What Will Happen in Parliament on 8–9 May? Debates and Key Private Members’ Motions Revealed

Parliament is scheduled to convene on 8 and 9 May, according to Secretary General of Parliament Kushani Rohanadeera. The schedule was finalised during a meeting of the Committee on Parliamentary Business held today (2 May), chaired by Speaker Dr Jagath Wickramaratne.

On Thursday, 8 May, parliamentary proceedings will begin at 9.30 a.m. with Business of Parliament under Standing Orders 22(1) to 22(6), followed by a session for Questions for Oral Answers from 10.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. and Questions under Standing Order 27(2) until 11.30 a.m.

The main item on the agenda for the day is a debate from 11.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. on a resolution related to Import Duties under the Customs Ordinance (Chapter 235), Schedule “A”, presented on 9 April 2025. The resolution pertains to Gazette Extraordinary No. 2421/05 dated 27 January 2025. The day will conclude with a Motion at the Adjournment Time by the Opposition from 5.00 p.m. to 5.30 p.m.

On Friday, 9 May, the proceedings will follow a similar structure in the morning, with Business of Parliament, Questions for Oral Answers, and Questions under Standing Order 27(2) occupying the time until 11.30 a.m.

From 11.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m., Parliament will debate six Private Members’ Motions. These include:

• A motion by MP Hesha Withanage to curtail privileges of Members of Parliament and former heads of state and their widows.
• A motion by MP Rohana Bandara calling for greater state involvement in importing and distributing essential food items.
• A motion by MP Chaminda Wijesiri to implement recommendations from audit reports.
• A motion by MP Ravi Karunanayake proposing to provide a house for every Sri Lankan family.
• A motion by MP Ravindra Bandara seeking legal reform to ensure only buses meeting public transport standards are imported.
• A motion by MP Lal Premanath to repurpose unused buildings constructed under development proposals for public use.

The sitting will conclude with Questions at the Adjournment Time from 5.00 p.m. to 5.30 p.m., the Parliament’s Department of Communications confirmed.