framework and creation of a unified national mechanism or authority to coordinate agencies, noting past concerns including a COPE-referenced sale of wetland land by the Department of Agrarian Development.
- The Hon. Asoka Sapumal Ranwala JJB
AI summary Hon. Asoka Sapumal Ranwala seconded the Adjournment Motion on Muthurajawela, emphasizing its national ecological importance as a wetland connected to the Kelani River, Attanagalu Oya and Dandugam Oya outfalls. He highlighted its role in water retention, biodiversity, coral and sand formation, and deep carbon storage, warning that commercial pressures threaten its conservation. He supported action by the Central Environmental Authority and forthcoming Environment Ministry legislation to strengthen long-term protection of the wetland for future generations.
- Hon. Asoka Supun Ranwala JJB
AI summary Hon. Asoka Supun Ranwala urged that the wetland in question be restored and conserved through an approach compatible with environmental and economic development, so it can be preserved for future generations. He noted that an expert committee report from the Gampaha District has been forwarded by the District Secretary to the relevant Ministry, and requested necessary measures to ensure the wetland’s long-term protection.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna
AI summary Hon. Ramanathan Archchuna supported the Adjournment Motion on protecting the Muthurajawela wetland but argued that wetlands and forests in the Northern Province, including in Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu, Poonakari, Parantan and Paruthithurai, also require protection. He alleged that Mahaweli-related projects, land acquisitions, Forest Department boundary demarcations, and settlements in areas such as Manal Aru/Weli Oya have adversely affected Tamil and Muslim communities and their traditional lands. He called for attention to these issues alongside Muthurajawela and also referred to a bribery complaint concerning fuel expenditure by the Speaker.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna referred to public questions about his political allegiance and stated that he regards God and Prabhakaran as his leaders, while challenging others to state their own leaders. He accused the Government of tolerating fraud and corruption, including by protecting an MP who he said had been reported to the Anti-Corruption Commission, and denied that similar corruption had been proven against representatives in the North. Parts of the remarks were expunged by order of the Chair amid interruptions.
- Hon. Lasith Bhashana Gamage JJB
AI summary Hon. Lasith Bhashana Gamage rose to raise a Point of Order. No substantive argument, proposal, or question is included in the provided excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- Hon. Lasith Bhashana Gamage JJB
AI summary Lasith Bhashana Gamage briefly began to address the House on an Adjournment Motion, referring to its significance. The excerpt contains no substantive argument or proposal beyond this opening remark, as the speech is interrupted.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna objected to interruptions and asked to be allowed to speak briefly. He accused others in the chamber of corruption, specifically alleging wrongdoing related to the importation of 323 containers, though the statement was cut off before further details were provided.
Corruption & Governance Reform Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna stated that he regards Sri Lanka as a country for all communities, including Sinhalese, Muslims, and Tamils. He criticized the low attendance in Parliament, noting that its daily sitting cost is Rs. 15 million, and questioned whether even 20 Members were present.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna criticized Members of Parliament for the alleged daily public cost of Rs. 15 million and accused them of misusing facilities and allowances. He urged MPs to reflect on their conduct during the remaining three years of the parliamentary term, warning that continued behaviour of this kind would damage their public standing.
Public Finance Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- Hon. M.A.M. Thahir ACMC
AI summary Hon. M.A.M. Thahir supported the Adjournment Motion on protecting the Muthurajawela wetland but argued that conservation policies should be applied equitably across the country without ethnic discrimination. He said lands in the North and East formerly cultivated by Tamil and Muslim communities have been classified as forests, sacred lands, or wildlife areas after long periods of displacement, and called for such fallow lands to be reviewed and released for agriculture or other public needs. He also urged the Government to address unresolved Eastern Province issues, including the Saudi-funded prefabricated housing project, Vattamadu and Pottuvil land disputes, agricultural concerns, and drinking water shortages affecting about 5,000 families between Irakkakandi and Pulmoddai.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- Hon. M.A.M. Thahir ACMC
AI summary Hon. M.A.M. Thahir raised concerns over the Kivul Oya planned settlement project, arguing that forest protection policies appear inconsistent if forests are to be cleared to obtain water for the project. He also highlighted disruptions affecting the Mannar–Puttalam road, stating that the longstanding route from Colombo to Jaffna via Puttalam and Mannar is no longer passable for the public.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- Hon. M.A.M. Thahir ACMC
AI summary Hon. M.A.M. Thahir emphasized the importance of agriculture and environmental protection, drawing on his personal background as the child of a farmer and his continued interest in planting trees. He expressed concern that Sri Lanka’s natural resources are being destroyed or left unused, contrasting the country’s resource wealth with Singapore’s development. He urged attention to protecting forests while also preserving human relationships and unity.
- Hon. (Dr.) Dammika Patabendi — Minister of Environment
AI summary The Minister thanked Hon. Lasith Bhashana Gamage for raising the Adjournment Motion on Muthurajawela and outlined its history, extent, ecological value, and transformation from paddy land into Sri Lanka’s largest coastal saline marsh. He said the wetland supports fisheries and livelihoods around the Negombo Lagoon, and noted that 162.1 hectares have been declared an Environmental Protection Area under the National Environmental Act, while 1,028.62 hectares have been declared a Sanctuary by the Department of Wildlife Conservation. He stated that conservation and management are being coordinated through relevant state agencies and committees, with boundary pillars established and further wetland areas identified for possible future annexation to the Sanctuary.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural