Sitting of Thursday, 21 May 2026

Order of business

Speeches load per item. Summaries shown here are AI-generated and labelled; verbatim text is on each speech page.

1. 1 Opening Speaker's Announcements 1 speeches ▸
2. 2 Papers Papers: Ministerial Consultative Committee Reports and Committee Reports 2 speeches ▸
3. 3 Petitions Petitions 5 speeches ▸
4. 4 Oral question Oral Question Q.841/2025: Colombo National Art Gallery Renovation 6 speeches ▸
5. 5 Oral question Oral Question Q.921/2025: Widows of Fallen or Missing Military Personnel - Pension/Allowances 6 speeches ▸
6. 6 Oral question Oral Question Q.1013/2025: Financial Cybercrime Details 6 speeches ▸
7. 7 Oral question Oral Question Q.1303/2025: Acting Teacher Advisers and Resource Persons in Eastern Province 6 speeches ▸
8. 8 Oral question Oral Question Q.1371/2025: Suraksha Student Insurance Scheme 6 speeches ▸
9. 9 Oral question Oral Question: Beligaha Court Complex (Minister of Justice) 6 speeches ▸
10. 10 Oral question Oral Question Q.1770/2025: Rural Development Bureau Projects in Batticaloa District 7 speeches ▾
    • The Hon. Speaker procedural
      Full speech →
    • The Hon. Sunil Rathnasiri JJB

      AI summary Hon. Sunil Rathnasiri asked the Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment whether the Rural Development Bureau is carrying out development projects in the Muruththanai GN Division of the Koralaipattu South Divisional Secretariat Division in Batticaloa. He requested details of the project names, total allocations, current progress, and, if no projects are being implemented, the reasons for non-implementation.

      Infrastructure Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Dr.) Upali Pannilage - Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment JJB

      AI summary The Minister stated that development activities in the Muruththanai GN Division of Batticaloa District are being carried out through three departments or agencies under his Ministry. He listed completed or ongoing works including a mobile service for 273 beneficiary families, water supply schemes, sanitation facilities, housing for persons with disabilities, health centre rehabilitation, rural road and causeway improvements, and housing development, with total expenditure of Rs. 51,677,296.34 and most works reported as fully completed. He added that part (b) of the question was not applicable.

      Public FinanceLand & HousingInfrastructure Full speech →
    • The Hon. Sunil Rathnasiri JJB

      AI summary Hon. Sunil Rathnasiri criticized past development projects for allegedly prioritizing Ministers’ own districts and employment opportunities there, leading to public service issues. He asked on what basis the particular village had been selected for the proposed interventions.

      Corruption & Governance ReformInfrastructureEmployment Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Dr.) Upali Pannilage - Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment JJB

      AI summary The Minister explained that Muruththanai GN Division in Koralaipattu South, Batticaloa, was selected under the 2025 programme to uplift difficult villages following a recommendation by the District Secretary. He cited data showing high multidimensional poverty, repeated war displacement, low incomes, many temporary houses, female-headed households and persons with disabilities, and no residents employed in government, semi-government or formal private sector jobs. He stated that these socio-economic conditions formed the basis for the Ministry’s development interventions in the village.

      Land & HousingCost of LivingWomen & Children Full speech →
    • The Hon. Sunil Rathnasiri JJB

      AI summary Hon. Sunil Rathnasiri asked how Community Development Councils will address persistent rural poverty despite successive programmes such as Janasaviya, Samurdhi, Divi Neguma, and Aswesuma. He questioned whether the new approach would avoid the shortcomings of earlier poverty alleviation schemes, while noting the selection of a highly impoverished GN Division.

      Cost of Living Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Dr.) Upali Pannilage - Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment JJB

      AI summary Minister Upali Pannilage said rural poverty eradication remains a government priority and noted that the 2025 Rural Development Bureau, initially funded with Rs. 1 billion, has been expanded into the “Praja Shakthi” National Movement. He stated that the programme aims to avoid weaknesses of earlier initiatives while adopting their strengths, using a participatory approach to reduce dependency and empower rural communities. He also said Rs. 25,000 million has been allocated for rural development this year, with implementation to be coordinated across ministries, Provincial Councils and local authorities.

      Cost of LivingAgriculturePublic Finance Full speech →
11. 11 Oral question Oral Question: Sri Lankan Workers Abroad - Complaints 2 speeches ▸
12. 12 Procedural Oral Question Q.1770/2025 (Stand Down) and Standing Order 27(2) Question 3 speeches ▸
13. 13 Oral question Standing Order 27(2) Question: Renewable Energy Outstanding Payments 5 speeches ▸
14. 14 Procedural Standing Order 27(2) Question: Political Prisoners and Interrogation 8 speeches ▸
15. 15 Procedural Point of Order: Parliamentary Library Conduct 2 speeches ▸
16. 16 Procedural Adjournment Debate Request and Scheduling 4 speeches ▸
17. 17 Procedural Private Members' Bills: Al-Hashimi Association Bill 3 speeches ▸
18. 18 Debate Main Business: Debate on Regulations under Imports and Exports (Control) Act and Appropriation Act Resolutions 69 speeches ▸
19. 19 Procedural Motions Agreed - Adjournment Motion Called 1 speeches ▸
20. 20 Adjournment Adjournment Debate: Integration of Malaiyaha People into National Mainstream 43 speeches ▸
21. 21 Procedural Final Parliamentary Items and Adjournment 5 speeches ▸