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
- 4 Oral question Second Round of Oral Questions and Ministerial Statements 58 speeches
- The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Ananda Wijepala - Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs JJB
AI summary The Minister tabled an answer stating that preschools in Kilinochchi are maintained by the Northern Provincial Council’s Early Childhood Development Authority, not the Civil Security Department. He said 228 female Civil Security Guards serve as preschool teachers there, with salaries and allowances paid by the Department amounting to Rs. 14,207,364 per month, but the Department does not provide uniforms or administer the preschools. He explained that the teachers were recruited after the war to support early childhood education and placed under the Department only for administrative supervision, and that restructuring plans provide for their reassignment to the relevant Provincial Councils.
- The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam ITAK
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam formally posed a parliamentary question. No substantive details of the question or related policy matter are included in the speech excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The 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 provide an answer to the question. The question was ordered to stand down.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Sajith Premadasa SJB
AI summary Sajith Premadasa briefly rose on a point of order. No substantive argument, proposal, or policy matter was presented in the provided excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of Opposition SJB
AI summary Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa objected to an alleged attempt to add new material on earlier coal procurements to a Special Audit Report already tabled and distributed in Parliament concerning Lanka Coal Company procurement for the Lakvijaya Power Plant for 2025/2026. Citing parliamentary practice and Articles 153 and 154 of the Constitution, he argued that doing so could undermine the Auditor General’s independence and infringe Members’ privileges. He proposed that earlier transactions be investigated separately and that a distinct Auditor General’s report with relevant annexures be submitted to Parliament.
- The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna
AI summary Dr. Ramanathan Archchuna raised questions under Standing Order 27(2) about the conduct of District and Divisional Coordinating Committee meetings in Jaffna and Kilinochchi, particularly their chairing by Minister Ramalingam Chandraseker and the participation of media. He alleged that corruption issues raised at these meetings in the Northern Province had not led to government action and questioned whether restrictions on opposition MPs’ speaking time and media access were legally justified. He asked whether elected MPs should chair such committees, whether decisions from the meetings had been implemented, and whether the Government would direct the release of full video records of the meetings.
- The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip JJB
AI summary The Minister replied to questions raised by Hon. Ramanathan Archchuna regarding District Coordinating Committees and related administrative matters. He stated that members are appointed by the President, the committees operate by district rather than province, and no substantiated complaints, injustices, malpractices, or relevant prohibitions had been reported. He added that development proposals for the year had been approved and that further details could be obtained from District Secretaries, while media coverage facilities had been provided according to the applicable circular.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna, speaking under Standing Order 27(2), stated that after completing his question within the allotted time he wished to use the remaining time to clarify related matters. He emphasized that media freedom is an important issue in the country.
Law & Order Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna raised concerns about media freedom and transparency at District Coordinating Committee meetings, arguing that discussions on local development and official matters should reach the public. He alleged that Minister Ramalingam Chandraseker switched off his microphone when he spoke about corruption in Kilinochchi, and also referred to a prior suspension of his parliamentary media access following a complaint by Hon. Bimal Rathnayake, which he said was found to be wrongful by the Committee on Ethics and Privileges.
- The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna
AI summary The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna questioned why matters discussed at District Coordinating Committee meetings in Jaffna and Kilinochchi were not being allowed to be made public. He asked whether a Minister could restrict a Member of Parliament’s freedom to communicate such matters to the media.
Corruption & Governance Reform Full speech → - The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa said District Coordinating Committee meetings are lengthy forums for resolving practical public issues through officials, with no general ban on media attendance. Referring to concerns about the Jaffna DCC, he argued that the matter need not take excessive parliamentary time and that MPs can brief media separately. He urged discretion in real-time reporting of committee proceedings, noting that officials could be placed in difficulty by immediate public exposure of questions, answers, or administrative lapses.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of Opposition SJB
AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa questioned the Government on allegations that substandard coal supplied by Trident Chemphar Limited to the Lakvijaya Power Plant had reduced generation efficiency, increased coal consumption, created fly ash issues, and forced costly use of diesel and furnace oil. He requested vessel-wise data comparing Trident’s coal with the previous supplier on generation capacity, consumption rates, calorific value, fly ash output, delivery schedules, and losses. He also asked whether tender criteria were relaxed, whether the supplier was properly registered, what legal and technical advice was obtained, and how the Government would ensure uninterrupted peak-time electricity supply and recover any losses.
- The Hon. Kumara Jayakody - Minister of Energy JJB
AI summary Minister Kumara Jayakody noted that the question contained 15 sub-questions under eight main questions, contrary to Standing Orders, but said he would respond in the public interest. He emphasized that Standing Order 27(2) is intended for urgent matters of public importance and stated that the requested answers were provided in Annex 01, including a detailed table.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Sajith Premadasa SJB
AI summary Sajith Premadasa requested that at least the average figures from the two sets of data be provided, so that Members could pose supplementary questions based on them.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Sajith Premadasa SJB
AI summary Asked that the relevant averages be stated, without providing further substantive argument or context in the recorded excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Kumara Jayakody JJB
AI summary Hon. Kumara Jayakody stated that no question on average values had been asked and that calculating them would require comparing 13 new shipments with 38 old shipments. He said he did not have time to compute this immediately, but could provide the information if a proper question were submitted.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Sajith Premadasa SJB
AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa requested that at least the relevant annex be provided. The intervention appears to be a procedural demand for documentation needed in connection with the matter under discussion.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Kumara Jayakody JJB
AI summary Kumara Jayakody stated that he would provide the requested answer and ensure it is received.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Sajith Premadasa SJB
AI summary Sajith Premadasa raised a point of order. No substantive issue, proposal, or question was stated in the provided excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Sajith Premadasa SJB
AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa objected that answers to Questions 1 and 2 had been referred to an annex rather than provided in the Chamber. He requested that the annex be sent to him so he could examine it and raise supplementary questions, asking how he could proceed without access to the annex.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Sajith Premadasa SJB
AI summary The Hon. Sajith Premadasa raised a matter of national importance and requested that the relevant annex be sent.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Kumara Jayakody JJB
AI summary Hon. Kumara Jayakody tabled annexes in response to questions on coal procurement and the Lakvijaya Power Plant, stating that the plant has only three 300 MW units and that none has been shut down due to coal quality issues. He said all three turbines had been operating continuously since January and that available generation capacity should meet peak demand, subject to hydrology, solar availability and weather conditions. He outlined the supplier registration and procurement process, noting that 12 coal shipments had been delivered by 7 April 2026, seven shipments were delayed, liquidated damages and penalties amounting to USD 12.68 million had been initiated, and further legal action was being discussed with the Attorney General’s Department. Emergency procurement had also been initiated to arrange five additional shipments from 20 April 2026.
- The Hon. Sajith Premadasa SJB
AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa questioned the Government’s handling of coal procurement and maintenance-related power outages, arguing that PUCSL data, plant performance, coal consumption, calorific value and ash content suggested inferior coal had been supplied, preventing full 900 MW output from the three coal units. He asked why the tender was awarded to Trident Chemphar Limited despite alleged incomplete registration, and why laboratory certificates from labs with expired accreditations were accepted.
- The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Sajith Premadasa SJB
AI summary Sajith Premadasa requested to make a few brief clarifications. No substantive policy position, proposal, or question is contained in the quoted remarks.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Sajith Premadasa SJB
AI summary Sajith Premadasa stated that he was raising the issue because it was a serious matter, without providing further details in the excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Sajith Premadasa SJB
AI summary Sajith Premadasa requested clarification during the proceedings. No specific issue, proposal, or policy matter was stated in the provided excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Sajith Premadasa SJB
AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa sought permission to clarify a matter. No substantive policy position, proposal, or question was set out in the provided excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Sajith Premadasa SJB
AI summary Sajith Premadasa questioned the Government’s proposed electricity tariff increase, linking it to alleged use of substandard coal and failures in power generation. He stated that although the Government now refers to a 15 percent increase, he believes the final increase will amount to 30 percent, and framed his remarks as the basis for further questions.
- The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Kumara Jayakody JJB
AI summary Kumara Jayakody noted that the original question contained 15 sub-questions and that four additional sub-questions had been added.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Kumara Jayakody JJB
AI summary Hon. Kumara Jayakody stated that the matter was a waste of time and referred Members to his answer to Question 6, saying it clearly explained how the supplier had qualified.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Sajith Premadasa SJB
AI summary Sajith Premadasa alleged irregularities in coal procurement, stating that due to delayed vessel arrivals the Government was sourcing 300,000 metric tons from a supplier that had not previously met required specifications. He questioned why this decision was made and claimed that corruption in the process would impose costs on 7.5 million electricity consumers.
- The Hon. Kumara Jayakody JJB
AI summary Hon. Kumara Jayakody stated that the Leader of the Opposition was wasting time and referred to his answer to Question 6 as explaining how the supplier had qualified.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Kumara Jayakody JJB
AI summary Hon. Kumara Jayakody stated that procurement disputes are governed by internationally accepted trading conditions and that losses from supplier defaults would be pursued through penalties and legal action. He assured Parliament that any loss would be recovered from the supplier and not passed on to the public or included in the tariff revision. He also rejected claims that coal procured under emergency arrangements was substandard before it had even been loaded, and said the matter would be investigated.
- The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna rose on a point of order. No substantive argument, proposal, or policy issue was recorded in the excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna
AI summary Dr. Ramanathan Archchuna raised concern over a 48-hour strike by the GMOA, following continuous strike action the previous week, and its impact on poor patients seeking medical treatment. He urged the Government to protect the public from such disruption and requested that the Minister of Health respond.
- The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip JJB
AI summary The Minister said the GMOA’s five-day strike over post-intern first appointments was unjustified, arguing that transfer boards have no role in first appointments and that 436 of 453 eligible doctors had applied by the deadline. He stated that the Ministry had published the appointment list and that doctors could report to new posts from 9 to 11 April, with salaries suspended if they failed to seek release from current stations. He urged doctors to return to duty, said safety would be ensured, and refused a scheduled meeting with the GMOA on the matter, saying any alleged error in appointments should be challenged in court rather than through strikes.
- 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