Hon. Harshana Rajakaruna

Hon. Rajakaruna argued in favour of retaining MP pensions while proposing a modified qualifying period of 10–15 years, warning that removing pension entitlements entirely would deter qualified candidates and restrict Parliament to wealthy individuals. He cautioned against blanket condemnation of all 225 MPs and noted unequal financial resources among political parties. He challenged the government on unfulfilled electoral promises — including electricity tariff reductions, fuel price cuts, VAT removals on essentials, abolition of the Executive Presidency, and a new Constitution — citing Verité Research's "Anura Meter" as indicating approximately 10% completion of presidential pledges. He also tabled a letter relating to a preliminary inquiry involving Parliament's Deputy Secretary-General and Chief of Staff, Mr. G.K.A.C.K. Kularatne, and expressed concern about recommendations affecting the Clerk of Parliament, Ms. Kushani Rohanadeera, warning against partisan interference in independent institutions including Parliament itself.

Hon. Harshana Rajakaruna moved a motion in Parliament seeking leave to introduce the Indira Cancer Charitable Trust (Incorporation) Bill as a Private Member's Bill. The motion requests parliamentary permission to formally table legislation that would grant incorporated status to the Indira Cancer Charitable Trust.

Hon. Harshana Rajakaruna raised a serious allegation of interference with an active CIABOC investigation, citing Sections 3(5), 127(1), and 127(1)(b) of the Anti-Corruption Act, No. 9 of 2023. He stated that following a complaint lodged by the Deputy Secretary-General of Parliament against the Speaker, the Speaker's Private Secretary, Mr. Chameera Gallage, wrote to the Secretary-General of Parliament two days later seeking information about that complaint. Rajakaruna characterised this letter as unlawful interference with CIABOC's functions and questioned the legal authority under which it was sent. He tabled the letter as evidence and called on CIABOC to immediately investigate the matter.

The speaker, Hon. Harshana Rajakaruna, made a brief procedural clarification, asserting that he was speaking within his allocated debate time rather than raising a point of order. The statement appears to be a response to an interruption or challenge regarding the nature of his contribution to the debate. No substantive policy arguments or proposals were contained in this excerpt of his speech.

Hon. Harshana Rajakaruna briefly addressed Parliament to formally accept a petition submitted by Ms. J.P. Sarasi Tharanga Jayasinghe, a resident of No. 367/1, Medalanda, Dompe. No further details regarding the subject matter or nature of the petition were stated in the speech.