Sitting of Tuesday, 17 February 2026

Order of business

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

1. 1 Opening Parliament Opening and Speaker's Announcements 1 speeches ▸
2. 2 Papers Papers: Annual Reports and Committee Reports 6 speeches ▸
3. 3 Petitions Petitions 5 speeches ▸
4. 4 Oral question Oral Question: Electricity Generated by Solar Panels (Q.2/2025) 15 speeches ▸
5. 5 Oral question Oral Question: Stand Down (Q.3/2025) 2 speeches ▸
6. 6 Oral question Oral Question: Stand Down (Q.4/2025) 3 speeches ▸
7. 7 Oral question Oral Question: Stand Down (Q.6/2025) 3 speeches ▸
8. 8 Oral question Oral Question: McHeyzer Stadium, Trincomalee - Development (Q.7/2025) 6 speeches ▸
9. 9 Oral question Oral Question: Improvement of Health Facilities for Persons with Disabilities (Q.8/2025) 6 speeches ▸
10. 10 Oral question Oral Question: Media Institutions and Support for Journalists (Q.9/2025) 5 speeches ▸
11. 11 Oral question Oral Question: Maritime Security Operations (Q.10/2025) 5 speeches ▸
12. 12 Oral question Oral Question Second Round and Ministerial Response (Q.1184/2025, Security Incident) 9 speeches ▸
13. 13 Oral question Standing Order 27(2) Question: Qur'an Madrasas Registration 5 speeches ▾
    • The Hon. Speaker procedural
      Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Dr.) M.L.A.M. Hizbullah SLMC

      AI summary Hon. (Dr.) M.L.A.M. Hizbullah raised a matter under Standing Order 27(2) concerning the suspension, since a 2020 Ministry instruction, of registration for madrasas and Arabic colleges by the Department of Muslim Religious and Cultural Affairs. He argued that, unlike comparable institutions registered under other religious affairs departments, the halt has created difficulties relating to certificate recognition, employment and higher education, administration, banking, funding, and donations. He asked the Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs whether approval could be facilitated to resume registration and what steps had been taken to address the issue.

      EducationReligion & CultureJustice & Human Rights Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Dr.) Hiniduma Sunil Senevi - Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs JJB

      AI summary Approval can be granted for registering Qur’an madrasas, and that process is continuing, while the main outstanding issue concerns Arabic colleges. Following initiatives begun in April 2024 and accelerated by the current President in October 2025, legislation and curriculum revisions are being finalized for madrasas and Arabic colleges, with 321 Arabic colleges registered and about 82 applications pending. Three review committees are working on regularization measures, and the Minister said he would intervene to expedite completion of the Bill, curriculum, and registration process.

      Religion & CultureEducation Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Dr.) M.L.A.M. Hizbullah SLMC

      AI summary Regarding the proposed common syllabus for Arabic colleges, Hon. (Dr.) M.L.A.M. Hizbullah said discussions had continued for six to seven years and were delayed by differences between the Ministry of Education-appointed panel and the Muslim Cultural Department. He requested that around 80 long-operating Arabic colleges be registered together with the existing 320 registered institutions, with the common syllabus and any new rules or legislation applied once adopted.

      EducationReligion & Culture Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Dr.) Hiniduma Sunil Senevi - Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs JJB

      AI summary Delays in the matter were attributed to differing views among multiple stakeholders, which led to the postponement of some meetings. The Minister stated that he would continue efforts to resolve the disagreements and finalize the process.

      Religion & Culture Full speech →
14. 14 Oral question Ministry Statement: Reforms of Ceylon Electricity Board 13 speeches ▸
15. 15 Procedural Privilege Matters and Points of Order 7 speeches ▸
16. 16 Papers Indira Cancer Charitable Trust (Incorporation) Bill - First Reading 2 speeches ▸
17. 17 Debate Parliamentary Pensions (Repeal) Bill - Second Reading Debate 69 speeches ▸
18. 18 Procedural Parliamentary Pensions (Repeal) Bill - Division on Second Reading 4 speeches ▸
19. 19 Procedural Parliamentary Pensions (Repeal) Bill - Committee Stage 25 speeches ▸
20. 20 Procedural Parliamentary Pensions (Repeal) Bill - Third Reading 1 speeches ▸
21. 21 Procedural Select Committee on Electoral Laws - Motion with Amendment 51 speeches ▸
22. 22 Adjournment Adjournment Motion 2 speeches ▸
23. 23 Adjournment Adjournment Questions 8 speeches ▸