Sitting of Friday, 20 March 2026
Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 23396 ·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 Papers: Annual Reports Tabled 2 speeches
- 3 Petitions Petitions: Citizens' Petitions Presented 2 speeches
- 4 Oral question Oral Question: Presidential Vehicle Pool Management (Q.19/2025) 34 speeches
- 5 Oral question Oral Question: Defence Ministry Inquiry (Q.553/2025) 2 speeches
- 6 Oral question Oral Question: Warehouse Receipts Financing Project 5 speeches
- 7 Oral question Oral Question: Consumer Affairs Authority Rice Raids (Q.640/2025) 5 speeches
- 8 Oral question Oral Question: Sri Lankan-Maldivian Tourism and Travel (Q.1311/2025) 3 speeches
- 9 Oral question Oral Question: Migrant Workers Hardship Statistics (Q.24/2024) 7 speeches
- 10 Oral question Oral Question (Private Notice): Official Passports Issued to Religious Leaders 4 speeches
- 11 Oral question Oral Question: Accountability for Disappeared Persons and UNHRC Engagement 6 speeches
- 12 Procedural Procedural: Sitting Hours Amendment 2 speeches
- 13 Adjournment Adjournment Debate: Effects of Current Global Situation on Our Economy 8 speeches
- 14 Procedural Procedural: Lunch Recess Suspension 1 speeches
- 15 Adjournment Adjournment Debate (Continuation): Effects of Current Global Situation on Our Economy 61 speeches
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB
AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa criticised the President’s response to the wartime situation, arguing that neutrality should not prevent Sri Lanka from condemning alleged violations of international law and the UN Charter. He questioned whether maritime domain awareness agreements with the United States had been breached in relation to reported military activity near Sri Lankan waters, and disputed the President’s interpretation of rights in the Exclusive Economic Zone under UNCLOS and related law. He also accused the Government of failing to use a temporary sanctions pause to pursue Russian oil purchases, warned of energy security risks from under-generation at the Lakvijaya coal plant, and proposed measures including a tourism support programme, steps to stem professional emigration through tax and salary reforms, and renegotiation with the IMF.
- The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Sajith Premadasa SJB
AI summary Sajith Premadasa argued that despite increased tourist arrivals, tourism revenue has declined compared to the previous year. He called for immediate tax relief and salary adjustments to address accelerating brain drain, urged renegotiation of the IMF framework, and demanded an urgent poverty eradication programme. He also called for the suspension of parate actions against MSMEs and measures to protect micro, small, and medium enterprises.
- The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Sajith Premadasa SJB
AI summary Sajith Premadasa criticized the Government for reversing its stance on QR code use and reiterated several Opposition proposals. He called for using excess Treasury balances for a tourism stimulus, providing tax relief and salary increases to reduce brain drain, renegotiating the IMF programme, and immediately implementing poverty relief measures.
- The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Namal Karunaratne - Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock JJB
AI summary Deputy Minister Namal Karunaratne said the Government is managing current global fuel and supply pressures from a stronger economic position than the previous administration, with reserves of USD 7 billion. He assured farmers that there is no fertilizer shortage for the Yala season, said Government will purchase available fertilizer stocks directly and distribute them through farmer organizations, and warned against black-market purchases. He also outlined a simplified fuel distribution process for farmers and cited compensation payments and import controls as part of measures to strengthen agriculture and food security, adding that rice stocks and planned cultivation would prevent a shortage.
- The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Thurairasa Ravikaran ITAK
AI summary Hon. Thurairasa Ravikaran argued that the Government’s response to the global crisis and its local impacts has been reactive rather than planned, citing fuel shortages, hoarding, delayed implementation of the QR system, and questionable efficiency of the Wednesday holiday for energy savings. He raised concerns about the additional burdens faced by people in the North, especially Mullaitivu and the Vanni, including cyclone impacts, illegal fishing, staff shortages in fisheries offices, and approval of a salt pan project in Kokkilai. He urged the Government to fill fisheries vacancies, curb illegal fishing and Indian trawler incursions, and protect northern and eastern seas. He also alleged that the Mahaweli Authority was attempting to occupy ancestral Tamil lands in Mullaitivu for a salt pan project and called for its removal from the North.
- The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Thurairasa Ravikaran ITAK
AI summary Called for an end to alleged demographic engineering in his areas and demanded the immediate removal of the Mahaweli Authority from those areas.
- The Hon. (Dr.) Rizvie Salih - Deputy Speaker and Chair of Committees JJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Rizvie Salih argued that Sri Lanka should maintain principled non-alignment and uphold the Indian Ocean as a Zone of Peace amid growing global uncertainty. Referring to the rescue and repatriation of Iranian naval cadets after an attack on an unarmed vessel within Sri Lanka’s EEZ, he said humanitarian obligations at sea must prevail over political pressure. He also called on parliaments worldwide to establish stronger safeguards over leaders’ authority to command armed forces or catastrophic weapons, including regular independent assessments of mental and emotional fitness.
- The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara criticized the Government for lacking a coherent foreign policy amid rising US–China–India competition and the Iran-Israel conflict, urging solidarity with Iran and earlier action to manage fuel and energy security risks. He questioned fuel stock management, called for exporters to be allowed to maintain operational fuel reserves, and proposed using regional instability to attract tourism, logistics investment, and coconut-sector development, including a Ceylon Chamber of Coconut Industries. He also raised concerns over judicial independence, politicization of prosecutions, the Krish transaction case, and allegations involving the Bribery Commission’s Director-General, calling for transparency, due process, and equal standards in anti-corruption action.
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Arun Hemachandra - Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment JJB
AI summary The Deputy Minister said Sri Lanka’s foreign policy should prioritize strategic neutrality, sovereignty, and protection of citizens amid global uncertainty, particularly the Middle East conflict’s effects on energy, shipping, tourism, aviation, and overseas workers. He stated that the Government had restored stability after bankruptcy by improving public finances, reserves, inflation, essential supplies, and services, while also managing Cyclone “Ditwah” relief. He said Sri Lankan missions were assisting nationals abroad and called for restraint, respect for international law, freedom of navigation, maritime security, and peaceful resolution of conflicts. He urged political actors to act responsibly and said Sri Lanka should use its ports, airports, maritime position, and national assets to strengthen tourism, logistics, aviation, shipping, and energy security.
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara SJB
AI summary R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara argued that Sri Lanka’s current energy and gas shortages were caused not only by the war but also by earlier government mismanagement, citing gas price increases, queues, coal procurement allegations, and the need to burn large volumes of diesel for power generation. He questioned why the Power Minister remains in office despite corruption allegations and criticized assigning him responsibility for the oil crisis. He also objected to Parliament being adjourned during the crisis, saying it limited scrutiny, and asked what measures the Government would take on rising fertilizer prices affecting farmers and on fuel supply after earlier assurances that there was no crisis.
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara SJB
AI summary R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara said the absence of Middle Eastern ambassadors at an Iftar ceremony held at the President’s Office reflected their reaction to the Government’s foreign policy. Referring to past approaches under J.R. Jayewardene and Sirimavo Bandaranaike, he urged the President to take the lead in resolving the resulting diplomatic crisis and correcting foreign policy.
Foreign Affairs Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. S.M. Marikkar SJB
AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar criticized the Government’s fuel price increase and high fuel taxes, arguing that taxes should be reduced to ease the burden on consumers amid rising transport and goods prices. He alleged serious irregularities in coal procurement, citing delays in contracted shipments, an emergency tender awarded at a higher price, uncollected demurrage, and additional costs to the public purse, referencing evidence given before the Committee on Public Finance. He also said fuel shortages were affecting farmers, workers, fishers, transport operators and tourism, and questioned the Government’s claim of operating without corruption or fraud.
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Kumara Jayakody - Minister of Energy JJB
AI summary Minister of Energy Kumara Jayakody moved that Hon. (Mrs.) Thushari Jayasingha take the Chair. The House agreed to the motion, after which the Deputy Speaker left the Chair and Hon. Jayasingha assumed it.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna - Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure JJB
AI summary Minister K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna said the Government was managing global fuel price pressures and supply-chain disruptions more prudently than during the previous fuel crisis, citing comparatively smaller domestic price increases and measures to maintain essential services. He argued that the Government had stabilized public finances, used Treasury funds including a Rs. 500 billion supplementary estimate for cyclone relief, increased wages and salaries, and approved new jobs without relying on external borrowing for disaster assistance. He also stated that fuel disruptions were due to international conflict, freight and insurance constraints rather than a dollar shortage, and asked for time to resolve them. On plantations, he said the tea auction market was normalizing after initial export difficulties.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. K. Kader Masthan SLLP
AI summary Hon. K. Kader Masthan condemned the US-Israeli war against Iran and its impact on civilians, global energy security, and Sri Lankan livelihoods, including fuel shortages and risks to Sri Lankans working in the Middle East. He urged Iran not to retaliate against neighbouring Middle Eastern countries or oil facilities, called for diplomacy and UN General Assembly intervention to end the conflict, and said Sri Lanka should condemn both US-Israeli aggression and any Iranian attacks on regional states. He also requested the Government to appoint an independent commission to investigate the reported sinking of the Iranian ship “IRIS Dena” near Sri Lanka’s maritime zone, for which he said the US had claimed responsibility.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Dilip Wedaarachchi SJB
AI summary Hon. Dilip Wedaarachchi argued that the fuel crisis is severely affecting fisheries, agriculture, tourism, transport and small livelihoods, and linked the shortage to increased fuel diversion for thermal power generation after reduced coal-based generation. He questioned the practical implementation of announced fuel allocations for fishing boats and farmers, citing inadequate harbour fuel points, lack of mechanisms for outboard craft, and unrealistic quotas for harvesters and tractors, and called for effective local harbour committees. He requested priority fuel access for small tourist vehicles and criticized the Government’s fuel pricing, taxation and reserve claims. He also urged the authorities to ensure functioning mortuary cold-room facilities along the southern coast in case conflict-related foreign fatalities require storage.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Kumara Jayakody - Minister of Energy JJB
AI summary The Minister of Energy said the Israel-US strikes on Iran had created a global energy crisis affecting Sri Lanka while it was still recovering from economic bankruptcy and the “Dithwa” cyclone. He outlined government measures to manage fuel and LPG supplies, including public stock assurances, reintroduction of QR-based controls, increased fuel releases above normal consumption, changes to LPG procurement, and covering private supply shortfalls through the State. He said storage and berthing constraints limited stockpiling but that supplies were being maximized, with arrangements for industry, tourism and agriculture, and assured uninterrupted fuel and power through the festive season while calling for Opposition cooperation.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF
AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake called for bipartisan action on energy security, arguing that fuel supply liberalization and competition among suppliers would reduce burdens on the State, prevent black markets and improve pricing, while urging expanded private power generation, renewables with battery storage, and an end to solar curtailment. He proposed opening bunkering to more suppliers, noting high margins, and said remaining CPC-related energy issues should be addressed through unity. He also urged rapid development of dry ports using existing railway and state lands to ease Colombo Port congestion, and proposed converting Mattala Airport into a Middle East diversion and operations hub by attracting Gulf carriers with incentives.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Hector Appuhamy SJB
AI summary Hector Appuhamy questioned whether Sri Lanka’s claimed neutrality amid the war amounts to inaction, urging stronger humanitarian responses and disclosure and parliamentary debate on agreements with the United States and India. He demanded accountability over alleged substandard coal supplies, warned against blaming future power cuts on the war, and called for stronger support for migrant workers and their families. He also urged the Government to negotiate stable fuel arrangements with India and China, present clear future plans rather than statistics, and use fuel tax revenue to provide targeted relief to sectors such as agriculture, fisheries, tourism, and exports.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Nihal Abeysinghe JJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nihal Abeysinghe said the Government had already outlined its response to the current global situation through the President’s March 17 address, media briefing, and statement in Parliament, including its non-aligned foreign policy and plans to manage fuel, LPG, electricity, and essential supplies. He argued that Sri Lanka’s neutrality had received international recognition and that the main domestic risks from the external shock related to imports such as fuel, medicines, fertilizer, wheat flour, and cooking oil. He defended coal procurement procedures, saying quality issues were being handled through contractual remedies such as rejection, penalties, or replacement. He contended that stronger fiscal management in 2025 had improved Sri Lanka’s resilience compared with the COVID-19 and economic crisis periods.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. W.H.M. Dharmasena SJB
AI summary Hon. W.H.M. Dharmasena raised concerns about fuel shortages affecting farmers, fishers, transport workers and industries during the harvest and Yala cultivation period. He requested a special expedited mechanism, possibly through QR systems or recommendations by Divisional Secretaries and Agrarian Officers, to supply diesel to farmers and sectors such as sugar cane transport for Pelwatte and Sevanagala mills. He also alleged that losses from substandard coal imports had increased reliance on oil-fired power generation and worsened diesel shortages, urging corrective action and priority support for poor communities, especially farmers in Moneragala.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake rejected criticism that the Government had neglected the Chemmani mass grave investigation, stating that while only 15 remains were recovered from 1999 to 2024, 224 had been recovered since the current Government gained a parliamentary majority in November 2024, under judicial and official supervision. He said arrests in decades-old cases must follow proper procedure, that excavations at Chemmani were expected to resume on 20 April, and that investigations would also cover other mass graves such as Matale. He also referred to Sri Lankan Tamils living in Tamil Nadu, welcomed reported proposals in India to grant them citizenship, and noted past parliamentary action to provide Sri Lankan citizenship to stateless persons.
- Mr. Presiding Member
AI summary The Presiding Member informed the Minister that the allotted speaking time had expired.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary Bimal Rathnayake requested two additional minutes from the Presiding Member. No substantive policy issue or argument is recorded in the provided excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Presiding Member
AI summary The Presiding Member called on Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha to speak and informed him that he had five minutes.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha SJB
AI summary Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha urged the Government to respond swiftly to global disruptions from the Gulf conflict by positioning Sri Lanka’s aviation, maritime and petroleum sectors to capture shifting transit, logistics and supply-chain opportunities. He argued that Sri Lanka should learn from past lost opportunities in the oil sector, support domestic LPG supply decisions involving Laugfs, and move stalled policy implementation to address economic pressures and public wellbeing. He also noted Sri Lanka’s decline in the World Happiness Index and concluded by acknowledging the retirement of Parliament telephone operator Sisira Kumara.
- Mr. Presiding Member
AI summary The Presiding Member requests the Hon. Member to conclude their remarks.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha SJB
AI summary Nalin Bandara Jayamaha briefly requested one additional minute from the Chair before concluding his remarks. No substantive policy argument, proposal, or question is contained in the provided excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Presiding Member
AI summary The Presiding Member called on Hon. Sunil Handunnetti, Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, to address the House. He allocated the Minister sixteen minutes to speak.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Sunil Handunnetti - Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development JJB
AI summary Minister Sunil Handunnetti said the Government had prioritized fuel allocation to 21 industrial and service sectors, especially exporters and value-chain institutions, rather than individual vehicles, to keep the economy functioning during the fuel crisis. He provided figures on institutional requests, CPC load approvals and sectoral allocations, and said mechanisms through companies, associations, Divisional Secretaries and relevant ministries were being used to address micro-entities and special cases. He stated that the Government aimed to keep the economy open, protect export and tourism markets while maintaining neutrality in the wider conflict, and would table detailed fuel allocation documents in Hansard to show actions taken. He also thanked public officers and ministries involved in coordinating essential services and industrial fuel distribution.
- Mr. Presiding Member
AI summary The Presiding Member called on Hon. Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan to speak and informed him that he had six minutes for his address.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan DTNA
AI summary Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan raised concerns about the economic impact of fuel and gas shortages, especially in the Vanni, where long queues, hoarding and overpricing were affecting communities. He said farmers and fishermen were particularly affected by limited fuel allocations and proposed priority fuel access for their organizations upon formal requests. He also urged that fuel-saving measures such as a Wednesday public holiday should consider daily wage earners, and suggested an arrangement with India to secure continuous supplies of fuel and essential goods.
- Mr. Presiding Member
AI summary The Presiding Member recognized Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake and allocated him fourteen minutes to speak.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF
AI summary Chamara Sampath Dasanayake questioned the Government’s claims that shortages and economic pressures are easing, arguing that fuel and gas issues persist and that the Middle East conflict could reduce tourism, exports, remittances and reserves by large amounts if it continues. He urged the Government to develop alternative economic plans, clarify claims that Sara Jasmine is alive, and address allegations involving the Bribery Commission. He opposed giving the full Motor Traffic Department database to a third party for a QR system and proposed using revenue licence data instead, while also warning that removing CESS could harm domestic small industries. He further raised concerns about SLAS cadre implications following a court decision and called for gazettes to resume teacher training college intakes to address teacher shortages.
- Mr. Presiding Member
AI summary The Presiding Member called Hon. J. C. Alawathuwala to speak and informed him that he had two minutes.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. J.C. Alawathuwala SJB
AI summary J.C. Alawathuwala noted that Sri Lanka’s foreign income sources, including exports, tourism, and migrant worker remittances, were already under pressure before the recent Middle East conflict. He said over one million Sri Lankan workers are in Middle Eastern countries, listing major host countries, and warned they may face exploitation, hardship, or expulsion similar to situations during the pandemic. He urged the Government to act urgently through Sri Lankan embassies to protect these workers and address their problems, with particular attention to reports from the UAE.
- Mr. Presiding Member
AI summary Hon. Ruwan Wijeweera was called to speak and allocated thirteen minutes by the Presiding Member.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Ruwan Wijeweera JJB
AI summary Hon. Ruwan Wijeweera said the Middle East conflict and disruption to oil supplies through the Strait of Hormuz posed serious risks to Sri Lanka’s economy, energy security and essential services. He defended the Government’s neutral foreign policy and its handling of the Iranian naval vessel incidents, including rescue and repatriation efforts and the refusal of entry to a second vessel on security advice. He also outlined measures for the tourism sector, including special fuel QR arrangements, increased quotas, generator fuel and priority fuel access for tourists, and said an Economic Surveillance Committee was meeting regularly to monitor impacts on vulnerable groups and maintain post-2025 economic stabilization.
- [Unnamed Speaker]
AI summary Key economic sectors including agriculture, fisheries, and industry were described as requiring support, with the Economic Surveillance Committee and four subcommittees tasked with maintaining public services, energy supply, essential services, and welfare assistance. The remarks noted that the Central Bank is meeting regularly to assess domestic and global economic developments. The speech emphasized the Government’s responsibility to protect essential services and support vulnerable groups, while urging the Opposition to act responsibly during the economic crisis.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural