Sitting of Wednesday, 18 February 2026
Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 23308 ·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 and Papers 5 speeches
- 2 Procedural Procedural: Select Committee and Conflict of Interest Matter 7 speeches
- 3 Petitions Petitions 2 speeches
- 4 Oral question Oral Question: Hazards Faced by Plantation Workers: Preventive Measures (1466/2025) 18 speeches
- 5 Oral question Oral Questions: Stood Down (Q.4, Q.5) 4 speeches
- 6 Oral question Oral Question: LRC Lands in Kalutara District: Details (1664/2025) 6 speeches
- 7 Oral question Oral Question: Amendment of Laws Pertaining to Explosives (1745/2025) 6 speeches
- 8 Oral question Oral Question: Labour Complaint Resolution and Child Labour (1748/2025) 6 speeches
- 9 Oral question Oral Question: Fishery Buildings and Shore Seine Fishing in Pottuvil (1750/2025) 6 speeches
- 10 Oral question Oral Question: Gampaha Sanasa Development Bank Complaints (1751/2025) 5 speeches
- 11 Procedural Procedural: Question Under Standing Order 27(2) - Gross Official Reserves 4 speeches
- 12 Procedural Procedural: Ministry Statement and Standing Order Clarification 11 speeches
- 13 Procedural Procedural: Privilege Matters and Bill Introduction 7 speeches
- 14 Papers Papers: Mahawilachchiya Education Centre Bill (First Reading) 2 speeches
- 15 Debate Debate: Special Commodity Levy Act and Related Orders (Main Business) 33 speeches
- Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake – Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development and Leader of the House
AI summary Minister Bimal Rathnayake moved approval of several Orders and resolutions under the Special Commodity Levy Act, Customs Ordinance and Motor Traffic Act, noting that finance-related matters would be addressed by the State Minister of Finance and transport matters by him. He said two transport-related Gazettes extend time for driving licence renewals affected by Cyclone Ditcha and set a Rs. 45,000 fee for renewing Sri Lankan driving authorisations for foreign nationals, including through a new facility at Bandaranaike International Airport. He outlined forthcoming regulation of three-wheelers, taxis, school vans and office vans, new drug-testing powers for drivers and conductors, strengthened seatbelt enforcement on expressways, progress on open bank-card payments for bus fares with card-scheme commissions to be waived, and steps to clear the driving licence backlog and restore one-day service. He also referred to action to address corruption at the Department of Motor Traffic and urged MPs to follow Standing Orders and use proper language during debate.
- Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake acknowledged the role of the tri-forces and public officials in maintaining current operations. He stated that reforms would continue, with attention to clearing backlogs and improving safety and service delivery.
- The Hon. Arjuna Sujeewa Senasinghe, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary The Member raised a Point of Order citing Standing Order 92(2)(a), which permits a member to question whether proper procedures have been or are being followed in parliamentary proceedings. The intervention appears procedural in nature, seeking to invoke the Standing Orders on the conduct of the House.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Mujibur Rahuman SJB
AI summary Mujibur Rahuman criticized the Leader of the House for opening the debate with attacks on the Opposition and the Opposition Leader. He argued that government members who had previously supported the Rajapaksas and participated in 2022 protests near Parliament were not in a position to lecture the Opposition on parliamentary traditions or norms.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. Mujibur Rahuman SJB
AI summary Hon. Mujibur Rahuman criticized President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s stated pledge to end family politics, alleging that political relationships and family ties are still reflected in parliamentary representation. He used examples such as spouses, parents and children, and personal relationships to question whether the promise of ending nepotism has been upheld.
Corruption & Governance Reform Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- Hon. Mujibur Rahuman SJB
AI summary Hon. Mujibur Rahuman objected to a member repeatedly using parliamentary time to criticize or scold the Opposition, including during extended sittings. He argued that such conduct was inappropriate for Parliament and should not continue during proceedings.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- Hon. Mujibur Rahuman SJB
AI summary Mujibur Rahuman criticised members who, in his view, now express concern for schoolchildren and public services despite past actions during the 1987–88 period, including encouraging students to abandon schooling during protests over the Indo–Lanka Accord. He also accused them of inconsistency on military involvement, saying they previously opposed training for the armed forces as militarisation but now support using the army for tasks such as mosquito control.
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- Hon. Mujibur Rahuman SJB
AI summary Hon. Mujibur Rahuman criticized a political group for allegedly reversing its earlier opposition to military involvement by now supporting the use of the army in mosquito-control activities. He argued that the group had previously spread fears about militarization, India, foreign countries, and investors, and accused it of political inconsistency, including changing its stance toward Indian leaders.
- The Hon. Arjuna Sujeewa Senasinghe, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Arjuna Sujeewa Senasinghe made a brief remark referring to the Deputy Speaker’s unchanged physical size. No policy issue, legislative matter, proposal, or procedural question was raised.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. Mujibur Rahuman SJB
AI summary Hon. Mujibur Rahuman complained about a member’s repeated conduct in the Chamber, referring to that member’s past political affiliations. He requested that the Speaker intervene to stop the behaviour, specifically noting that the member’s microphone is activated as soon as he rises.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. Arjuna Sujeewa Senasinghe, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Hon. Arjuna Sujeewa Senasinghe stated briefly that “the left hand does not work.” No further policy point, proposal, question, or legislative context was provided in the speech.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. Mujibur Rahuman SJB
AI summary Hon. Mujibur Rahuman criticized the Chair’s handling of points of order, alleging unequal enforcement of parliamentary procedure. He argued that Standing Orders and parliamentary traditions must apply equally to all Members and to the presiding officers.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- Hon. Mujibur Rahuman SJB
AI summary Hon. Mujibur Rahuman criticized the Speaker’s handling of government members, alleging that disruptive conduct was being tolerated and asking that the Chair assert control or step aside. He objected to repeated accusations against the Opposition and attempts to belittle the Leader of the Opposition, warning that electoral mandates can change and citing the 2019 government’s subsequent loss of power as an example.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- Hon. Mujibur Rahuman SJB
AI summary Hon. Mujibur Rahuman acknowledged the Government’s electoral mandate but cautioned against using it to suppress the Opposition. He emphasized respect for the Government side while calling for restraint in the exercise of its mandate.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB
AI summary Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri rose to raise a point of order. No substantive argument, proposal, or policy issue was presented in the excerpt provided.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB
AI summary Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri raised a point of order under Standing Orders 91(a) and 91(b), alleging that Government members deviated from the Order of the Day and made insulting remarks against Opposition members. He said requests to the Speaker to correct the situation had not been acted on, and objected to personal aspersions, challenging those making such claims to substantiate them.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. (Prof.) L.M. Abeywickrama JJB
AI summary Prof. L.M. Abeywickrama stated that the discussion was being held under the Special Commodity Levy Act in relation to agricultural products, specifically potatoes and big onions.
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. (Prof.) L.M. Abeywickrama JJB
AI summary Hon. (Prof.) L.M. Abeywickrama argued that the proposed Special Commodity Levy of Rs. 50 on big onions and Rs. 80 on potatoes should be maintained to protect local farmers whose production costs are far higher than competitors in India, Pakistan and China due to climate, disease, seed costs and lower subsidies. He said the levies should serve as a temporary measure until para-tariffs are phased out by 2030, while revenue and budget allocations are used for agricultural modernization, cold storage, warehousing, local seed production and farmer organization. He proposed using technology, cooperatives and producer groups to reduce unit costs and make Sri Lankan onion and potato farmers competitive within two to three years.
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva criticised the Government’s continued use of Special Commodity Levies on 62 essential foods, arguing that they should apply only during harvest periods and that current policy raises consumer prices contrary to election pledges on VAT and tax relief. He questioned the Government’s consistency on agricultural support, citing stalled cold storage facilities, taxes on agricultural equipment, and wider para-tariffs affecting housing materials. He also demanded action on governance commitments linked to the IMF programme, including a clear position on the IVS–VFS e-visa issue and the delayed Procurement Law, while alleging unequal enforcement in corruption-related cases.
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- 16 Debate Debate: Special Commodity Levy Act, Customs Ordinance Resolution, and Motor Traffic Act Orders (Continuation) 85 speeches
- 17 Procedural Procedural: Motion for Adjournment and Chair Change 3 speeches
- 18 Adjournment Adjournment: State Free from Corruption, Bribery and Fraud 6 speeches
- 19 Oral question Oral Questions: Crime Statistics, Temple Jewellery, Police Releases, and Infrastructure (1745/2026 - 1851/2026) 12 speeches