Sitting of Thursday, 19 March 2026
Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 23381 ·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 1 speeches
- 2 Papers Papers and Petitions 5 speeches
- 3 Oral question Oral Question: Banana Cultivators in Ratnapura District: Issues (Q.1502/2025) 6 speeches
- 4 Oral question Oral Question: Proposed Vee-Oya Project: Details (Q.1544/2025) 5 speeches
- 5 Oral question Oral Question: Arabic Colleges: Upgrading (Q.1551/2025) 8 speeches
- 6 Oral question Oral Question: Demarcation of Local Authority Areas and Wards: Trincomalee District (Q.1558/2025) 5 speeches
- 7 Oral question Oral Question: Deferred Question (Q.1716/2025) 3 speeches
- 8 Oral question Oral Question: Housing Projects in Ihalagama, Kadiyangalla and Manewa GN Divisions (Q.1783/2025) 7 speeches
- 9 Oral question Oral Question: Department of Motor Traffic: Registration of Vehicles (Q.1822/2026) 7 speeches
- 10 Oral question Oral Question: Schools in Monaragala District: Auditoriums (Q.1860/2026) 5 speeches
- 11 Oral question Oral Question: Multi-Purpose Service Centres in Mannar District (Q.1455/2025) 4 speeches
- 12 Oral question Questions under Standing Order 27(2): Economic Challenges and Aviation Sector 13 speeches
- 13 Procedural Procedural Motion: Time of Sitting 1 speeches
- 14 Debate Debate: Colombo Port City Economic Commission Act Regulations Approval 32 speeches
- The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary Bimal Rathnayake moved a procedural motion to vary the day’s sitting hours, setting Parliament to meet from 9.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and from 1.00 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. The motion also provided for Standing Order 8(5) to operate at 2.00 p.m. and for the Speaker to adjourn Parliament at 5.30 p.m.; it was agreed to.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development and the Leader of the House of Parliament JJB
AI summary Moved for approval of regulations made under Section 71 of the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Act, No. 11 of 2021, in consultation with the Colombo Port City Economic Commission and relevant regulatory authorities. The regulations, published in Gazette Extraordinary No. 2469/02 of 29 December 2025 and presented to Parliament on 3 March 2026, were submitted on behalf of the Prime Minister and Minister of Education, with Cabinet approval signified.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna raised a point of order citing Standing Order No. 118(3), which requires the Ethics and Privileges Committee to submit a final report within two weeks of a complaint. He complained that an inquiry he filed a year earlier regarding alleged abusive language by YouTube host Sudaththa had repeatedly been postponed through cancelled meetings, and requested attention to the delay.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha - Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning JJB
AI summary The Minister presented the second amendment to the Colombo Port City Development Regulations under the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Act for Parliamentary approval, stating that it seeks to facilitate investment through rule-based land-use reallocations while keeping the total land extent unchanged. He outlined changes to land-use categories, public utilities, open spaces, transport facilities and service-use limits, with conditions to protect traffic circulation, internal mobility and external impacts. He linked the regulations to broader efforts to raise economic growth and investor confidence, citing forthcoming or ongoing legislation on public-private partnerships, investment protection and promotion, SOE reform, insolvency, and AML/CFT compliance.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB
AI summary Sajith Premadasa disputed the Government’s claim that there is no crisis, citing reduced generation at the Norochcholai coal power plant and alleging that substandard coal has increased ash output, caused repeated breakdowns, and threatens power supply reliability. He warned of environmental and health risks from excess fly ash, especially during the New Year closure of cement companies that normally purchase it, and referred to possible power cuts noted by the Public Utilities Commission. He argued that the resulting fuel and electricity pressures are affecting farmers, fishers, industries, transport workers and SMEs, and called for a relief programme using Treasury resources for vulnerable households and economic sectors. He also questioned whether investment and FDI can be attracted amid electricity instability and an ineffective QR fuel system.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. Chathuranga Abeysinghe - Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development JJB
AI summary Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe rejected Opposition claims of an imminent economic or power crisis, stating that Sri Lanka recorded 5 per cent growth last year, maintains resilient exports and remittances, and is managing external shocks including the Middle East conflict and fuel needs for industry. He outlined proposed regulations under the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Act, including changes to land allocation, building height limits, retail space requirements, open space parameters and business classifications, and said investor interest remains strong. He said the Government is facilitating fuel quotas for industries and SMEs through relevant agencies and local administration, while assuring that electricity continuity will be maintained through thermal generation if coal output falls.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF
AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake urged a non-partisan approach to using the Colombo Port City and Sri Lanka’s geographic position to attract investment, particularly in offshore banking, insurance, digitalization, crypto regulation and service-sector activity. He questioned prioritizing housing within the Port City and called for stronger incentives, Central Bank action, and use of Mattala Airport to capture aviation opportunities arising from Middle East instability. He also pressed for urgent structural reforms, including SOE commercialization, action on SriLankan Airlines losses, trade agreements with Singapore, Thailand and India, and labour reforms to support digital economic growth.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. Arjuna Sujeewa Senasinghe, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Hon. Arjuna Sujeewa Senasinghe thanked Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the organizers of the NXT Summit 2026 for hosting a Sri Lankan parliamentary delegation in India. He said the delegation met Indian leaders, including the Chief Minister of New Delhi, to study India’s economic growth, health system, medicine and other sectors, with the aim of identifying lessons relevant to Sri Lanka’s development.
Foreign Affairs Full speech → - The Hon. Arun Hemachandra - Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment JJB
AI summary Deputy Minister Arun Hemachandra supported the Regulations under the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Act, describing them as technical adjustments, including changes to permitted building heights, needed to make the project viable. He said past large-scale projects had suffered from poor planning, corruption, and inadequate returns, and argued that the current Government has a responsibility to correct deficiencies rather than abandon such projects. He highlighted efforts to create an investor-friendly “Single Window” system covering institutions such as the BOI and Port City Commission, and said allegations of corruption or underperformance in projects such as the Norochcholai coal plant would be handled through institutional mechanisms including COPE.
- The Hon. Gnanamuththu Srineshan ITAK
AI summary Gnanamuththu Srineshan questioned whether the Colombo Port City has met its original expectations of becoming a high-tech and fintech-driven economic hub, and asked how much it has contributed to Sri Lanka’s recovery while noting concerns over sovereignty and past large-scale infrastructure projects. He called for practical development plans, legal reforms, and early realization of public benefits and revenue from the Port City. He also raised issues including fuel and possible power shortages, hoarding of agricultural inputs, disparities in dengue assistant appointments, the TID summons of the Jaffna University Students’ Union President, and the need to apply security laws in a rights-respecting manner.
- The Hon. Faiszer Musthapha, PC NDF
AI summary Welcoming the Regulations under the Port City Act, Faiszer Musthapha urged the Government to actively attract Middle Eastern investment amid regional conflict by offering competitive concessions and not allowing IMF conditions to prevent growth-oriented incentives. He compared Colombo Port City with Dubai’s DIFC and India’s GIFT City, calling for transparent, time-bound approval processes, answers to COPF concerns about entity approvals, a dedicated Commercial High Court, and expedited arbitration. He also cautioned against publicly damaging the reputation of local developers such as Home Lands and Prime Lands, arguing that domestic firms that have delivered projects should be protected while regulatory issues are resolved.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. Nishantha Jayaweera - Deputy Minister of Economic Development JJB
AI summary The Deputy Minister presented six items under the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Act for approval, stating that they are intended to remove impediments to investment and accelerate investor attraction. The proposals include allocating additional land for electricity supply to Phase II, permitting higher buildings with authority approval, reducing retail land allocation from 30 per cent to 5 per cent for urban beautification, making a technical correction on open coastal spaces, and amending the usage classification matrix.
- The Hon. Nishantha Jayaweera JJB
AI summary Hon. Nishantha Jayaweera said the technical correction to land parcel and street classifications forms part of broader reforms to facilitate investment. He argued that attracting FDI is central to achieving the Government’s medium-term growth targets, noting USD 1.057 billion in FDI in 2025 and a target of around USD 2 billion in 2026. He outlined measures on stability, infrastructure, digital systems, skilled labour, and tax incentives, including the National Single Window, Colombo Port City Act amendments, and proposed Investment Protection and Investment Promotion Bills. He also stated that the Government would ensure uninterrupted power supply and infrastructure support for investors.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. Nishantha Jayaweera JJB
AI summary Hon. Nishantha Jayaweera proposed that Hon. M.K.M. Aslam take the Chair during the proceedings.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. (Ms.) Lakmali Hemachandra, Attorney-at-Law JJB
AI summary The motion was seconded and the question was put and agreed to. Following this, the Deputy Chairperson of Committees left the Chair and Hon. M.K.M. Aslam took the Chair.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka SJB
AI summary Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka used the debate on regulations under the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Act to criticize the Government’s loss of public trust over assurances on fuel, gas, electricity tariffs and essential supplies. He urged practical measures to allocate fuel for farmers, fisheries, tourism transport, logistics, three-wheel operators and heavy machinery, and asked that anomalies affecting vehicle registration and QR fuel access be resolved. He also raised concerns over the effects of international conflict on exports such as tea, fertilizer availability, and reduced advances to smallholders ahead of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year. He called for the Government to reduce fuel-related tax burdens by at least 50 percent and provide Treasury relief to prevent further increases in electricity bills.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. (Ms.) Lakmali Hemachandra, Attorney-at-Law JJB
AI summary Lakmali Hemachandra said the regulations under the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Act should be considered in the context of global instability caused by conflict in the Middle East and disruptions near the Strait of Hormuz, which could affect oil and food supply chains. She supported temporary conservation measures such as the Wednesday holiday, QR system, and a 25 percent reduction in government fuel use, while acknowledging the burden on workers. She argued that Sri Lanka’s political neutrality, fiscal stability, and energy-security planning should be used to attract long-term investment and strengthen the country’s position as a stable destination.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. S.M. Marikkar SJB
AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar asked the Government to explain discussions with visiting US officials following reports of talks on safeguarding Sri Lanka’s ports and airports. He urged rapid use of Port City and Urban Development Authority projects to attract foreign exchange, including expedited approvals and targeted liberalization, while questioning the practicality of “work from home” policies for several sectors. He also alleged serious losses from substandard coal shipments, citing increased diesel generation, demurrage, penalties, and emergency procurement costs, and called on Minister Jayakody to resign pending an impartial inquiry.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Chanaka Madugoda SLPP
AI summary Chanaka Madugoda criticized the Government for relying on QR and odd-even fuel management systems it had previously opposed, and said implementation remained inadequate despite an existing template. He called for improved fuel allocations for three-wheelers, agriculture, logistics, tourism, fisheries and generators, and urged delivery of the promised April 2025 goods basket if funds are available. He condemned an incident involving a German national berating nurses at Karapitiya and requested diplomatic action, while also raising concerns about reported Army-linked commercial activities and accounts allegedly removed from Auditor General scrutiny, calling for oversight and rectification.
- The Hon. Sunil Handunnetti - Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development JJB
AI summary Minister Sunil Handunnetti said the regulations under the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Act aim to provide predictable, rules-based processes to attract investment, noting that only three investments materialized before December 2024 but that these have since progressed and over 150 businesses have registered. He attributed earlier delays to corruption and administrative uncertainty, and said the Government is targeting USD 14 billion in FDI by 2026 while advancing hospital, education, mixed-use, residential and commercial projects. He outlined measures including a high-level economic management committee, a six-week clearance window, and an Industrial Facilitation Centre as a Single Window to reduce approvals previously involving over 21 agencies. He also addressed concerns about local firms, litigation, and fuel supply stability, stating that lawful investment and industrial operations would be facilitated while maintaining fair competition.
- 15 Adjournment Adjournment Debate: Current Economic and Security Crisis 59 speeches
- 16 Procedural Written Answers to Questions 1 speeches