Sitting of Friday, 6 February 2026
Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 23270 ·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 of Parliament 1 speeches
- 2 Papers Papers: Annual Reports and Orders 3 speeches
- 3 Petitions Petitions 1 speeches
- 4 Oral question Oral Question: Norochcholai Coal Power Plant Ash Sales (Q.68/2025) 14 speeches
- 5 Oral question Oral Question: Schools in Colombo Municipal Council Area (Q.74/2025) 35 speeches
- 6 Oral question Oral Questions: Various (Q.3, Q.5, Q.6) 29 speeches
- 7 Oral question Oral Question: Divisional Secretariats Vehicle Requirement (Q.1571/2025) 6 speeches
- 8 Oral question Oral Questions: Various (Q.8, Q.9) 6 speeches
- 9 Oral question Oral Question: Financial Cybercrimes (Q.1012/2025) – Second Round 2 speeches
- 10 Oral question Private Notice Questions: MSMEs and Kalmunai Massacre Site 10 speeches
- 11 Procedural Ministerial Statement: UK Travel Bans 8 speeches
- 12 Procedural Procedural Motions: Hours of Sitting, Privilege Matter, Government Precedence 3 speeches
- 13 Debate Debate: Extension of Emergency Regulations (Cyclone Ditwah) 76 speeches
- The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB
AI summary Moved, on behalf of the Prime Minister and the Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, to exempt Items 80 and 81 of the Order Paper under Main Business from Standing Order 27 for the day’s sitting. The motion was put to the House and agreed to.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Major General (Rtd.) Aruna Jayasekera - Deputy Minister of Defence JJB
AI summary The Deputy Minister supported extending the Emergency Regulations issued after Cyclone “Ditwah,” stating that they are needed to coordinate relief, maintain essential services, and restore infrastructure across the 22 districts declared disaster-affected. He said the regulations enable an Essential Services Commissioner General to coordinate state, private, local, district, national, and international actors in resettlement, compensation, reconstruction, and service restoration. He emphasized accountable use of public funds and international assistance, including support from 32 countries, the World Bank, JICA, and bridges from India, with allocations based on district-level requests and audits.
- The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK
AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam raised a point of order citing Standing Orders 100, 101 and 102 regarding the Select Committee approved on 6 January 2026 to examine the Provincial Councils electoral system. He stated that while the Opposition had submitted its four nominees, the Government had not submitted its eight nominees after a month, and requested the Prime Minister to expedite the appointment of the Committee.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara SJB
AI summary Hon. R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara opposed extending the Emergency Regulations, arguing that normal laws are sufficient for cyclone relief and that the Gazette provisions appear aimed at restricting publications, communications, protests, and dissent. He cited arrests of monks in Trincomalee, protests by professional and sectoral groups, and alleged media suppression as examples of misuse, and requested investigations into the treatment of the remanded monks. He also demanded detailed reporting and faster action on Cyclone “Ditwah” deaths, missing persons, compensation, housing, rent support, agricultural losses, and alleged politicization of relief distribution. He further rejected Government claims that the Opposition obstructed Grade 6 education reforms, saying the Government itself had acknowledged implementation problems and deferred the reforms.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB
AI summary Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya supported extending the emergency regulations following Cyclone “Ditwah,” citing severe damage to roads, bridges, schools and housing, increased landslide risk, and the need to maintain essential services through an Essential Services Commissioner General. She said a task force chaired by her, with subcommittees and a foreign aid coordination mechanism, had been established to manage recovery and allocate resources. She rejected Opposition claims that the emergency had been used to suppress media, protests, or make certain arrests, and asked for specific evidence. She also stated that education reforms were continuing, with only the Grade 6 subject stream rollout deferred to 2027, and provided progress figures on relief payments to affected children, families of the deceased, and other beneficiaries.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB
AI summary The Leader of the Opposition argued that emergency regulations are unnecessary for disaster relief payments and said the Government should instead use and amend the Sri Lanka Disaster Management Act, establish a dedicated Disaster Management Ministry, and strengthen relevant technical agencies. He called for IMF programme renegotiation, an international pledging conference, and a fuller assessment of disaster damage, citing future external debt servicing pressures and the World Bank GRADE report. He also criticized the use of emergency powers in relation to arrests of monks, raised questions on the Easter attack investigations, and challenged alleged inconsistencies in education reform explanations, including a disputed Grade 6 English module link and the absence of early ICT education. He concluded that extending emergency law reflects a repressive approach and urged repeal or replacement of the proposed Anti-Terrorism Bill with a national security law consistent with human rights standards.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. Anton Jayakody - Deputy Minister of Environment JJB
AI summary Deputy Minister Anton Jayakody supported extending Emergency Regulations under the Public Security Ordinance, stating that they were being used solely to coordinate relief and recovery after Cyclone “Ditwah,” not for political suppression. He described widespread damage across 22 districts, including heavy rainfall, flooding, more than 1,250 landslide sites, around 650 deaths, 173 missing persons, and extensive housing destruction. He said the Emergency enabled rapid inter-agency action through the Essential Services Commissioner General, including mobilizing technical personnel for NBRO assessments, and urged the Opposition to support the extension.
- The Hon. (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam ITAK
AI summary Dr. Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam questioned the need to extend Emergency regulations under the Public Security Ordinance and Essential Public Services Act during the post-Cyclone “Ditwah” recovery phase, citing past misuse of emergency powers and the PTA against minority communities. He argued that new security legislation risks broader rights violations if “terrorism” is not clearly defined, while affirming that all persons, including clergy, should be subject to ordinary legal processes when laws are breached. He urged the Government to approach legislation and development projects in ways that support reconciliation, specifically calling for consultation on Mahaweli “L” and Kivul Oya-related settlements affecting local communities. He also requested immediate Paddy Marketing Board procurement at the guaranteed Rs. 120 price, noting that farmers in his district had been forced to sell paddy at Rs. 80 after cyclone-related losses.
- The Hon. R.G. Wijerathna JJB
AI summary Hon. R.G. Wijerathna supported extending the Emergency Regulations under the Public Security Ordinance, citing severe damage from “Ditwah” in Nuwara Eliya, including destroyed canals, anicuts, tanks, agricultural roads and RDA roads. He reported relief payments made locally and island-wide agricultural compensation, while arguing that recovery remains incomplete and requires coordinated technical, engineering, NBRO, RDA and Tri-Forces support under the Essential Services Commissioner General. He urged Parliament to continue the cross-party cooperation shown during the initial emergency declaration and approve a further extension to stabilize conditions and complete restoration.
- The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara opposed the extension of Emergency Regulations issued under the Public Security Ordinance, arguing that cyclone “Ditwah” recovery does not require emergency powers and that existing institutions can address issues such as landslide risks and administration. He highlighted concerns over provisions on essential services, restrictions on entry, competent authorities, misinformation, immunity for officials, and possible media suppression. He also raised issues relating to alleged damage or mishandling of archaeological and cultural heritage sites, the remand of monks in Trincomalee, and high leasing rates affecting citizens. He concluded that the regulations were being used for repression rather than reconstruction.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. Sunil Rathnasiri JJB
AI summary Sunil Rathnasiri supported extending the Emergency Regulations under the Public Security Ordinance, arguing that they are intended to empower essential services during disaster relief and not to curtail democratic rights. He criticized Opposition actions and allegations, including claims about arrests and disaster assistance, while saying historical abuses of emergency powers explain public suspicion. He also defended the Government’s 2026 education reforms, citing major budget allocations, teacher training, administrative recruitment, and action taken over an error in one curriculum module, including inquiries by education authorities and referral to the CID.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran ITAK
AI summary During debate on the Public Security Ordinance, Hon. Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran argued that continued reliance on the Prevention of Terrorism Act, including during the “Ditva” disaster, is unnecessary and risks suppressing legitimate claims for justice, and urged the Government to repeal it as previously promised. He also called for equal treatment of all religions in legal and public security matters, while acknowledging Government action on drugs, bribery, and corruption. He raised concerns over severe delays and alleged corruption in passport renewals at Sri Lankan missions abroad, proposing digital monitoring, databases, and performance oversight. He further urged immediate fair pricing and procurement arrangements for paddy farmers in Ampara District affected by reduced yields and inadequate storage and purchasing systems.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. Sunil Watagala, Attorney-at-Law - Deputy Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs JJB
AI summary Deputy Minister Sunil Watagala defended the extension of Emergency Regulations as a limited, disaster-related measure following the “Ditva” cyclone, asking the Opposition to identify any misuse beyond relief and essential services coordination. He also cited the Supreme Court determination on the Parliamentary Pensions (Repeal) Bill as confirming the Government’s electoral mandate to repeal the 1977 pensions law by simple majority. He rejected claims that the Government had acted against Buddhism or other religions, and challenged Namal Rajapaksa to pursue a threatened defamation case over alleged underworld links so the matter could be tested in court. He further stated that criticism of the proposed Resident Protection Bill was inconsistent because a similar Bill had been introduced by the previous Government in 2024.
- The Hon. Rauff Hakeem, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Rauff Hakeem argued that disaster response powers under the Disaster Management Act would have been sufficient, making the continued extension of emergency regulations unnecessary and open to abuse. He cited landslide and rockfall risks in Udunuwara and surrounding areas, alleging inaction by officials despite deaths, damaged homes, destroyed roads, and concerns over quarrying permits, and tabled residents’ representations to the President while calling for proper inspections and valuations. He also raised delays and permit issues affecting the Eastern Province palmyrah industry, including mechanization approvals and compensation for damage.
- The Hon. Aravinda Senarath - Deputy Minister of Land and Irrigation JJB
AI summary Deputy Minister Aravinda Senarath supported extending the emergency, arguing it is necessary to coordinate state institutions and accelerate disaster management and recovery after the “Ditva” cyclone. He said the Government is using emergency powers only for relief, compensation, restoration of housing, fields, tanks and bunds, and institutional coordination, contrasting this with alleged past misuse of emergency powers by previous administrations. He rejected Opposition criticism as politically motivated, defended the Government’s record on media freedom, and urged a unified national approach to disaster recovery.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Chanaka Madugoda SLPP
AI summary Hon. Chanaka Madugoda defended the past use of emergency laws in the context of ending terrorism, while questioning whether the current Government can achieve its objectives under emergency if it has struggled under ordinary law. He welcomed the decision to arrange a teachers’ recruitment examination for Development Officers but raised concerns about the Gazette, including ineligible degree categories, unavailable university specializations, and the exclusion of International Relations, International Studies, and Archaeology graduates. He also requested relief for public officers affected by the suspension of local and foreign leave after they had already made commitments. He further criticized restrictions and omissions in Member development allocations, arguing that they should be usable for genuine local needs such as temples, daham schools, sports clubs, rural societies, and preschools.
- The Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe - Deputy Minister of Labour JJB
AI summary Deputy Minister Mahinda Jayasinghe rejected Opposition claims that the Government was misusing emergency powers, stating that protests had been allowed and that emergency measures were used to manage disaster recovery after widespread landslides. He argued that the economy and district-level development had improved, while accusing the Opposition of communal agitation and inconsistent positions on education reforms, which he said were intended to strengthen state responsibility and expand opportunities for students. He also challenged the Opposition Leader to table observations from visits to shelters and criticized remarks made to Development Officers. Referring to several ongoing corruption and criminal cases involving former political figures, he said prosecutions were proceeding through legal processes without political interference, though public expectations for speed were higher.
- The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna rose on a point of order. The substance of the remarks was expunged on the order of the Chair, leaving no further content to summarize.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB
AI summary Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri criticized the Government’s continued use of emergency regulations, arguing they were being extended to suppress protests arising from unmet promises, including compensation pledges for damaged houses. He questioned delays and changing compensation amounts, challenged Government claims on education reforms, and defended the Opposition Leader’s assistance to people affected by “Ditva.” He also said the Government should honour all mandate-related promises, including on salaries and vehicles, raised allegations about ruling party MPs’ remuneration arrangements, and complained that parliamentary speaking time favours party leaders while Government MPs failed to object to remarks insulting teachers.
- The Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe - Deputy Minister of Labour JJB
AI summary Mahinda Jayasinghe rejected criticism from the Opposition, asserting that his side had supported Mahinda Rajapaksa during the conflict while accusing Opposition leaders of acting against the country. He argued that the Opposition was misleading the public on education reforms and said the Opposition Leader had admitted they had not opposed stopping the reforms.
- The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB
AI summary Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri raised a point of order citing Standing Orders 91(e) and 86(a), objecting to the Chair permitting what he described as baseless allegations against the Opposition. Part of his remarks was ordered to be expunged by the Chair.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. (Mrs.) Thushari Jayasingha, Attorney-at-Law JJB
AI summary Hon. Thushari Jayasingha begins addressing the Chair, but the provided excerpt contains no substantive remarks beyond the opening salutation. Therefore, no specific argument, proposal, question, or policy position can be identified from the supplied text.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- Hon. (Mrs.) Thushari Jayasingha, Attorney-at-Law JJB
AI summary Hon. Thushari Jayasingha supported the extension of Emergency Regulations in the context of relief and recovery after the “Ditva” cyclone, arguing that the Government is providing compensation, resettlement land, housing assistance and development projects in affected areas of Kandy District. She rejected Opposition criticism on environmental and disaster issues, saying some harmful quarrying, tank construction and land acquisition decisions predated the current Government and contributed to later damage. She cited specific recovery measures including the “Rebuilding Sri Lanka” programme, housing support in Kundasale, and the Mahaiyawa tunnel road project costing Rs. 699.6 million.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Hector Appuhamy SJB
AI summary Hon. Hector Appuhamy questioned the Government’s use of Emergency powers, warning that they should not be used to intimidate individuals, social media users, or MPs, while urging proper action on national issues. He criticized the Government’s handling of war heroes, Independence Day commemorations, and the reported rebuilding of Prabhakaran’s house, contrasting this with alleged inadequate support for cyclone victims. He also demanded a stronger response to incidents involving Indian Navy action against Sri Lankan fishermen and raised concerns about unresolved questions in the Easter Sunday attacks investigation. Additionally, he referred to a leaked private audio clip involving an MP and called on the President to investigate its source while protecting the Government’s claimed clean reputation.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Muneer Mulaffer — Deputy Minister of Religious and Cultural Affairs
AI summary Deputy Minister Muneer Mulaffer defended the extension of the Emergency as a necessary measure to respond to the destruction caused by Cyclone “Ditva” and said it was being used to expedite rehabilitation, not to suppress media or the public. He rejected Opposition criticism by referring to past uses of Emergency and questioned earlier governments’ records on disaster response, environmental issues, and corruption. He also addressed the Mannar–Puttalam road and the Saudi-funded Nurachcholai housing scheme, alleging that past political actors had obstructed solutions and benefits for affected communities. He added that his Ministry would seek to prevent the politicization of mosques and religious institutions.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Kumara Jayakody JJB
AI summary Hon. Kumara Jayakody moved a procedural motion proposing that Hon. Chanaka Madugoda take the Chair. The House agreed, after which Hon. Sagarika Athuda left the Chair and Hon. Chanaka Madugoda assumed it.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam ACTC
AI summary G.G. Ponnambalam opposed the extension of the Emergency and said he would call for a Division, arguing that emergency powers and the PTA are being used to suppress political activity and protests in the North and East, including over the Thayyiddi vihara issue. He rejected the Government’s justification that the Emergency was needed for cyclone relief, citing past unaddressed cyclone damage in the North and asking why relief had not been provided without emergency powers. He also criticized the Government’s handling of Indian trawler incursions, questioned the low number of seizures and prosecutions, and asked whether affected Northern fishers would be compensated. He further raised concern over the cremation of a Buddhist monk at McHeyzer Ground in Trincomalee and appealed to the Government to stop action against Rajkumar Rajeevkanth over a Facebook post expressing Tamil cultural concerns.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Susantha Kumara Nawarathna JJB
AI summary Hon. Susantha Kumara Nawarathna supported the extension of the Emergency, arguing it is needed to expedite recovery from the 2025 natural disaster, including housing compensation, school reconstruction, road and bridge repairs, and restoration of health services. He stated that Rs. 500,000 grants for fully damaged houses are being implemented, denied that rights had been violated under the Emergency, and said protests and expression remained allowed. He also said decentralized funds would be allocated fairly among all MPs and that the 2026 Budget would proceed with development plans, including increased cultivation support and compensation for human–wildlife conflict.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan DTNA
AI summary Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan questioned the need to extend Emergency Regulations for disaster relief, arguing that relief and rehabilitation should not require emergency powers and noting public fear due to past use of the Emergency and PTA against youths. He raised concerns about cybercrime, particularly online defamation and image manipulation targeting women, and urged the Government to strengthen police capacity to investigate such offences, including those involving perpetrators abroad. He also asked that any prohibition on fishing methods such as shore-seine operations in Mannar be implemented with a transition period of at least six months to protect affected workers and investors.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- Hon. (Mrs.) Nilanthi Kottahachchi, Attorney-at-Law JJB
AI summary Hon. Nilanthi Kottahachchi argued that the Government is managing the aftermath of the “Ditva” cyclone as part of a wider socio-economic and institutional recovery, emphasizing housing, land, financial support, and restoration of livelihoods for affected families. She defended the extension and use of Emergency Regulations as necessary to reduce administrative delays and enable timely relief, while stating that assistance is being delivered transparently and according to need. She criticized the Opposition for focusing on shortcomings rather than supporting disaster response, and called for cooperation among political leaders, officials, and citizens in rebuilding efforts.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna made a brief intervention. Portions of the speech were ordered to be expunged by the Chair, leaving no substantive policy point or proposal recorded.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. (Mrs.) Samanmali Gunasinghe JJB
AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Samanmali Gunasinghe raised a point under Standing Orders 91(u) and (w), seeking the Chair’s protection against allegedly slanderous and inappropriate remarks. She requested that the dignity and self-respect of women Members be safeguarded, that false press gossip not be used in Parliament, and that such remarks be expunged.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna concluded his remarks and thanked the House.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. (Mrs.) Deepthi Wasalage JJB
AI summary Hon. Deepthi Wasalage supported extending the national emergency declared after the 27–28 November disaster, arguing that it had been used for recovery rather than to restrict democratic processes. She described severe damage in Matale, including 29 deaths, blocked roads, power and communication failures, and disrupted Water Board projects, and said government MPs and local representatives worked across ethnic and religious lines to restore normalcy. She identified remaining recovery needs, including the Alkaduwa–Ukuwela road, Bambarakiri Ella water project, and relocation of Gammaduwa Hindu National School, and called for state officials to be protected in taking necessary land acquisition and development decisions.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF
AI summary Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake commended the President’s use of a helicopter for travel to Kandy as consistent with Head of State security arrangements. He criticized the JVP’s past role during the 1988–89 period and alleged that the present Government is creating excessive dependence on India, while questioning whether Emergency powers and rule of law are being applied equally or selectively against the Opposition. He also raised concerns about Civil Security Department recruits from the North and East being transferred to the South without fair payment, and urged attention to unresolved graduate employment and teacher recruitment issues.
- Hon. (Presiding Member)
AI summary The Presiding Member called on Hon. Sundaralingam Pradeep, Deputy Minister, to speak for 10 minutes. Before proceeding, the Chair requested that a Member propose Hon. (Prof.) Sena Nanayakkara to take the Chair.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. Wasantha Piyathissa - Deputy Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment JJB
AI summary Hon. Wasantha Piyathissa moved that Hon. (Prof.) Sena Nanayakkara take the Chair.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. Ajith Gihan JJB
AI summary Hon. Ajith Gihan formally seconded the motion under discussion. The motion was then put to the House and agreed to, after which the Chair changed from Hon. Chanaka Madugoda to Hon. (Prof.) Sena Nanayakkara.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. Sundaralingam Pradeep - Deputy Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure JJB
AI summary Hon. Sundaralingam Pradeep supported the extension of the Emergency Regulations, arguing that the current emergency was declared for humanitarian response to Cyclone Ditva rather than for political suppression. He said the regulations enabled faster rescue and relief in hill country areas by allowing cross-boundary assistance, removal of dangerous trees, land allocation, and delivery of essential services. He rejected Opposition claims of abuse of emergency powers, asked for specific examples, and raised related concerns including communal divisiveness, respect for women MPs, ongoing hill country housing projects, wage increases, and a call for estate-owning politicians to provide land to affected people.
- Hon. (Presiding Member)
AI summary The Presiding Member called on Hon. M.A.M. Thahir to speak and informed him that he had four minutes.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. M.A.M. Thahir ACMC
AI summary Hon. M.A.M. Thahir questioned the necessity of extending the emergency, arguing that the Government’s stated restoration of calm did not justify continued extraordinary powers and citing past impacts on the Muslim community, including the detention of Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen under the PTA after the Easter attacks. He alleged that emergency-related authority and programmes such as “Prajashakthi” were being used to consolidate political control without proper legal process. He also requested action on coastal erosion, effective paddy procurement at the declared floor price, and administrative improvements in local hospitals, including appointments and reversal of ad hoc transfers.
- Hon. (Presiding Member)
AI summary The Presiding Member allocated six minutes for Hon. Ajith Gihan to speak during the debate. No substantive policy or legislative remarks were made in this intervention.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. Ajith Gihan JJB
AI summary Hon. Ajith Gihan addressed allegations that multiday fishers were assaulted, noting that India had formally denied Coast Guard involvement while Sri Lankan authorities rescued and hospitalized the fishers and pursued investigations with India and domestically. He said beach-seine fisheries must be regulated under the 1984 Beach Seine Regulations and argued that tractor-assisted net dragging damages coastlines, seabeds, and small-scale fishers’ livelihoods. He stated that a stakeholder-agreed tractor ban took effect on 1 January 2026, that court proceedings and protests were ongoing, and that the Ministry would discuss lawful concerns but would not permit prohibited fishing methods.
- Hon. (Presiding Member)
AI summary The Presiding Member called on Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha to speak and informed him that he had nine minutes.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha SJB
AI summary Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha opposed extending the emergency, arguing that disaster-related regulations and compensation are already in place and that the measure is being used to suppress public dissent rather than address post-disaster needs. He criticised delays in restoring flood- and landslide-damaged railway and infrastructure links, questioned the Government’s capacity to manage reconstruction, and suggested seeking capable foreign assistance where necessary. He also alleged economic stagnation, pressure on SMEs, weak post-Cyclone Ditva recovery measures, and low public-sector morale, while calling for the dignity and independence of Parliament’s offices and staff to be protected.
- Hon. (Presiding Member)
AI summary The Presiding Member called on Hon. (Dr.) Najith Indika to speak and allocated him 10 minutes. The intervention was procedural, marking the start of the next contribution in the debate at 4.34 p.m.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. (Dr.) Najith Indika JJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Najith Indika defended the continuation of the emergency declared after Cyclone “Ditva,” arguing it remains necessary to coordinate disaster relief, essential services, housing assistance, and support for displaced persons across the affected districts. He said the Government had not used emergency powers to suppress protests, dissent, or criticism, contrasting its conduct with alleged past abuses under earlier administrations. He rejected allegations of acting above the law and urged any complaints of theft, fraud, or unequal legal treatment to be raised through proper channels. He also criticized repeated obscene language directed at parliamentary leaders and suggested the Opposition address such conduct internally.
- Hon. (Presiding Member)
AI summary The Presiding Member called on Hon. Imran Maharoof to speak and informed him that he had six minutes.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. Imran Maharoof SJB
AI summary Hon. Imran Maharoof questioned the justification for extending the emergency in the absence of war or communal tensions, asking whether it is intended for disaster management or to suppress rising public protests by groups such as teachers, graduates and doctors. He raised security concerns in Kinniya, noting the reduction of police personnel from 120 to 47 despite serving over 100,000 people, and requested adequate deployment, progress on a stalled Gazette proposal for a new police station at Nadutheru, and action on a proper site and building for the existing Kinniya station. He also urged the Government to address restrictions affecting access to Karumalaiyootru Mosque and restore the community’s ability to use it.
- Hon. (Presiding Member)
AI summary The Presiding Member recognized Hon. Vijitha Herath, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, to speak. He was allotted 18 minutes, beginning at 4.51 p.m.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. Vijitha Herath - Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism JJB
AI summary Vijitha Herath said the emergency declared after the disaster was necessary to coordinate a nationwide response beyond the capacity of the Disaster Management Act, including deployment of security forces, essential services, personnel and machinery across administrative boundaries. He stated that the regulations had not been used to suppress protests, strikes, media or political activity, and said reforms were under way to disaster management structures, the Online Safety law and legislation replacing the PTA. He also said emergency powers helped stabilize tourism and expedite procurement for recovery work, citing record December and January tourist arrivals, a preliminary World Bank estimate of US$4.1 billion in economic impact, and parliamentary approval of supplementary estimates.
- Hon. (Presiding Member)
AI summary The Presiding Member called Hon. Mujibur Rahuman to speak and informed him that he had 15 minutes for his remarks.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. Mujibur Rahuman SJB
AI summary Hon. Mujibur Rahuman questioned the need to extend the emergency after Cyclone Ditva, arguing that disaster management and compensation were said to be completed and alleging the emergency was being used to curb public protests. He said the no-confidence issue involving the Prime Minister was rendered moot by the President’s own decision to halt her programme and appoint an experts’ committee. He raised concerns over the Easter Sunday bombings trial, demanding that the alleged mastermind be arrested and produced, and criticised daily hearings, restricted access, and the venue as undermining fair trial rights and open justice. He called for transparent, open proceedings, including possible live telecasting, and urged the Government to ensure an independent and fair trial.
- 14 Procedural Division: Resolution under Public Security Ordinance 11 speeches
- 15 Oral question Questions: Official Vehicles Allocated to Ministers (2015-2018) 8 speeches
- 16 Procedural Procedural: Request for Extended Time to Reply 1 speeches