Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne yesterday warned MPs against deliberately wasting parliamentary time by raising irrelevant questions and engaging in disruptive behaviour.

Making a special statement at the commencement of parliamentary sittings, Speaker Wickramaratne reminded all MPs of the proper procedures for raising questions under Standing Order 27(2), stressing the need for strict adherence to established parliamentary protocols.

Citing recent concerns about time mismanagement and procedural violations, the Speaker urged party leaders to ensure that questions submitted under this provision are confined to matters of genuine public importance and follow the prescribed format. He warned that non-compliance could result in procedural action.

Following is the full statement by the Speaker:

In a country where a representative parliamentary system operates, the primary responsibilities of a Member of Parliament, as a representative of the people, include representation, law-making, public finance control, and oversight. Of these, the responsibility of representation is particularly significant, as it enables MPs to draw the attention of Parliament to public concerns and seek resolutions through the executive using various mechanisms. These include questions requiring oral answers, questions not requiring oral answers, questions raised during adjournment debates, and motions raised during such debates. Also significant are questions raised under Standing Order 27(2), where—after giving formal notice to the relevant minister—a question may be asked by the Leader of the Opposition or a leader of a recognised political party on a matter of public importance.

Accordingly, I am prepared to clarify the issues that have arisen from time to time in the House regarding questions raised under Standing Order 27(2), particularly with reference to the situation that occurred in this House on May 9, 2025, and to inform the House of my decision on the matter.

The opportunity granted under Standing Order 27(2) is meant for obtaining answers—via brief prior notice to the relevant ministers—on specific matters of public importance. Therefore, it is essential that the issue be one of clear public significance and suitable for a short response.

Furthermore, such questions must be limited to a single, specific issue and must fall within the jurisdiction of a single minister. In keeping with longstanding tradition, such questions should be submitted to the relevant minister before 12 noon on the preceding day to allow sufficient time for a prompt response.

However, since the beginning of the 10th Parliament, many questions submitted under this provision have deviated from these principles. They have often lacked public importance, included multiple sub-questions, required highly detailed data, extended beyond a single minister’s purview, or been repeatedly submitted in similar formats. Additionally, although the Standing Orders do not permit supplementary questions in this context, MPs frequently present follow-up queries under the guise of seeking clarification. I have observed that even MPs other than the party leader submitting the question attempt to participate, often disrupting proceedings.

I would also like to emphasise that many such issues could be more appropriately raised as oral or written questions, or during adjournment debates or motions.

As a result of the current situation, a significant amount of time is consumed by raising, answering, and following up on questions—leading to delays that prevent completion within the allocated time. This has consistently disrupted the main business of the House and deprived scheduled speakers of their allotted time.

The issue of questions under Standing Order 27(2) was discussed extensively at the Parliamentary Business Committee meeting held on March 21, 2025. Based on the relevant Standing Orders, existing traditions, and rulings by the Speaker, it was agreed by both the government and the Opposition to proceed according to these norms.

Nevertheless, the continued failure to comply with these guidelines has caused numerous time management issues. I therefore emphasise the urgent need for all future questions under Standing Order 27(2) to strictly conform to the prescribed procedures.

Taking all these circumstances into consideration, I urge all party leaders to ensure that future questions under this provision adhere to the proper format. I also inform the House that I will be compelled to take action in accordance with the Standing Orders regarding any questions submitted outside of these rules.

Accordingly, I direct the attention of all party leaders to these concerns and look forward to your full cooperation in conducting the business of the House without disruption, in line with the Standing Orders.