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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.

  10. 10 Oral question Oral Question: SLEAS Recruitment, Road Development, and Standing Order 27(2) Questions 14 speeches
    • The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka (on behalf of the Hon. (Mrs.) Rohini Kumari Wijerathna) SJB

      AI summary A question was raised regarding recruitment to Grade III of the Sri Lanka Educational Administrative Service through the 2020/2021 examination. The inquiry sought details on the appointments made or pending under that recruitment process and the steps being taken to address any delays or related administrative issues.

      Education Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB

      AI summary The Prime Minister tabled a detailed answer on recruitment to Grade III of the Sri Lanka Education Administrative Service under Gazette No. 2231 of 2021.06.04. She stated that 625 candidates sat the 2020/2021 examination, 68 were called for interviews, and 65 appointments were made by the Public Service Commission effective from 2022.03.26, including six officers who had retired by the time appointment letters were issued. She attributed the delay in issuing appointments to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent Treasury and Presidential circulars suspending or deferring recruitment due to fiscal constraints.

      Public FinanceEmployment Full speech →
    • The Hon. Gayan Janaka (on behalf of the Hon. Sujeewa Dissanayake) JJB

      AI summary Asked the Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development to provide details on Sri Lanka’s A, B, C and D grade roads, including the length of each category and the institutions responsible for their maintenance. He also requested information on road development projects initiated from 2015 to 2024, the kilometres developed, whether such projects included the Kurunegala District, the extent of roads built there, and the total expenditure.

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

      AI summary An answer was tabled detailing the national highway network maintained by the Road Development Authority, comprising 4,217.42 km of A class roads, 8,045.42 km of B class roads, and 315.8 km of expressways, while C and D class roads fall under Provincial Councils. It listed road development projects initiated from 2019 to 2024, including foreign-funded, government-funded, expressway, coastal, and regional road programmes. The response stated that 3,827.90 km of roads were developed under these projects, including 386.25 km in Kurunegala District at a cost of Rs. 18,988 million.

      Infrastructure Full speech →
    • The Hon. Speaker procedural
      Full speech →
    • The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF

      AI summary Ravi Karunanayake raised a question under Standing Order 27(2) seeking details on planned reforms to the Ceylon Electricity Board, including institutional changes, the timeline for Time-of-Use tariffs, and their impact on different consumer categories. He asked whether reported reforms or liquidation steps have stakeholder and trade union consent, how Cyclone “Ditwah” costs of about Rs. 20 billion are being funded or recovered, and whether tariff increases included recovery of VRS and street lighting costs with Cabinet and PUCSL approval. He also sought clarification on cross-subsidy changes, financing for transmission and distribution upgrades, concerns over BESS prioritization and renewable curtailment, and measures to ensure an open, renewable-friendly energy policy, while requesting an inquiry into the handling and timing of his submitted question.

      EmploymentPublic FinanceInfrastructure Full speech →
    • The Hon. Kumara Jayakody JJB

      AI summary The Hon. Kumara Jayakody stated that the relevant Questions had reached the Ministry around 3.00 p.m. on the 3rd, and that despite efforts, the Ministry had not yet been able to obtain the necessary answer. He requested two weeks’ time to provide the replies.

      Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
    • The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF

      AI summary The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake noted that the question in issue had reached the relevant Ministry only at 11.57 a.m. The statement indicates a procedural concern about the timing of receipt and the Ministry’s ability to respond.

      Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
    • The Hon. Speaker procedural
      Full speech →
    • The Hon. K. Kader Masthan SLLP

      AI summary Hon. K. Kader Masthan raised a Standing Order 27(2) question seeking the reopening of the Puttalam–Eluvankulam–Mannar B-379 road for public transport, arguing that it is an RDA-maintained national road historically used as a key North–South link. He disputed claims that court action or wildlife concerns justified its closure, stating that no court ban was imposed and that transport had continued until 2019. He asked whether the Department of Wildlife Conservation had authority to block public transport on the road, alleged officials had misled the President at a district coordinating committee meeting, and requested prompt ministerial action to reopen the route.

      EnvironmentJustice & Human RightsInfrastructure Full speech →
    • The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake — Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development and the Leader of the House of Parliament

      AI summary The Minister said the Puttalam–Mannar B-379 road section through Wilpattu National Park is currently unsuitable for transport and cannot be maintained or opened for public use beyond the limits set by the Supreme Court order in SC/FR/224/2010. He noted that the order prohibits public through traffic and general entry into the Park, while allowing only gravel-road maintenance and limited lawful access. He said the Government would consult Mannar representatives, relevant agencies, and the Environment Minister to seek a solution that balances transport needs with protection of Wilpattu, including considering feasible alternative routes.

      InfrastructureJustice & Human RightsEnvironment Full speech →
    • The Hon. K. Kader Masthan SLLP

      AI summary K. Kader Masthan said the court record indicated continued confusion over the road issue in Mannar, noting that the Department of Wildlife Conservation’s position that the road would not be opened to the public had led to the withdrawal of the matter. He argued this did not provide a permanent solution and urged the Government to convene stakeholders, set a date, and act quickly to reach a people-friendly resolution after years of dispute.

      InfrastructureCorruption & Governance Reform Full speech →
    • The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB

      AI summary Bimal Rathnayake said environmental agencies’ strict positions were understandable given past large-scale environmental destruction linked to political patronage and corrupt business, citing land clearing in Mannar, Marichchikaddi and the Madu forest. He commended Department of Wildlife Conservation officials while stating that the government would protect both the environment and affected people. He proposed discussions with the Environment Minister to find a solution.

      EnvironmentCorruption & Governance ReformLand & Housing Full speech →
    • The Hon. Speaker procedural
      Full speech →