Sitting of Friday, 22 May 2026
Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 23666 ·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 Papers Presented 5 speeches
- 2 Petitions Petitions 3 speeches
- 3 Procedural Procedural: Parliamentary Business Committee and Party Leaders' Meeting 20 speeches
- 4 Oral question Oral Question: Ancestral lands of displaced people of Mullikulam - Resettlement (Q.68/2025) 6 speeches
- 5 Oral question Oral Question: Land plots in Omanthai–Veppankulam distributed to public sector employees (Q.3/2025) 8 speeches
- 6 Procedural Question No. 4 Postponed 1 speeches
- 7 Oral question Oral Question: Low-capacity electricity cable systems - Expansion (Q.5/2025) 4 speeches
- 8 Oral question Oral Question: Provision of drinking water in Trincomalee District (Q.6/2025) 8 speeches
- 9 Oral question Oral Questions: Multiple Questions Tabled (Q.7-9, and Agricultural questions) 11 speeches
- 10 Procedural Question No. 10 - Trade/Commerce Question Stood Down 2 speeches
- 11 Oral question Standing Order 27(2) Questions: CESS Phase-out and Currency Depreciation 13 speeches
- The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB
AI summary Sajith Premadasa raised a Standing Order 27(2) question on the Government’s plan, linked to IMF commitments, to phase out CESS and PAL by 2029. He asked what assessments and revenue plans support the policy, how affected industries such as cement, tyres, tiles, apparel, footwear and agriculture will be modernized and protected, and what measures will prevent job losses, higher import dependence and a wider trade deficit. He argued that export promotion must be accompanied by a coherent macroeconomic plan to strengthen domestic industry and protect consumers.
- The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha - Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning JJB
AI summary The Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning requested additional time to provide an answer.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Sajith Premadasa SJB
AI summary Sajith Premadasa argued that although requesting time to respond is procedurally permissible, delaying answers on CESS and PAL issues would worsen an already serious situation for domestic industries. He urged immediate solutions for industries affected by the removal of CESS and PAL and reiterated a call for the IMF to release US$ 700 million without conditions.
- The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK
AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam raised a Standing Order 27(2) question to the Finance Minister on the rupee’s depreciation, rising volatility, inflation, fuel and electricity price increases, and the resulting impact on low- and middle-income households. He asked what measures the Government would take, including possible expansion of Aswesuma, transport subsidies, temporary VAT relief, management of rupee volatility, steps to attract FDI in 2026, and whether an assessment of cost-of-living impacts under the IMF programme would be tabled in Parliament. He also sought clarification on whether fuel retailers were being required to absorb losses due to implied subsidies on diesel and petrol, and whether any compensation would be funded through the Budget or another mechanism.
- The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha JJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha said the rupee’s depreciation was driven primarily by external geopolitical pressures, higher oil prices and a stronger US dollar, rather than domestic macroeconomic or fiscal policy. He outlined impacts on fuel imports, inflation, trade, tourism and consumption, and said the Government and Central Bank were responding through measured, data-based actions within the flexible inflation-targeting framework. He detailed an additional Rs. 100 billion relief package for fuel, Aswesuma beneficiaries, electricity users, agriculture, fisheries and other affected sectors. He also referred to BOI and Port City investment plans and said the IMF’s fifth and sixth reviews, worth about US$ 700 million, were expected to be considered on 27 May following stronger-than-expected programme performance.
- The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK
AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam stated that his earlier question on fuel prices had not received a clear answer. He asked the Minister to provide a brief clarification on the matter.
Cost of Living Full speech → - The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha JJB
AI summary Fuel prices for the next month are based on the previous month’s costs, with CPC dollar outflows expected to exceed US$ 500 million by end-May compared with the usual US$ 100–150 million. Dr. Anil Jayantha said recent fuel price increases of over 50 per cent are now affecting domestic prices, but noted that declines in crude and refined diesel prices and additional supply from reserve releases may ease pressures. He stated that any future price adjustments will depend on market movements and that no further immediate change has been decided.
- The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK
AI summary Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam said he hoped the Minister’s assurance on exchange-rate stabilization would materialize, but urged more targeted economic measures given the link between fuel imports, subsidies and currency pressures. He proposed retargeting diesel relief toward essential sectors such as public transport instead of blanket subsidies, or temporarily restricting certain luxury imports, while noting revenue concerns from reduced vehicle imports and excess letters of credit. He also called for progress on a proposed Sri Lanka Development Fund requiring at least US$ 200 million initially, and for tourism strategies to attract visitors, particularly from India, amid regional tensions.
- The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha JJB
AI summary Clarifying earlier remarks, Dr. Anil Jayantha said he had referred to speculation amplifying externally driven exchange-rate movements under a managed float, not to “artificial” movements. He stated that there is no decision to ban vehicle imports, though private vehicle orders may be postponed temporarily to manage foreign exchange. He said the Government would avoid broad import restrictions that could constrain growth, keep interventions data-driven, and continue discussions on investment facilitation to expand the economy and attract investment.
- 12 Debate Ministerial Statement: Cybersecurity Incidents and Response 16 speeches
- 13 Debate Statements of Condolence: Six Former Members of Parliament 29 speeches
- 14 Adjournment Adjournment Questions 11 speeches
- 15 Oral question Question No. 01 - 2003/2026 and Question No. 2004/2026 - Hydropower Capacity 3 speeches