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
- 5 Oral question Clarification on Country's Energy Security under Standing Order 27(2) 20 speeches
- The Hon. Sajith Premadasa – Leader of Opposition
AI summary Sajith Premadasa raised concerns about Sri Lanka’s preparedness for disruptions to fuel, gas and other key imports due to the Middle East conflict and possible closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Referring to the 2022 fuel crisis and its impact on electricity, transport, health and industry, he asked whether the Government has conducted or will present to Parliament a risk assessment covering crude oil, refined fuel, LNG, LPG, fertilizers, industrial materials and food shipments.
- Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB
AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa asked the Government to provide current, accurate data on petroleum stocks and the number of days they would last, questioning recent price increases despite earlier assurances on fuel reserves. He called for the removal of all taxes on fuel in line with promised ex-wharf pricing, and requested details of any strategic reserve, contingency plans, and impact assessments for global oil price rises and Middle East supply disruptions. He also raised concerns over the reactivated QR-based fuel distribution system, including inadequate quotas, registration problems after vehicle transfers, and the need to revise allocations for transport, agriculture, fisheries, health, tourism, and other essential sectors.
- Mr. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB
AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa appealed to the Chair to allow him to present his full question, arguing that the matter concerned the public’s vital interests and should not be constrained solely by time limits.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB
AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa indicated that he was posing a question. No substantive policy issue, proposal, or legislative matter is contained in the provided speech excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB
AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa pressed the Government to answer a newly added question relating to tourism, saying such issues change rapidly and require a response. He criticized the Government’s prior promises made to the public, arguing that those commitments had contributed to the current difficulties.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB
AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa questioned what measures the Government was providing to support the tourism sector. He also asked whether, during the 30-day pause on sanctions relating to Russia, the Government pursued negotiations or forward purchase agreements for crude oil supplies from Russia, and whether it sought similar arrangements in light of the International Energy Agency’s planned release of 400 million barrels despite Sri Lanka’s limited storage capacity.
- Mr. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Kumara Jayakody - Minister of Energy JJB
AI summary Minister Kumara Jayakody responded to a Standing Order 27(2) question on fuel supply, stating that daily risk assessments are being conducted and discussions are underway with contracted, alternative, and oil-producing country suppliers, including under a Cabinet-approved mechanism for non-registered suppliers. He outlined current fuel sufficiency dates for diesel and petrol grades, said there is no separate emergency petroleum stock, and noted that a committee has been appointed for emergency procurements and prioritised quota allocations to essential institutions. He said crude tenders for WTI, Saharan Blend, and Miri Light were to be opened that day, QR quotas would not be generally revised except for scientifically assessed special cases, and discussions on Russian supplies and access to IEA releases were continuing. The Minister attributed uncertainty to global logistical constraints linked to the war, including insurance and shipping difficulties, and said the Government was managing supplies daily to avoid prolonged power cuts while acknowledging possible cost increases.
- Mr. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB
AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa raised a procedural point noting that Standing Order 27(2) questions were listed for 11.00 to 11.30 a.m. despite the sitting beginning late. He asked whether the printed time allocation for those questions was an error.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB
AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa questioned whether a stated matter was a printing error before seeking clarification on the Government’s preparedness for escalating Iran-Israel-US tensions. He argued that strategic and scenario planning should have anticipated impacts on energy security, citing reduced Norochcholai output over several days and the resulting reliance on diesel generation amid possible global shortages. He referred to PUCSL warnings of power cuts in April, June and July, and demanded a clear, data-driven plan to prevent load-shedding and consumer price increases.
- Hon. Kumara Jayakody - Minister of Energy JJB
AI summary Minister Kumara Jayakody said the Government has secured fuel stocks, tenders, and orders sufficient until August despite global oil price and logistics pressures linked to instability affecting supply routes. He stated that electricity cuts have been avoided so far, though load shedding may be necessary if conditions worsen, with priority given to public relief and keeping industry operating. He added that Sri Lanka currently has only about 22 days of storage capacity and is beginning projects to expand this to 45 days, while emphasizing that no special fuel quotas are given to MPs or Ministers.
- Mr. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF
AI summary Ravi Karunanayake raised concerns over the absence of a clear regulatory framework for cryptocurrency and digital asset transactions, citing a reported Rs. 290 million crypto scam and concerns about capital flight under the Foreign Exchange Act. He asked the Government to state the current policy of the Central Bank and Ministry of Finance, actions taken since his January 2025 queries, estimated crypto transaction volumes, tax treatment of crypto gains, and whether enforcement agencies have a joint mechanism to address fraud, money laundering, and illicit outflows. He also questioned whether Sri Lanka is lagging behind peer jurisdictions and requested a timeline for introducing laws or regulations to govern digital assets and crypto exchanges.
- Mr. Speaker procedural
- 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