News
Speaker reads MPs the riot act over wasting parliamentary time
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.
The government is currently prioritizing the development of a country-specific Food Security Index, with the goal of completing the initiative within the next three months.
This tailored index is expected to better reflect Sri Lanka’s unique food security landscape, addressing the limitations of global indices such as the Global Food Security Index (GFSI), which have been criticized for failing to capture the nuances of the local context. Policymakers have also noted that existing data is often insufficient or imprecise, making it challenging to develop effective strategies.
The proposed index aims to identify key national priorities and guide food security policy over the next five years.
As a first step in this effort, a workshop titled “Identifying a Suitable Food Security Index for Sri Lanka and Formulating a Strategic Plan” was held on Tuesday (17) at the Colombo City Center. Organized by the Food Security Expert Committee in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP), the event brought together experts and stakeholders from across the sector.
Delivering the opening remarks, Senior Additional Secretary to the President Kapila Gunaratne emphasized the importance of the initiative, stating that the development of a precise, country-specific index is a vital step toward ensuring both economic stability and national food security. The workshop focused on the four key dimensions of food security; availability, accessibility, utilization and stability and explored how these can be incorporated into a comprehensive and practical national index.
Participants included members of the Food Security Expert Committee, such as Senior Professors Buddhi Marambe and Jeevika Weerahewa, along with representatives from various government agencies, academic institutions, the FAO, the WFP and the private sector.
Govt. blames them for misbehaviour in Parliament
MPs of the SJB and some other Opposition parties staged a walkout in Parliament yesterday, protesting against the Speaker’s refusal to allow them to discuss the escalating Israel-Iran conflict and its potential impact on Sri Lanka.
The walkout was followed by a special meeting of Opposition leaders, held at the Parliament complex, chaired by Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa. Among those present were MPs Dilith Jayaweera, Namal Rajapaksa, and Dr. Ramanathan Archchuna.
Chief Opposition Whip Gayantha Karunathilleka said that the protest was against the Speaker’s refusal to allocate time for an urgent debate on the Middle East conflict, which Opposition MPs argued poses serious risks to Lankan nationals and businesses, particularly about 10,000–20,000 Lankans currently working in Israel.
Premadasa accused Speaker Dr Jagath Wickramaratne of silencing the Opposition, stating that he had been denied the opportunity to raise a matter of national importance. “We no longer approve of your conduct in this House,” he said, warning that continued disregard for parliamentary procedure would lead to more protests.
Premadasa emphasised the need for immediate government action to ensure the safety of Sri Lankans in the war-torn region and to mitigate economic fallout from the conflict, which, he warned, could escalate into a broader war with possible nuclear implications.
Health and Mass Media Minister and Chief Government Whip Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa assured Parliament that the government would address the issue during an adjournment debate later in the day and that a statement from the Foreign Ministry would follow.
Kurunegala District MP Dayasiri Jayasekara criticised the Speaker for suppressing Opposition voices, adding that the decision to boycott the remainder of the day’s sessions was a direct result of repeated restrictions.
Leader of the House, Transport Minister Bimal Rathnayake rejected the allegations, placing blame on the Opposition for ‘unacceptable conduct within the chamber’.
ITAK Batticaloa District MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam opted to remain in Parliament and participate in the debate, though he, too, condemned the government’s repeated efforts to curtail the Opposition’s right to speak.
By Saman Indrajith
Nimal Senadheera officially assumed duties as Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom on Monday, 16 June, at the Sri Lanka High Commission in London. The occasion was marked by a traditional and dignified ceremony.
Senadheera succeeded Rohitha Bogollagama who took over the mission in Nov 2023 during Ranil Wickremesinghe tenure as the President.
Senadheera was warmly welcomed by officials and staff of the Mission. In his address, he highlighted the Government’s vision to strengthen the Mission’s role in advancing Sri Lanka’s interests abroad, reflecting the aspirations of the people and the mandate entrusted to the current administration. He called on all staff members to work collaboratively in further enhancing Sri Lanka–UK relations.
The formal assumption of duties included the traditional lighting of the oil lamp, followed by the serving of milk rice and sweetmeats, in keeping with Sri Lankan customs.
Senadheera is a senior officer of the Sri Lanka Administrative Service (SLAS) with over two decades of experience in public administration, diplomacy, and education. He has previously served at the Sri Lanka High Commission in Pretoria and held senior positions in the Central Provincial Council and the Sri Lanka Institute of Development Administration.
He holds an MSc in Public Policy from the University of Strathclyde (UK), a Master of Public Administration from Flinders University (Australia), and a Master of Arts in Linguistics from the University of Kelaniya (Sri Lanka). He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Peradeniya, specialising in English, Economics, and Sociology.
Senadheera and his wife arrived in London over the weekend. Upon arrival, they were received by Gordon Wetherell CMG, Special Representative of the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs.
Later in the evening, the High Commissioner, accompanied by his wife and staff, visited the London Buddhist Viharaya to invoke blessings as he begins his new diplomatic assignment.
Sujeeva Nivunhella reporting from London
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