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 ▸
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 ▾
    • The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law - Minister of Justice and National Integration JJB

      AI summary The Minister of Justice and National Integration formally moved that Parliament adjourn. The Presiding Member then put the question to the House.

      Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
    • The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
      Full speech →
    • The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
      Full speech →
    • The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law JJB

      AI summary Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara stated that information sought for Hon. Sujeewa Senasinghe’s question had been requested from the Judicial Service Commission but had not yet been received, so he could not answer it that day. He asked that the record reflect that Hon. Senasinghe’s absence was due to being informed of this delay, and that the question be taken up later without prejudice.

      Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
    • The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
      Full speech →
    • The Hon. Stepni Fernando JJB

      AI summary Stepni Fernando asked the Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources for details on traditional beach-seine (madäl) fishing, including where it is practiced and whether a licensing system and conditions apply. She sought clarification on whether tractors and winches are permitted or prohibited, the period and number of permissions granted if applicable, and the reasons for any current restrictions. She also asked what steps the Government will take to address fishermen’s concerns and whether scientific methods and regulated distances from shore govern the use of mechanized equipment.

      AgricultureEmployment Full speech →
    • The Hon. Rathna Gamage - Deputy Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources JJB

      AI summary The Deputy Minister provided figures showing 935 beach-seine licences issued across fisheries districts and outlined the permits, registration requirements, and licence conditions under the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Act and related regulations. He stated that mechanized craft or equipment are not permitted for beach-seine operations under the 1984 Beach-Seine Regulations, and that temporary permissions granted in 2015-2016 for winch use in some districts were later suspended due to coastal damage and other adverse impacts. He added that, following a 13 February 2026 discussion with the President and the All-Island Beach-Seine Association, a multi-agency committee with association representation would conduct a field study on the matter.

      Agriculture Full speech →