Sitting of Tuesday, 9 June 2026
Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 23706 ·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 21 speeches
- 2 Papers Messages from President and Petitions 6 speeches
- 3 Oral question Oral Questions 1-10 46 speeches
- 4 Oral question Oral Questions 8-27(2): Standing Order questions 34 speeches
- 5 Procedural Ministerial Statements 12 speeches
- 6 Debate Debate on Orders and Regulations (Items 1-5) 39 speeches
- 7 Debate Debate on Public Security Ordinance: Extension of State of Emergency 54 speeches
- The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka - Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation and Minister of Energy JJB
AI summary Moved, on behalf of the Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, that Parliament approve the President’s Proclamation under Section 2 of the Public Security Ordinance. The Proclamation brings Part II of the Ordinance into operation throughout Sri Lanka with effect from 28 May 2026.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. Major General (Rtd.) Aruna Jayasekera - Deputy Minister of Defence JJB
AI summary The Deputy Minister supported extending the State of Emergency under the Public Security Ordinance, stating that emergency powers were needed to coordinate recovery and rehabilitation after Cyclone “Ditva” and to appoint a Commissioner General for Essential Services. He said the Government, public service, civil institutions, and Tri-Forces were working on infrastructure restoration, compensation, and resettlement, including construction of 1,000 temporary houses across affected districts. He noted continuing issues over land, legal title, NBRO assessments, and safe resettlement, especially where over 6,000 houses were destroyed in Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, and Badulla. He also said the Government’s objective was to depoliticize the Armed Forces and handle investigations into suspects properly.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan ITAK
AI summary Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan opposed extending the State of Emergency and criticized the continued use of the Prevention of Terrorism Act, citing the arrest of Kilinochchi artist Ganeshkumar Sangeethsan over a song and restrictions on books, speech, assembly, and school activities in the North and East. He recalled past abuses under the PTA and wartime atrocities, arguing that the Government had failed to honour earlier pledges to repeal the law and was instead expanding repression. He also raised concerns about judicial transfers involving judges in Jaffna and Mullaitivu and demanded Sangeethsan’s release, warning of wider protests if this did not occur.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law - Minister of Justice and National Integration JJB
AI summary The Minister supported extending the State of Emergency under the Public Security Ordinance, stating that it was introduced after Cyclone “Ditva” to coordinate relief, housing reconstruction and essential services, and may also be needed to respond to possible energy disruptions arising from international tensions. He said the Government would use emergency powers only for public relief and not repression, while emphasizing that freedom of expression carries responsibility. He stated that the Prevention of Terrorism Act is at its final stage of repeal and replacement, defended a recent PTA-related arrest as based on alleged glorification of the LTTE rather than artistic expression, and said concerns over a judge’s transfer should be addressed to the Judicial Service Commission. He also referred to ongoing investigations into the Easter attacks and related matters, saying legal action would proceed without government interference.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Ananda Wijepala JJB
AI summary Hon. Ananda Wijepala moved that Hon. Sanjeewa Ranasingha take the Chair. The motion was agreed to, after which the Deputy Chairperson of Committees left the Chair and Hon. Sanjeewa Ranasingha presided.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB
AI summary Hon. Ajith P. Perera challenged the Justice Minister’s reference to “500 files,” arguing that current convictions stem from cases initiated during the 2016 Yahapalana period and asking that pending corruption complaints, including those on coal procurement and emergency procurement audio, be pursued under ordinary law. He questioned the need to extend Emergency Regulations after Cyclone “Ditva,” asking the Government to specify the sectors, functions, and incidents that justify their continued use. He also raised concerns over vacancies in the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal, delays in judicial appointments, and opposed a proposed constitutional amendment to extend the retirement age of serving judges, calling instead for any such change to apply broadly rather than selectively.
- The Hon. Sunil Watagala, Attorney-at-Law - Deputy Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs JJB
AI summary Raising a point of order, the Deputy Minister responded to Hon. Ajith P. Perera’s challenge on extending the Emergency by asking him to identify any instance in which the Government had abused emergency powers. The intervention sought to defend the continuation of the Emergency by questioning allegations of misuse.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Sunil Watagala, Attorney-at-Law JJB
AI summary Hon. Sunil Watagala challenged Hon. Ajith P. Perera to provide a specific example of the Government misusing Emergency powers. He asserted his right to respond to the question and demanded evidence to support the allegation.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB
AI summary Ajith P. Perera briefly sought the Presiding Member’s permission to speak. No substantive policy issue, proposal, or question was raised in the recorded statement.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Sunil Watagala, Attorney-at-Law JJB
AI summary Hon. Sunil Watagala stated that no concrete example had been provided to support the opposing claim or allegation. He argued that the inability to cite even one instance undermined the position being advanced.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB
AI summary Ajith P. Perera questioned the Government’s continued reliance on Emergency Regulations, arguing that it is the Government’s responsibility to determine which laws remain in force. He asked why the Emergency was still necessary and suggested that maintaining it without need was improper.
Law & Order Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. (Mrs.) Anushka Thilakarathne, Attorney-at-Law JJB
AI summary Hon. Anushka Thilakarathne supported the extension of the Emergency in the context of Cyclone “Ditva,” rejecting Opposition claims of government inaction and citing housing damage figures, compensation entitlements, and relief allowance disbursements. She said rebuilding and resettlement must proceed with legal, environmental, capacity, and safety considerations, while acknowledging unresolved hardships. She also defended the Government’s broader record, referring to health, wage, energy, and cultural allocations, including funding for mammography machines, cardiac catheterization machines, solar storage systems, and development of the Jaffna Public Library.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB
AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa criticised the Government for failing to implement election promises to farmers, citing high input costs, poor-quality and scarce fertilizer, lack of guaranteed prices, and inadequate action on the human-elephant conflict. He called for the promised guaranteed paddy price, including the stated Rs. 150 per 8 kg pledge, to be delivered and for Treasury allocations to be used to protect livelihoods. He also raised concerns about Divisional Secretaries and other public officers lacking fuel allowances and facilities, and about the suspension of examinations and stalled registrations for over 700 traditional and specialist Ayurvedic practitioners under issues linked to Act No. 31 of 1961.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Dinesh Hemantha JJB
AI summary Hon. Dinesh Hemantha supported extending Emergency Regulations under the Public Security Ordinance, arguing that emergency powers are needed to provide rapid relief and expedite permanent rehabilitation, including resettlement and land transfers, following cyclone damage in Matale. He said the Government has used emergency powers only for public safety and not to suppress dissent, despite past misuse by previous governments. He also addressed investigations into the 2019 Easter attacks, stating that the Government is proceeding lawfully and with due process to identify and punish those responsible rather than acting arbitrarily.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) V.S. Radhakrishnan SJB
AI summary Dr. V.S. Radhakrishnan addressed the extension of emergency regulations in the context of the Ditva cyclone, warning against their partisan or unfair use. He raised concerns about rising drug distribution, murders, robberies, and violence in plantation areas, calling for strict and impartial law enforcement, including scrutiny of retired military personnel allegedly employed as plantation authorities. He also questioned the disappearance of a murder suspect from hospital custody and urged preventive action to stop youth being criminalized through escalating conflicts. He opposed using the PTA or emergency powers against artists such as the arrested Kilinochchi rapper Sangeethsan and called for his release.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe - Deputy Minister of Labour JJB
AI summary The Deputy Minister defended the Government’s use of existing security laws in the context of investigations into the Easter Sunday attacks, stating that the Prevention of Terrorism Act was being used to identify those responsible and would be repealed in due course. He criticized Opposition reactions to the custody of Suresh Sallay and related protests, arguing that they reflected concern among those facing accountability rather than threats to democracy. He also cited recent convictions of several former politicians and officials as evidence of anti-corruption action, while asserting that emergency powers and the PTA would not be used to suppress democratic rights.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Naina Thambi Marrikkar Mohamed Thahir
AI summary Hon. Naina Thambi Marrikkar Mohamed Thahir said his side could support a further extension of emergency regulations under the Public Security Ordinance if they are used to address unresolved damage from Cyclone “Ditva” and to combat narcotics trafficking. He urged authorities to identify and mark dangerous coastal areas in Kalpitiya following repeated drownings, including recent deaths at Norochcholai and Daluw. He also requested action to address shortages and lack of cold storage at the newly upgraded Puttalam District General Hospital, and called for fuel or electricity-related subsidies to support Kalpitiya farmers facing rising costs.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Arun Hemachandra - Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment JJB
AI summary Deputy Minister Arun Hemachandra defended the use of emergency provisions following Cyclone “Ditva” and amid Middle East tensions, arguing that they were needed for coordination and national risk management rather than repression. He said the Government respects the right to protest but would lawfully counter attempts to destabilize governance, and cited the conviction of former MP Sarana Gunawardena as evidence of institutional independence. He also stated that Easter Sunday attack investigations were progressing without political interference, addressed the arrest of a Kilinochchi youth as being under legal review, and urged the public not to be drawn into efforts by racist or corrupt groups to undermine the Government.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Sunil Watagala, Attorney-at-Law JJB
AI summary Hon. Sunil Watagala moved that Hon. (Mrs.) Sagarika Athawuda take the Chair.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Roshan Akmeemana JJB
AI summary Hon. Roshan Akmeemana formally seconded the motion under consideration. The House then agreed to the question, after which the Chair was vacated by Hon. Sanjeewa Ranasingha and taken by Hon. (Mrs.) Sagarika Athauda.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam ACTC
AI summary Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam opposed the extension of emergency powers, arguing that they are being used for political purposes and to suppress dissent in the North and East rather than to address genuine emergencies. He cited the delayed response to missing fishermen from Point Pedro and questioned the continued occupation of coastal lands by the Navy if such forces cannot assist in emergencies. He also condemned the use of the PTA or emergency regulations against expressions of opinion, including songs or praise of the LTTE, and argued that such enforcement reflects the Government’s failure to address Tamil political grievances.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Aboobucker Athambawa JJB
AI summary Hon. Aboobucker Athambawa supported the emergency framework under the Public Security Ordinance, arguing that it is needed to coordinate relief and reconstruction after the “Ditva” cyclone, given losses affecting housing, agriculture, fisheries, and livelihoods. He rejected Opposition criticism over delayed relief and incidents in the North, stating that the Government is delivering development, assisting fishers, and responding to cyclone-related operational challenges despite wider pressures such as global fuel and gas price increases. He also said the Government is taking legal action against corruption, drug trafficking, and “looters,” urged responsible use of social media, and highlighted Budget 2026’s Rs. 25 billion “Praja Shakthi” allocation to every Grama Niladhari division for local development.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Jeevan Thondaman UNP
AI summary Jeevan Thondaman questioned the need for emergency powers and alleged that plantation workers are not properly receiving wage increases, calling for direct payment mechanisms, enforcement against estate companies, and a monitoring committee for government allocations to large estates. He disputed government claims on hill-country housing, saying an India-funded scheme had already been revived and approved under his tenure but was delayed after the change of government due to beneficiary-list changes, and claimed no promised new houses had yet been built. He also called for a Parliamentary Select Committee, involving party leaders and the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus, to address child abuse following the alleged rape of an 11-year-old linked to a religious institution. He further criticized selective use of the Prevention of Terrorism Act and reiterated concerns over increased workloads and targets for plantation workers.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. (Ms.) Lakmali Hemachandra, Attorney-at-Law JJB
AI summary Hon. Lakmali Hemachandra supported extending the emergency regulations after Cyclone “Ditva”, stating that they provide the legal basis for the Essential Services Commissioner-General to deliver relief, housing and rehabilitation to displaced persons. She challenged Opposition claims on poverty figures, asked for sources to be tabled, and said the Government’s Praja Shakthi programme and fiscal measures were aimed at reducing poverty and providing relief. She also said the Government would protect investigators and pursue justice in relation to crimes, corruption and the Easter Sunday attacks, while accusing the Opposition of spreading misinformation on welfare, prices and public finances.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC SJB
AI summary Arguing against reliance on emergency powers and the Prevention of Terrorism Act, Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper said the Government must justify why ordinary and disaster laws are insufficient before imposing emergency regulations. He recalled past abuses under emergency law and cited post-Easter PTA detentions, stating that of 548 detainees, most were Muslims and about 418 were later released without charges. He argued that the Easter attacks should not be used to justify the PTA in the absence of convictions, and called for equal application of the law, humane treatment of suspects, and legal redress where rights have been violated.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Aboobucker Athambawa JJB
AI summary Aboobucker Athambawa criticized Nizam Kariapper’s concern over Hejaaz Hizbullah as insincere and challenged him to explain Sajith Premadasa’s participation in Udaya Gammanpila’s book launch. The intervention was framed as a political rebuttal linking the issue of Hizbullah with opposition political associations.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Sunil Watagala, Attorney-at-Law - Deputy Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs JJB
AI summary Deputy Minister Sunil Watagala defended the Government’s use of Emergency Regulations as limited to cyclone relief and said they had not been used against legitimate political activity. He reaffirmed commitments to combat the underworld, investigate corruption, apply the law impartially, and continue the Easter Sunday attacks investigation, including in relation to Suresh Sale, until the alleged mastermind is identified and arrested. He rejected claims of political interference or selective justice, stating that institutions such as the Bribery Commission, Attorney General’s Department and CID were operating independently and that public officials should act without fear.
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Amila Prasad SJB
AI summary Hon. Amila Prasad raised concerns about schoolchildren, requesting a one to one-and-a-half month postponement of the A/L examination due to reduced teaching time, timely payment of Grade 5 scholarship stipends, and increased support for the primary school breakfast programme. He also called for incentives for SriLankan Catering staff, transfers for Civil Security Department officers closer to Thantirimale, and stronger action against digital extremism and weaknesses in visa and financial systems. On the Easter Sunday investigations, he said suspects should be arrested and investigated without obstruction but urged the Government to ensure the full safety of detained former intelligence official Sale, warning that any death in custody would undermine justice for victims. He also questioned alleged links involving JVP National List nominee Ibrahim and said the SJB would wait for investigations to conclude before commenting further.
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Ananda Wijepala - Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs JJB
AI summary Minister Ananda Wijepala supported a short extension of the State of Emergency, stating it remains necessary to complete resettlement and reconstruction following the November 2025 Ditcha cyclone, including the use of Rs. 500 billion allocated for relief and infrastructure recovery. He said the emergency powers have not been used to suppress speech or detain opponents, and reiterated that the Government intends to abolish the PTA while relying on ordinary legal processes and independent investigations. He also referred to action on past corruption cases, the treatment of Suresh Sale, a Kilinochchi detention under the 2011 Gazette on LTTE promotion, and Government claims on economic stabilization, welfare support, and national unity.
- The Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam ACTC
AI summary Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam formally requested a division, seeking a recorded vote on the matter before the House.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip JJB
AI summary Under Section 7(1)(a) read with Section 105 of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka Act, No. 16 of 2023, the Minister tabled the Rules relating to the Repatriation of Export Proceeds to Sri Lanka, published in Gazette Extraordinary No. 2492/10 of 9 June 2026. He moved that the Rules be referred to the Committee on Public Finance, and the House agreed.
Public Finance Full speech →
- 8 Adjournment Adjournment and Written Answers 9 speeches