Hon. (Ms.) Lakmali Hemachandra, Attorney at Law, M.P.

Jathika Jana balawegaya (JJB)· National List

Profession: Lawyer

Roster profile ↗

Speeches 100 #47 of 225·#21 in party

Attendance 7/8 days present (of recorded)

Speech history

100 speeches

19 March 2026 AI summary The motion was seconded and the question was put and agreed to. Following this, the Deputy Chairperson of Committees left the Chair and Hon. M.K.M. Aslam took the Chair. Debate: Colombo Port City Economic Commission Act Regulations Approval Parliamentary Procedure Read →
6 March 2026 AI summary Lakmali Hemachandra argued that while Sri Lanka supports the Indian Ocean as a Zone of Peace, it lacks the capacity to police the entire ocean and can only secure its territorial waters and EEZ. She said the Government and Navy acted on humanitarian grounds and in accordance with international law, rejecting Opposition claims that Sri Lanka had taken part in any military action such as assisting the United States against an Iranian ship. She maintained that Sri Lanka’s response enhanced its international reputation and urged rejection of what she described as Opposition distortions. Debate: Resolution on Public Security Ordinance - Extension of State of Emergency Foreign AffairsSecurity & Defence Read →
6 March 2026 AI summary Hon. Lakmali Hemachandra said Sri Lanka’s actions regarding Iranian vessels were governed by its non-aligned foreign policy, neutrality, and obligations under international law. She argued that Sri Lanka could not admit vessels of a party to a conflict for war purposes, but was legally and humanely obliged to rescue mariners in distress after a reported attack outside Sri Lankan waters. She stated that the Navy rescued 32 persons from IRIS Dena and 208 from IRIS Bushehr, took the vessel into custody at Trincomalee, and acted to protect lives while maintaining neutrality. She criticised Opposition claims about delays and casualties, saying they misrepresented the legal basis and humanitarian nature of the Government’s response. Debate: Resolution on Public Security Ordinance - Extension of State of Emergency Security & DefenceLaw & OrderForeign Affairs Read →
5 March 2026 AI summary Hon. Lakmali Hemachandra argued that harassment and political attacks directed at women MPs, including the Prime Minister, are attempts to weaken women’s political power. She said the increased participation of women from ordinary families, supported by the “Women, We Stand as One” movement, represents a historic political change that deserves respect and recognition. She concluded by calling for continued action to increase women’s representation in politics. Adjournment: National Care Policy and International Women's Day Corruption & Governance ReformWomen & Children Read →
5 March 2026 AI summary Marking International Women’s Day, the MP supported the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus proposal for a National Care Policy on unpaid care work and rejected claims of conflict between the Government and the Women’s Commission, stating that it should be independent. She highlighted the increased representation of women in the 10th Parliament, including women without political family backgrounds and the first two women MPs from the plantation Tamil community, as a significant milestone. She also cited the National People’s Power’s women representatives in local authorities and called for constructive engagement with women’s political leadership while criticizing the Opposition’s record and conduct on women’s representation. Adjournment: National Care Policy and International Women's Day Ethnic Reconciliation & DevolutionWomen & ChildrenCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
4 March 2026 AI summary Hon. Lakmali Hemachandra argued that the central issue in the repeal of the 2016 Microfinance Act and the new regulatory framework is the definition of “microfinance,” particularly its inclusion of community financial organizations. She noted that predatory lenders operating outside effective regulation have harmed women, while community finance groups function differently and should not be treated wholesale as microfinance operators. She referred to the 2024 Bill, the Supreme Court Determination, and Sectoral Oversight Committee recommendations, stating that all microfinance entities must be regulated without creating gaps, but that future regulations or mechanisms should protect women-led community finance organizations from inappropriate or excessive regulation. Debate: Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority Bill - Second Reading (Continued) Women & ChildrenPublic Finance Read →
20 February 2026 AI summary Lakmali Hemachandra criticized Opposition Members for allegedly using energy-related debates to advocate for a particular company rather than engaging in substantive scrutiny of government policy. She stated that the Government has no objection to any company winning tenders, including politically linked firms, provided they meet qualifications, pricing requirements, and tender conditions. She urged the Opposition to protect the public mandate, avoid undermining public discourse, and perform its role through legitimate criticism rather than what she described as company-driven interventions. Adjournment Motion: Issues Relating to the Power Sector (Coal Procurement for Norochcholai) Public FinanceCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
20 February 2026 AI summary Hon. Lakmali Hemachandra rejected the Opposition’s Adjournment Motion on alleged coal tender irregularities, arguing that no specific defect in the procurement process, exclusion of bidders, appeal, or court challenge had been identified. She said coal rejections for quality had occurred under previous governments as well and could be addressed through contractual safeguards such as penalty clauses. She called on MP Marikkar to substantiate his allegation that funds were deposited to an account connected to the Minister’s wife’s mother, or to report it to the Bribery Commission. She further argued that the current tender process was more transparent than past practices where Cabinet Papers were allegedly used to override tender outcomes and favour preferred suppliers. Adjournment Motion: Issues Relating to the Power Sector (Coal Procurement for Norochcholai) Corruption & Governance ReformPublic Finance Read →
17 February 2026 AI summary Hon. Lakmali Hemachandra argued that the dignity of public representatives does not depend on the existence of a parliamentary pension. She said respect must be earned through public trust and urged all representatives to work toward that standard. Parliamentary Pensions (Repeal) Bill - Second Reading Debate Public Finance Read →
17 February 2026 AI summary Hon. Lakmali Hemachandra supported the Bill to Abolish Parliamentary Pensions, stating that it implements a clear electoral pledge made at the presidential and parliamentary elections and is based on the Government’s mandate rather than the Chitrasiri Report. She questioned whether Members who had previously presented similar Private Members’ Bills would support the measure, and rejected the argument that pensions are necessary to attract quality representatives or prevent corruption. She argued that pre-1977 politicians served without pensions and said the Bill seeks to restore a tradition of public-spirited representation. Parliamentary Pensions (Repeal) Bill - Second Reading Debate Public FinanceCorruption & Governance ReformParliamentary Procedure Read →
5 February 2026 AI summary Lakmali Hemachandra referred to reactions in Trincomalee against political agitation and criticized past rulers for fostering divisive politics, crime, and corruption. She praised the Tri-Forces for their rescue and restoration work during Cyclone Michaung and called for respect for all communities, national unity, and rejection of racist politics. Debate: Institute of Real Estate Professionals, Container Depot Operators Licensing, and Shipping Agents Licensing Bills (Second Reading) Ethnic Reconciliation & DevolutionCorruption & Governance ReformLaw & Order Read →
5 February 2026 AI summary Lakmali Hemachandra stated that attempts to spread abuse and disrespect through social media in order to mislead the public would not succeed. She argued that people across religious and ethnic communities, including Sinhala Buddhists, Tamil Hindus, and Muslims, understand such efforts. Debate: Institute of Real Estate Professionals, Container Depot Operators Licensing, and Shipping Agents Licensing Bills (Second Reading) Religion & CultureJustice & Human Rights Read →
5 February 2026 AI summary Lakmali Hemachandra rejected claims that Independence Day celebrations and the Tri-Forces should be framed through racism, arguing that all parties have a responsibility to end ethnic and religious divisive politics after the damage caused by the 30-year war. She criticized Opposition figures, including Namal Rajapaksa, for allegedly invoking Sinhala Buddhist sentiment despite past responsibility for the country’s crisis, and said the public mandate was against racism and corruption and for dignity and honesty. She also referred to controversy over education reforms and allegations against the Speaker, saying such narratives were being used to mislead the public. Debate: Institute of Real Estate Professionals, Container Depot Operators Licensing, and Shipping Agents Licensing Bills (Second Reading) Religion & CultureEthnic Reconciliation & DevolutionCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
5 February 2026 AI summary Hon. Lakmali Hemachandra objected to the handling of speaking time, noting that another Member had already spoken and should not be given her allotted time. She asked the Presiding Member to ensure her time was not allocated to him. Debate: Institute of Real Estate Professionals, Container Depot Operators Licensing, and Shipping Agents Licensing Bills (Second Reading) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
5 February 2026 AI summary Lakmali Hemachandra raised a point of order and requested that the Presiding Member not allocate her speaking time to another Member. Debate: Institute of Real Estate Professionals, Container Depot Operators Licensing, and Shipping Agents Licensing Bills (Second Reading) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
5 February 2026 AI summary Hon. Lakmali Hemachandra stated that Parliament has appointed a Special Committee to investigate Opposition allegations concerning the 323 containers. She said Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, as a member of that Committee, should raise and pursue the matter through its proceedings rather than make insinuations in the Chamber, and should be bound by the Committee’s decisions. Debate: Institute of Real Estate Professionals, Container Depot Operators Licensing, and Shipping Agents Licensing Bills (Second Reading) Parliamentary ProcedureCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
3 February 2026 AI summary Hon. Lakmali Hemachandra raised a point of order concerning adherence to the Speakers’ list. She noted that Hon. D.V. Chanaka was listed to speak, but Hon. Chanaka Madugoda was given the floor, and requested that Members from both Government and Opposition be allowed to speak in the listed order. Debate: Regulations under the Sri Lanka Telecommunications Act (continued) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
22 January 2026 AI summary Hon. Lakmali Hemachandra supported the adjournment motion on education reform, arguing that reform is needed to expand access for rural and low-income children to teachers, updated curricula, science and technology subjects, vocational education, English, skills and soft skills. She said current education burdens families, contributes to stress and exclusion, and fails to address educated unemployment, while the Ministry’s Concept Note provides a basis for structured debate. She also condemned Opposition rhetoric directed at the Prime Minister, particularly gendered and personal attacks, and challenged the Opposition to table its proposed no-confidence motion if it intends to proceed. Adjournment Debate: Comprehensive Educational Transformation Process Parliamentary ProcedureEducationWomen & Children Read →
7 January 2026 AI summary The Member supported the Amendment to the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Act, stating that it retains tax incentive powers but introduces clearer rules, technical assessments, investment and employment thresholds, monitoring, and national tax oversight. She said the purpose is to replace blanket concessions with a transparent, rules-based scheme aligned with long-term economic objectives. She also objected to vulgar language used in Parliament and clarified that, on Venezuela, the Government’s position is based on international law, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and UN principles, distinct from party rhetoric. Debate: Colombo Port City Economic Commission (Amendment) Bill Parliamentary ProcedurePublic FinanceForeign Affairs Read →
7 January 2026 AI summary Presented the Report of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Economic Development and International Relations covering the 2023 and 2024 Annual Performance Reports of several departments, including Imports and Exports Control, National Planning, Valuation, External Resources, Public Enterprises, Development Finance, State Accounts, Fiscal Policy, Census and Statistics, and Sri Lanka Customs. The report was ordered to lie upon the Table. Papers Presented Parliamentary ProcedurePublic Finance Read →