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
- 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
- The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip JJB
AI summary Moved procedural motions on behalf of the Leader of the House to exempt specified Order Paper items from Standing Order 27 and to set the day’s sitting hours from 9.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. with the relevant adjournment arrangements. He also moved to extend, until 21 July 2026, the reporting deadline of the Special Select Committee examining the release of 323 containers from the Port of Colombo without mandatory physical inspection. He then moved the main business items relating to regulations under the Army, Navy and Air Force Acts and resolutions under the Public Security Ordinance and Essential Public Services Act.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Major General (Rtd.) Aruna Jayasekera - Deputy Minister of Defence JJB
AI summary Deputy Minister of Defence Aruna Jayasekera supported regulations under the three Service Acts to extend service conditions for women in the Army, Navy and Air Force, raising retirement ages to 55 and allowing retention up to 60 on service recommendations. He argued that the changes would preserve trained expertise, improve professionalism and support the Government’s 2030 defence modernization agenda, noting women’s contributions in conflict, disaster response, professional fields and sports. He also supported extending the State of Emergency for a further month following the cyclone, citing the need to maintain essential services, manage displaced persons in safe centres, and expedite reconstruction and foreign assistance deployment.
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB
AI summary Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri raised concerns during debate on defence regulations and the Emergency extension about coal procurement for the Lakvijaya Power Plant. Citing the National Audit Office’s Special Audit Report for 2025/2026, he said Trident Chemphar Limited had been awarded a 1.5 million metric ton coal contract despite allegedly being unregistered at the bid date and not having paid the required registration fee, while similar opportunities were denied to others. He also alleged that testing of an umpire sample was bypassed and warned against further emergency procurement of 300,000 metric tons from the same company, urging action based on the Auditor General’s findings.
- The Hon. Kumara Jayakody JJB
AI summary Kumara Jayakody responded to concerns about a delay in a USD 5,000 payment linked to a coal procurement process, stating that USD 5,000 was deposited on 18 August 2025 but appeared as USD 4,980 due to exchange rate application, with the USD 20 balance paid on 22 August. He said the Cabinet Appointed Tender Board had already confirmed the supplier’s qualification in writing on 14 August, and that the requirement was to pay before the next bidding, not before award. He maintained that the payment and registration conditions had been met and noted that COPE could further examine the matter.
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB
AI summary Chaminda Wijesiri questioned why a company that was not registered by 18.08.2025 was allowed to proceed in a bidding process when the notice specified only registered companies could bid. He asked why other interested parties were not given the same opportunity to complete registration, alleging unequal treatment in the process.
Corruption & Governance Reform Full speech → - The Hon. Kumara Jayakody JJB
AI summary The Hon. Kumara Jayakody stated that, as of 14 August 2025, the Tender Board had confirmed in writing that the supplier was registered and eligible. He clarified that the USD 5,000 payment was not a precondition for registration, but was payable after registration and before the next bidding process.
Public Finance Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Ananda Wijepala - Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs JJB
AI summary Minister Ananda Wijepala supported extending the Emergency under the Public Security Ordinance and related service regulations, arguing they remain necessary for post-cyclone relief, essential services, and retaining skilled women personnel in the armed forces by aligning service age limits with men. He said the Government is continuing “Rebuilding Sri Lanka” after Cyclone “Dicha,” including grants, sectoral support, safe centres, land identification with NBRI input, and Rs. 5 million for each fully damaged house, with initial payments underway. He also stated that global fuel and energy price pressures are being cushioned through subsidies and relief allocations, citing Rs. 500 billion for cyclone relief and Rs. 100 billion for vulnerable groups.
- The Hon. Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran ITAK
AI summary Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran condemned the GMOA strike, saying it was denying medical care to poor and long-distance patients, and urged the Government and Health Ministry to resolve the dispute, including by bringing proposals to Parliament if necessary. He requested urgent repair of the broken radiotherapy machine at Batticaloa Teaching Hospital and opposed any proposed 53 per cent electricity tariff increase, attributing the issue to CEB mismanagement. He also commended strong A/L results from Akkaraipattu–Ramakrishna Mission College and the Thirukkovil Educational Zone despite limited facilities. Speaking in the context of the Public Security Ordinance resolution and Army Act regulations, he opposed continuing Emergency Law, criticizing the Government for extending measures it had previously opposed.
- The Hon. Sunil Watagala, Attorney-at-Law - Deputy Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs JJB
AI summary The Deputy Minister supported extending the Emergency Regulations and related orders, arguing they are needed to maintain essential services, continue relief after the “Dicha” cyclone, and respond to external risks including the Middle East conflict’s impact on energy security. He rejected claims that the Government was using emergency powers to suppress rights, stating it was acting under law and had stabilized an economy inherited in bankruptcy. He also cited reforms abolishing certain privileges of former Presidents and MPs’ pensions as examples of political morality, and said the Government would resist ethnic or religious divisiveness while pursuing “National Unity through Equality.”
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB
AI summary Chaminda Wijesiri rose on a point of order. No substantive argument, proposal, or policy issue was stated in the provided excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB
AI summary Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri raised points of order under several Standing Orders, objecting to Deputy Minister Watagala naming him and asking that the reference be expunged if it cannot be substantiated, offering to provide a recording. He also referred to alleged threats to the Chair under Standing Order 77, arguing that while the Speaker may name a Member, any punishment must be properly moved by the Leader of the House, not attributed to the Chair.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB
AI summary Chaminda Wijesiri objected to limitations on Opposition speaking time, claiming Government Members receive more opportunity to speak, and asked the Chair to allow him to complete his remarks. He also requested that unparliamentary words be expunged from the record and rejected outside individuals, including those associated with Cinnamon Life, giving “character certificates” to Members.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF
AI summary Chamara Sampath Dasanayake opened his allotted 15-minute speaking time by addressing the Deputy Chairperson of Committees. No substantive policy issue, proposal, or argument was raised in the provided excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. Chamara Sampath Dassanayake NDF
AI summary Hon. Chamara Sampath Dassanayake criticized the Government for focusing on cosmetic improvements to the Colombo bus terminal while failing to repair the damaged up-country railway line and restore services. During the debate on extending the State of Emergency, he urged protection of local entrepreneurs and industries, citing the police shoe procurement issue, delays and alleged irregularities in SVAT refunds, and concerns over removing cess on 2,600 imported items under HS codes. He also questioned delays in issuing passports, identity cards and vehicle number plates, warned that import liberalization could undermine domestic production and drain foreign exchange, and raised concerns about factory closures and irregularities at the Foreign Employment Bureau.
- The Hon. Asitha Niroshana Egoda Vithana JJB
AI summary Hon. Asitha Niroshana Egoda Vithana rose on a point of order. No substantive issue, proposal, or argument was recorded in the provided excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. Asitha Niroshana Egoda Vithana JJB
AI summary Hon. Asitha Niroshana Egoda Vithana raised a point under Standing Order 92(2)(b) regarding the conduct of Committee proceedings. He alleged that the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Infrastructure and Strategic Development had summoned officials from entities not listed on its agenda, including the coal company and Lakvijaya Power Station, and argued that this was contrary to parliamentary practice. He requested an immediate investigation by the Speaker to protect the independence and proper procedure of committees.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna raised a point of order. No substantive issue, proposal, or question is recorded in the provided extract.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna
AI summary Raising a point of order under Standing Order 92(2)(a), Dr. Ramanathan Archchuna noted that such interventions are limited to one minute. He objected that Members were speaking for extended periods, alleging a breach of the Standing Orders.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar - Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources JJB
AI summary The Minister supported extending the State of Emergency for one month, stating it was declared in response to Cyclone Ditva and was needed to manage disaster recovery and wider supply-chain risks linked to Middle East conflicts. He rejected allegations that the emergency was being used to suppress democracy or target Tamils, contrasting it with past abuses under emergency laws and the PTA. He also criticized opposition figures for allegedly inflaming ethnic tensions and said the Government was using emergency powers to address national crises, including narcotics, while maintaining democratic freedoms.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. V.S. Radhakrishnan SJB
AI summary The Hon. V.S. Radhakrishnan raised concerns about rising violent crime, shootings, firearms linked to narcotics, and recent killings in Batticaloa and Jaffna, urging decisive police action without creating ethnic or regional divisions. He requested that upcoming police recruitment include Hill Country youth as officers and constables, noting that the President had agreed to this in a recent meeting. He also referred to economic pressures, calling for effective use of Indian assistance to address fuel and essential goods shortages and for adequate fertilizer supplies to support farmers. He highlighted strong GCE A/L results by Hill Country and Northern students to reject negative stereotypes and called for national unity free of regionalism, sectarianism, and racism.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. (Mrs.) M.A.C.S. Chathuri Gangani JJB
AI summary Hon. Chathuri Gangani supported regulations extending service and retirement limits for women in the Tri-Forces, arguing that earlier rules based on sex forced women officers and other ranks to retire prematurely and limited promotions after significant State investment in their training. She cited the contributions and sacrifices of 12,416 women serving across the forces, including deaths, disabilities, sports achievements and gallantry awards, and said the reforms align with constitutional gender equality, UN Security Council Resolution 1325 and SDG 5. She stated that the gazetted changes would improve morale, retain experienced personnel, reduce training costs, and expand opportunities for promotions, overseas training and peacekeeping service.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. S.M. Marikkar SJB
AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar rose on a point of order. No substantive issue, proposal, or argument was recorded in the provided excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. S.M. Marikkar SJB
AI summary S.M. Marikkar sought a brief clarification after his name was mentioned, stating that in his capacity as Chair of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Infrastructure and Strategic Development he had summoned an entity affiliated with the Ceylon Electricity Board. The remarks were procedural and aimed at clarifying his role in that committee matter.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. S.M. Marikkar SJB
AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar clarified that, as Chair, he had verbally instructed the Committee Secretary two weeks earlier to obtain information from Lanka Coal Company on its tender procedures, but the company had not been invited due to an oversight. He stated that a letter dated 2026.04.02 requesting the information had been sent and was tabled, and that when company representatives attended after being contacted, they declined to speak and the matter was not discussed. He rejected the accuracy of another Member’s claims on the issue.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan DTNA
AI summary Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan opposed the extension of the State of Emergency, stating that his party and alliance have consistently objected to emergency laws because they are used to suppress public protests. He said they support government action to prosecute all those involved in the Easter Sunday attacks, as well as measures against corruption and narcotics, while reserving the right to criticize government errors. He commended high-achieving GCE A/L students from Mannar, Mullaitivu and Vavuniya, and raised local concerns including the release of Navy-held lands such as Mullikulam, reducing soil prices in Mannar by regulating supply through local authorities, investigating irregularities in school ground projects, and providing employment opportunities for Tamil youth, particularly women.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe SLMC
AI summary Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe spoke during consideration of regulations under the Army, Navy and Air Force Acts and a Resolution under the Public Security Ordinance. He urged the Ministers of Public Security and Justice to identify and take action against individuals openly inciting racism.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe SLMC
AI summary Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe called for legal action against those promoting racism and urged attention to efforts he said were harming inter-ethnic harmony. He questioned the Government’s failure to reveal the alleged masterminds of the Easter Sunday attacks despite election pledges, and called for full disclosure of inquiry findings and a fair investigation leading to prosecutions. He said the Muslim community condemned the attacks but was subjected to arrests, discrimination, and communal vilification afterward, and urged action against individuals he accused of spreading racism or obstructing independent investigations. He also noted Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith’s continued calls for justice and said public confidence requires the present Government to bring all responsible parties before the law.
- The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law – Minister of Justice and National Integration JJB
AI summary Minister Harshana Nanayakkara said the debate concerned approval of regulations under the Army, Navy and Air Force Acts, the President’s Proclamation under the Public Security Ordinance, and a Resolution under the Essential Public Services Act, rather than the Easter attacks. He argued that the extension of Emergency Regulations for one month was needed to continue post-Cyclone Ditva relief, rehabilitation, and essential service distribution, and stated that these powers had been used for disaster response rather than suppression. He also outlined government relief measures, including housing and bereavement compensation, targeted welfare payments, fuel support for fishermen, fertilizer increases, and temporary absorption of electricity cost increases, while linking current fuel and gas pressures to Middle East tensions and global supply disruptions.
- Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary Moved approval of Defence Ministry regulations under the Navy Act and Air Force Act, both published in Gazette Extraordinary Nos. 2423/35 and 2423/36 of 15 February 2025 and laid before Parliament on 17 March 2026; both motions were agreed to. He also moved approval of a Presidential Proclamation under the Public Security Ordinance bringing Part II of the Ordinance into operation islandwide from 28 March 2026, after which the question was proposed.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK
AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam requested a Division on the motion to extend the Emergency Regulations. The statement was made procedurally at the relevant stage of the vote, followed by the sounding of the Division Bell.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB
AI summary Ajith P. Perera records his opposition to the matter under consideration. He indicates “Against” and refers to Seat No. 23.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- Mr. Speaker procedural
- Mr. Speaker procedural
- Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary Moved, on behalf of the Prime Minister and the Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, for Parliament to approve a Presidential Proclamation under Section 2 of the Essential Public Services Act, No. 61 of 1979. The Proclamation, published in Extraordinary Gazette No. 2481/30 of 28 March 2026 and laid before Parliament on 7 April 2026, was approved by the House.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- 8 Adjournment Adjournment Debate: Easter Sunday Attack of 21 April 2019 57 speeches