Sitting of Wednesday, 4 March 2026
Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 23360 ·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 Parliament Opening and Auditor-General's Report 1 speeches
- 2 Papers Papers: Annual Reports and Auditor-General's Report 1 speeches
- 3 Petitions Petitions 4 speeches
- 4 Oral question Oral Question: Paddy Purchasing and Guaranteed Prices (Q.1347/2025) 3 speeches
- 5 Oral question Oral Question: Artificial Intelligence Summit 2026 2 speeches
- 6 Oral question Oral Question: Government Printing Department Vacancies and Qualifications 11 speeches
- 7 Oral question Oral Question: Cyclone Ditcha Relief and Compensation (Q.1368/2025) 9 speeches
- 8 Oral question Oral Questions: Paddy Marketing Board and Fertilizer Subsidies 21 speeches
- 9 Oral question Oral Question: Irrigation Tanks and Cascade Systems in Vavuniya (Q.1406/2025) 7 speeches
- 10 Oral question Oral Question: Special Sports Schools Development (Q.1468/2025) 5 speeches
- 11 Oral question Oral Question: Projects in Trincomalee District (Q.1476/2025) 5 speeches
- 12 Oral question Standing Order 27(2) Question: Middle East Crisis and Strait of Hormuz 25 speeches
- The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF
AI summary Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake raised a point of order. No substantive argument, proposal, or policy matter was stated in the provided excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF
AI summary Chamara Sampath Dasanayake, speaking with leave during an intervention under Standing Order 27(2), asked the Government to clarify reports that an Iranian vessel had been attacked off Galle. He requested a brief response from the Chief Government Whip, stressing that incidents of this nature should not occur in Sri Lankan waters.
- Mr. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB
AI summary Chaminda Wijesiri raised a procedural objection, stating that the point of order being attempted was not being raised correctly. He emphasized that the Member already speaking had the floor and should be allowed to continue.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB
AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa raised a procedural point, noting that the Speaker had not responded to Hon. Chamara Sampath Dassanayake.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB
AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa requested that the Government apologise for describing Sri Lanka as a “banana republic,” saying it brought the country into disrepute. Under Standing Order 27(2), he asked the Government to state its preparedness for the escalating Middle East conflict, including its policy on national security, protection and possible evacuation of Sri Lankan workers, activation of emergency units and 24-hour hotlines at missions, and assistance for stranded travellers. He also sought details on the number of Sri Lankans in Middle Eastern countries, contingency arrangements for special transport, coordination on aviation disruptions, and measures to safeguard remittances, fuel, gas, fertiliser and other critical supplies in the event of regional instability or disruption to the Strait of Hormuz.
- Mr. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Vijitha Herath - Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism JJB
AI summary The Minister said Sri Lanka is urging restraint and a negotiated de-escalation of Middle East hostilities, while engaging regional leaders and foreign ministers to support peace efforts. He reported that Sri Lanka responded to the sinking of the Iranian naval vessel “IRIS Dena” outside Sri Lankan waters under its obligations under the International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue, rescuing injured personnel and transferring them to Karapitiya Hospital. He outlined contingency measures for about one million Sri Lankan workers in the Middle East, including a 24/7 emergency unit, embassy coordination, hotlines, and engagement with airlines and aviation authorities to maintain or restore flight operations where possible.
- Mr. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Vijitha Herath JJB
AI summary Hon. Vijitha Herath stated that European tourist arrivals have continued, attributing this to measures taken to ensure safety and maintain confidence. He said the Government is providing humanitarian assistance where necessary, has implemented immediate required actions, and will take further steps if needed.
- Mr. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Sajith Premadasa SJB
AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa challenged the Minister’s assessment that a closure of the Strait of Hormuz would not seriously affect Sri Lanka, citing reduced shipping traffic, rising oil prices, and Sri Lanka’s dependence on Middle Eastern crude and related supply chains. He argued that impacts could extend to LNG, tanker insurance costs, transport routes, tourism, remittances, and tea exports, given Sri Lankan workers in the region and trade exposure. He urged the Government to provide clearer answers and plan on a pessimistic scenario rather than underestimating the risks.
- Hon. Vijitha Herath JJB
AI summary Vijitha Herath stated that Sri Lanka has crude oil stocks sufficient until August, so any disruption in the Strait of Hormuz is not expected to cause an immediate major impact. He said the Government is prepared with contingency plans in case global production or transport is affected, while continuing to monitor the situation.
- Mr. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Sajith Premadasa SJB
AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa briefly addressed the Chair, indicating that the relevant Minister had given permission for a matter to proceed. The excerpt contains no substantive policy argument, question, or proposal beyond that procedural reference.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Vijitha Herath JJB
AI summary Hon. Vijitha Herath requested the Speaker to allow another member to complete his remarks.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Sajith Premadasa SJB
AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa stated that planning should be based on worst-case scenarios, with any better outcome regarded as an additional benefit.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Vijitha Herath JJB
AI summary Vijitha Herath responded to the Leader of the Opposition by saying the Government is prepared for any adverse situation while seeking to manage it positively. He urged that the matter not be escalated unnecessarily and said it should be faced collectively as a national situation.
Foreign Affairs Full speech →
- 13 Procedural Procedural: Points of Order on Iran Supreme Leader Assassination 8 speeches
- 14 Oral question Standing Order 27(2) Question: Central Bank Inflation Target Deviation 3 speeches
- 15 Procedural Procedural: Personal Explanation and Special Select Committee Announcement 8 speeches
- 16 Debate Debate: Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority Bill - Second Reading 20 speeches
- 17 Procedural Procedural: Lunch Suspension 1 speeches
- 18 Debate Debate: Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority Bill - Second Reading (Continued) 79 speeches
- 19 Procedural Procedural: Adjournment Motion 1 speeches
- 20 Adjournment Adjournment: Questions on Cyclone Relief and Tourism 7 speeches
- 21 Procedural Procedural: Parliament Adjournment 1 speeches