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

6 January 2026 AI summary Hon. Lakmali Hemachandra supported parliamentary approval of the emergency proclaimed on 28 December 2025 under the Public Security Ordinance, arguing it is needed to manage cyclone-related displacement, damaged housing, relief delivery and essential services. She said emergency powers have not been used against the Opposition or social media criticism, and that democratic activity has continued despite allegations of misuse. She stated that the appointment of the Commissioner General of Essential Services and related regulations require the emergency framework until permanent legislation or the immediate need is no longer present. Debate: Public Security Ordinance Resolution and Delimitation Motion Security & DefencePublic Finance Read →
3 December 2025 AI summary Appreciation was expressed for public officials and security personnel involved in rescue operations during the nationwide disaster, including those who died or went missing, while noting the reported scale of the tragedy: 22 districts gazetted as affected, displaced persons in 21 districts, 465 deaths and 366 missing persons. The remarks criticized claims that a 12 November warning had been ignored, particularly allegations attributed to Opposition figures and media coverage, and called for clarification of the source and content of any such warning from the Department of Meteorology. It was also stated that the President had sought all-party cooperation and that relief was being administered through District and Divisional Secretaries without political discrimination, while condemning alleged harassment of the Kandy District Secretary by Opposition MPs. Debate: Continued Committee Stage of Appropriation Bill 2026 (Ministry Expenditure Heads - Multiple Speakers) Public FinanceSecurity & DefenceCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
27 November 2025 AI summary Lakmali Hemachandra seconded the Adjournment Motion and expressed condolences to those affected by disasters and bereaved families. She supported regulating three-wheelers used for private passenger transport and schoolchildren, noting that the National Transport Commission (Amendment) Act now provides legal authority to regulate such vehicles and improve child safety. She highlighted low-income families’ reliance on shared three-wheelers for school transport and urged the Ministry of Transport and National Transport Commission to provide driver guidance, facilities, and safety measures, including considering CCTV or similar safeguards beyond school vans. Adjournment Motion: Three-Wheeler Industry Development Women & ChildrenInfrastructureLaw & Order Read →
24 November 2025 AI summary Hon. Lakmali Hemachandra supported Budget allocations for transport and urban development, highlighting CCTV installation in public transport to address harassment of women and children during the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence. She noted planned SLTB investments including depot development, driver rest facilities, recruitment, repairs to buses, engine replacements, additional long-distance buses, and services on unprofitable routes, while requesting attention to non-functioning low-income urban routes in Colombo. She also welcomed new National Transport Commission regulations on roadworthiness and driver drug use, and referred to a forthcoming road safety law. On housing, she cited plans to build 27,000 houses, including over 6,000 in Colombo, and urged speedy and sensitive relocation for unauthorized settlers. Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Transport, Highways, Ports, Civil Aviation, Urban Development, Construction and Housing Women & ChildrenLand & HousingInfrastructure Read →
19 November 2025 AI summary Hon. Lakmali Hemachandra clarified that the plantation daily wage of Rs. 1,750 does not require workers to complete 25 days of work, stating that Rs. 200 is an attendance incentive paid only for days worked in addition to the Rs. 1,550 wage. She said claims of a 25-day condition are due to misunderstanding or distortion. She also said labour law reform is being pursued through an inclusive process involving an expert committee, a draft for public and union comment, and consideration of fairness to both workers and employers, including greater women’s workforce participation. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Committee Stage (Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government; Ministry of Labour) EmploymentPublic Finance Read →
19 November 2025 AI summary Hon. (Ms.) Lakmali Hemachandra paid tribute to Samanmalee Hettiarachchi of the Dabindu Collective and highlighted the contribution and underrepresentation of women workers, particularly in Free Trade Zones and the garment sector. She said the government had reactivated the National Labour Advisory Council after a period of inactivity, held several meetings, and increased representation of women and women-led trade unions in the tripartite forum. She also cited labour policy measures including increases to the national minimum wage to Rs. 27,000 from April and Rs. 30,000 from January 2026, and negotiations to raise plantation workers’ wages, arguing that these reflected a stronger worker-focused approach by the Ministry of Labour. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Committee Stage (Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government; Ministry of Labour) EmploymentWomen & Children Read →
12 November 2025 AI summary Hon. Lakmali Hemachandra raised a point of order after her name was mentioned in the chamber. She requested that the Chair prevent a Member from making statements that, in her view, demean the dignity and seriousness of Parliament. Appropriation Bill, 2026 - Second Reading Debate Parliamentary Procedure Read →
12 November 2025 AI summary Hon. Lakmali Hemachandra objected to remarks made by Hon. Sujeewa Senasinghe concerning Hon. Hiruni Wijesinghe, describing them as misogynistic and harmful to women’s participation in politics. She requested that the remarks be expunged from Hansard and that Hon. Senasinghe publicly apologize, while urging the Speaker’s intervention and calling on the SJB to address the matter. Procedural Matters - Points of Order and Standing Order 27(2) clarifications Women & ChildrenParliamentary Procedure Read →
12 November 2025 AI summary Hon. (Ms.) Lakmali Hemachandra cited Standing Order 91(h), which prohibits Members from imputing improper motives to another Member or referring to a Member’s conduct or character in a derogatory manner. The intervention appears to raise a point of order concerning parliamentary decorum and language used in debate. Procedural Matters - Points of Order and Standing Order 27(2) clarifications Parliamentary Procedure Read →
12 November 2025 AI summary Hon. (Ms.) Lakmali Hemachandra sought leave from the Chair under the Standing Orders to raise a point of Order. Procedural Matters - Points of Order and Standing Order 27(2) clarifications Parliamentary Procedure Read →
11 November 2025 AI summary Hon. Lakmali Hemachandra defended the Government’s second Budget, arguing that its first year prioritized macroeconomic stability, fiscal discipline, and recovery after the 2022 bankruptcy. She cited increases in exports, remittances, tourism earnings, the primary balance, and a Treasury buffer as evidence of improved management, while rejecting Opposition claims that these were previously planned policies. She argued that past UNP/SLFP-aligned governments failed to deliver necessary development and said measures such as Digital ID and digitization must now be implemented as part of strengthening productive capacity. Debate: Second Reading of 2026 Budget Bill (Day 3, Afternoon/Evening) Public Finance Read →
11 November 2025 AI summary Hon. Lakmali Hemachandra informed the House that the Presiding Member, Hon. Shanta Padma Kumara Subasingha, had requested to raise a point of order. Debate: Second Reading of 2026 Budget Bill (Day 3, Afternoon/Evening) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
8 October 2025 AI summary Hon. Lakmali Hemachandra argued that reallocations in the Supplementary Estimate were necessitated by Sri Lanka’s 2022 debt default, which halted foreign loan disbursements and delayed projects, including the Central Expressway, resulting in about US$ 340 million in accumulated interest. She said the Central Expressway financing terms with Exim Bank of China changed after default from a dollar facility to a yuan facility, with a floating rate of 2.5–3.5 percent, and described renewed lender engagement under those constraints as significant. She also stated that the National Police Commission independently delegates powers to the IGP under the Constitution, and cautioned against parliamentary remarks that could place undue pressure on the Commission or police operations. Debate: Supplementary Sum - Head 117 - Programme 02 (Ministry of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation) Public FinanceInfrastructure Read →
7 October 2025 AI summary Hon. Lakmali Hemachandra tabled the Report of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Economic Development and International Relations concerning multiple annual performance reports, annual reports, and accounts from agencies and entities under industries, exports, gems and jewellery, and salt sectors. The documents included reports from the Ministry of Industries and Entrepreneurship Development, Sri Lanka Export Development Board, National Gem and Jewellery Authority, Gem and Jewellery Research and Training Institute, BCC Lanka Limited, and the National Salt Company, covering years between 2021 and 2024. Sectoral Oversight Committee Reports Parliamentary Procedure Read →
26 September 2025 AI summary Hon. Lakmali Hemachandra argued that COPE’s historical mandate has been limited to reporting and has not adequately ensured the efficiency or profitability of State-owned enterprises, many of which she said were weakened by past political agendas and policy choices. She said the Government intends to change this approach by strengthening SOEs and expanding COPE’s authority, noting that 14 of 457 institutions under COPE have recently been examined and four reports tabled. Addressing the 323-container issue, she stated that similar releases had occurred previously, that the President has ordered an investigation, and that matters requiring further inquiry have been referred to the CID, while the Government proceeds with regulatory reforms. Adjournment Debate: Fourth Report of the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) Law & OrderPublic FinanceParliamentary Procedure Read →
11 September 2025 AI summary Hon. Lakmali Hemachandra raised a point of order citing Standing Order 91(c), objecting to alleged improper imputations made against the Prime Minister and asking for clarification. She argued that Members should not use parliamentary proceedings to raise personal matters, salaries, perks, or private affairs, and referred to Standing Order 83(1) and a previous objection to what she described as baseless personal allegations against the President and Prime Minister. She urged that the dignity of the House, grounded in the people’s sovereignty, be protected. National Audit (Amendment) Bill Second Reading and Supplementary Estimates Debate Parliamentary Procedure Read →
10 September 2025 AI summary Hon. Lakmali Hemachandra supported the repeal of the Presidents’ Entitlements Act of 1986, stating that the Bill removes post-retirement benefits such as official residences, secretarial allowances, and widows’ entitlements, but does not affect former Presidents’ security. She argued that the measure fulfils the NPP’s policy commitment to abolish excessive presidential privileges and responds to public demands for equality, accountability, and a new political culture. Citing Supreme Court rulings involving former Presidents Maithripala Sirisena and Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, she said past use of office for personal benefit justified legislation to prevent misuse of public power and protect democracy. Debate: Presidents' Entitlements (Repeal) Bill - Second Reading Public FinanceJustice & Human RightsCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
21 August 2025 AI summary Hon. Lakmali Hemachandra rejected Opposition allegations that the Government had printed Rs. 1.2 trillion, citing Central Bank clarifications that no monetary financing occurred from October 2024 to June 2025. She stated that the 2023 Central Bank of Sri Lanka Act prohibits such financing and emphasized the distinction between Treasury functions and Central Bank functions. She argued that recent growth in money circulation reflects increased private sector credit, lower interest rates, and economic expansion, unlike the pandemic-era monetary financing of 2020–2022. Debate: Customs Ordinance, Excise Regulation, Finance Act Order, and Construction Industry Development Act (Continued) Public Finance Read →
19 August 2025 AI summary Hon. Lakmali Hemachandra supported the Gambling Regulatory Authority Bill, stating that it replaces the limited 2010 Casino Business (Regulation) Act with a comprehensive regulatory framework and an independent Authority empowered to license, renew, suspend and cancel licences. She argued that casinos had operated for years without effective regulations, noting that the first licensing regulations were issued only in 2022, and highlighted offences and safeguards in the Bill, including restrictions involving minors and requirements for expert board membership. She said the Bill represents a legal advancement over ministerial control and that any shortcomings could be addressed through future amendments. Debate: Gambling Regulatory Authority Bill, Public Debt Management Act Regulations, and Foreign Exchange Act Regulations Law & OrderCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
5 August 2025 AI summary Hon. Lakmali Hemachandra supported the motion to remove IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon, arguing that the Committee of Inquiry had addressed claims that the matter was sub judice and that the charges against him involved serious misconduct, including alleged abetment, conspiracy, and evasion of court. She cited the Supreme Court’s 14 December 2023 judgment concerning torture allegations against Tennakoon, including the “Siddhalepa” incident, and said the motion was necessary to address impunity in the Police. She criticized both the Rajapaksa-aligned Opposition for attempting to obstruct the debate and the SJB for not fully acknowledging the Government’s role in bringing the removal motion forward. Debate: Resolution to Remove Inspector-General of Police T.M.W. Deshabandu Tennakoon Parliamentary ProcedureJustice & Human RightsLaw & Order Read →