Sitting of Thursday, 19 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 Opening and Auditor-General's Report 3 speeches ▸
2. 2 Committee report Committee Report: 17th Report of the Committee on Public Enterprises 2 speeches ▸
3. 3 Petitions Petitions 3 speeches ▸
4. 4 Oral question Oral Question: Members of Current Parliament - Salaries and Allowances (Q.117/2024) 9 speeches ▸
5. 5 Oral question Oral Question: Water Supply to Porativu Pattu DS Division and Araiyampathi (Q.353/2025) 7 speeches ▸
6. 6 Oral question Oral Question: Drug Varieties Manufactured by SPMC (Q.) 7 speeches ▸
7. 7 Oral question Oral Question: Kaduruwela Market Complex (Q.) 13 speeches ▸
8. 8 Oral question Oral Question: Firearms Review and Archaeological Heritage (Q.7-1717/2025) 9 speeches ▸
9. 9 Oral question Oral Question: Consumer Price Controls and Raids (Q.10-1834/2026) 4 speeches ▸
10. 10 Oral question Oral Question: Hospital Attendants Shortage and Mahaweli Land Allocation (Q.) 7 speeches ▾
    • The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB

      AI summary Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa tabled an answer stating that 3,428 attendants serve in Central Government hospitals, with an identified shortage of 2,838, and that no fixed patient-to-attendant ratio can be specified due to variations among hospitals and patient conditions. He said patient care is managed by existing attendants, while paid external attendants are a private choice of patients or guardians. He added that interviews for 1,000 sanitary/orderly posts have concluded and appointments are being processed, and approval has been sought to recruit 710 attendants through open recruitment.

      Healthcare Full speech →
    • The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB

      AI summary The Leader of the Opposition questioned the Government on public security amid rising shootings, homicides and organized crime, requesting data on Police vacancies, crime trends, arrests, prosecutions and incomplete investigations over the past decade. He asked whether current Police staffing is sufficient, whether mechanisms under the Palermo Convention and UNTOC are being used, and what measures are being taken to dismantle domestic and international crime networks. He also sought updates on pledged independent investigations into long-pending high-profile killings and attacks on politicians, journalists, sportsmen and civilians, including the cases of Lasantha Wickrematunge and others, and urged action to improve Police recruitment and accountability.

      Security & DefenceJustice & Human RightsLaw & Order Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB

      AI summary The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa stated that the relevant Minister would provide the reply on the following day.

      Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
    • The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB

      AI summary Sajith Premadasa supported the Government Chief Whip’s proposal but raised a privilege-related concern over individuals he had named in Parliament being summoned to the CID. He said he had earlier disclosed that police reports were being linked to character certificates or recommendations from Civil Defence Committee Chairpersons, and asked whether summoning Yasantha Ariyasena, Thevuni Jayawardena and Sakusha Roshani after his disclosure was appropriate. He requested the Speaker’s ruling on the matter.

      Justice & Human RightsLaw & OrderParliamentary Procedure Full speech →
    • The Hon. Speaker procedural
      Full speech →
    • The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK

      AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam raised concerns about Mahaweli land allocation in the North and East, alleging demographic impacts on traditionally Tamil areas and questioning compliance with ethnic-ratio requirements under the 13th Amendment. He requested district-wise and community-wise details of land allocations, beneficiary families, and the extent and methodology of settlements under projects such as Kivul Oya, System “L”, and a proposed Mahaweli “C-a” area. He also asked about the status of farmlands and pasturelands in Mayilathamadu and Mathavanai, measures to prevent displacement or marginalization of local communities, and relief for Batticaloa farmers affected by flooding and crop insurance issues.

      AgricultureLand & HousingEthnic Reconciliation & Devolution Full speech →
    • The Hon. Aravinda Senarath - Deputy Minister of Land and Irrigation JJB

      AI summary The Deputy Minister of Land and Irrigation stated that the question raised was important and timely, and requested two weeks to provide a proper, structured reply.

      Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
11. 11 Procedural Procedural: Points of Order on Standing Orders and Party Representation 13 speeches ▸
12. 12 Procedural Statement and Procedural: Legal Basis of Financial Bankruptcy Declaration and Standing Order Debate 31 speeches ▸
13. 13 Debate Private Members' Bill: Kandyan Marriage and Divorce (Amendment) Bill 3 speeches ▸
14. 14 Procedural Procedural: Points of Order on Standing Orders and Bill Presentation 14 speeches ▸
15. 15 Debate Debate: Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Bill and Judicature (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading 38 speeches ▸
16. 16 Debate Debate (continued): Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Bill and Judicature (Amendment) Bill 65 speeches ▸
17. 17 Debate Debate (Final Stage): Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Bill - Third Reading and Amendments 4 speeches ▸
18. 18 Adjournment Adjournment 7 speeches ▸