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
- 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
- Mr. Speaker procedural
- Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB
AI summary Moved for Parliament to approve, under Section 26(2) of the Anti-Corruption Act, No. 9 of 2023, the remuneration and conditions of service for CIABOC officers and employees, including a 971-position cadre and a new remuneration scheme with specified allowances. She said the approval is needed to operationalize the expanded mandate and independence of CIABOC under the 2023 Act, address staffing and legal-capacity constraints, and clear a backlog of over 4,000 concluded investigation files. She also noted Cabinet’s approval of special committees to manage impacts from current external energy pressures and ensure continuity of essential services.
- Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB
AI summary As Chair of the Committee on Public Finance, Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva raised the unresolved issue of salary parity for the CIABOC Chair and Commission members, noting that although it was accepted in 2023 that their salaries should be comparable to those of the President of the Court of Appeal, subsequent judicial salary increases had not been reflected for CIABOC. He stated that the matter requires parliamentary action rather than action by the Ministry of Finance, and asked whether the Government would honour the 2023 undertaking.
- Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister JJB
AI summary Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya stated that the proposal under discussion does not address the matter raised by the Hon. Member. She indicated that the Minister of Justice, Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, would provide clarification.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara - Minister of Justice, Attorney-at-Law JJB
AI summary Clarified that the current proposal does not address remuneration for Commissioners or Directors, as those matters are governed by Sections 23 and 24 of the Anti-Corruption Act. Any future salary increases for those positions would need to be considered separately and are not part of the item under discussion.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva asked when the Government would fulfil its promise to align CIABOC salaries, noting that salaries in other institutions had been increased while CIABOC’s had not.
Employment Full speech → - Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara - Minister of Justice, Attorney-at-Law JJB
AI summary Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara stated that CIABOC is not under any ministry and that a ministry cannot determine its salaries. He said any salary-related issue could be discussed with the Prime Minister and, if necessary, with the President, who holds the relevant powers.
- Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB
AI summary Hon. Ajith P. Perera supported the proposal and recalled his role in developing the 2023 anti-corruption law, arguing that institutions such as the Attorney General’s Department and CIABOC must be strengthened. He then raised concerns over the 2025–2026 coal procurement for the Norochcholai Lakvijaya Plant, alleging delays, inferior coal supplies, financial losses, and improper award of both the main and emergency tenders to Trident Chemphar Ltd. despite reported failures and prior blacklisting. He questioned why the Energy Minister remains in office after indictments were filed under the CIABOC Act, and cited alleged improper meetings with a bidder during the tender process, calling for decisive action.
- Hon. Deputy Speaker
AI summary The Deputy Speaker called on Hon. Eranga Weeraratne to speak next and informed him that he had 11 minutes allocated.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Eranga Weeraratne - Deputy Minister of Digital Economy JJB
AI summary Deputy Minister Eranga Weeraratne explained the reintroduction of the fuel QR code system as a precautionary measure to manage distribution amid global supply risks linked to the Middle East conflict, while stating that existing stocks remain sufficient for normal needs. He said the Government chose a rapid, phased rollout rather than advance notice or a temporary sales halt to avoid panic buying and economic disruption, with support mechanisms for vehicle ownership changes and mobile number issues. He reported that over 5.09 million users and 5.10 million vehicles were registered, including nearly 440,000 new vehicle registrations, and said the system was being supported by the same technical teams involved in 2023.
- Hon. Deputy Speaker
AI summary The Deputy Speaker recognized Hon. Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran as the next speaker and allotted him seven minutes to speak.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran ITAK
AI summary Welcoming the measure on salaries and service conditions for Bribery Commission staff, Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran linked Sri Lanka’s economic crisis to both corruption and poor policy decisions, and called for stronger economic planning amid global risks such as possible fuel shortages from Middle East conflict. He urged the Government to prioritize food security by increasing diesel allocations for agricultural machinery, especially in Ampara District, and by urgently importing fertilizer, pesticides and agrochemicals using available Treasury funds. He also requested adequate fuel supplies for fisherfolk, warning that failure to support farmers and fishers could reduce food and fish production and create wider instability.
- Hon. Deputy Speaker
AI summary The Deputy Speaker called on Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara to speak and allocated him 14 minutes.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law - Minister of Justice and National Integration JJB
AI summary The Minister moved approval under Section 26(2) of the Anti-Corruption Act, No. 9 of 2023, for the remuneration and service conditions of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption’s staff, stating that this is necessary to establish an independent 971-member cadre. He said legal clarifications had confirmed that the State Finance Management Act does not restrict appointments under the Anti-Corruption Act, and outlined related anti-corruption measures including dedicated courtrooms, FATF-linked procedures, and improved investigative capacity. He also urged that allegations such as those concerning coal procurement be referred to the relevant independent authorities, cited recent action by the Commission as evidence of independence, and briefly referred to economic reserves, contingency planning amid Iran–US tensions, and resolving issues with the QR Code system.
- The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna raised a point of order under Standing Order No. 91(h), arguing that imputations or derogatory labels against Members should not be permitted. He requested that the remarks referring to a Member as “Pacha Perera” be expunged from the record.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. Deputy Speaker
AI summary The Deputy Speaker called on Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake to address the House and allotted him 15 minutes to speak.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF
AI summary Chamara Sampath Dasanayake supported the motion to strengthen the Bribery or Corruption Commission through staffing and pension measures, but urged that it act independently and apply the law equally, citing differences in how cases are handled. He raised operational concerns about the QR fuel system, LPG shortages linked to supplier changes, petroleum procurement amid global disruptions, and delays in Army pensions, while also calling for action on senior citizens’ interest benefits, allowances, transfers of disabled police and intelligence officers, and other administrative issues. He asked the Government to address shortages of fuel, gas, food and essentials, and to respond practically to matters raised in Parliament.
- Hon. Deputy Speaker
AI summary The Deputy Speaker suspended the sitting for the lunch interval until 1.00 p.m. Proceedings later resumed with the Deputy Chairperson of Committees, Hon. Hemali Weerasekara, in the Chair.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. U.P. Abeywickrama, Attorney-at-Law JJB
AI summary Hon. U.P. Abeywickrama supported approval of remuneration and service conditions for officers and employees of the Commission under the Anti-Corruption Act, arguing that adequate staffing, salaries and capacity are necessary for CIABOC to function independently and effectively. He said past anti-corruption laws and institutions lacked enforcement culture and resources, while the Government has removed recruitment obstacles and seeks to finalize a 971-member cadre to address a large backlog of investigations. Referring to an indictment involving the Power Minister over an alleged incident from about a decade earlier, he argued that the filing of charges under the present Government demonstrates institutional independence. He also noted that Middle East tensions affect Sri Lanka’s stability but said the Government had stabilized the economy and administration.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB
AI summary Sajith Premadasa criticized the Government’s handling of energy and fuel risks amid the Middle East conflict, arguing that it had failed to undertake scenario planning despite earlier warnings about possible disruption around the Strait of Hormuz and opportunities such as temporary US sanctions relief on Russian oil. He attributed current electricity risks to domestic procurement failures, particularly alleged low-quality coal supplies to Norochcholai, and cited generation deficits and PUCSL warnings about possible scheduled cuts during peak months. He questioned the adequacy and fairness of the fuel QR quota system for sectors including transport, farming, fisheries, SMEs and exports, and demanded that the Government honour its promise to sell fuel at landed cost by removing added taxes and levies. He also objected to the adjournment of Parliament during the crisis and said the Opposition would support genuine solutions while opposing actions that endanger energy security.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. Priyantha Wijerathna, Attorney-at-Law JJB
AI summary Bribery and corruption were described as undermining public service quality, public trust, merit-based administration, investment, and the rule of law. The speech supported strengthening the legal and institutional framework under the Anti-Corruption Act, No. 9 of 2023, alongside digitalization measures expected to reduce corruption opportunities within three years. It urged approval of a Motion to finalize CIABOC’s staffing structure, remuneration, and conditions, including 971 positions and an expansion of investigators to 377, to enable the Commission to function effectively and independently.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Upali Pannilage - Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment JJB
AI summary The Minister moved that Hon. M.K.M. Aslam take the Chair during the proceedings. The motion was agreed to, after which the Deputy Chairperson of Committees left the Chair and Hon. Aslam assumed it.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. D.V. Chanaka SLPP
AI summary Hon. D.V. Chanaka called for CIABOC to be strengthened while remaining independent and non-partisan, alleging lack of progress on complaints relating to container, coal, rice, onion and salt frauds and urging priority attention to a complaint against the Speaker. He questioned the handling of a fertilizer-related Fundamental Rights case involving the Minister of Power and Energy, suggesting procedural irregularities. He also warned of an impending fuel supply risk, arguing that the Government had failed to assess the impact of Middle East crude supply disruptions and had not secured sufficient April diesel and petrol cargoes, with diesel availability further strained by power generation needs. He demanded transparent and timely fuel procurement and equal, prompt investigations into major corruption complaints.
- Mr. Presiding Member
AI summary The Presiding Member called on Hon. (Dr.) Nishantha Samaraweera to address the House and allotted him 10 minutes. The intervention was procedural, marking the next speaker in the debate at 1.41 p.m.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. (Dr.) Nishantha Samaraweera JJB
AI summary Hon. Nishantha Samaraweera supported the determination of remuneration and service conditions for CIABOC officers under Section 26(2) of the Anti-Corruption Act, stating that strengthening anti-corruption institutions is necessary to address bribery, corruption, waste, theft, and fraud. He rejected Opposition claims about LPG and fuel shortages, arguing that Sri Lanka has adequate LPG stocks for March, that current supply issues stem partly from a private importer failing to bring in its share, and that the tender-based change of supplier followed proper procedure. He also said fuel queue management was introduced as a technical, temporary response to global tensions, with over 5 million users registered, and accused the Opposition of spreading public anxiety while the Government manages inherited debt obligations.
- Mr. Presiding Member
AI summary The Presiding Member informed the Hon. Member that only two minutes remained for their speech.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. (Dr.) Nishantha Samaraweera JJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nishantha Samaraweera stated that taxes were necessary to maintain uninterrupted fuel supplies and meet large debt obligations under IMF-related arrangements, while seeking to avoid undue burdens on the public. He said Government decisions were taken collectively and not for private gain, contrasting this with past mismanagement, theft, waste, and corruption. He argued that current technical shortcomings should not be labelled as fraud and said the priority should be easing public pressure arising from global conditions.
- Mr. Presiding Member
AI summary Hon. Kings Nelson was called to speak and informed that he had nine minutes. No substantive policy argument or proposal was made in this procedural intervention.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. Kins Nelson SJB
AI summary Hon. Kins Nelson raised concerns over alleged substandard imported coal, citing committee discussions in which officials acknowledged environmental damage, risks to turbines, increased reliance on oil-based power generation, higher tariffs, and possible power cuts, and called for the President and relevant authorities to intervene. He argued that Parliament should continue meeting during national crises and proposed that the President, Prime Minister, Opposition Leader, and party leaders meet to discuss a way forward. He also requested action on disputes affecting farmers in Gal Oya, Hingurakgoda, where Wildlife Department action has halted cultivation, and on alleged improper silt removal and sand mining around Pimburattawa tank in Dimbulagala affecting farmers and fishers.
- Mr. Presiding Member
AI summary Mr. Presiding Member called on Hon. (Dr.) S. Sri Bavanandarajah to speak next and allotted him 10 minutes. The intervention was procedural, introducing the next speaker in the debate at 2.00 p.m.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. (Dr.) S. Sri Bavanandarajah JJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) S. Sri Bavanandarajah supported determining proper remuneration and service conditions for CIABOC officers, arguing that independence, resources, and effective implementation of the Anti-Corruption Act, 2023 are essential to combat corruption and rebuild public trust. He cited Sri Lanka’s improved Transparency International ranking, past losses such as the 2020 sugar scam, and proposed reforms including a beneficial ownership register, digitized public services, and whistleblower protections. He also addressed fuel supply concerns, attributing current constraints to Middle East conflict rather than domestic shortages, and said the Government would maintain supplies for essential sectors while discouraging hoarding and misinformation.
- Mr. Presiding Member
AI summary The Presiding Member called on Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law, to speak and allocated him 10 minutes. The intervention was procedural, marking the start of the member’s speaking time at 2.11 p.m.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara welcomed measures to strengthen CIABOC, including improved salaries, recruitment, and district-level anti-corruption programmes, while urging the Commission to act impartially on allegations against senior parliamentary officials. He raised concerns that complaints against the Speaker had not produced visible action, cited provisions of the Anti-Corruption Act relating to media responses by persons facing allegations, and requested action over interviews conducted within Parliament premises. He also referred to an alleged attempt to submit a Cabinet paper regarding the Speaker, and questioned the handling of a coal procurement controversy, including comments by the COPE Chair and technical issues at the Norochcholai power plant.
- Hon. (Dr.) Nishantha Samaraweera JJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nishantha Samaraweera stated that, as Chair of COPE, he operates strictly within the Committee’s mandate in overseeing audit observations concerning 457 State enterprises. He emphasized that his actions are informed and procedurally grounded.
Corruption & Governance Reform Full speech → - Mr. Presiding Member
AI summary The Presiding Member asked the Hon. Member to be brief, indicating a procedural intervention to manage speaking time during the debate.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. (Dr.) Nishantha Samaraweera JJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nishantha Samaraweera sought clarification in response to points raised by the Opposition and objected to what he described as repeated defamatory attacks on COPE. He noted that the Member making the remarks was himself a member of COPE.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara argued that LPG and fuel shortages resulted from failures in procurement, storage management, and contingency planning rather than solely from global conditions. He cited non-compliance by an LPG supplier, failure to maintain buffer stocks or collect penalties, underutilized fuel storage, and declining CPC fuel reserves, warning of risks to power generation and fuel supply after April 23 if no firm plan is implemented. He also called on the Government to take responsibility and act on unresolved allegations against National Transport Commission directors following the Priyasath Dep inquiry.
- Mr. Presiding Member
AI summary The Presiding Member called on Hon. Chandana Thennakoon to speak and informed him that he had 10 minutes.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. Chandana Thennakoon JJB
AI summary Hon. Chandana Thennakoon supported the resolution on remuneration and service conditions for CIABOC under the Anti-Corruption Act, arguing that stronger pay structures, risk and performance allowances, and 971 recruitments are needed to attract specialist investigators in fields such as accounting, banking, engineering, and ICT. He said the Government intends to decentralize anti-corruption work to district level and stressed that political will is necessary for the Act’s effective implementation. He also linked the reforms to past corruption allegations and economic shortages, noting an improvement in Sri Lanka’s Corruption Perceptions Index ranking as evidence of institutional activation.
- Mr. Presiding Member
AI summary The Presiding Member called on Hon. Harshana Rajakaruna to speak for seven minutes. Before doing so, he requested that a Member propose Hon. Sanjeewa Ranasingha to take the Chair.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. (Mrs.) Saroja Savithri Paulraj JJB
AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Saroja Savithri Paulraj moved that Hon. Sanjeewa Ranasingha take the Chair during the sitting. The House agreed to the motion, after which Hon. M.K.M. Aslam left the Chair and Hon. Sanjeewa Ranasingha assumed it.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. Harshana Rajakaruna SJB
AI summary Hon. Harshana Rajakaruna said the Opposition supports anti-corruption action and the Anti-Corruption Act, but argued that CIABOC must act independently on both past and current allegations, including complaints concerning the Speaker and officials. He alleged that the Government was protecting “new thieves,” particularly in relation to coal procurement, and questioned why a Minister facing allegations remained in office. He linked coal and fuel management failures to higher electricity tariffs, diesel use, fuel price increases, and problems with the QR system, while demanding tax reductions and relief for the public.
- Mr. Presiding Member
AI summary The Presiding Member called Hon. Sunil Watagala, Deputy Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs, to speak and allotted him 14 minutes.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. Sunil Watagala, Attorney-at-Law - Deputy Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs JJB
AI summary Hon. Sunil Watagala said the Government’s policy is to strengthen CIABOC, the Police and the Attorney General’s Department as independent institutions, noting that operational guidelines had been issued for the anti-corruption law passed under the previous administration. He cited Sri Lanka’s improvement in Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index and said CIABOC is being expanded from a Colombo-centred structure to 24 district offices with around 973 staff. Responding to Opposition allegations, he stated that cases, including against a government Minister, would proceed without political protection, and said complaints on procurement or corruption should be pursued through CIABOC, the CID and the Attorney General’s Department.
- Mr. Presiding Member
AI summary The Presiding Member called Hon. Mujibur Rahuman to speak and informed him that he had eight minutes.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. Mujibur Rahuman SJB
AI summary Hon. Mujibur Rahuman argued that anti-corruption institutions were strengthened under the 2015–2019 Yahapalanaya Government and further in 2023, and said current prosecutions should acknowledge those earlier reforms. He alleged unequal treatment in CIABOC processes, questioning why a Minister facing indictment was not handled like other suspects, and asked why CIABOC had not acted on complaints involving containers, wind power, salt and garlic tenders, and coal procurement. He said the coal issue had caused major losses, fuel diversion, and possible power cuts, and demanded transparency and the Minister’s removal. He also criticized the Government’s current association with Sri Lanka Cricket officials whom its leaders had previously condemned while in Opposition.
- Mr. Presiding Member
AI summary The Presiding Member called on Hon. Sunil Handunnetti, Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, to speak and allocated him 10 minutes. The intervention was procedural and did not include substantive remarks on legislation, policy, or debate content.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. Sunil Handunnetti - Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development JJB
AI summary Parliament was asked to approve facilities for CIABOC to conduct systematic investigations, with the Minister noting that concerns about probes can be referred to the now-independent Commission. He outlined government measures, led by the President and approved by Cabinet, to manage fuel allocations amid the Middle East conflict and QR reintroduction, including registration of industrial fuel needs, quota allocation through relevant ministries and CPC agreements. He said priority arrangements are in place for export industries, logistics, food distribution and tourism, including identity protocols for guides and tourist vehicles, and that ministers review allocations every two days to avoid disruption.
- Mr. Presiding Member
AI summary The Presiding Member called Hon. Dilith Jayaweera to speak and allocated him 12 minutes. No substantive policy issue or argument was raised in this procedural intervention.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. Dilith Jayaweera SB
AI summary Hon. Dilith Jayaweera responded to Hon. Mujibur Rahuman’s remarks on prosecutions under the Yahapalana Government, stating that Rahuman and his colleagues were themselves part of that administration. He argued that responsibility for any actions or omissions during that period should be shared by those who participated in that Government.
Corruption & Governance Reform Full speech → - The Hon. Dilith Jayaweera SB
AI summary Hon. Dilith Jayaweera argued that the Government faces a public trust deficit over its handling of the fuel and energy situation amid the Middle East crisis, and called for clear disclosure of fuel stock figures by type and monthly requirements. He criticized the absence of strategic reserves, inadequate preparation for energy-security risks, and insufficient attention to renewable energy and contingency planning. He also questioned the decision to ask the private sector to close on Wednesday, saying it harms daily-wage earners and small businesses, and urged alternatives such as work-from-home. He further accused the Government of lacking an independent foreign policy and said poor engagement with BRICS had reduced Sri Lanka’s access to strategic support.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- 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