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Sri Lanka
10th Parliament· 154 sittings on record · 30,475 speeches · latest 10 June 2026

Sitting of Thursday, 19 March 2026

10th Parliament· 16 debates· 162 speeches· 56 speakers

Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 23381 ·English daily/uncorrected Hansard

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Order of business

Speeches load per item. Summaries shown here are AI-generated and labelled; verbatim text is on each speech page.

  9. 9 Oral question Oral Question: Department of Motor Traffic: Registration of Vehicles (Q.1822/2026) 7 speeches
    • The Hon. Major General (Rtd.) G.D. Sooriyabandara JJB

      AI summary Major General (Rtd.) G.D. Sooriyabandara asked the Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development for historical and current data on vehicle registration in Sri Lanka, including the establishment year of the Department of Motor Traffic, the prior registering authority, the year of the first motor vehicle registration, and annual registrations up to the Department’s creation. He also requested the number of registered motor vehicles as at 31 December 2025 and asked whether the Government earns revenue from vehicle emission certificates, including the amount received in 2025.

      Infrastructure Full speech →
    • The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB

      AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake provided answers on vehicle registration history, noting registrations and driving licences began in 1928 under the Inspector General of Police pursuant to Act No. 14 of 1916, while some historical information was unavailable. He reported that Sri Lanka’s vehicle population stood at 8,816,613 as at 31 December 2025, with motorcycles forming the largest category. He stated that vehicle emissions testing is a regulatory process rather than a government revenue source, with 10 per cent of contractors’ income collected as an Emission Levy; in 2025, Rs. 389 million was paid to the Emission Levy Fund and Rs. 902 million in VAT and Social Security Contribution Levy to the Treasury.

      Law & Order Full speech →
    • The Hon. Major General (Rtd.) G.D. Sooriyabandara JJB

      AI summary Major General (Rtd.) G.D. Sooriyabandara raised a supplementary question on difficulties faced by vehicle owners in obtaining or updating fuel QR codes, citing problems caused by prior owners not cancelling registrations and changed mobile numbers. He also referred to an allegation that a filling station in Thimbirigasyaya demanded an extra Rs. 3,000 to issue fuel without a QR code, and asked how the Ministry would resolve pending QR code issues.

      Cost of LivingLaw & Order Full speech →
    • The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB

      AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake clarified that the fuel QR system was introduced as a preventive measure to manage consumption, avoid stockpiling, and protect supplies for essential services, rather than due to an immediate shortage. He explained technical issues affecting users with changed vehicle ownership or phone numbers, said 2.7 million problematic entries had been deleted, and outlined the revised registration process through fuelpass.gov.lk, with misuse subject to computer crime laws. He added that abnormal sales in some districts and logistical limits had contributed to pressure, but said the QR system should ease the situation, while vehicles without number plates could obtain fuel using alternative documents bearing the vehicle number.

      Public FinanceCost of Living Full speech →
    • The Hon. Major General (Rtd.) G.D. Sooriyabandara JJB

      AI summary Major General (Rtd.) G.D. Sooriyabandara noted that Sri Lanka has around 8.8 million registered vehicles, including over 5.2 million motorcycles, and highlighted lost revenue from lapsed annual revenue licences. He asked whether the Government would allow owners, particularly of motorcycles and land vehicles, to renew licences without accumulated fines as an incentive, citing missed renewals during COVID-19 and deterrence caused by heavy penalties.

      Public FinanceLaw & Order Full speech →
    • The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB

      AI summary Bimal Rathnayake stated that decisions on the matter rest with the Ministry of Finance but argued that the proposed concession should not be granted. He said many people had already paid taxes and dues despite hardship, the sums involved were not large, and in the absence of a wartime emergency, the Government should act fairly by collecting revenue and providing services. As Minister of Transport, he said he did not endorse the concession.

      Public Finance Full speech →
    • The Hon. Ruwan Wijeweera JJB

      AI summary Ruwan Wijeweera asked the Prime Minister and Minister of Education for details on National and Provincial schools in the Monaragala District and the number of auditoriums established in them. He also requested information on the commencement date, total allocation, and any delays or reasons for delays in constructing the auditorium at Dutugemunu Central College, Buttala.

      Education Full speech →