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Sri Lanka
10th Parliament· 154 sittings on record · 30,475 speeches · latest 10 June 2026

Sitting of Thursday, 5 February 2026

10th Parliament· 16 debates· 327 speeches· 108 speakers

Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 23269 ·English daily/uncorrected Hansard

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Order of business

Speeches load per item. Summaries shown here are AI-generated and labelled; verbatim text is on each speech page.

  6. 6 Oral question Oral Question: Liquor Licensing and Tax Revenue (Q.912/2025) 17 speeches
    • The Hon. (Dr.) M.L.A.M. Hizbullah SLMC

      AI summary Asked the question listed on the Order Paper, without making further remarks.

      Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
    • The Hon. Aravinda Senarath - Deputy Minister of Land and Irrigation JJB

      AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation, the Deputy Minister requested two weeks to provide an answer to the question raised. The question was ordered to stand down.

      Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
    • The Hon. Speaker procedural
      Full speech →
    • The Hon. Nishantha Jayaweera - Deputy Minister of Economic Development JJB

      AI summary On behalf of the Finance, Planning and Economic Development Minister, Nishantha Jayaweera provided figures on liquor licensing, production facilities, excise duty, revenue and sales. He stated that 142 new Sri Lanka Tourism Board-approved liquor licences were issued in 2025, covering hotel, restaurant, and beer/ale/wine on-premises categories, with licence-holder details tabled in annexes. He also reported 23 distilleries or manufacturing facilities, an excise duty of Rs. 1,832 on a 750 ml bottle of local arrack at 33.5% ABV, total liquor excise revenue of Rs. 213.389 billion, and 2024 sales quantities by bottle size and product type.

      Public Finance Full speech →
    • The Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana NDF

      AI summary Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana highlighted the high excise revenue earned from locally produced liquor, citing a Rs. 1,832 tax on a 750 ml bottle of commonly consumed arrack. He noted that widespread alcohol consumption contributes to health burdens, with drinkers later requiring free treatment in public hospitals, and linked liquor taxation to the costs borne by the health system.

      Public FinanceHealthcare Full speech →
    • The Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana NDF

      AI summary Rohitha Abeygunawardhana argued that consumption of “gal” liquor is widespread, including at social events such as funerals, and said general statements about liquor were misleading. He suggested that the new Government could reduce health-related burdens by lowering the price of a bottle of “gal,” addressing the Deputy Minister directly on the matter.

      Cost of LivingHealthcare Full speech →
    • The Hon. Speaker procedural
      Full speech →
    • The Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana NDF

      AI summary Rohitha Abeygunawardhana stated that he was asking a question. No further details, context, or policy issue were provided in the excerpt.

      Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
    • The Hon. Speaker procedural
      Full speech →
    • The Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana NDF

      AI summary Rohitha Abeygunawardhana addressed the Speaker in a brief personal remark, urging him not to become angry. No policy issue, legislative matter, or procedural proposal was raised.

      Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
    • The Hon. Speaker procedural
      Full speech →
    • The Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana NDF

      AI summary Rohitha Abeygunawardhana requested that the price of rock bottles be reduced, addressing the Deputy Minister directly. He then began a second supplementary question referring to a matter Minister Nalinda Jayatissa had presented to Parliament about a year earlier, but the provided excerpt ends before the question is completed.

      Cost of Living Full speech →
    • The Hon. Speaker procedural
      Full speech →
    • The Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana NDF

      AI summary Rohitha Abeygunawardhana asked the Deputy Minister to clarify the status of 304 licences allegedly issued unlawfully by the previous Government to favoured parties. He requested details on whether the licences remain valid or are illegal, how they were granted, and whether there is a procedure to terminate or cancel them.

      Law & OrderCorruption & Governance Reform Full speech →
    • The Hon. Nishantha Jayaweera JJB

      AI summary Nishantha Jayaweera said the first supplementary question would be considered, while noting that a second issue concerning licences issued during the previous Government is before court. He stated that the licences were allegedly issued irregularly to associates during an election period and subject to conditions, but argued that further discussion of the procedure would be inappropriate because the matter is sub judice.

      Corruption & Governance Reform Full speech →
    • The Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana NDF

      AI summary Rohitha Abeygunawardhana states that if the relevant matters or actions are found to be wrong, they should be cancelled. The remark appears to be a brief demand for corrective action rather than a detailed policy proposal.

      Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
    • The Hon. Speaker procedural
      Full speech →