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- 5 February 2025 The Hon. Namal Rajapaksa, Attorney-at-Law SLPP AI summary Namal Rajapaksa asked the Government to state its position on an issue he distinguished from a separate inquiry and three-month suspension in another context. He sought a direct clarification of the Government’s stance rather than discussion of the external case. Debate: Regulations on Imports and Exports (Control) Act and Foreign Exchange Act Read →
- 5 February 2025 The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Raised a point of order challenging a claim that USAID had acted politically in Sri Lanka. He noted that USAID had long supported the judiciary and development activities, and argued that after President Trump took office programmes were subject to review rather than being stopped, asking the member to state the basis for the allegation. Debate: Regulations on Imports and Exports (Control) Act and Foreign Exchange Act Read →
- 5 February 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary Dr. Ramanathan Archchuna raised a procedural concern, asking the Deputy Speaker how he could obtain time to speak in the debate. Debate: Regulations on Imports and Exports (Control) Act and Foreign Exchange Act Read →
- 5 February 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna raised a point of order under Standing Order 92(2), stating that he had been allotted time to speak on an alleged breach of his parliamentary privileges but was prevented from doing so due to verbal interventions by Government Members. He asked the Chair where he could present his issue if his allocated time was disrupted. Debate: Regulations on Imports and Exports (Control) Act and Foreign Exchange Act Read →
- 5 February 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Bimal Rathnayake moved a procedural motion to vary the day’s sitting hours notwithstanding Standing Order 8, setting sittings from 9.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and 1.00 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. The motion specified that Standing Order 8(5) would apply at 3.30 p.m. and that Parliament would adjourn at 5.30 p.m. without a question being put; it was agreed to. Procedural: Sitting Time Amendment Motion Read →
- 5 February 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake requested that Parliament proceed with the main business of the day. Procedural: Privilege Questions and Sitting Time Motion Read →
- 5 February 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa said the Opposition had raised Privilege Questions because repeated discussions with the Speaker, the Leader of the House and the President had not resolved concerns over parliamentary representation and procedure. He alleged that conventions were being disregarded, including in elections to friendship associations, and asked the Leader of the House to ensure adequate Opposition representation in Committees. He also cited alleged intimidation at cooperative elections, protests in Gampaha and Kamburupitiya, and restrictions on student expression at the University of Peradeniya regarding the IMF programme, describing these as anti-democratic and requesting remedial action. Procedural: Privilege Questions and Sitting Time Motion Read →
- 5 February 2025 The Hon. Sunil Handunnetti - Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development JJB AI summary The Minister raised a point of Order regarding Privilege Questions submitted by several Members about increasing Committee membership. He urged that the matter be discussed and resolved through the appropriate process, rather than taking further time in the House. Procedural: Privilege Questions and Sitting Time Motion Read →
- 5 February 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake raised a point of order concerning the composition of parliamentary committees, arguing that established practice and references such as Erskine May should guide procedure where Standing Orders are silent. He stated that Opposition representation in relevant committees had historically not been significantly reduced and requested that the Opposition be given fair space, citing an ethical and moral obligation to maintain balanced committee membership. Procedural: Privilege Questions and Sitting Time Motion Read →
- 5 February 2025 The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka JJB AI summary Anura Karunathilaka stated that the Committee on Parliamentary Business had extensively considered committee representation and that, in several committees, Opposition membership had been increased beyond the requirements of the Standing Orders. He rejected claims that the Government was reducing Opposition representation and said the changes were intended to provide the Opposition with more opportunities. Procedural: Privilege Questions and Sitting Time Motion Read →
- 5 February 2025 The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB AI summary Ajith P. Perera raised points of order seeking immediate consideration of Privilege Questions submitted before 9.15 a.m. regarding the composition of parliamentary committees and alleged inadequate Opposition representation. He argued that, under Standing Order 29(2), such questions submitted in time should be given priority and that the Speaker should first allow them to be raised before determining whether they constitute privilege matters. He cited past committee composition ratios and examples of accommodating Opposition members, including in COPE, to support his claim that the current 9:4 ratio is unfair and should be resolved before scheduled committee proceedings continue. Procedural: Privilege Questions and Sitting Time Motion Read →
- 5 February 2025 The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka SJB AI summary Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka stated that the earlier issue concerning Hon. Archchuna’s speaking time had been addressed by agreeing to allocate him time under Opposition arrangements. He then raised concern that Opposition representation in Parliamentary Committees had been curtailed despite prior discussions with the Speaker, former Speaker and President. Citing past practice, including the 2018 COPE membership and chairmanship, he requested that Committee compositions be increased or adjusted to allow broader Opposition participation at no additional cost. Procedural: Privilege Questions and Sitting Time Motion Read →
- 5 February 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake urged the Speaker to manage time ahead of the main business and to ensure privilege matters are confined to what was submitted in writing. He said complaints about an Opposition member being prevented from speaking were an internal Opposition matter but also affected Parliament. He defended the Government’s handling of committee appointments, stating that Opposition representation had been increased across committees, including offering the COPA chair to the Opposition, and argued that committee composition should follow Standing Orders and parliamentary traditions rather than address internal party issues. Procedural: Privilege Questions and Sitting Time Motion Read →
- 5 February 2025 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara raised a point of order and privilege concerning the composition and functioning of parliamentary committees, particularly the Committee on Parliamentary Business, COPE and COPA. Citing Erskine May and Standing Order 101, he argued that the Opposition is not receiving fair representation compared with previous Parliaments and questioned whether committee appointments and expansions were made procedurally. He requested the Speaker to intervene, allow Opposition privilege matters to be presented, ensure adequate time allocation, and provide a ruling rather than directing the Opposition to negotiate with the Government. Procedural: Privilege Questions and Sitting Time Motion Read →
- 5 February 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary Dr. Ramanathan Archchuna stated that no Magistrate had issued an arrest order against him and objected to public statements made without due process. He argued that such pronouncements damaged his reputation and were made without proper legal proceedings or the Speaker’s knowledge, while also questioning the procedural basis for restricting his ability to speak in the House. Procedural: Privilege Questions and Sitting Time Motion Read →
- 5 February 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna stated that a windscreen pass was issued to him on 22 January, two days after he was stopped on 20 January, and asked that the relevant signed documents be checked. He complained that officers treated the pass as forged and rejected the official seal and signature, arguing that this obstructed his travel to Parliament and amounted to a breach of his parliamentary privileges. Procedural: Privilege Questions and Sitting Time Motion Read →
- 5 February 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary Hon. Dr. Ramanathan Archchuna raised a privilege matter concerning an incident on 20 January 2025, when Traffic Division officers in Anuradhapura stopped him while he was travelling from Jaffna to Colombo and asked for identification. He stated that although he identified himself as a Member of Parliament and showed a Parliament-issued windscreen pass, the officers insisted on a specific parliamentary identity document, delaying his journey. He argued that the incident obstructed his ability to attend Parliament and amounted to a violation of his parliamentary privileges. Procedural: Privilege Questions and Sitting Time Motion Read →
- 5 February 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna raised a procedural question asking whether he was permitted to state matters in the same language. The intervention appears to concern language use during the parliamentary proceedings. Procedural: Privilege Questions and Sitting Time Motion Read →
- 5 February 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary Dr. Ramanathan Archchuna referred to the same incident under discussion and requested the Speaker to read a letter he had submitted. No further details or arguments were provided in the excerpt. Procedural: Privilege Questions and Sitting Time Motion Read →
- 5 February 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna stated that while travelling from Jaffna to Colombo to attend the Parliamentary sitting on 21 January, he was stopped or disturbed by two police officers for using a VIP light. He sought to bring this incident to the attention of the Speaker. Procedural: Privilege Questions and Sitting Time Motion Read →