Sitting of Thursday, 9 April 2026
Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 23475 ·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 Presented 5 speeches
- 3 Oral question Oral Questions and Answers 41 speeches
- Mr. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB
AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa informed the Chair that he would raise the relevant issue after the session’s Questions for Oral Answers.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB
AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa stated that he would raise the relevant issue after the session on Questions for Oral Answers.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- Hon. K. Kader Masthan SLLP
AI summary Hon. K. Kader Masthan briefly indicated that he would proceed to ask the Question before the House.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. Upali Samarasingha - Deputy Minister of Co-operative Development JJB
AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Trade, Food Security and Co-operative Development, Upali Samarasingha requested three weeks to respond to the question before the House. The question was accordingly ordered to stand down.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- Hon. B. Ariyawansha SJB
AI summary Hon. B. Ariyawansha formally indicated that he would proceed to ask the question listed before the House.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB
AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation, Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa requested two weeks to respond to the question. The question was ordered to stand down.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. (Dr.) Nandana Millagala JJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nandana Millagala asked the Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure whether the Government is aware that plantation communities face difficulties because they lack clear title deeds for the lands they occupy. He requested details of actions already taken to address this issue, or planned future measures if none have been taken.
Land & Housing Full speech → - Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna - Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure JJB
AI summary The Minister stated that part of the plantation community still lives in line rooms, while others occupy houses built through government, institutional, foreign-assisted, or self-funded programmes. He said the Ministry’s Community Infrastructure Division and affiliated bodies are implementing housing and land-title measures, including preparing deeds for Indian Housing Programme houses and JEDB properties, and providing 10 perches per beneficiary to the Malayaha plantation Tamil community through relevant state plantation institutions. A detailed written answer was tabled.
- Hon. (Dr.) Nandana Millagala JJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nandana Millagala raised a supplementary question on relief for the Malayaha community living in line rooms affected by the recent “Dicha” cyclone. He stated that these communities faced landslides and high-risk conditions but had not received relief on par with the general public, and asked what government programme is in place to assist them.
- Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna JJB
AI summary Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna stated that the Government has expanded cyclone “Dicha” disaster relief to Malayaha plantation communities living in line rooms, who were initially ineligible because they lacked ownership of houses or land. He said Cabinet decided on 6 April that line-room residents whose homes are totally damaged, certified as high risk by the NBRO, or deemed uninhabitable by disaster authorities will receive Rs. 5 million in housing relief and 10 perches of land, with options to buy or build a house. For partially damaged line rooms, he said the Divisional Secretary, Plantation Human Development Trust, and the Ministry will assess damage and arrange suitable housing assistance.
- Hon. (Dr.) Nandana Millagala JJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nandana Millagala raised a supplementary question on relief for smallholder tea growers, noting their role in earning foreign exchange and their losses due to the “Divva/Dicha” disaster. He asked the Minister to clarify the fertiliser support the President had said would be provided to affected smallholders.
Agriculture Full speech → - Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna JJB
AI summary Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna said smallholder tea growers, who produce about 75 per cent of Sri Lanka’s tea, are facing pressure from falling green leaf prices, export issues and global energy-related conditions. He noted that tea export earnings reached USD 1,507 million in 2025, the highest since 2017, and said the Government has expanded fertiliser support through a QR-based scheme to 187,759 growers. He stated that Cabinet has approved a one-time additional fertiliser relief of Rs. 5,000 per 50 kg bag, on top of the existing Rs. 4,000 subsidy, with Rs. 2.5 billion allocated by the Treasury for smallholder tea growers.
- Hon. Imran Maharoof SJB
AI summary Hon. Imran Maharoof asked the Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government about the status of the Thoppur Sub-Divisional Secretariat in Trincomalee District. He sought details on the number of Divisional Secretariats in the district, whether the Ministry is aware of public difficulties caused by Thoppur not being upgraded, the reasons for the delay, and whether steps will be taken to upgrade it to a full Divisional Secretariat.
- Hon. P. Ruwan Senarath - Deputy Minister of Provincial Councils and Local Government JJB
AI summary Hon. P. Ruwan Senarath, responding on behalf of the Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government, stated that 18 relevant units exist and that the Thoppur Sub-Divisional Secretariat was established to reduce the need for residents to travel to Muttur for services. He said the Thoppur office is functioning without hindrance and that any upgrade to a full Divisional Secretariat could be considered in future through a scientific methodology.
Corruption & Governance Reform Full speech → - Hon. Imran Maharoof SJB
AI summary Hon. Imran Maharoof asked the Government to state whether and when the Thoppur Sub-Divisional Secretariat, initiated in 2007 and later made operational in an identified building, would be upgraded to a full Divisional Secretariat. He argued that the current Muttur Divisional Secretariat covers many Grama Niladhari Divisions, requiring residents to travel long distances for services, and that upgrading Thoppur would improve access for those communities.
- Hon. P. Ruwan Senarath JJB
AI summary Hon. P. Ruwan Senarath stated that there is no current obstacle to the operation of the Thoppur Sub-Divisional Secretariat, though it is affected by broader district-wide issues facing Divisional Secretariats in Trincomalee. He said the matter would be discussed further, with views received for future action, and that a scientific plan could be prepared to guide further steps while the office continues to function as a Sub-Divisional Secretariat.
Infrastructure Full speech → - Hon. Imran Maharoof SJB
AI summary Hon. Imran Maharoof asked that the Government revisit cadre creation and boundary-related issues needed to upgrade the demarcated Thoppur Sub-Divisional Secretariat. He also noted the large population and number of Grama Niladhari Divisions in Kinniya and asked whether steps would be taken to establish an additional Divisional Secretariat there to improve public services.
- Hon. P. Ruwan Senarath JJB
AI summary Hon. P. Ruwan Senarath acknowledged staff shortages, particularly among field officers, and other service delivery constraints in Trincomalee and the wider Eastern Province, including land-related issues and capacity limitations at Divisional Secretariat level. He stated that the Government is undertaking recruitment and plans to improve DS office facilities islandwide, including through technology, to bring services closer to the public. He also said the Government is willing to consult both Government and Opposition representatives from Trincomalee and act on their proposals.
- Mr. Speaker procedural
- Hon. M.S. Abthul Wazeeth SLMC
AI summary Hon. M.S. Abthul Wazeeth stated that he would ask the question before the House.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB
AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation, a request was made for two weeks to respond to the question. The question was ordered to stand down.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. Roshan Akmeemana JJB
AI summary Hon. Roshan Akmeemana asked the Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation to provide detailed financial and operational information on the Port of Trincomalee, including annual profit or loss over the past 15 years. He sought clarification on whether port jetties or terminals had been leased or transferred to private companies, the identities of those companies, payments or taxes made to the Ports Authority over the past 20 years, the current ownership status of port facilities, and the Government’s plans for developing the port.
- Hon. Anura Karunathilaka - Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation JJB
AI summary The Minister provided figures on the operational profit and loss of the Ports Authority from 2010 to 2024, noting losses in several earlier years and profits in recent years, including Rs. 926.03 million in 2024. He stated that no Ports Authority jetty has been leased to private companies, but the Vegetable Jetty was temporarily leased to the Eastern Province Tourism Bureau for tourism promotion, with most dues paid except rent from November 2025 to February 2026. He listed the jetties at the Port of Trincomalee and their usage status, and said a Master Plan for the entire port is in operation, with the Trincomalee plan laid in the Library.
- Hon. Roshan Akmeemana JJB
AI summary Hon. Roshan Akmeemana asked the Minister whether Prima and Tokyo Cement, which operate in connection with the Port of Trincomalee and provide significant economic and employment benefits, have failed to pay harbour tonnage dues since inception as alleged by trade unions and local communities. He requested clarification on whether such dues are being paid, noting that comparable companies at Hambantota and Colombo Ports pay them, and asked whether any unpaid dues can and will be recovered.
- Hon. Anura Karunathilaka JJB
AI summary Hon. Anura Karunathilaka stated that, based on available information, there were no reported cases of the alleged non-payment. He undertook to inquire with the relevant officials and said that, if any non-payments are found, the reasons would be identified and appropriate action taken.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. Ruwan Wijeweera JJB
AI summary Hon. Ruwan Wijeweera asked the Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education for details on the recruitment of school sports coaches in 2019. He sought the number recruited, the qualifications considered, the duties expected of them, and how many remain in service, with reasons requested if the information could not be provided.
Education Full speech → - Hon. (Dr.) Madhura Senevirathna - Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education JJB
AI summary In response on behalf of the Prime Minister and Education Minister, the Deputy Minister stated that 3,888 school sports coaches were recruited in 2019, with specified educational, professional, and physical fitness qualifications. He outlined their duties, including sports training, support for physical education programmes, inter-house sports organization, and other school sports-related tasks assigned by school authorities. He added that 2,981 of those recruited are currently in service.
Education Full speech → - Hon. Ruwan Wijeweera JJB
AI summary Hon. Ruwan Wijeweera noted that many coaches recruited with O/L qualifications have since obtained A/Ls, degrees, or higher qualifications, with some seeking entry into the Sri Lanka Teachers’ Service. He asked what plans exist to improve their professional development and integrate them productively into the education system.
- Hon. (Dr.) Madhura Senevirathna JJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Madhura Senevirathna said sports coaches have contributed to producing national and international athletes and that discussions have been held on their entry into the teacher service. He stated that graduate coaches would be accommodated in forthcoming limited competitive recruitments, while continuous professional development, joint training with the Sports and Education Ministries, overseas opportunities, and school-cluster assignments would be implemented. He also said a joint committee with the Sports Ministry would develop a programme to strengthen coaches’ professional specialisation and support schools without Physical Education teachers.
- Hon. Ruwan Wijeweera JJB
AI summary Hon. Ruwan Wijeweera asked what plans are in place to develop school sports through equitable distribution and strengthening of physical resources. He framed the question as a second supplementary, focusing on infrastructure and resource allocation for school sports development.
Education Full speech → - Hon. (Dr.) Madhura Senevirathna JJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Madhura Senevirathna outlined plans to address disparities in school sports facilities by developing 400-metre track-equipped grounds in three provincial schools and one national school per district, using criteria proposed by the Sports Ministry and implemented by the Education Ministry. He said the 17 existing sports schools are being reviewed and realigned to their original objectives, with measures including nutrition programmes, adjusted timetables, adequate coaching, and recruitment of Physical Education teachers. He also stated that the Education and Sports Ministries are exploring the development of at least one fully equipped sports school per district by the following year.
- Hon. R.G. Wijerathna JJB
AI summary Hon. R.G. Wijerathna raised a question to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism regarding the Hanguranketha Rest House, asking whether it falls under the Ministry and whether illegal activities are occurring there. He sought details on the current operator, the basis and duration of that operation, and what measures will be taken to ensure effective service from State-owned rest houses in the future.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. (Prof.) Ruwan Ranasinghe - Deputy Minister of Tourism JJB
AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, the Deputy Minister stated that the Hanguranketha Rest House is one of 37 rest houses under the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority and that field inspections have not found illegal activities. He detailed the lessee, Jayalath Mudiyanselage Jayalath Bandara Dissanayake, and said the lease was awarded through an interview process following approvals in 2008, with agreements covering 2008–2018, 2018–2020, and 2020–2028. He added that SLTDA officers conduct periodic inspections, require rectification of shortcomings, and collect a 1% Tourism Development Levy from gross turnover.
- The Hon. R. G. Wijerathna JJB
AI summary R. G. Wijerathna questioned why enforcement action had not been taken against the Hanguranketha Rest House, which he said had been leased to the same individual for 28 years and had a history of irregular operation. Citing a 2005 Hansard record indicating concerns by the Tourist Board and consideration of lease cancellation, he noted that a liquor licence had now been issued despite the proximity of a girls’ school, and asked why regulations were not being applied.
- The Hon. (Prof.) Ruwan Ranasinghe JJB
AI summary Hon. (Prof.) Ruwan Ranasinghe stated that the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority oversees 37 rest houses and that recent inspections found no complaints of illegal activities at the location in question. He noted that although earlier assurances of legal action by a former Minister had not been carried out, the matter could be inquired into, and said the current agreement had already been renewed for 2024-2028 before the Government assumed office. He added that any illegal activity would be addressed under SLTDA rules and regulations.
Infrastructure Full speech → - The Hon. R. G. Wijerathna JJB
AI summary Hon. R. G. Wijerathna raised a supplementary question on rest houses, noting that although they are to be managed under a formal system with fixed prices, alcohol is reportedly being sold at varying prices, particularly in parts of the Nuwara Eliya District. He asked what action the Ministry would take to address such pricing irregularities.
Law & Order Full speech → - The Hon. (Prof.) Ruwan Ranasinghe JJB
AI summary The Minister acknowledged concerns about liquor licensing in tourist zones, noting that the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority only recommends licences to the Excise Department. He said illegal alcohol sales by unlicensed operators are causing losses in government fees and taxes, and stated that discussions with the Minister of Finance aim to ensure proper collection of fees and taxes before licences are issued.
Public Finance Full speech →
- 4 Oral question Second Round of Oral Questions and Ministerial Statements 58 speeches
- 5 Procedural Ministerial Statements on Economic Policy 4 speeches
- 6 Papers Presentation of Financial Transactions Reporting (Amendment) Bill 2 speeches
- 7 Debate Debate on Regulations under Defence Acts and Extension of State of Emergency 62 speeches
- 8 Adjournment Adjournment Debate: Easter Sunday Attack of 21 April 2019 57 speeches