Sitting of Friday, 22 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 Opening and Papers Presented 5 speeches ▸
2. 2 Petitions Petitions 3 speeches ▸
3. 3 Procedural Procedural: Parliamentary Business Committee and Party Leaders' Meeting 20 speeches ▸
4. 4 Oral question Oral Question: Ancestral lands of displaced people of Mullikulam - Resettlement (Q.68/2025) 6 speeches ▾
   • The Hon. Thurairasa Ravikaran ITAK

     AI summary Hon. Thurairasa Ravikaran questioned the Minister of Defence on the continued displacement of Mullikulam residents whose ancestral lands have reportedly been under military control since 2007. He sought details on why more than 300 families have not been resettled, what relief has been provided for housing, livelihoods and basic amenities, and whether their lands, homes, schools and religious sites remain under Navy control. He also asked what steps and time frame the Government has for releasing the lands and enabling permanent resettlement.

     Land & HousingSecurity & DefenceEthnic Reconciliation & Devolution Full speech →
   • The Hon. Major General (Rtd.) Aruna Jayasekera - Deputy Minister of Defence JJB

     AI summary The Deputy Minister, replying on behalf of the Minister of Defence, stated that no private lands in Mullikulam had been taken by the Army and that the Ministry had no information on displaced residents being unable to return since 2007. He said the Navy has used 245.9 hectares of Forest Department land in Marichchikaddi for a naval base since 2009, while about 829 acres have been released to civilians between 2012 and 2017 and 27 alternative houses were built and handed over in Manalkaadu. He added that resettlement data would be sought from the relevant Ministries, denied harassment or displacement by the Navy, and said the remaining land would be assessed so that only strategically essential areas are retained.

     Security & DefenceLand & Housing Full speech →
   • The Hon. Thurairasa Ravikaran ITAK

     AI summary Thurairasa Ravikaran disputed the Deputy Minister’s account of the Mullikulam resettlement issue, stating that villagers displaced in 1990 and again in 2007 have not been returned to their original lands, with houses, paddy fields, garden lands, and the fishers’ landing site occupied or used by the Navy and Forest authorities. He said residents now live elsewhere and face difficulties accessing schools and religious facilities, and urged the Government to resettle Mullikulam villagers in their rightful lands.

     Security & DefenceLand & Housing Full speech →
   • The Hon. Major General (Rtd.) Aruna Jayasekera - Deputy Minister of Defence JJB

     AI summary The Deputy Minister said the Navy has released 829 acres of land in the area since 2012 while retaining about 245 acres for Western Naval Command operations, and has provided access, transport, and preschool support for local religious and school communities. He stated that no civilians had been displaced by the Navy and that discussions had already been held with the Divisional Secretary and local representatives. He added that, following instructions from the President, he would visit the area with Ministry officials and consider releasing the maximum possible additional land.

     Ethnic Reconciliation & DevolutionLand & HousingSecurity & Defence Full speech →
   • The Hon. Thurairasa Ravikaran ITAK

     AI summary Hon. Thurairasa Ravikaran acknowledged recent land releases but urged the Government to also release the fishers’ landing site, houses occupied by Navy personnel, paddy fields and other lands. He requested action to resettle affected people, noting that the President had responded positively when the matter was discussed at the Consultative Committee.

     Security & DefenceLand & Housing Full speech →
   • The Hon. Major General (Rtd.) Aruna Jayasekera - Deputy Minister of Defence JJB

     AI summary The Deputy Minister of Defence stated that authorities have identified possible coastal routes used for illegal activities, particularly narcotics smuggling, though not specifically linked to the jetty in question. He said the Government intends to retain only the minimum land necessary for security, rapid Tri-Forces deployment, public safety, and disaster response. He undertook to visit the area the following week with the Divisional Secretary and officials to discuss releasing as much land as possible.

     Security & DefenceLaw & Order Full speech →
5. 5 Oral question Oral Question: Land plots in Omanthai–Veppankulam distributed to public sector employees (Q.3/2025) 8 speeches ▸
6. 6 Procedural Question No. 4 Postponed 1 speeches ▸
7. 7 Oral question Oral Question: Low-capacity electricity cable systems - Expansion (Q.5/2025) 4 speeches ▸
8. 8 Oral question Oral Question: Provision of drinking water in Trincomalee District (Q.6/2025) 8 speeches ▸
9. 9 Oral question Oral Questions: Multiple Questions Tabled (Q.7-9, and Agricultural questions) 11 speeches ▸
10. 10 Procedural Question No. 10 - Trade/Commerce Question Stood Down 2 speeches ▸
11. 11 Oral question Standing Order 27(2) Questions: CESS Phase-out and Currency Depreciation 13 speeches ▸
12. 12 Debate Ministerial Statement: Cybersecurity Incidents and Response 16 speeches ▸
13. 13 Debate Statements of Condolence: Six Former Members of Parliament 29 speeches ▸
14. 14 Adjournment Adjournment Questions 11 speeches ▸
15. 15 Oral question Question No. 01 - 2003/2026 and Question No. 2004/2026 - Hydropower Capacity 3 speeches ▸