Sitting of Tuesday, 3 March 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 Message from President 1 speeches ▸
2. 2 Papers Papers: Regulations, Reports and Orders Tabled 7 speeches ▸
3. 3 Petitions Petitions Presented 4 speeches ▸
4. 4 Oral question Oral Question: Generators Facilitating Cooling at Norochcholai Power Plant (Q.68/2025) 12 speeches ▸
5. 5 Oral question Oral Question: Question No. 3 (Q.840/2025) - Deferred 3 speeches ▸
6. 6 Procedural Procedural: Points of Order and Opposition Walk-out 10 speeches ▸
7. 7 Oral question Oral Question: Agricultural Research and Production Assistants (Q.913/2025) 12 speeches ▸
8. 8 Oral question Oral Question: Police Stations and Officers (Q.?/2025) with Supplementaries 10 speeches ▸
9. 9 Oral question Oral Question: Nursing Service (Q.7/2025) 5 speeches ▾
   • The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB

     AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa answered a question on the Nursing Service, stating that it formally began in 1939 with structured nursing education at the Colombo School of Nursing and that, as at 30 September 2025, Sri Lanka had 43,553 nurses across central and provincial services. He outlined nurses’ core functions, recruitment criteria for A/L-qualified and graduate entrants, district and stream-based selection methods, and gender quotas. He also detailed post-basic training programmes and further education opportunities, including nursing degrees, study leave, and lateral entry to universities.

     HealthcareEmploymentEducation Full speech →
   • The Hon. Sujeewa Dissanayake JJB

     AI summary Hon. Sujeewa Dissanayake asked the Minister of Health about the delay in upgrading nursing education in Sri Lanka from diploma to degree level, noting that the World Bank had recommended this as early as 1963. He referred to discussions with the Education Minister on 16 March 2025 and the appointment of an advisory committee, and requested clarification on the current obstacles to implementing degree-level nursing nationally.

     HealthcareEducation Full speech →
   • The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB

     AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa said the Government is working to induct graduates into nursing and create a pathway for diploma-trained nurses to upgrade to degree level. He stated that discussions began in September-November 2024 under the then Health portfolio held by the Prime Minister, and that a joint Education/Higher Education and Health committee is handling the matter. He noted that the process involves upgrading existing nursing schools to degree-awarding status, improving staff and facilities, and establishing frameworks for absorbing graduates into the public service, but said no exact timeline can yet be given.

     EducationHealthcare Full speech →
   • The Hon. Sujeewa Dissanayake JJB

     AI summary The Member highlighted the vital role of nurses in healthcare and asked the Government to state the concrete steps taken by the Ministry of Health during the past year and four months. He sought details on measures aimed at improving the health sector and building a healthier, more prosperous country.

     Healthcare Full speech →
   • The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB

     AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa stated that Sri Lanka has 43,553 nurses, which is insufficient for current service demand, and said the Government is addressing shortages through accelerated recruitment after completion of required training. He reported that 3,441 nurses had already been appointed, 517 graduate recruits would receive substantive appointments next month, and about 2,900 more trainees are expected to join by early October, bringing the total additions to about 6,800. He also outlined planned trainee intakes from recent A/L cohorts, the resumption of Nursing Sister and Public Health Nursing Officer training, and steps to fill Matron vacancies through the Public Service Commission and provincial processes.

     HealthcareEmployment Full speech →
10. 10 Procedural Procedural: Standing Order 27(2) Question and Points of Order 9 speeches ▸
11. 11 Oral question Oral Question by Private Notice: Reactivation of Deregistered Islamic Charitable Organizations (Q.27(2)) 14 speeches ▸
12. 12 Procedural Privilege Question and Procedural Discussion on Coal Supply 23 speeches ▸
13. 13 Debate Main Business: Order under Foreign Exchange Act - Motion Introduction 2 speeches ▸
14. 14 Debate President's Address on Middle East War Impact and Opposition Response 5 speeches ▸
15. 15 Debate Debate: Regulation under Foreign Exchange Act, No. 12 of 2017 55 speeches ▸
16. 16 Adjournment Adjournment Motion: Civil Defence Personnel Secondment 7 speeches ▸
17. 17 Procedural Deferred Questions and Parliament Adjournment 6 speeches ▸