Sitting of Tuesday, 17 February 2026
Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 23279 ·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 Parliament Opening and Speaker's Announcements 1 speeches
- 2 Papers Papers: Annual Reports and Committee Reports 6 speeches
- 3 Petitions Petitions 5 speeches
- 4 Oral question Oral Question: Electricity Generated by Solar Panels (Q.2/2025) 15 speeches
- 5 Oral question Oral Question: Stand Down (Q.3/2025) 2 speeches
- 6 Oral question Oral Question: Stand Down (Q.4/2025) 3 speeches
- 7 Oral question Oral Question: Stand Down (Q.6/2025) 3 speeches
- 8 Oral question Oral Question: McHeyzer Stadium, Trincomalee - Development (Q.7/2025) 6 speeches
- 9 Oral question Oral Question: Improvement of Health Facilities for Persons with Disabilities (Q.8/2025) 6 speeches
- 10 Oral question Oral Question: Media Institutions and Support for Journalists (Q.9/2025) 5 speeches
- 11 Oral question Oral Question: Maritime Security Operations (Q.10/2025) 5 speeches
- 12 Oral question Oral Question Second Round and Ministerial Response (Q.1184/2025, Security Incident) 9 speeches
- 13 Oral question Standing Order 27(2) Question: Qur'an Madrasas Registration 5 speeches
- 14 Oral question Ministry Statement: Reforms of Ceylon Electricity Board 13 speeches
- 15 Procedural Privilege Matters and Points of Order 7 speeches
- 16 Papers Indira Cancer Charitable Trust (Incorporation) Bill - First Reading 2 speeches
- 17 Debate Parliamentary Pensions (Repeal) Bill - Second Reading Debate 69 speeches
- 18 Procedural Parliamentary Pensions (Repeal) Bill - Division on Second Reading 4 speeches
- 19 Procedural Parliamentary Pensions (Repeal) Bill - Committee Stage 25 speeches
- 20 Procedural Parliamentary Pensions (Repeal) Bill - Third Reading 1 speeches
- 21 Procedural Select Committee on Electoral Laws - Motion with Amendment 51 speeches
- The Hon. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF
AI summary Ravi Karunanayake moved the Motion and noted that the Government had introduced a Bill concerning Provincial Council elections. He argued that the Committee need not spend further time on that issue, as it could be addressed within the relevant Committee process.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF
AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake moved for a Select Committee to review Sri Lanka’s election laws, including laws on voter registration, local authority, parliamentary and presidential elections, and to recommend amendments, consolidation or reforms. He noted that previous reform efforts and committee reports had not been implemented. He proposed excluding Provincial Council elections to avoid duplication with a separate government process and suggested the committee report within six months rather than one year.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Faiszer Musthapha, PC NDF
AI summary Seconding the Motion, Hon. Faiszer Musthapha, PC proposed that the words “Provincial Council Elections Act” be deleted from it.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC SJB
AI summary Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC, raised a point of order concerning the acceptance of a Motion. He requested that he also be heard on the matter.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC SJB
AI summary M. Nizam Kariapper raised a procedural objection under Standing Orders 92(2), 101 and 102, noting that the Provincial Councils Elections issue included in the Motion was already before an existing Select Committee. He argued that an oral statement deleting those words was insufficient and that the proposer should withdraw the Motion and reintroduce it in amended form to ensure procedural validity.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK
AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam raised a point of order. No substantive argument or proposal was recorded in the provided excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK
AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam opposed the proposed amendment to remove the section on Provincial Councils from the Motion, noting that a parliamentary Select Committee on Provincial Council Elections is already considering the matter. He asked the Speaker to rule, after consulting officials, whether the words “Provincial Council Elections Act” could be deleted and the Motion passed immediately, or whether the amended Motion should be brought back on the next sitting day.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary Bimal Rathnayake stated that the Motion was brought by agreement and that any proposed amendment should be considered when the Committee meets. He said delaying the Motion would amount to an obstruction, noting that two Committees already exist to deal with the matter.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK
AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam objected to proceeding with a Motion establishing a Parliamentary Select Committee that would cover the Provincial Council Elections Act while an existing Select Committee on Provincial Councils was already in place. He requested a ruling, arguing that having two committees on the same matter with different reporting timelines could create procedural and legal confusion. He proposed either postponing and amending the Motion or deleting the reference to the Provincial Council Elections Act so it could be passed that day, warning that otherwise it would be opposed.
- Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF
AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake stated that all pending elections, including Provincial Council elections, should be held without delay. He said he removed reference to the Provincial Council Elections Act from the Motion to avoid prolonging the process, while expressing support for the Government’s initiative on the matter. He emphasized that his actions were intended to assist, not obstruct, the expeditious conduct of elections.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC SJB
AI summary M. Nizam Kariapper stated, by way of clarification, that where two committees are examining related matters, they may proceed differently and could reach contradictory positions.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF
AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake briefly sought clarification from the Chair, asking the Speaker to repeat or clarify what had been asked.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF
AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake stated that he had acted in response to Members’ requests and did not wish his Motion to hinder the holding of Provincial Council elections. He expressed support for resolving matters related to those elections and suggested removing references to the “Provincial Council Elections Act” from his Motion if the relevant Special Committee completes its report within three months, enabling his Select Committee’s work to conclude in a similar timeframe.
- The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary Bimal Rathnayake stated that a separate Special Committee is already tasked with examining the electoral system for Provincial Council elections. He said the Motion had been discussed at the Parliamentary Business Committee and that its concerns could be considered when framing the Terms of Reference for the relevant Special Committees.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF
AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake stated that the reference to the “Provincial Council Elections Act” had been removed from the Motion, allowing it to proceed without obstructing Provincial Council elections. He said there was therefore no impediment or delay to holding those elections and expressed agreement.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK
AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam sought clarification on whether the Motion would be amended to remove reference to the “Provincial Council Elections Act.” He argued that, since a Special Committee on Provincial Councils already exists and Government members would have a majority on any new Select Committee, Parliament should either delete that reference and pass the Motion or bring a new Motion rather than creating another committee on the same subject.
- The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary Bimal Rathnayake stated that a Special Committee should involve both Government and Opposition participation and operate within a practical, defined scope. He said the proposed committee could proceed without the Provincial Council Elections Act component, while a separate Special Committee on Provincial Council Elections would continue under Minister Vijitha Herath. He indicated that another committee could be constituted under Minister Chandana Abeyratne and said the Government did not wish to prolong the political debate.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Faiszer Musthapha, PC NDF
AI summary Argued that references to the “Provincial Council Elections Act” should be removed from Hon. Ravi Karunanayake’s Motion because a Special Committee is already considering the modality for Provincial Council elections. He noted that both the mover and seconder agreed to the deletion and urged the House to proceed with the Motion as amended.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna
AI summary Ramanathan Archchuna stated that the matter should be withdrawn and, if necessary, resubmitted on another day. He requested that it be recorded as withdrawn and that proceedings continue accordingly.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary Bimal Rathnayake stated that the reference to the “Provincial Council Elections Act” should be removed from the motion, as indicated by the mover and seconder, and said this could be addressed when framing the terms of reference. He supported proceeding separately because a Special Committee on Provincial Council elections already exists.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Faiszer Musthapha, PC NDF
AI summary Hon. Faiszer Musthapha raised a point of order and requested one minute from the Speaker to address the House.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Faiszer Musthapha, PC NDF
AI summary Hon. Faiszer Musthapha, PC, rose to a point of order. No substantive argument or proposal was recorded in the provided excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Faiszer Musthapha, PC NDF
AI summary Hon. Faiszer Musthapha stated that he would second the Motion only if the reference to the “Provincial Council Elections Act” was removed. He indicated that, without that deletion, he would not support seconding the Motion.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK
AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam stated that, under the circumstances referred to, there was no Motion before the House.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC SJB
AI summary M. Nizam Kariapper, PC queried whether the Motion before the House would not be seconded in its present form. The intervention appears to seek procedural clarification on the status of the Motion.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Faiszer Musthapha, PC NDF
AI summary Hon. Faiszer Musthapha seconded the Motion, subject to deleting the words “the Provincial Council Elections Act” from its text.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC SJB
AI summary Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper briefly acknowledged or confirmed understanding, without raising a substantive issue, proposal, or question in the debate.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake stated that the matter should proceed by amending the Motion rather than further debate. He proposed suspending the Standing Order requiring five days’ notice so that the Motion on the Order Paper could be approved in amended form, as suggested by Hon. Ravi Karunanayake.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Faiszer Musthapha, PC NDF
AI summary Faiszer Musthapha stated that if the proposed amendment is accepted and agreed to by the House, he has no objection.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Faiszer Musthapha, PC NDF
AI summary Faiszer Musthapha stated that there would be no issue if the House suspended the relevant Standing Order and proceeded to approve the amended Motion, as suggested by the Leader of the House.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary Agreed that there was no issue following the preceding clarification or assurance.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Members
AI summary Members agreed to the question put before the House. The matter was approved without recorded objection or further debate.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
- 22 Adjournment Adjournment Motion 2 speeches
- 23 Adjournment Adjournment Questions 8 speeches