Sitting of Wednesday, 20 May 2026
Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 23618 ·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: Parliament Session Commencement and Points of Order 4 speeches
- 2 Papers Papers Presented: Annual Reports and Ministry Reports 29 speeches
- 3 Oral question Oral Answers to Questions (Q.1-Q.7) 71 speeches
- Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB
AI summary Ajith P. Perera asked the Minister of Justice and National Integration whether the Government’s manifesto pledged to establish Provincial Directorates of Public Prosecution, outside the Attorney-General’s Department, to handle prosecutions on behalf of the Government. He sought confirmation that the policy is accepted and asked why such directorates have not yet been established in each province, or the reasons if the pledge is not acknowledged.
Justice & Human Rights Full speech → - The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law - Minister of Justice and National Integration JJB
AI summary The Minister of Justice and National Integration stated that the Government has taken steps, with Cabinet approval, to appoint a committee chaired by a Supreme Court judge to recommend the establishment of an independent Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions outside the Attorney-General’s Department. He said decisions on a national DPP and possible provincial offices will be made by Cabinet after the committee reports, and that no final decision has yet been taken.
Justice & Human Rights Full speech → - The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB
AI summary Ajith P. Perera said there is bipartisan agreement on establishing an independent Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to improve the efficiency and independence of the Attorney-General’s Department and reduce political influence over prosecutions. He criticized the delay of more than a year since a committee was appointed and questioned why a pledged reform with consensus had not yet been implemented.
- The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law JJB
AI summary Powers relating to criminal prosecution have long been vested in the Attorney-General’s Department and the Code of Criminal Procedure, so establishing a Director of Public Prosecutions is not a simple structural change. The Member stated that improving the Attorney-General’s Department and creating a DPP are separate matters, and that the Government has appointed a committee, led by Justice Yasantha, while seeking observations from the Bar Association and the Law Commission before proceeding.
Justice & Human Rights Full speech → - The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB
AI summary Ajith P. Perera raised a supplementary question on delays in the administration of civil and criminal justice caused by five vacancies in the Supreme Court and three in the Court of Appeal. He asked whether the Minister would engage the President to expedite nominations, noting that the Constitutional Council cannot act until the President submits names for the eight vacancies.
Justice & Human Rights Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB
AI summary Ajith P. Perera expressed regret only if his response to the Speaker caused offence, noting that he spoke because the Speaker intervened. He maintained that concerns over judicial appointments remain unresolved despite being raised before the Constitutional Council and other forums, and said Parliament is the remaining venue to voice the issue.
- Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law JJB
AI summary Citing Standing Order 33(1), Harshana Nanayakkara stated that he was not obliged to answer the question raised.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law JJB
AI summary An exchange was interrupted by the Chair, with certain remarks expunged from the record. The matter under reference concerned the removal of suppliers involved in the supply of essential or life-saving drugs.
Healthcare Full speech → - The Hon. S.M. Marikkar SJB
AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar asked the Minister of Health and Mass Media whether essential drug suppliers are being deliberately discredited through alleged quality failures and removed from state supply, including at regional hospital level, causing some suppliers to avoid State Pharmaceuticals Corporation tenders. He sought details on withdrawals of life-saving or expensive temperature-controlled drugs over the last five years, NMRA batch or product withdrawals, whether withdrawn drugs are being sold in the private market, and the complaints mechanism and number of complaints received in 2024.
- The Hon. (Dr.) Hansaka Wijemuni - Deputy Minister of Health JJB
AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Health and Mass Media, the Deputy Minister stated that medicine quality failures are determined by laboratory testing and that the NMRA has no recorded instances of deliberately creating such failures. He said that, among life-saving or high-cost cold-chain medicines in the past five years, only two batches of Tenecteplase Injection 40 mg were temporarily withheld pending NMRA regulatory decisions. He explained that hospital reports may trigger NMRA action, but withdrawals or suspensions are regulatory decisions, and tender awards by the State Pharmaceuticals Corporation take account of NMRA-recommended withdrawals, with conditional awards possible in other cases. For January 2025 to February 2026, he cited totals for suspensions, rejections, batch and product withdrawals and related actions, and added that no NMRA-withdrawn medicines had been recorded as sold in the private market, with no such complaints recorded in 2024.
- The Hon. S.M. Marikkar SJB
AI summary S.M. Marikkar referred to the 2024 controversy over substandard medicines, noting reported deaths and loss of eyesight, and questioned why the complaints division had received no complaints. He argued that this indicated a lack of public awareness and requested that the division’s contact number be publicized.
- The Hon. (Dr.) Hansaka Wijemuni JJB
AI summary The Hon. (Dr.) Hansaka Wijemuni stated that information relating to the construction and maintenance costs of roads and expressways had already been publicized. He agreed, in response to a request, to publicize it again for greater public awareness.
Infrastructure Full speech → - The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF
AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake asked the Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development to provide detailed data on the Road Development Authority’s staffing, national road lengths under central and provincial administration, maintenance expenditure over the past five years, and per-kilometre costs for road construction, including privately tendered work. He also sought information on operational expressways, their lengths, maintenance costs, government revenue, returns on investment, and the expressways currently under construction or planned.
Infrastructure Full speech → - The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development JJB
AI summary Provided detailed data on the Road Development Authority’s staffing, road network, expenditure, construction and rehabilitation costs, and expressway operations in response to a parliamentary question. He stated that the RDA manages 12,262.84 km of central government roads, with expenditure rising from Rs. 4,606.02 million in 2021 to Rs. 14,591.16 million in 2025, while information on provincial roads is not available to the RDA. He also reported that five expressways totalling 312.57 km are in operation, with annual maintenance costs of Rs. 5,180.90 million and 2025 toll revenue of Rs. 16,330.14 million, but said no comprehensive return-on-investment calculation has been conducted. Future plans cited included ongoing and planned sections of the Central Expressway and the proposed Ruwanpura Expressway.
Infrastructure Full speech → - The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF
AI summary Ravi Karunanayake sought clarification from the Minister on the award and financing method for the Rambukkana–Galagedara road section, in the context of highway projects including the OCH, the MCC 39 km section, and the Potuhera–Galagedara 128 km section. He noted differing cost estimates, including an increase in the MCC estimate from Rs. 345 billion to Rs. 425 billion, and asked whether the section was tendered or undertaken through private sector participation, while observing that domestic arrangements could avoid foreign loan and exchange-rate cost escalation.
- The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary Bimal Rathnayake stated that expressway and road contracts have been awarded only through open tender procedures. He attributed cost escalations to economic-crisis-related delays, exchange rate changes, and inadequate initial design or geotechnical investigations, citing over Rs. 60 billion in delay costs on the Central Expressway and unexpected rock removal costs on the Potuhera–Rambukkana section. He said steps are being taken to improve upfront design to prevent similar variations during construction.
- The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF
AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake asked the Minister whether estimates could be prepared on the basis under discussion, stating that such an approach would have value.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary Bimal Rathnayake stated that factors including the economic crisis, fraud and corruption, delays, exchange rate fluctuations, design issues, and contractor delays had created additional fiscal burdens. He said these could be quantified separately and offered to compile and present such an analysis, possibly during the next Budget.
- The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF
AI summary Asked that the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Transport, Highways and Urban Development take up the matter, noting that the relevant data is available. He sought details on investigations into an alleged Rs. 380 million duplicate payment at the Road Development Authority and an audit query citing Rs. 4,614 million in unpaid expressway exit charges, including the current factual position and verification process for payments made through the Bank of Ceylon.
- The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake stated that the RDA has filed a Police complaint against Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha over an allegation that Rs. 380 million had been paid twice to contractors, which the RDA rejected at a media briefing. He said audit queries on toll revenue discrepancies are not proof of wrongdoing and may relate to staffing shortages or compromised toll gates. He added that the RDA will provide full responses while taking steps to reduce leakages and strengthen the toll system.
- Mr. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Kabir Hashim SJB
AI summary Hon. Kabir Hashim rose on a point of order. No substantive argument, proposal, or question was stated in the provided excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Kabir Hashim SJB
AI summary Kabir Hashim indicated his intention to pose a question to the Minister of Highways. No substantive details of the question or issue are provided in the excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Kabir Hashim SJB
AI summary Hon. Kabir Hashim made a brief statement indicating that the matter under discussion was important to him. No specific policy position, proposal, question, or legislative reference was provided in the recorded speech.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB
AI summary Chaminda Wijesiri requested that the Minister be given an opportunity to respond, if willing, noting that such a procedural provision exists.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Major General (Rtd.) Aruna Jayasekera - Deputy Minister of Defence JJB
AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Defence, a further two months was requested to respond to the Member’s question. The reason given was that the matter is over 30 years old and relevant details need to be traced.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara stated that his question regarding Mr. Rohana Wijeweera had been raised for the second time but its answer had again been postponed for several months. He requested the Speaker to allow him a minute to address the delay.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara objected to the postponement of a question, asking when he would be permitted to raise it again and noting that a further delay of about a month would prevent him from pursuing it until then. The question was ordered to stand down.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Kins Nelson SJB
AI summary Hon. Kins Nelson raised a supplementary question on black gram cultivation, noting that national demand is about 25,000 metric tons, with imports accounting for 15 to 25 per cent. He asked whether the Government would prioritise allocating secure land and providing fertilizer, including the fertilizer subsidy, to farmers currently cultivating on encroached lands in order to reduce imports.
- The Hon. Aravinda Senarath - Deputy Minister of Land and Irrigation JJB
AI summary The Deputy Minister said Sri Lanka has not met its domestic black gram requirement and that plans are being prepared with the Ministry of Agriculture to support increased cultivation. He stated that farmers cultivating encroached lands may be regularized under a planned programme, with the Mahaweli Authority studying suitable areas and extents for formal land grants. He noted that past land alienation had often been influenced by political patronage rather than national objectives.
- The Hon. Kins Nelson SJB
AI summary Kins Nelson raised concerns that farmers had not yet received the promised fertilizer subsidy of Rs. 30,000 per hectare for the Yala season, despite water being released for paddy cultivation on 20 April. He said farmers had also paid through farmer organizations for two and a half bags of urea, which had not been delivered, and questioned the failure to provide the previously promised five bags per hectare. He urged the Deputy Minister to intervene immediately and asked whether the fertilizer already paid for would be supplied to farmers without further delay.
- The Hon. Aravinda Senarath JJB
AI summary Aravinda Senarath stated that fertilizer shortages affecting the Yala season were caused by global wartime disruptions and export restrictions, not domestic policy. He said the Government had agreed on a programme with fertilizer companies, officials and farmer leaders to supply 65% of requirements through the Department of Agrarian Development and 35% through open-market company outlets. He acknowledged delays and distribution shortcomings, including in Polonnaruwa, but said priority-based distribution and an increased subsidy were being implemented to ensure fair access for farmers.
Agriculture Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Susantha Kumara Nawarathna JJB
AI summary Hon. Susantha Kumara Nawarathna asked whether, in the context of planned education reforms prioritizing primary schools this year and next, the Government has identified specific schools at district or zonal level for addressing shortcomings. He specifically queried whether lists have been prepared, including at least one school per division.
Education Full speech → - The Hon. Nalin Hewage - Deputy Minister of Vocational Education JJB
AI summary Deputy Minister Nalin Hewage said the Government has increased allocations for education-related physical resource development from 1.8% of GDP in the 2024 Budget to 1.9% in its first Budget and 2.04% in its second. He stated that additional funds have been provided to schools for facilities, that school consolidation is ongoing, and that several schools will be designated as specialized schools this year with earmarked development funding.
- The Hon. Susantha Kumara Nawarathna JJB
AI summary Asked about the delayed Grade 6 education reforms, noting that reforms had been planned for Grades 1 and 6 but Grade 6 implementation did not begin amid opposition objections. He requested details on current preparations for Grade 6 and the expected start date.
Education Full speech → - The Hon. Nalin Hewage JJB
AI summary Nalin Hewage stated that planned education reforms for Grades 1 and 6 in 2026 were postponed by one year due to controversy and alleged misinformation raised by the Opposition, including claims about the Dharmachakra in the reforms. He said the Government and Ministry decided not to proceed in a sensitive area such as education while any concerns remained, and attributed responsibility for the delay and its impact on children to the Opposition and the Leader of the Opposition.
- Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB
AI summary Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri raised a point of order during the proceedings. No substantive policy position, proposal, or question was included in the recorded statement.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF
AI summary Chamara Sampath Dasanayake indicated that he would proceed to ask the question before the House.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Aravinda Senarath JJB
AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation, Aravinda Senarath requested two weeks to respond to the question. The question was ordered to stand down.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Ajith Gihan JJB
AI summary Ajith Gihan asked the Deputy Minister what action is being taken regarding alleged fraud, corruption, and mismanagement that left the Ceylon Fisheries Corporation heavily indebted and weakened before the current Government took office on 24 September 2024. He emphasized the Corporation’s role in ensuring fair prices for fishers and consumers, operating outlets, and supporting exports, while questioning whether legal measures would be pursued against those responsible under previous governments.
- The Hon. Rathna Gamage - Deputy Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources JJB
AI summary The Deputy Minister said the Ministry is taking action on institutional irregularities, including recent transfers at the Fisheries Harbours Authority following an alleged financial irregularity in Trincomalee. He stated that legal action has been initiated over corruption and fraud, and attributed past problems at the Ceylon Fisheries Corporation to politically motivated appointments and poorly planned outlets. He said the Government is reclaiming and reopening Corporation outlets after feasibility studies, citing Kotte/Rajagiriya, and reported a Rs. 59 million profit last year with a target of Rs. 190 million this year.
- The Hon. Ajith Gihan JJB
AI summary Ajith Gihan asked the Deputy Minister about findings in the 2025 COPA Report regarding an excess cadre of about 200 employees and unpaid EPF/ETF dues. He requested clarification on whether the dues have since been paid and the total amount paid.
Public Finance Full speech → - The Hon. Rathna Gamage JJB
AI summary Hon. Rathna Gamage stated that the 2026 Budget allocated funds to settle long-overdue employee benefit arrears, including EPF, ETF and gratuity, at several loss-making State institutions. He said Rs. 5,235 million has been allocated across seven entities, with Rs. 707 million already provided to the Ceylon Fisheries Corporation and Rs. 82.9 million allocated to North Sea Ltd., and indicated that remaining arrears at the Fisheries Corporation would be settled within a month.
- Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Mujibur Rahuman SJB
AI summary Mujibur Rahuman raised a point of order in Parliament. No substantive argument, proposal, or policy issue was stated in the provided excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Mujibur Rahuman SJB
AI summary Mujibur Rahuman raised a point of order under Standing Order 91(c), objecting to allegations made by the Deputy Minister during education-related answers. He said the Deputy Minister had wrongly blamed the Leader of the Opposition and the Opposition for halting Grade 1 and Grade 6 reforms, asserting that the reforms were halted by the President.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Mujibur Rahuman SJB
AI summary Hon. Mujibur Rahuman raised a point of order. No substantive argument, proposal, or question was recorded in the provided excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara objected to an allegation that reforms had been halted due to the Opposition or the Leader of the Opposition. He stated that the matter had been read out incorrectly and asserted that responsibility lay with the President, not the Opposition.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Nalin Hewage JJB
AI summary Nalin Hewage objected to the use of an insulting or improper name in Parliament and requested that it be withdrawn and expunged from the record. He argued that Members should not bring outside slurs into parliamentary proceedings and defended his right to respond to claims made by the Leader of the Opposition regarding the alleged distortion of the Dharmachakra and discussion of a no-confidence motion against the Prime Minister.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka (on behalf of Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha) SJB
AI summary Gayantha Karunathilleka, speaking on behalf of Nalin Bandara Jayamaha, made a brief procedural remark asking the Chair to proceed after the preceding matter was concluded. No substantive policy issue, proposal, or question was raised.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. R.M. Jayawardhana - Deputy Minister of Trade, Commerce and Food Security JJB
AI summary On behalf of the Minister, the Deputy Minister tabled details on the Pakistan–Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement, noting that it was signed in 2002, entered into force in 2005, covers goods, and aims to expand bilateral trade by removing barriers and ensuring fair competition. He provided year-wise figures for Sri Lanka’s exports to and imports from Pakistan under the agreement from 2020 to 2025, alongside Pakistan’s reported trade figures for recent years. He stated that a high-level committee chaired by the Ministry Secretary is reviewing Sri Lanka’s free trade agreements, with a final report expected to be submitted to Cabinet in June 2026, after which future directions on the PSFTA will be decided.
Foreign Affairs Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka SJB
AI summary Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka informed the House that he would ask a question on behalf of Hon. (Dr.) M.L.A.M. Hizbullah. No substantive details of the question or issue were provided in the excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Aravinda Senarath JJB
AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation, Aravinda Senarath requested two weeks to respond to the matter. The question was ordered to stand down.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
- 4 Procedural Procedural: Motions and Privilege Matter 42 speeches
- 5 Adjournment Adjournment Debate: Central Bank Annual Economic Review 2025 99 speeches
- 6 Oral question Oral Question: Tourism - Room Capacity and Occupancy Rates (Q.?) 2 speeches