Sitting of Friday, 20 March 2026

Order of business

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

1. 1 Opening Parliament Opening and Speaker's Certificate 1 speeches ▸
2. 2 Papers Papers: Annual Reports Tabled 2 speeches ▸
3. 3 Petitions Petitions: Citizens' Petitions Presented 2 speeches ▸
4. 4 Oral question Oral Question: Presidential Vehicle Pool Management (Q.19/2025) 34 speeches ▸
5. 5 Oral question Oral Question: Defence Ministry Inquiry (Q.553/2025) 2 speeches ▸
6. 6 Oral question Oral Question: Warehouse Receipts Financing Project 5 speeches ▸
7. 7 Oral question Oral Question: Consumer Affairs Authority Rice Raids (Q.640/2025) 5 speeches ▸
8. 8 Oral question Oral Question: Sri Lankan-Maldivian Tourism and Travel (Q.1311/2025) 3 speeches ▾
   • The Hon. (Prof.) Ruwan Ranasinghe - Deputy Minister of Tourism JJB

     AI summary In response to Question 1311/2025, the Deputy Minister of Tourism provided arrival and departure figures between Sri Lanka and the Maldives from 2022 to 2024, showing increases in both Sri Lankans travelling to the Maldives and Maldivian tourists visiting Sri Lanka. He stated that the Maldivian visa-on-arrival facility for Sri Lankans offers a 90-day stay without prior visa requirements or fees, supporting travel, business, education, medical, leisure, economic, and cultural links. He also noted that Sri Lanka grants Maldivian visitors a reciprocal 90-day tourist visa on arrival without fees, and that the remaining part of the question was not applicable.

     Foreign Affairs Full speech →
   • The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF

     AI summary Chamara Sampath Dasanayake asked who benefits more from the 90-day free visa arrangement with the Maldives, noting that many Maldivians travel to Sri Lanka primarily for medical treatment rather than tourism. He sought clarification on whether the policy advantages Sri Lankans or Maldivians more.

     HealthcareForeign Affairs Full speech →
   • The Hon. (Prof.) Ruwan Ranasinghe JJB

     AI summary Arguing in support of the visa arrangement with the Maldives, (Prof.) Ruwan Ranasinghe stated that Maldivians use Sri Lankan private hospitals for treatment under the Aasandha health insurance scheme, contributing to medical tourism. He added that Sri Lankans travel to the Maldives mainly for employment, bringing economic benefits to Sri Lanka, and concluded that the arrangement is broadly beneficial to the country.

     Foreign AffairsHealthcare Full speech →
9. 9 Oral question Oral Question: Migrant Workers Hardship Statistics (Q.24/2024) 7 speeches ▸
10. 10 Oral question Oral Question (Private Notice): Official Passports Issued to Religious Leaders 4 speeches ▸
11. 11 Oral question Oral Question: Accountability for Disappeared Persons and UNHRC Engagement 6 speeches ▸
12. 12 Procedural Procedural: Sitting Hours Amendment 2 speeches ▸
13. 13 Adjournment Adjournment Debate: Effects of Current Global Situation on Our Economy 8 speeches ▸
14. 14 Procedural Procedural: Lunch Recess Suspension 1 speeches ▸
15. 15 Adjournment Adjournment Debate (Continuation): Effects of Current Global Situation on Our Economy 61 speeches ▸