Inclement weather forces suspension of Parliament sessions

By Yohan Perera   

Inclement weather conditions have forced the suspension of the committee stage debate on the budget for two days, the Parliament media unit confirmed yesterday.   

Accordingly, today’s session (November 28, 2025) will be limited to just half an hour, during which a regulation under the Debt Management Act is expected to be approved.   

To compensate for the lost time, sittings on Monday, December 1, and Tuesday, December 2, will be extended until midnight to complete the committee stage debate on the budget.   

Meanwhile, adverse weather conditions dominated yesterday’s parliamentary debate, with many MPs highlighting the severe impact on the public.   

SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa said the situation has dealt a double blow to farmers, who were already affected by the importation of essential food items before being hit by extreme weather.   

“You blamed farmers for increasing local crop production after importing essential food. How can you blame them when it was the government that decided to import these items?” he asked. He urged the government to provide immediate assistance to farmers whose crops have been destroyed.   

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa called on the government to declare a national disaster situation to expedite relief efforts. “Use the provisions under the National Disaster Management Act to declare disaster situation,” he said.   

Government MP Sudath Balagalla stated that the Rathu Balakaya of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) would be mobilized to assist affected communities. “The JVP’s Rathu Balakaya has always provided efficient relief services during national disasters. We will do the same this time,” he said.