Sitting of Thursday, 5 March 2026
Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 23375 ·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 Speaker's Announcements 1 speeches
- 2 Papers Papers: Report on Observations (PM and Minister of Education) 1 speeches
- 3 Petitions Petitions: Citizens' Petitions Presented 4 speeches
- 4 Oral question Oral Question: Multi-Purpose Service Centres in Mullaitivu District (Q.1/1185/2025) 6 speeches
- 5 Oral question Oral Question: Export of Minor Export Crops Since 2015 (Q.2) 6 speeches
- 6 Oral question Oral Question: Urban Development (Q.4/1543/2025) - Stand Down 2 speeches
- 7 Oral question Oral Question: Cattle in Ampara District (Q.5) 7 speeches
- 8 Oral question Oral Question: Widows' and Orphans' Pensions (Q.6) 6 speeches
- 9 Oral question Oral Question: Transport/Urban Development (Q.7/1786/2025) - Stand Down 3 speeches
- 10 Oral question Oral Question: Injustice to Gampaha SANASA Depositors (Q.8) 8 speeches
- 11 Oral question Oral Question: District Hospital Grading and Health Issues (Q.9) 5 speeches
- 12 Oral question Oral Question: Kili/Mulankavil Maha Vidyalaya (Q.10/1831/2026) - Stand Down 6 speeches
- 13 Oral question Oral Question (Standing Order 27(2)): Large-scale Cattle Deaths in Northern Province 5 speeches
- 14 Oral question Oral Question (Standing Order 27(2)): Justice and Accountability for State-Connected Violations - Deferred 3 speeches
- 15 Oral question Ministry Statement: Reply to Question on Proactive Utilization (Standing Order 27(2), 18.11.2025) 7 speeches
- 16 Procedural Procedural: Indian Ocean Security Matter and Parliamentary Debate on Sovereignty 55 speeches
- The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB
AI summary Sajith Premadasa raised concerns over reports that the Iranian naval vessel “IRIS Dena” was attacked and sank near Galle, asking the Government to confirm the exact location, whether it occurred within Sri Lanka’s maritime zones, and what security measures have been taken. Citing UNCLOS, the UN Charter, the San Remo Manual and international humanitarian law, he argued that Parliament must be officially informed of any international armed incident near Sri Lankan waters. He requested clarification from the Defence Ministry amid conflicting reports about a submarine strike, asked about reports of another Iranian vessel near Colombo, and urged provision of refrigerated containers for bodies reportedly brought to Galle.
- The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara raised a Point of Order. No substantive argument, proposal, or policy issue was presented in the quoted intervention.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara requested one minute of speaking time from the Chair to address the matter under discussion.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara stated that the matter concerns national security under the Constitution. He indicated that the issue should be considered within the constitutional framework governing security responsibilities.
Security & Defence Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara asked that members be allowed to speak before the relevant member responds. The intervention was procedural, addressed to the Speaker during the debate.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara objected that Members’ right to speak was being curtailed or not properly accommodated. He questioned the conduct of proceedings and sought clarification on what action was being taken to ensure Members could contribute.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara raised a Point of Order. No substantive argument, proposal, or question was included in the recorded speech.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara requested permission for members to speak during the parliamentary proceedings. No specific policy issue, proposal, or legislative matter was raised in the statement.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip JJB
AI summary The Minister indicated readiness to provide a response on the matter if required by the House.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara briefly thanked the Chief Government Whip. No substantive policy issue, proposal, or question was raised.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary The Member requested time and permission to speak, without raising a substantive policy issue, proposal, or question in the excerpt provided.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary The Member objected to an interruption on procedural grounds, questioning what Point of Order had been raised. He emphasized that the House was discussing an important issue and sought to continue the debate without disruption.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara invoked Standing Order 92(2), indicating that he was raising a procedural matter under the relevant parliamentary rule. No substantive policy argument, proposal, or question is contained in the provided excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara stated that he was raising the matter because it had become a subject of national concern, not for political purposes. He referred to reports that, following certain exercises with India, more than two vessels had arrived, and indicated his intention to seek clarification or place concerns on record regarding the matter.
- The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara asks to proceed calmly and addresses the Speaker, but the provided extract contains no substantive policy argument, proposal, question, or reference to legislation or events.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara requested the Speaker to allow Members to speak. No substantive policy issue, proposal, or legislative matter was raised in the statement.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara requested additional speaking time, addressing the Chief Government Whip. No substantive policy issue or proposal was raised in the excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara briefly requests the opportunity to address the House. No substantive policy issue, proposal, or question is raised in the statement.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara raised concerns about Sri Lanka’s foreign policy amid regional and global tensions, recalling the 1971 position supporting the Indian Ocean as a Zone of Peace. He questioned the Government’s silence on the attack on Iran and asked for clarification on its stance regarding United States-led actions and agreements signed with India and the United States.
- The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF
AI summary Chamara Sampath Dasanayake stated that providing such an opportunity would meet the need being discussed.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB
AI summary Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa remarks that a named individual is among the genuine owners and leaders of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party, identifying him as the party’s National Organizer.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF
AI summary Chamara Sampath Dasanayake rose briefly to raise a Point of Order. No substantive argument, proposal, or question was included in the provided remarks.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF
AI summary Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake criticized the handling of a ship carrying a dhal consignment intended for Sri Lanka after it had participated in a naval exercise in Visakhapatnam, India. He argued that the invited personnel were effectively forced out after the exercise, causing the vessel to head toward Sri Lankan waters, and described the incident as unfair and disrespectful to Sri Lanka.
- Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Mujibur Rahuman SJB
AI summary Mujibur Rahuman sought clarification on a matter before the Chief Government Whip provided an answer. The intervention was procedural and aimed at clarifying the issue under discussion.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Mujibur Rahuman SJB
AI summary Mujibur Rahuman questioned the Government’s handling of the Sri Lankan ship “Nandimithra” after it returned from a multinational naval exercise in India and was reportedly unable to proceed to Iran, leaving it drifting about 40 nautical miles off Galle for around 11 hours. He asked why permission to enter Galle Port was not granted despite the ship’s request and referred to Sri Lanka’s commitments under international law and agreements recognizing the Indian Ocean as a Zone of Peace.
- Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa urged MPs and political leaders to make responsible statements amid escalating conflict in the Middle East and avoid speculation or inflammatory remarks about maritime incidents. He explained Sri Lanka’s jurisdiction within territorial waters and the EEZ, stating that the incident 19 nautical miles off Galle was handled first as a humanitarian search-and-rescue operation, with 32 injured brought ashore and 87 bodies recovered. He said the Government was obtaining freezer containers due to limited hospital capacity and would continue acting under international law to save lives, support regional peace in the Indian Ocean, and update Parliament as more information becomes available.
- The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of Opposition SJB
AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa argued that an incident 19 nautical miles offshore occurred within Sri Lanka’s Exclusive Economic Zone and invoked UNCLOS Articles 56, 58 and 88 to state that activities there must be peaceful and conducted with due regard. He said the resulting environmental harm, damage to marine resources and loss of life were contrary to international law. He also pressed the Government to answer his earlier question about a second vessel reportedly near the Port of Colombo.
- Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of Opposition SJB
AI summary Sajith Premadasa requested additional speaking time from the Speaker, stating that the matter under discussion was important.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara requested that another member be allowed to speak, noting that there was time available until 5.30 p.m.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of Opposition SJB
AI summary Sajith Premadasa raised concerns that allowing military activity in Sri Lanka’s Exclusive Economic Zone would undermine national security, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. He argued that under the principles of due regard and peaceful purposes, the EEZ should be used for economic activities and not for military action.
- The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of Opposition SJB
AI summary The Leader of the Opposition questioned the Government about a policy matter involving a second vessel near the Colombo Port, asking whether authorities were aware of it and what action would be taken. He requested that information be presented to Parliament, stating that the issue related to national security and sovereignty rather than domestic political controversy.
- The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB
AI summary The Government stated that the President, Security Council, and relevant authorities are fully briefed on the ship-related issue near Sri Lanka’s EEZ and are taking steps to resolve it while minimizing loss of life and protecting regional peace. It clarified that the vessel is not within Sri Lankan territorial waters and said humanitarian interventions are being maximized, with a detailed report to be presented to Parliament after the process is completed.
- 17 Procedural Procedural: Motion on Sitting Hours Extension 1 speeches
- 18 Adjournment Adjournment: National Care Policy and International Women's Day 96 speeches
- 19 Procedural Procedural: Closing Announcements and Administrative Information 4 speeches