The Official Record

The Hansard

Everything said in Parliament, on the record. Here's what it is, why it matters and how to use it.

What is the Hansard?

The Official Record of Parliament

The Hansard is the official, word-for-word report of everything said in Parliament. It is a permanent, public record of all debates, speeches, votes and decisions.

Think of it as the minutes of the nation's most important meeting — except written down exactly as it was spoken, for anyone to read, now or a century from now.

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Why it Matters

Your Window into Governance

The Hansard is the primary tool for holding elected officials accountable. It reveals what your MP says about important issues, tracks whether they fulfil their campaign promises, and provides a transparent record of how laws are made.

By examining the Hansard, citizens can ensure their voices are truly represented — and that the decisions made in their name are decisions they can see.

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History

A Legacy of Accountability in Sri Lanka

The tradition of the Hansard in Sri Lanka dates back to the colonial era, adapted from the British parliamentary system. For over a century, it has served as the cornerstone of parliamentary procedure and a vital historical archive of our nation's political journey.

From the Legislative Council to the State Council, and from independence to today's Parliament, the Hansard has recorded the words that shaped modern Sri Lanka. Every major reform, every crisis debated, every law passed — it lives in these pages.

At Hansard Watch, we believe this archive should be a living, searchable civic resource — not a document that sits on shelves. That's why we build the tools we do.

Explore the Hansard, the modern way.

Use our AI tools to search, summarise and question any parliamentary record.

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