Sitting of Tuesday, 17 March 2026
Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 23387 ·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 Certificate 1 speeches
- 2 Papers Tabling of Reports and Papers 6 speeches
- 3 Committee report Committee Reports and Petitions 12 speeches
- 4 Oral question Oral Answers to Questions (Q.1 to Q.7 and Standing Order 27(2) questions) 66 speeches
- Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB
AI summary Ajith P. Perera rose in Parliament to ask a question. No further substantive details, policy issues, or proposals were included in the recorded statement.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law - Minister of Justice and National Integration JJB
AI summary The Minister of Justice and National Integration requested two weeks to provide an answer to the question. The question was ordered to stand down accordingly.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. S.M. Marikkar SJB
AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar briefly intervened to state that he was asking the question. No substantive policy issue, proposal, or demand was raised in the recorded statement.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa requested two weeks to provide an answer to the question raised. The question was accordingly ordered to stand down.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF
AI summary Ravi Karunanayake asked the Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources to provide detailed data on fish imports from 2021 to date, including type, quantity, value, country of origin, and whether imports were for local consumption or re-export. He further requested annual information on duty revenue, value addition and foreign exchange earnings from re-exports, imports and domestic production of dried fish, sprats, Maldives fish, and canned fish.
Agriculture Full speech → - The Hon. Rathna Gamage - Deputy Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources JJB
AI summary On behalf of the Minister, the Deputy Minister confirmed that fish had been imported for both local consumption and re-export, and tabled detailed Customs-based annexes on imports, taxes and related data. He provided year-wise figures for canned fish imports, including quantities and values from 2021 to 2025, and local production figures from 2022 to 2026 year-to-date. He also stated that further updated Customs data had been requested for periods not yet covered in the annexes.
Agriculture Full speech → - The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF
AI summary Ravi Karunanayake asked supplementary questions on the impact of removing para-tariffs on canned fish imports and rising diesel-related costs for the fisheries sector. He said eight local canned fish producers revived from 2015 are now at risk of closure because imports have become more profitable, while can prices have risen from Rs. 155 to about Rs. 500. He asked the Deputy Minister what measures would protect fishers, consumers, and local producers, ensure fair competition, and sustain livelihoods.
- The Hon. Rathna Gamage JJB
AI summary Hon. Rathna Gamage stated that canned fish imports have fallen by about 90 per cent, from 4,476 metric tons in 2024 to 601 metric tons in 2025, with limited imports retained for domestic and tourist demand. He said local production has increased from 180,000 to over 250,000 cans per day, factories have expanded, and exports to Canada and Middle Eastern markets have begun, with six factories currently involved. He argued that the sector’s growth is creating employment and increasing purchases of fishers’ catch for processing, while noting that the specific impediment raised was unclear.
- Mr. Speaker procedural
- Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF
AI summary Ravi Karunanayake raised concerns that exports appear to be declining, noting that a large share of exports to Europe relies on Middle East air freight carriers and that charges have doubled. He asked how the Government intends to support exporters’ competitiveness amid higher cargo costs and ongoing GSP-related issues, particularly for time-sensitive fish exports that risk being lost if not shipped promptly.
- The Hon. Rathna Gamage JJB
AI summary The Minister responded that the concerns and suggestions raised regarding canned fish exporters would be considered by the Government. He stated that the proposals would be taken into account in planning future support and interventions for the industry.
Agriculture Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF
AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake raised a point of Order. No substantive argument, proposal, or policy issue was presented in the provided excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Hector Appuhamy SJB
AI summary Hon. Hector Appuhamy asked the Minister of Energy to provide details on the Norochcholai “Lak Vijaya” Power Plant’s contribution to the National Grid from 2020 to date, including the number and dates of breakdowns during that period. He also sought information on the resulting power supply disruptions, the reasons for frequent generator failures, and the measures planned to address them.
Infrastructure Full speech → - The Hon. Kumara Jayakody - Minister of Energy JJB
AI summary The Minister of Energy provided annual Lak Vijaya coal power plant generation figures by unit for 2020-2025 and tabled annexes detailing planned and unplanned shutdowns, including dates, frequency, and reasons. He stated that some outages resulted from external system failures, transmission faults, or System Control Centre instructions during low demand. Comprehensive system-wide disruption data was not immediately available due to CEB restructuring, and he requested two weeks to submit it. He also outlined measures to reduce future tripping and prolonged outages, including control logic and protection-setting improvements and steps to prevent turbine diaphragm failures.
Infrastructure Full speech → - The Hon. Hector Appuhamy SJB
AI summary Hon. Hector Appuhamy complained that essential parts of his original question had not been answered and requested a mechanism to ensure complete follow-up responses with relevant reports. He raised concerns over alleged losses of Rs. 8.4 billion from low-quality coal supplied to Norochcholai, citing testing reports and impacts including environmental harm, boiler damage, and increased generator fuel consumption. He asked when the Minister would accept responsibility for the issue and resign.
- The Hon. Kumara Jayakody JJB
AI summary Kumara Jayakody rejected implications that current issues were tied to his tenure, stating that the first supplementary question related to events from 10–11 years earlier, before he became Minister. He undertook to submit the outstanding data to the House and asked that proceedings move to the second supplementary question.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Hector Appuhamy SJB
AI summary Hon. Hector Appuhamy stated that he could not hear the response due to noise in the Chamber and noted that the first supplementary question had not been answered. He then yielded his second supplementary question to Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha SJB
AI summary Nalin Bandara Jayamaha raised concerns that a 900 MW coal plant is reportedly producing only about 780 MW because of low-quality coal, creating an estimated 120 MW shortfall that must be covered by diesel generation during a fuel-constrained period. He asked whether the Minister accepts this assessment and noted that COPE is also examining the matter.
- Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha SJB
AI summary Nalin Bandara Jayamaha briefly indicated that he was presenting questions to the Chair, noting that two minutes had already been used. No substantive policy issue, proposal, or demand was raised in the excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha SJB
AI summary Nalin Bandara Jayamaha asked a supplementary question to the Minister, noting that public officers are typically barred from duties when indictments are filed against them. He asked whether, given indictments against the Minister, the Minister would continue in office or step down to allow justice to proceed.
- An Hon. Member
AI summary A Member raises a procedural query asking what question is before the House. No substantive policy argument, proposal, or demand is presented beyond seeking clarification of the matter under consideration.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Kumara Jayakody JJB
AI summary Hon. Kumara Jayakody declined to answer the supplementary question, stating that it was not relevant to the principal question before the House.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF
AI summary Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake rose to a point of order. No substantive argument, proposal, or policy issue was presented in the excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF
AI summary Chamara Sampath Dasanayake raised a question to the Minister of Power regarding the QR code system, specifically in relation to its application to new and old vehicles. The intervention appears to seek clarification on how the system applies across different vehicle categories.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF
AI summary Chamara Sampath Dasanayake briefly sought permission to raise a matter he described as affecting the entire country. He did not provide further details of the issue in the recorded remarks.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake informed the House that Deputy Minister Hon. Eranga Chiranthana would respond to Hon. Chamara Sampath’s question regarding the QR code during the morning sitting.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Susantha Kumara Nawarathna JJB
AI summary Asked the Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs for detailed information on Civil Defence Force headquarters in Anuradhapura District, including their number, staffing, current duties, and personnel allocated to each duty. He also requested details on any farms or enterprises maintained by those headquarters, including their names, land extent and locations, staffing, and income and expenditure for 2024 and 2025, or reasons if the information cannot be provided.
- The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB
AI summary Chaminda Wijesiri raised a procedural point under Standing Order 92(2) concerning the rules governing parliamentary questions. He drew the Speaker’s attention to the matter while the Speaker was presiding, indicating a concern about the handling or admissibility of questions in the House.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB
AI summary Chaminda Wijesiri objected to a Minister’s response of “not relevant” to an earlier question concerning the Norochcholai Power Plant from 2020 to the present. He asked the Speaker to consider the substance and timeframe of the question, arguing that the Minister’s dismissal was inappropriate.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB
AI summary Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri urges the House to recognize and address the issue he is raising, appealing for understanding from those present. The excerpt provided is too brief to identify the specific subject, proposal, or policy context of his remarks.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Sunil Watagala, Attorney-at-Law – Deputy Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs JJB
AI summary Deputy Minister Sunil Watagala, responding on behalf of the Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs, provided data on six Civil Defence Force headquarters in the Anuradhapura District, including officer and troop strength totaling 7,895 officers and 6,444 troops. He listed current duties ranging from security, administrative and police station work to archaeological site protection, education support, wildlife duties, construction, and revenue-generating projects, with detailed deployments provided in annexes. He confirmed that the Civil Defence Department operates farms and enterprises, naming several crop and non-agricultural projects, and referred to annexed details on land extents, manpower, income, expenditure, harvests and sales for 2024 and 2025.
- The Hon. Susantha Kumara Nawarathna JJB
AI summary Susantha Kumara Nawarathna said the Deputy Minister’s response on Civil Defence Force headquarters in Anuradhapura District was incomplete, particularly omitting information on the Kabithigollewa headquarters. He requested the Deputy Minister to intervene and provide a revised, proper report with separate details on the farms operated and their income streams.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Sunil Watagala, Attorney-at-Law JJB
AI summary The Member acknowledged that the answer provided to part (b)(ii) may be considered insufficient and undertook to provide a more adequate response in due course.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Susantha Kumara Nawarathna JJB
AI summary Hon. Susantha Kumara Nawarathna raised concerns about the placement of Civil Defence Department personnel recently attached to the Police Department and the Department of Wildlife Conservation, including 5,000 assigned to address the human-elephant conflict. He said complaints had been received from lower-ranking officers about irregular and inhumane placements, and asked whether the Ministry would ensure proper placements or establish a procedure to regulate them.
- The Hon. Sunil Watagala, Attorney-at-Law JJB
AI summary Officers of the Civil Defence Force are recruited on the undertaking that they may serve anywhere in the country. However, transfers are subject to an appeals process for officers with genuine personal or humanitarian concerns, and such issues are addressed through that mechanism.
Law & Order Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law JJB
AI summary The Minister responded that the Morawaka court has operated since January 2021 in a rented building at Gatabaru Rajamaha Viharaya due to cracks and slope instability above the original court building, with a monthly rent of Rs. 440,000 and limited facilities. He said NBRO recommendations and updated designs have led to Cabinet-approved stabilization works, including reducing the retaining wall height and soil nailing, to be implemented with NBRO consultancy under an AIIB–Government of Sri Lanka funded landslide risk project. The work is expected to begin in April, be completed within six months, and allow repairs and reinstatement of the court in its original building by December.
- The Hon. Lal Premanath JJB
AI summary Hon. Lal Premanath asked a supplementary question about a long-running issue that has persisted for more than four years and was repeatedly raised by the public, attorneys, and officials at District Coordination Committee meetings. He questioned whether the relevant authorities had recognized the delays by officials responsible for implementing the solution.
Corruption & Governance Reform Full speech → - The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law JJB
AI summary The Minister acknowledged that around 60 projects had been stalled due to the economic crisis when the government took office. He said action was initiated after the issue was raised through the District Coordination Committee and by letter, with Cabinet memoranda submitted and coordination undertaken with the Cabinet Secretariat and NBRO. He noted that recent cyclone conditions increased NBRO’s workload and caused delays, but stated that the aim is to complete the matter within the year.
- The Hon. Lal Premanath JJB
AI summary Lal Premanath requested urgent completion of the relevant court facility, stating that current court proceedings are being held at a location lacking basic sanitary facilities for the public, witnesses and sureties. He also noted that holding sittings at Gatabaru Rajamaha Viharaya has disrupted religious activities at the heavily visited temple.
- The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law JJB
AI summary Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara acknowledged that inadequate court facilities are unacceptable and said long-standing infrastructure issues in courts are being addressed systematically. Referring to the specific court raised, he stated that the work is expected to be completed within the year and that efforts will be made to move the court into the proper building, avoiding continued rent payments.
- The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka on behalf of the Hon. (Dr.) M.L.A.M. Hizbullah
AI summary A question was raised to the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation seeking information on persons settled on State lands in the Koralaipattu, Valaichenai Divisional Secretary’s Division in Batticaloa District, for which Deeds of Grant or Land Permits were issued between 1 January 2017 and 31 March 2025. It requested the total number of such settlers, their names and related details, or an explanation if the information was not available.
Land & Housing Full speech → - The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB
AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation, an answer was tabled stating that from 1 January 2017 to 31 March 2025, 125 permits and 229 grants had been issued. It further stated that the Divisional Secretary reported the beneficiaries are developing and using the relevant lands, with an annex provided, and that part (b) was not applicable.
Agriculture Full speech → - The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka on behalf of the Hon. (Mrs.) Rohini Kumari Wijerathna
AI summary Asked the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation for district-wise data on Livestock Development Instructors and contract workers involved in cattle artificial insemination, including how contract workers are paid. He also sought details on fees charged for artificial insemination by instructors and contract workers, whether repeat inseminations carry the same fee, the productivity rate of the service, and whether farm visits by veterinary personnel for animal disease treatment require payments with itemized receipts.
Agriculture Full speech → - The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB
AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation, Nalinda Jayatissa tabled a detailed answer on livestock development instructors and private artificial insemination technicians, including district-wise numbers, fee structures, and conception rates. The response stated that there are 592 livestock development instructors in provincial departments, no contract workers, and that private AI technicians operate as self-employed service providers trained and equipped by the Department. It clarified that AI charges vary by district and provider, second or third inseminations are charged similarly due to recurring semen and transport costs, and animal disease treatment is handled only by veterinary officers with medicine costs charged by provincial departments. The answer further noted that, following COPA instructions, a committee is developing a common methodology and standard protocol for AI fee charging.
Agriculture Full speech → - The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka on behalf of the Hon. (Mrs.) Chamindranee Kiriella
AI summary Asked the Minister of Women and Child Affairs for details on children identified as orphans or lacking proper care, including their number and the measures taken to support them. The question also sought clarification on whether officers have been appointed at Grama Niladhari Division level to identify and assist such children, how many have been appointed, and how their duties will be monitored, or why such steps have not been taken.
Women & Children Full speech → - The Hon. (Mrs.) Saroja Savithri Paulraj – Minister of Women and Child Affairs
AI summary In response to a question, the Minister tabled details on children without parental care identified as high risk, stating that 13,521 such children were identified in 2025 and that individual care plans and support in areas such as education, nutrition, medical needs and emergency relief are being implemented. She said the National Policy on Alternative Care, child participation mechanisms, village-level Child Development Committees and awareness programmes support family-based care and child protection. The Minister also reported that 393 Child Rights Promotion Officers and Assistants are deployed through Divisional Secretariats to cover all Grama Niladhari Divisions, while noting cadre vacancies and a request to attach Development Officers to fill gaps.
- The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka on behalf of the Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana
AI summary Gayantha Karunathilleka, on behalf of Rohitha Abeygunawardhana, asked the Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government to provide details of 2025 allocations for each Divisional Secretary’s Division in the Kalutara District. He requested sector-wise figures for education, roads and infrastructure, expenditure incurred to date under those sectors, and a list of projects scheduled for completion by 31 December 2025, or reasons if the information cannot be provided.
Public Finance Full speech → - The Hon. (Prof.) A.H.M.H. Abayarathna – Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government
AI summary The Minister tabled a written answer detailing Rs. 509.28 million in allocations across 14 Divisional Secretariats, with figures listed for each division and sectoral allocations for roads and infrastructure. The response clarified that education allocations are made to the relevant line Ministry and Western Provincial Council rather than to Divisional Secretariats, provided expenditure details where applicable, and stated that all projects were completed by 31 December 2025.
Public Finance Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- 5 Oral question Clarification on Country's Energy Security under Standing Order 27(2) 20 speeches
- 6 Procedural Bills Presented and Points of Order 4 speeches
- 7 Debate Debate: Approval of Remuneration and Service Conditions of CIABOC Officers and Employees 56 speeches
- 8 Debate Continuation of Debate: CIABOC Remuneration and Service Conditions 15 speeches
- 9 Adjournment Adjournment Debate: Status of Development Officers and Parliament Adjournment 12 speeches
- 10 Procedural Written Answers to Questions 1 speeches