Sitting of Tuesday, 19 May 2026
Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 23608 ·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 Opening and Announcements 8 speeches
- 2 Papers Papers and Reports Tabled 14 speeches
- 3 Procedural Procedural Matters and Oral Questions (Standing Order Issues) 23 speeches
- 4 Oral question Oral Questions: Department of Wildlife Conservation and Other Questions 38 speeches
- 5 Oral question Questions by Private Notice and Ministerial Statements 22 speeches
- The Hon. (Prof.) A.-H.M.H. Abayarathna
AI summary An answer was tabled regarding vehicle requirements for the Kalmunai Municipal Council, confirming that requirements had been identified and submitted in an annex for National Budget Department approval. The annex lists proposed procurements and replacements, mainly for solid waste collection, drainage cleaning, construction work, water supply, road maintenance, street lighting, disaster and fire services, field inspections, and general municipal operations.
- Mr. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB
AI summary Under Standing Order 27(2), Sajith Premadasa questioned the Government on its economic management amid rupee depreciation, rising living costs, income inequality and pressure on living standards. He sought explanations on the causes of currency depreciation and the Government’s short-, medium- and long-term plans for exchange-rate stability, as well as programmes to ease public hardship and household indebtedness. He also asked what measures would expand contributions from agriculture, services and industry to GDP, and whether district-wise poverty lines issued by the Department of Census and Statistics are realistic indicators given current market conditions.
- Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha - Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning JJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha said the rupee’s 2026 depreciation was driven by external pressures including Middle East tensions, higher oil prices, tourism disruptions, capital outflows, and foreign exchange market expectations, while stressing that the Central Bank maintains a flexible exchange rate and sees no disorderly volatility. He outlined expected IMF, ADB, World Bank and other multilateral inflows, continued QR-based fuel allocation, and a temporary surcharge on certain private vehicle imports to conserve foreign exchange. He said the Government does not accept that most citizens face an unbearable burden, citing expanded relief through Aswasuma, fuel, electricity, agriculture, tea, fisheries and other targeted support amounting to about Rs. 100 billion. He also acknowledged rural household and micro-entrepreneur indebtedness linked to unregulated microfinance and low financial literacy, particularly among women, and said measures had been initiated to address it.
- Mr. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB
AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa questioned why the Government would consider further fuel price increases and maintain high electricity tariffs despite claims of strong Treasury balances, primary surpluses, increased revenue, and multilateral inflows under the IMF, ADB, and World Bank. He also asked when the Government would fulfil its promise that the public could buy a Vitz car for Rs. 1.2 million. He challenged the official poverty line figures and requested that the Department of Census and Statistics explain whether people in all 25 districts can live for a month on the stated amounts.
- Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha - Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning JJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha explained that maintaining a primary surplus is central to Sri Lanka’s debt sustainability programme, as it reduces the need for new borrowing to meet large interest obligations. He said government debt had fallen from about 104 percent to 96.8 percent of GDP, with a target of 86 percent by 2030, while targeted relief would continue through additional revenues and social protection allocations. He noted that 2025 revenue collections exceeded targets due to improved compliance and administration, that multilateral funds are tied to specified programmes, and that a temporary vehicle import surcharge was introduced to conserve foreign exchange amid external pressures. He also clarified that the poverty line is a statistical minimum-needs measure, not a standard for comfortable living, and said rural poverty requires longer-term structural measures.
- Mr. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF
AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake raised a Standing Order 27(2) question on cybersecurity risks affecting government institutions, banks and critical public infrastructure, citing recent attempted intrusions and public concern over major state agencies and enterprises. He requested detailed data from 2023 onward on cyberattacks, breaches, ransomware, phishing, fraud complaints, institutional intrusions, existing security systems, legacy-system vulnerabilities, audit and penetration-testing compliance, accountability for breaches, and losses or disruptions since 1 January 2025. He also asked what urgent measures are being taken against cyber warfare and organized cybercrime, and questioned the responsibility of the Central Bank and the Ministry of Finance in light of reported concerns over institutional accountability.
- The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary Bimal Rathnayake noted that a question had been directed to four Ministers and proposed that it be referred to a single ministry. He asked whether the Deputy Minister of Finance would respond on behalf of the relevant ministries collectively.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha - Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning JJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha requested additional time to answer the question before the House.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake said the matter should be directed to the Ministry of Digital Economy, as it concerns data breaches and the National Cyber Security Operations Centre falls under that ministry. He noted that the institutions involved span multiple ministries and undertook to arrange for the Deputy Minister of Digital Economy to respond, preferably within the week.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF
AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake stated that he raised the matter in the national interest and said it was immaterial whether the Digital Economy or Finance portfolio responded, as both fall under President Anura Dissanayake. He also noted that the Speaker’s Secretary had consulted him on the issue.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake clarified ministerial responsibility for certain institutions, noting examples such as Immigration and the Ceylon Electricity Board falling under specific Ministers. He stated that the question would be referred to the Ministry of Digital Economy for a response.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha - Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning JJB
AI summary The Minister of Labour rejected reports that the Employees’ Provident Fund would be converted into a pension-only scheme, stating that no such decision, actuarial valuation, or proposal exists. He said any EPF-related policy or legislative changes would be made in consultation with the National Labour Advisory Council, trade unions, employers, and other stakeholders. He noted that EPF assets stood at Rs. 4,965 billion as at 31 December 2025, and that consultations had agreed on establishing a tripartite governance mechanism with technical experts to oversee EPF matters, including investments. He also stated that discussions were focused on simplifying the 30 percent withdrawal process, not removing existing benefits.
- Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF
AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake questioned delays by the Central Bank and Finance Ministry regarding oversight of NDB, noting EPF’s approximately 10 percent stake and other state-linked holdings through EPF/ETF, BOC and Sri Lanka Insurance. He asked why directors had not been appointed to represent these interests, whether Central Bank Supervision had investigated alleged malfeasance and losses, and argued that institutional independence should not permit inaction when a bank is deteriorating.
- Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha - Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning JJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha stated that specific issues concerning NDB were outside the immediate scope of the question but would be looked into. He explained that EPF governance is handled through the Monetary Board’s EPF Management Committee at the Central Bank, with administrative coordination by the Ministry of Labour, and said discussions are ongoing with the NLAC and CBSL on strengthening governance, including possible changes to investment policy and Board representation.
- Mr. Speaker procedural
- Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha - Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning JJB
AI summary Gross Official Reserves were provisionally estimated at USD 6.8 billion at end-April 2026, with Net International Reserves rising from USD 2.487 billion in 2024 to USD 4.285 billion in 2025. Details were provided on reserve composition, swap liabilities with the People’s Bank of China, Reserve Bank of India and domestic banks, and the deployability of reserves. The statement also outlined audit arrangements under the Central Bank of Sri Lanka Act, restrictions on resident-to-resident foreign currency transactions under the Foreign Exchange Act, and noted that CBSL does not collect data on losses through foreign payment gateways while card payment acquirers must be licensed under the relevant payment systems regulations.
- Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF
AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake criticized the delay in presenting the matter to Parliament, arguing that earlier action could have reduced losses. He questioned the economic benefit of receiving the fifth IMF tranche, stating that rupee depreciation increases the local value and carrying cost of Sri Lanka’s external debt by more than the expected IMF disbursement. He also challenged the rationale for raising electricity and fuel prices while allowing the rupee to depreciate, and asked who is accountable for the Central Bank’s handling of exchange rate movements.
- Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha - Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning JJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha stated that the rupee’s recent movement, with an indicative rate around LKR 333 and a 4.8 percent year-to-date depreciation, should be viewed in the context of global dollar strength and short-term market pressures, rather than compared to the 2022 crisis. He said the Government expects stabilization within the week using available policy tools. He clarified that IMF inflows and external debt remain denominated in US dollars, so exchange rate changes affect rupee reporting values but do not increase the dollar value of external debt, while foreign exchange effects on domestic instruments and exposures will be managed in an orderly manner.
Public Finance Full speech →
- 6 Papers Bills Presented: Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill and Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill 2 speeches
- 7 Debate Debate: Second Reading of Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill and Committee Stage 89 speeches
- 8 Adjournment Adjournment Motion: Sustainable Solution for Human-Elephant Conflict 20 speeches
- 9 Papers Written Answers to Questions 9 speeches