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
- 8 Adjournment Adjournment Debate: Easter Sunday Attack of 21 April 2019 57 speeches
- The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development and the Leader of the House of Parliament JJB
AI summary Moved that Parliament be adjourned.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB
AI summary The Leader of the Opposition moved an adjournment motion calling for all investigative reports on the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks to be made public and for justice to be pursued through independent, transparent processes, including assistance from agencies such as Scotland Yard and the FBI. He reiterated earlier demands for the identification and prosecution of the masterminds and raised a series of specific matters for inquiry, including the Vavunativu police killings, alleged intelligence links and obstructed investigations, the actions of Jameel before the attacks, the Saindamarudu blast, and the conflicting claims about “Sara Jasmine.” He said the purpose should be to establish the truth and secure accountability for victims, not to use investigations for political advantage or vendettas.
- The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Sajith Premadasa SJB
AI summary Sajith Premadasa called for transparent, depoliticized investigations into the Easter Sunday attacks and related incidents, with assistance from Scotland Yard, the FBI and other international bodies. He raised a series of questions on the Vavunativu police killings, alleged intelligence links and investigative interference, communications involving Zahran and others, the Saindamarudu blast, “Sara Jasmine” DNA evidence, the Galanigama lorry incident, and foreign warnings before the attacks. He also sought clarification on findings of previous committees and the roles of officials, including the then Eastern Province Governor, and urged that all those involved be identified and given maximum punishment.
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Sajith Premadasa SJB
AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa questioned reported contradictions between three DNA tests concerning “Sara Jasmine,” noting that a third test indicated her existence while the first two did not. He called for an impartial investigation focused on justice and truth, without politically motivated targeting of individuals.
Justice & Human Rights Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Mujibur Rahuman SJB
AI summary Mujibur Rahuman argued that unresolved evidence from the Easter Sunday investigations indicates possible handlers or a wider conspiracy behind Zahran’s group, and criticised attempts to close the matter by blaming Zahran alone. He said members of the Muslim community had been stigmatized and wrongfully accused, citing withdrawn cases against Rishad and Riyaj Bathiudeen and the acquittal of Abu Bakkar, whom he urged the Minister to reinstate with arrears and to investigate who allegedly framed him. He also questioned the fate of “Sara Jasmine,” referred to recent claims that she did not die at Saindamarudu, and called for clarification of the role of Maj. Gen. Aruna Jayasekera, suggesting he should step aside if the State is investigating the State.
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Ananda Wijepala - Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs JJB
AI summary The Minister reviewed the ongoing investigations and prosecutions connected to the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks, stating that the attacks formed part of a conspiracy planned since 2017 by Zahran Hashim’s group and were linked to earlier incidents including the Vavunativu police murders, Mawanella statue attacks, Wanathavilluwa explosives discovery and related attacks. He said renewed investigations had corrected earlier misdirection in the Vavunativu case, led to recovery of police weapons, and resulted in PTA detentions and the arrest of retired Maj. Gen. Suresh Sallay over alleged conspiracy, abetment, prior knowledge and obstruction of exposure of those responsible. He criticized previous administrations for failing to investigate the mastermind and for actions that allegedly obstructed CID work, while stating that the current government is pursuing investigations with assistance from international agencies including Scotland Yard, the FBI, the Australian Federal Police and INTERPOL.
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Ananda Wijepala JJB
AI summary Investigations into the matter involving Zahran are said to be proceeding properly, with evidence indicating that an individual or group may have directed him. Due to the sensitivity of the case and ongoing trials, details will not be disclosed in Parliament, but progress reports will be submitted to court and a complete investigation was assured.
- The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK
AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam supported the Government’s investigations into the Easter Sunday attacks and urged the Public Security Minister to examine alleged links between former intelligence and police personnel, Pillayan, Rohan Gunaratna, and individuals he named as connected to information flows and possible obstruction of inquiries. He requested investigations into several related incidents, including the alleged killing of Army intelligence officer Adam Lebbe Mohamed Riyas, murders in Kattankudy and Eravur, and inconsistencies regarding “Sara Jasmine” and DNA evidence. He also asked that evidence be properly recorded and preserved to avoid failed prosecutions, and called for an inquiry into alleged police mistreatment of journalist Sulochana Ramaiya.
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Ananda Wijepala JJB
AI summary Hon. Ananda Wijepala requested Hon. Rasamanickam to provide details regarding the journalist he had mentioned. He stated that a formal investigation would be conducted once the information is received.
Justice & Human Rights Full speech → - The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka - Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation JJB
AI summary The Minister said the Easter attacks should be addressed by ensuring non-recurrence through stronger national security and social cohesion, rather than by politicising communal fears. He argued that previous political forces used narratives of LTTE resurgence and Islamist extremism to promote chauvinist politics, while the current Government is pursuing inter-ethnic and inter-religious harmony, equality before the law, and non-discrimination. He stated that independent investigations have been revived, prior inquiry reports and recommendations are being reviewed, legal action has begun against responsible persons, and intelligence reforms are being implemented, citing the prevention of a recent planned incident in Arugam Bay. He also criticised former Cabinet members involved in the debate for questioning current actions despite allegedly failing to act responsibly on intelligence at the time.
- The Hon. Chanaka Madugoda SLPP
AI summary Hon. Chanaka Madugoda questioned the Government’s progress on delivering justice for the Easter Sunday attacks, citing the President’s earlier pledge to identify the mastermind within a year. He alleged that investigations were being politically directed against former intelligence chief Suresh Sallay while ignoring allegations involving Ravi Seneviratne, Shani Abeysekera, State Minister Aruna Jayasekara, and National List MP Mohamed Ibrahim. He tabled Hon. Udaya Gammanpila’s book “Finding the Mastermind of the Easter Attack” and called for the removal of officials with alleged conflicts from the investigative process to ensure accountability for the real perpetrators.
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Sunil Watagala, Attorney-at-Law - Deputy Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs JJB
AI summary Deputy Minister Sunil Watagala criticized recent publications and public claims concerning the Easter Sunday attacks, suggesting they were politically motivated and should not prejudice ongoing investigations. He said former CID officers, including Shani Abeysekara, were targeted after the previous government took office, citing transfers, travel restrictions and detention, and argued that proper investigation of the Vavunativu incident could have helped prevent the attacks. He stated that reports have been retrieved and given to the CID, trials are proceeding daily, and investigations are underway into ten individuals based on the Janaka de Silva Commission’s recommendations. He called on those alleging failures or political betrayal of national security to name the responsible officials and politicians, while affirming that investigations would continue on an evidence-based basis.
- Hon. (Attorney-at-Law) Sunil Watagala JJB
AI summary Hon. Sunil Watagala questioned the motives behind Udaya Gammanpila’s recent book on the Easter Sunday attacks, suggesting its timing and contents may be politically driven and potentially intended to influence or misdirect ongoing investigations and court proceedings. He argued that Gammanpila had remained silent during earlier inquiries, litigation and compensation processes, but was now attempting to present himself as exposing the “mastermind.” He referred to past political assassinations and unresolved cases to warn that partial disclosures and contradictory claims in the book and its foreword could obscure the truth rather than assist accountability.
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Harshana Rajakaruna SJB
AI summary Hon. Harshana Rajakaruna recalled visiting St. Sebastian’s Church after the Easter Sunday attacks and said the SJB would support any genuine government effort to identify those responsible and prevent recurrence. He criticized the Government for focusing on a book launch and attacks on Hon. Sajith Premadasa, while failing to fulfil President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s stated commitment in March 2025 to reveal the mastermind before Easter. He said public confidence in the investigations had eroded, cited past failures under Gotabaya Rajapaksa including transfers of CID officers and actions against Rishad Bathiudeen and Dr. Shafi, and urged the Government to expedite the inquiry, obtain international expert assistance if needed, and complete the process properly.
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law JJB
AI summary Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara proposed that Hon. Chanaka Madugoda take the Chair. The motion was agreed to, after which the Deputy Speaker left the Chair and Hon. Chanaka Madugoda assumed it.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Sugath Thilakaratne - Deputy Minister of Sports JJB
AI summary The Deputy Minister reflected on the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks, emphasizing the loss of life, trauma to families and children, and the damage caused to national security, public trust, and inter-religious harmony. He called for the truth to be established, accountability for failures, justice for victims’ families, and the rejection of religious and political extremism. He also described a post-attack sports-based psychosocial programme at St. Sebastian’s Church, Katuwapitiya, and commended religious leaders and the Catholic community for promoting peace while seeking justice.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Rauff Hakeem, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Rauff Hakeem urged the Government to repatriate young Iranian cadets rescued from a ship during the Middle East ceasefire, questioning Sri Lanka’s claimed neutrality and the handling of the incident. Turning to the Easter Sunday attacks, he expressed confidence in Shani Abeysekara and Ravi Seneviratne and called for full government and Attorney-General’s Department support for their investigations. He questioned prosecutorial gaps, including the absence of Attorney-General’s officers in court, the handling of evidence from Sara Jasmin, and unexamined matters such as foreign hotel guests, the Vavunativu incident, and Azad Maulana’s Channel 4 claims, urging further investigation under existing legal provisions.
- The Hon. (Prof.) Chrishantha Abeysena - Minister of Science and Technology JJB
AI summary Minister Chrishantha Abeysena opposed further parliamentary proposals or debates on the Easter Sunday attacks while related court cases and investigations are ongoing, arguing that such interventions could politically influence proceedings. He said the Government is pursuing new investigations, including into intelligence and security failures, and referred to the arrest of former State Intelligence Chief Suresh Sallay. He stated that the Government is acting on its pledges to identify and prosecute those responsible, including any officials or politicians involved, and noted that the Presidential Commission report has now been released for public scrutiny.
- The Hon. M.A.M. Thahir ACMC
AI summary Hon. M.A.M. Thahir argued that the Easter Sunday attacks were used to stigmatize the Muslim community and to justify arrests and restrictions against Muslims, including alleged attempts to implicate Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen. He questioned the Government’s delay in identifying and prosecuting the alleged mastermind despite earlier presidential promises and election commitments, and rejected reliance on pending court cases as a reason for inaction. He requested urgent action to reveal those responsible and secure justice for victims and affected Muslim communities.
- The Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen SJB
AI summary Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen corrected media reports, stating he had not alleged the presence of US military bases in Saudi Arabia and emphasized Saudi Arabia’s assistance to Sri Lanka. In the debate on the Easter attacks, he expressed confidence in Shani Abeysekara and Ravi Seneviratne, said the Opposition should support credible investigations, and urged the Government to identify the forces behind Zaharan and the attacks. He called for compensation not only for affected Catholic victims but also for Muslims who were unjustly detained, humiliated, or economically harmed, citing cases involving Hejaaz Hizbullah and his brother as examples of alleged misuse of investigations.
- The Hon. Muneer Mulaffer - Deputy Minister of Religious and Cultural Affairs JJB
AI summary The Deputy Minister said the Government had made progress in investigating the Easter Sunday attacks and welcomed Opposition acknowledgement of that process, while criticizing political figures associated with earlier narratives about the attacks. He argued that the attacks were preceded by preventable governance failures, communal polarization after 2009, and incidents such as Dharga Town in 2014, which he said had State patronage. He contrasted Sri Lanka’s response with New Zealand’s handling of the Christchurch attack, urging political leadership that isolates perpetrators without stigmatizing entire communities.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law JJB
AI summary Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara moved that Hon. Sujeewa Dissanayake take the Chair. The motion was agreed to, after which Hon. Chanaka Madugoda left the Chair and Hon. Sujeewa Dissanayake assumed it.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Hector Appuhamy SJB
AI summary Hon. Hector Appuhamy criticised the Government for failing to identify the alleged mastermind of the Easter Sunday attacks despite previous pledges, and accused it of using the issue for political purposes. He rejected claims linking SJB MP Mujibur Rahuman to the attacks, challenged statements about Pillayan, Sara Jasmin and Ibrahim, and asked what action the Government had taken on these matters. He said the SJB had supported proper investigations and security officials such as Shani Abeysekara and Ravi Seneviratne, while urging the Government not to politicize the victims and expressing objection to the title of Udaya Gammanpila’s book.
- The Hon. Stepni Fernando JJB
AI summary Hon. Stepni Fernando emphasized the religious significance of Easter Sunday for Catholics and described the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks on churchgoers as heinous and despicable. The speech focused on the devotion of Catholics attending Easter services and the gravity of targeting worshippers during one of the central observances of the faith.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe - Deputy Minister of Labour JJB
AI summary Deputy Minister Mahinda Jayasinghe criticized the Opposition and Hon. Sajith Premadasa for bringing the motion on the Easter Sunday attacks while associating with figures he said were implicated politically or legally in related controversies, including Maithripala Sirisena and members of the Rajapaksa camp. He argued that the attacks followed a wider chain of communal falsehoods and political manipulation, citing allegations against Dr. Shafi and other anti-Muslim narratives. He questioned whether the Opposition could credibly seek justice for victims while failing, in his view, to respond to recent accusations made against Hon. Mujibur Rahuman and to acknowledge political mistakes.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe JJB
AI summary Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe defended the Government’s handling of investigations into the Easter Sunday attacks, stating that the inquiries are “99% complete” and in their final stage, and assuring victims, including the Catholic community, that justice will be pursued. He rejected suggestions that the Government is under pressure or delaying action, and accused previous administrations, particularly the Maithri-Ranil-Sajith Government, of failing to act during the months after the attacks. He also criticized attempts to raise court-related matters or publish books on the issue as efforts to confuse the public, while thanking several Opposition members for constructive contributions to the debate.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana SJB
AI summary Dr. Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana objected to the Presiding Member’s handling of speaking time, alleging that Hon. Hector Appuhamy’s microphone had been switched off while Government Members were allowed additional time from the front bench. The Presiding Member responded that the time allocation had been done by agreement and asked the Member not to disrupt proceedings.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Mujibur Rahuman SJB
AI summary Mujibur Rahuman stated that the allocated time was provided and had not been reduced.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. (Dr.) Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana SJB
AI summary Asked whether the allotted speaking time had been reduced from other Members, and received confirmation that it had been reduced.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - An Hon. Member
AI summary A Member states that the matter has been recorded. No further argument, proposal, or policy position is presented.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Mujibur Rahuman SJB
AI summary Hon. Mujibur Rahuman raised a point of order questioning the allocation of speaking time after Minister Bimal Rathnayake was given an additional seven minutes. He asked from whose allotted time those minutes had been deducted, and indicated that they had been taken from his side’s time.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Mujibur Rahuman SJB
AI summary Hon. Mujibur Rahuman disputed a claim that a reduction had been taken from a particular party, stating that it was not reduced from anyone. He clarified that the reductions were made individually from within the relevant allocation or group under discussion.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Mujibur Rahuman SJB
AI summary Mujibur Rahuman denied that any reduction had been made by anyone. He referred the House to the official record and suggested that the Secretariat be consulted to verify the matter.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Mujibur Rahuman SJB
AI summary Mujibur Rahuman clarified that a previously referenced speaking time allocation had not been reduced. He stated specifically that the seven minutes in question remained unchanged.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - An Hon. Member
AI summary An Hon. Member briefly objected to conduct in the Chamber, describing it as inappropriate and urging Members not to behave immaturely. No specific policy issue, legislation, or proposal was raised.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. (Dr.) Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana SJB
AI summary Hon. Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana criticized successive governments and security agencies for blaming each other over responsibility for the Easter Sunday attacks while justice for the victims remained unresolved. He referred to conflicting allegations involving the CID, military intelligence, the Yahapalana Government, the Rajapaksa administration, and Ibrahim Nawas, and said investigations had failed to identify the mastermind. He noted that he and other Opposition Members had taken the matter to the UN Human Rights Council and the Vatican, and tabled a CID letter dated 22 January 2026 stating that an investigation based on a complaint about Wimal Weerawansa’s claims could not proceed further.
- The Hon. (Dr.) Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana SJB
AI summary Dr. Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana warned that political power is temporary and should not be misused. He cautioned against treating authority as a permanent entitlement.
Corruption & Governance Reform Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law - Minister of Justice and National Integration JJB
AI summary Minister Harshana Nanayakkara said investigations into the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks and related preceding incidents are now progressing, including a daily Trial-at-Bar against 25 accused and inquiries into alleged diversion of earlier investigations. He argued that the 2018 Vavunativu police murders were wrongly attributed to rehabilitated LTTE cadres and are now being linked to Zaharan Hashim’s group, suggesting that proper investigation at the time could have prevented the Easter attacks. He criticized opposition figures for calling the debate after the arrest of “Saleh” and questioned political attempts to frame Zaharan alone as the mastermind, while also referring to the post-attack victimization of Muslim communities and rejecting racism and extremism.
- An Hon. Member
AI summary The member briefly notes that Hon. Archchuna is present. No substantive policy issue, proposal, or question is raised.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law - Minister of Justice and National Integration JJB
AI summary Minister Harshana Nanayakkara said the Government would pursue accountability for the Easter Sunday attacks, including filing cases against alleged masterminds and concluding trial-at-bar proceedings. He stated that injustice to victims must not recur and that the Government would not politicize the matter. He also referred to the harassment faced by the Muslim community after the attacks and said such treatment should not happen again under any government.