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

Sitting of Wednesday, 18 February 2026

10th Parliament· 19 debates· 228 speeches· 66 speakers

Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 23308 ·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.

  12. 12 Procedural Procedural: Ministry Statement and Standing Order Clarification 11 speeches
    • The Hon. Speaker procedural
      Full speech →
    • The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB

      AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa raised a procedural concern under Standing Orders 92(2)(a) and 27(2) regarding the National Commission for Women. He argued that, as an independent commission, it should receive budget allocations under Special Expenditure Units like other independent commissions, rather than being gazetted under the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs. He requested that this be corrected, stating that placing it under a ministry undermines its independence.

      Parliamentary ProcedureWomen & ChildrenPublic Finance Full speech →
    • The Hon. Speaker procedural
      Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Mrs.) Saroja Savithri Paulraj - Minister of Women and Child Affairs JJB

      AI summary The Minister explained that the National Commission on Women was established under the Women’s Empowerment Act, No. 37 of 2024, replacing the former Women’s Committee, and functions as an independent institution not gazetted under the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs. Responding to a Standing Order 27(2) question raised by the Leader of the Opposition, she stated that the Commission’s statutory functions include investigating violations or imminent violations of women’s rights and receiving complaints under Part XI of the Act, with 23 functions specified in law.

      Women & Children Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Mrs.) Saroja Savithri Paulraj – Minister of Women, Children and Social Empowerment

      AI summary Minister Saroja Savithri Paulraj said the former Chairperson of the National Commission on Women had submitted her resignation to the President, as required, and the Ministry was not aware of the reasons or required to be formally notified. She explained that the Commission was established after the 2026 Budget proposals had been submitted, so Rs. 50 million was later allocated and further funds are being sought through a Supplementary Estimate. She stated that an Executive Director assumed duties on 7 January 2026, temporary office space and ministry support are being provided only until permanent premises and staff are secured, and these arrangements do not affect the Commission’s statutory independence.

      Public FinanceWomen & Children Full speech →
    • The Hon. Sajith Premadasa – Leader of the Opposition

      AI summary Sajith Premadasa disputed the Minister’s response on the National Commission on Women, stating that the Commission had in fact been gazetted and that budgetary provision could have been made through a Supplementary Estimate after its establishment. He questioned the Government’s prior statements to CEDAW that operationalization was complete and argued that the appointment of the Ministry Secretary as Executive Director should have been handled by the Commission and its Chair, raising concerns about the Commission’s independence.

      Public FinanceWomen & ChildrenCorruption & Governance Reform Full speech →
    • Mr. Speaker procedural
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    • The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB

      AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake raised a procedural objection under Standing Order 27(2), stating that only brief clarifications to an answer are permitted and that the exchange was turning into a debate. He said a separate debate could be arranged if necessary, urged that the business scheduled for 11.30 a.m. proceed, and called on the Leader of the Opposition to follow the Standing Orders without misusing the opportunity.

      Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
    • The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka SJB

      AI summary Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka made a procedural request for the Chair to allow another member an additional two minutes to complete their speech. The intervention did not address substantive policy or legislative matters.

      Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Mrs.) Saroja Savithri Paulraj – Minister of Women, Children and Social Empowerment

      AI summary The Minister clarified that she does not appoint the Executive Director, but only forwards nominations, with selection and appointment made by the President through the President’s Office under the Women’s Empowerment Act, No. 37 of 2024. She stated that the relevant Women’s Committee is registered under her Ministry, while the Act establishes a statutory National Commission on Women to support women’s empowerment and the National Policy on Women’s Development and Empowerment.

      Women & Children Full speech →
    • Mr. Speaker procedural
      Full speech →