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 ▸
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 ▾
    • The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development and the Leader of the House of Parliament JJB

      AI summary Bimal Rathnayake, as Leader of the House, formally moved that Parliament adjourn. No substantive policy argument, proposal, or debate content was presented.

      Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
    • The Hon. Speaker procedural
      Full speech →
    • The Hon. Kabir Hashim SJB

      AI summary Kabir Hashim questioned the Government’s foreign policy stance, arguing that the JVP-led administration has departed from its long-held anti-imperialist positions and now appears unclear on neutrality amid the Iran-Israel conflict. He cited media reports and diplomatic developments to argue that Israel initiated hostilities and asked whether Sri Lanka’s reported expression of solidarity with Qatar over “Iranian aggression” implied support for the US-Israeli position. He demanded clarification from the Foreign Minister on Sri Lanka’s neutrality, the reported 11-hour delay in assisting an Iranian vessel, obligations under UNCLOS, the meaning of “Net Security Provider”, and whether sovereign decision-making had been affected by external consultations.

      Foreign Affairs Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha - Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning JJB

      AI summary Minister Anil Jayantha said Sri Lanka is facing an external shock from war-related disruptions to shipping, fuel, insurance, freight and aviation costs, but that the Government’s objective is to prevent it becoming a domestic crisis. He outlined measures to contain inflation and maintain financial stability, including an estimated 8 percent domestic fuel price adjustment, prioritising scarce fuel for essential services, protecting reserves, supporting exporters, tourism and remittances, and encouraging reduced non-essential fuel use. He stated that low recent inflation, a relatively stable rupee, reserves above US$7 billion, debt restructuring progress, and expected IMF, ADB and World Bank inflows provide resilience, while a Prime Minister-led committee will prepare targeted relief for vulnerable groups.

      Foreign AffairsPublic Finance Full speech →
    • The Hon. Speaker procedural
      Full speech →
    • The Hon. Anura Kumara Dissanayake - President, Minister of Defence, Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development and Minister of Digital Economy

      AI summary Anura Kumara Dissanayake reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s position of neutrality regarding the Middle East conflict, stating that the Government refused both Iran’s request for naval goodwill visits and the United States’ request to land military aircraft at Mattala to avoid involvement in the war. He said humanitarian assistance was provided to Iranian personnel following attacks and distress situations, including medical evacuation, rescue operations, recovery of bodies, custody of naval personnel, and welfare support, in line with international obligations. He rejected claims of delay or partiality, explained that existing security understandings with the United States do not require Sri Lanka to take sides in a conflict, and said Sri Lanka also withheld support for a UN Security Council draft resolution because it was incomplete.

      Foreign AffairsSecurity & Defence Full speech →
    • The Hon. Speaker procedural
      Full speech →
    • The Hon. Anura Kumara Dissanayake

      AI summary Anura Kumara Dissanayake said the Government had taken measures to protect energy security and manage possible external shocks, including supply-chain disruptions, through operational committees overseeing essential goods, festive-season stocks, distribution, agriculture, fisheries, tea transport, and apparel-sector impacts. He highlighted 2025 as a key economic year, citing a projected budget deficit of 2.4 percent, a current account surplus of USD 1.8 billion, higher revenue collection, low inflation, and single-digit interest rates as evidence of stabilisation after earlier policy failures. He also stated that Cabinet had approved the restructuring of USD 175 million in SriLankan Airlines bonds, with signing expected that day, and argued that maintaining these trends for several years would strengthen economic resilience.

      Public FinanceAgricultureSecurity & Defence Full speech →
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 ▸