Sitting of Friday, 20 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 Parliament Opening and Speaker's Certificate 1 speeches ▸
2. 2 Committee report Sectoral Oversight Committee Reports 3 speeches ▸
3. 3 Petitions Petitions 4 speeches ▸
4. 4 Oral question Oral Question: Three-Judge Anti-Corruption Permanent High Court (Q.1/1206/2024) 13 speeches ▸
5. 5 Oral question Oral Question: Mahapola Trust Fund (Q.472/2025) 5 speeches ▸
6. 6 Oral question Oral Questions: Deferred and Stand Down (Q.4, Q.5, Q.6) 8 speeches ▸
7. 7 Oral question Oral Question: Drug Raids and Asset Seizures (Q.1649/2025) 12 speeches ▸
8. 8 Oral question Oral Questions on Tourism, Agriculture and Deferred Question (Q.883/2025) 6 speeches ▸
9. 9 Oral question Oral Question: Investments Received (Finance Ministry); Point of Order on Question Scheduling 8 speeches ▸
10. 10 Oral question Question by Private Notice: Current Status of SriLankan Airlines Restructure 10 speeches ▸
11. 11 Debate Ministerial Statements: Credit Expansion and State Security Mechanism 6 speeches ▾
    • The Hon. Speaker procedural
      Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha — Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning

      AI summary In response to Hon. Ravi Karunanayake’s question under Standing Order 27(2), the Minister provided Central Bank data showing a recovery and rapid expansion of private sector credit through banks and non-bank financial institutions from 2023 to 2025. He detailed growth in pawning/gold-backed loans, leasing, hire purchase and credit card outstanding balances, noting that pawning, leasing and credit cards accounted for Rs. 539.1 billion, or 27.7 per cent, of the increase in private sector credit. He also reported declining non-performing loan ratios in most categories, while noting the Central Bank’s tightening of loan-to-value caps for motor vehicle-backed credit due to strong portfolio growth. The Minister stated that detailed credit data are published regularly by the Central Bank and are available through its statistical bulletins and website.

      Public Finance Full speech →
    • The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF

      AI summary Ravi Karunanayake questioned the Central Bank’s credit allocation, noting that despite 25% private sector credit growth, much of it is going to pawning, credit cards and leasing rather than SMEs, youth, women and capital expenditure. He argued that this pattern should be redirected to support higher economic growth of 8–10%, while also criticizing the Central Bank’s close alignment with IMF reserve-focused priorities.

      EmploymentPublic Finance Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha JJB

      AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha stated that economic indicators show a recovery, moving from contraction in 2023 to 10% growth in 2024 and 25% in 2025. He said around one quarter of the increase was linked to pawning, leasing, and motor vehicles, including commercial vehicles for transport, while about three quarters went to SMEs and other business sectors. He argued that quarterly growth above 5% indicates that government policies are supporting economic recovery.

      Public FinanceEmployment Full speech →
    • The Hon. Speaker procedural
      Full speech →
    • The Hon. Ananda Wijepala — Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs

      AI summary The Minister responded to an SO 27(2) question by detailing police staffing shortages, organized crime and homicide statistics, drug and firearm seizures, and measures being taken to strengthen law enforcement. He said approval has been granted to recruit 10,000 personnel this year, while the CID and provincial crime investigation structures are being reorganized and supported through international cooperation, training, intelligence upgrades, and proposed new legislation on organized crime. He also updated the House on intensified operations against narcotics trafficking and foreign-linked organized crime, stating that investigations and prosecutions will proceed without political interference and irrespective of official rank or affiliation.

      Public FinanceSecurity & DefenceLaw & Order Full speech →
12. 12 Procedural Clarifications and Supplementary Questions; Matters of Order and Privilege 38 speeches ▸
13. 13 Procedural Motion on Parliamentary Sitting Hours 2 speeches ▸
14. 14 Adjournment Adjournment Motion: Issues Relating to the Power Sector (Coal Procurement for Norochcholai) 97 speeches ▸