Topic
Parliamentary Procedure
9,520 speeches · 1,565 speakers
Party share
By the speaker's party · counts only, no scoring. "Unattributed" = speeches not resolved to an MP.
Most active on this topic
| # | Member | Speeches |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hon. Bimal Rathnayake, M.P. JJB | 955 |
| 2 | Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney at Law, M.P. SJB | 548 |
| 3 | Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna, M.P. Independent Group 17 - Jaffna | 403 |
| 4 | Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa, M.P. JJB | 403 |
| 5 | Hon. Ravi Karunanayake, M.P. NDF | 359 |
| 6 | Hon. Sajith Premadasa, M.P. SJB | 333 |
| 7 | Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri, M.P. SJB | 286 |
| 8 | Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka, M.P. SJB | 257 |
| 9 | Hon. Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, M.P. JJB | 210 |
| 10 | Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney at Law, M.P. JJB | 179 |
Speeches
9,520 on this topic- 11 September 2025 Mr. Speaker [The Hon. (Dr.) Jagath Wickramaratne] AI summary The Speaker announced that he had endorsed the certificate on the “Removal of Presidential Immunities” Bill on 10 September 2025 under Article 79 of the Constitution. He requested Members to attend a joint special general meeting of the CPA Sri Lanka Branch, IPU Sri Lanka Group and SAARC Parliamentarians’ Association, and notified a meeting of the Committee on Parliamentary Business. He also tabled specified parts of the Auditor-General’s Reports for the financial years 2023 and 2024 under Article 154(6) of the Constitution. Opening and Speaker's Certificate Read →
- 10 September 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake — Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation and Leader of the House AI summary The Minister moved the adjournment of Parliament. Following the motion, the Chair passed from the Hon. Speaker to the Hon. Deputy Speaker, who then called on Hon. Rohana Bandara to speak for seven minutes. Adjournment Debate: Fair Guaranteed Price for Paddy Read →
- 10 September 2025 The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Moved the Bill for its Third Reading and sought leave to correct any typographical, grammatical, or numbering errors. The motion was agreed to, and the Bill was read a third time and passed. Presidents' Entitlements (Repeal) Bill - Voting and Third Reading Read →
- 10 September 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Bimal Rathnayake called for a division on the Presidents’ Entitlements (Repeal) Bill. The electronic vote recorded 151 Ayes, 1 No, and no abstentions, and the Bill was read a Second time by a majority of 150 votes. It was then referred to a Committee of the whole Parliament, considered clause by clause, and reported without amendments. Presidents' Entitlements (Repeal) Bill - Voting and Third Reading Read →
- 10 September 2025 The Hon. Sunil Watagala, Attorney-at-Law - Deputy Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Sunil Watagala referred to a reported letter of demand from Namal Rajapaksa and said he would contest any defamation action, raising questions he said he would pursue in cross-examination. Turning to the Presidents’ Entitlements Act, he argued that Act No. 4 of 1986 created benefits for former Presidents and widows beyond what the Constitution protected and that these entitlements had been abused through official residences and state property. Citing a recent Supreme Court judgment, he said only salary, allowances and pension are constitutionally protected, and supported the repeal as restoring equality before the law. Debate: Presidents' Entitlements (Repeal) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 10 September 2025 The Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC SJB AI summary Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper supported the view that the Bill repeals statutory entitlements under the Presidents’ Entitlements Act, No. 4 of 1986, but argued that it does not affect the President’s constitutional salary, pension and emoluments under Article 36. He raised concerns that the Bill lacks mechanisms to recover improperly used official residences or impose accountability, urging the Government to pursue legal action where state property or benefits were misused. He questioned the urgency given to this Bill compared with delays in holding Provincial Council elections and introducing broader constitutional and community-focused reforms, particularly affecting Tamil and Muslim communities. Debate: Presidents' Entitlements (Repeal) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 10 September 2025 The Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe - Deputy Minister of Labour JJB AI summary Mahinda Jayasinghe rose briefly on a point of order. No substantive argument, proposal, or policy issue was presented in the recorded statement. Debate: Presidents' Entitlements (Repeal) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 10 September 2025 The Hon. D.V. Chanaka SLPP AI summary Hon. D.V. Chanaka objected to allegations made under parliamentary privilege against Namal Rajapaksa, particularly claims linking him to drug networks. He stated that Rajapaksa had taken legal action and sent a letter of demand, and challenged government members to repeat the allegations outside Parliament where privilege would not apply. He said further legal steps would be pursued against relevant government members, including those connected to the police portfolio. Debate: Presidents' Entitlements (Repeal) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 10 September 2025 The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna - Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure JJB AI summary The Minister supported the Bill to repeal the Presidents’ Entitlements Act No. 4 of 1986, arguing that it implements the NPP’s electoral mandate to abolish excessive benefits for former Presidents and align public spending with the needs of ordinary citizens. He rejected claims that the measure is vindictive, stating it is a lawful and democratic correction of entitlements that he said have been misused or exceeded their intended purpose. He cited court rulings and examples involving former Presidents Maithripala Sirisena, Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, and Mahinda Rajapaksa to argue that state residences, land, and renovation expenditures had been unfairly or unlawfully allocated. He added that while security for former Presidents remains a government responsibility, unlimited privileges should not continue. Debate: Presidents' Entitlements (Repeal) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 10 September 2025 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara said his side would not oppose the Bill, noting public support and its link to the Government’s policy pledges, but questioned whether the Government was applying its “nothing denied to a citizen should be given to a ruler” principle consistently. He asked that the Chitrasiri Committee Report be tabled in Parliament, argued that modest and defined support for former leaders can be justified while misuse should be addressed, and stated that the related expenditure was very small relative to GDP and revenue. He also urged the Government to focus on wider governance and economic issues, including bank non-performing loans, delays in benefits reaching entrepreneurs after IMF-related measures, unresolved customs documentation, and youth unemployment. Debate: Presidents' Entitlements (Repeal) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 10 September 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake reported on the status of responses to questions raised under Standing Order 27(2), listing how many questions from several Members had been answered and which remained pending. He then moved a motion altering the day’s sitting hours notwithstanding Standing Order 88, setting sessions from 9.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and 1.00 p.m. to 5.30 p.m., with adjournment at 5.30 p.m.; the motion was agreed to before proceeding to Public Business on the Presidents’ Entitlements (Repeal) Bill. Debate: Presidents' Entitlements (Repeal) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 10 September 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) M.L.A.M. Hizbullah SLMC AI summary Hon. (Dr.) M.L.A.M. Hizbullah briefly expressed thanks to the Minister for their efforts. Oral Questions: Jaffna Massacre (Q. 2-117/2024) and Displaced Persons in Valikamam North (Q. 3-1253/2025) Read →
- 10 September 2025 The Hon. Namal Karunaratne JJB AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation, Namal Karunaratne requested two weeks to provide an answer to the question. The question was ordered to stand down. Oral Question: UDA Projects in Gampaha DS Division (Q.4-1254/2025) Read →
- 10 September 2025 The Hon. E.M. Basnayaka JJB AI summary E.M. Basnayaka briefly rose in the Chair to indicate that he was raising a question. No substantive argument, proposal, or policy issue was stated in the provided remarks. Oral Question: UDA Projects in Gampaha DS Division (Q.4-1254/2025) Read →
- 10 September 2025 The Hon. Namal Karunaratne - Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock JJB AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation, a two-week extension was requested to provide an answer. The question was accordingly ordered to stand down. Oral Questions: Stand Down (Q.2-117/2024 and Q.3-1253/2025) Read →
- 10 September 2025 The Hon. Manjula Suraweera Arachchi JJB AI summary Manjula Suraweera Arachchi briefly intervened to raise a question before the Chair. No substantive policy issue or proposal was stated in the provided excerpt. Oral Questions: Stand Down (Q.2-117/2024 and Q.3-1253/2025) Read →
- 10 September 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya requested two weeks to provide an answer to the question. The question was accordingly ordered to stand down. Oral Questions: Stand Down (Q.2-117/2024 and Q.3-1253/2025) Read →
- 10 September 2025 The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB AI summary Chaminda Wijesiri briefly intervened to state that he was raising the question before the Chair. No substantive policy argument, proposal, or demand was included in the recorded speech. Oral Questions: Stand Down (Q.2-117/2024 and Q.3-1253/2025) Read →
- 10 September 2025 The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB AI summary 2025-09-10: Ajith P. Perera raised concerns regarding the matter under discussion and sought clarification on the Government’s position and intended course of action. He emphasized the need for accountability and a clear procedural response in relation to the relevant policy or legislative issue before Parliament. Oral Question: Ceylon Electricity Board (Q.1/2024) and Digital Economy Initiatives (Q.2/2025) Read →
- 10 September 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Leader of the House of Parliament JJB AI summary Leader of the House Bimal Rathnayake said Questions to the Prime Minister are answered after gathering information from relevant Ministries and that the Government has generally provided such responses. Referring to Standing Order 27(2), he noted that urgent matters should be raised concisely, but some submissions are lengthy and difficult to answer immediately. He rejected accusations that the Government was not responding, stating that answers have been provided and that a full report was prepared on issues raised by Hon. Kader Mastan. Oral Question: Ceylon Electricity Board (Q.1/2024) and Digital Economy Initiatives (Q.2/2025) Read →