Sitting of Wednesday, 4 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 Auditor-General's Report 1 speeches ▸
2. 2 Papers Papers: Annual Reports and Auditor-General's Report 1 speeches ▸
3. 3 Petitions Petitions 4 speeches ▸
4. 4 Oral question Oral Question: Paddy Purchasing and Guaranteed Prices (Q.1347/2025) 3 speeches ▸
5. 5 Oral question Oral Question: Artificial Intelligence Summit 2026 2 speeches ▸
6. 6 Oral question Oral Question: Government Printing Department Vacancies and Qualifications 11 speeches ▸
7. 7 Oral question Oral Question: Cyclone Ditcha Relief and Compensation (Q.1368/2025) 9 speeches ▸
8. 8 Oral question Oral Questions: Paddy Marketing Board and Fertilizer Subsidies 21 speeches ▸
9. 9 Oral question Oral Question: Irrigation Tanks and Cascade Systems in Vavuniya (Q.1406/2025) 7 speeches ▸
10. 10 Oral question Oral Question: Special Sports Schools Development (Q.1468/2025) 5 speeches ▸
11. 11 Oral question Oral Question: Projects in Trincomalee District (Q.1476/2025) 5 speeches ▸
12. 12 Oral question Standing Order 27(2) Question: Middle East Crisis and Strait of Hormuz 25 speeches ▸
13. 13 Procedural Procedural: Points of Order on Iran Supreme Leader Assassination 8 speeches ▸
14. 14 Oral question Standing Order 27(2) Question: Central Bank Inflation Target Deviation 3 speeches ▸
15. 15 Procedural Procedural: Personal Explanation and Special Select Committee Announcement 8 speeches ▸
16. 16 Debate Debate: Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority Bill - Second Reading 20 speeches ▸
17. 17 Procedural Procedural: Lunch Suspension 1 speeches ▸
18. 18 Debate Debate: Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority Bill - Second Reading (Continued) 79 speeches ▸
19. 19 Procedural Procedural: Adjournment Motion 1 speeches ▸
20. 20 Adjournment Adjournment: Questions on Cyclone Relief and Tourism 7 speeches ▾
    • The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
      Full speech →
    • The Hon. Imran Maharoof SJB

      AI summary Hon. Imran Maharoof raised concerns that many people affected by the ‘Ditva’ cyclone and floods, particularly in Trincomalee District and Muttur DS Division, had not received compensation announced by the President for housing damage, cleaning, lost household goods, school items, and rental support. He cited official figures from Muttur, questioned why only part of the verified beneficiary lists had been forwarded or paid, and asked whether local officials were being pressured to alter beneficiary numbers. He also sought details on compensation for those who lost houses and land, alternative land allocation, and rental payments, while urging action for continuing flood impacts in Arachchikattuwa, Vanathavilluwa, and damage in Rammalakka village in the Udunuwara electorate.

      InfrastructureCost of Living Full speech →
    • The Hon. Major General (Rtd.) Aruna Jayasekera - Deputy Minister of Defence JJB

      AI summary The Deputy Minister of Defence responded to questions on compensation following Cyclone Ditva, stating that in Trincomalee District 27,515 families and 91,087 individuals had applied and that payments were continuing under NDRSC guidelines. He clarified eligibility for Rs. 25,000 and Rs. 50,000 grants, noting that eligibility differs by type and extent of housing or household damage, and said funds had been sent for pending beneficiaries, including in Muttur. He reported payments for fully damaged houses, rental assistance, and Kandy District allocations, while stating crop damage falls under another Ministry and that no undue pressure on officials had been reported. Annexes listing beneficiaries, guidelines, and pending payments were tabled.

      Security & DefencePublic Finance Full speech →
    • The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
      Full speech →
    • The Hon. Champika Hettiarachchi JJB

      AI summary Hon. Champika Hettiarachchi noted that Sri Lanka recorded its highest tourist arrivals since the Easter attacks, the pandemic, and the economic crisis, but said airport congestion remains a problem, particularly in immigration, baggage claim, exits, and vehicle access. He asked the relevant Minister for January 2026 passenger throughput figures, future projections, and whether a second passenger terminal at Bandaranaike International Airport is considered necessary. He also sought details on the plan and timeline for that terminal and on concurrent development plans for domestic airports.

      InfrastructureForeign Affairs Full speech →
    • The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
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    • The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka - Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation JJB

      AI summary Minister Anura Karunathilaka said Bandaranaike International Airport handled 1,045,994 passengers in January 2026, with projected annual passenger volumes of 11.68 million in 2027 and 12.6 million in 2028. He stated that the second passenger terminal at Katunayake is expected to be completed by 2029, but interim expansion of the first terminal, including temporary facilities and additional counters, is being undertaken to meet near-term demand. He also outlined plans to develop domestic air services, including feasibility studies for domestic airport infrastructure and a possible dedicated domestic terminal, with World Bank involvement and consultations with private operators.

      Infrastructure Full speech →
21. 21 Procedural Procedural: Parliament Adjournment 1 speeches ▸