Hon. Lal Premanath, M.P.

Jathika Jana balawegaya (JJB)· Matara

Profession: Politician

Roster profile ↗

Speeches 59 #82 of 225·#37 in party

Attendance 8/8 days present (of recorded)

Speech history

59 speeches

8 July 2025 AI summary Asked whether instant tea factories that process refuse tea manufacture products in quantities corresponding to the refuse tea discarded by factories nationwide. Requested the Minister’s assessment of whether the full quantity is being processed and sought clarification on the related production volumes and quality standards. Oral Question: Refuse Tea Production in Tea Factories Agriculture Read →
8 July 2025 AI summary Hon. Lal Premanath asked the Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure about the handling of refuse or reclaimable tea produced in Sri Lankan tea factories, alleging that removal under Tea Board licences is not fully compliant with the law. He questioned whether such tea is being rebranded, sold at the Colombo Tea Auction, or exported illegally, thereby threatening quality assurance and the reputation of Ceylon Tea. He sought details on future measures, including whether exports of refuse tea would be prohibited or placed under Sri Lanka Tea Board supervision. Oral Question: Refuse Tea Production in Tea Factories Agriculture Read →
18 June 2025 AI summary Hon. Lal Premanath highlighted the continued global importance of “Ceylon Tea” and argued that some tea factory closures stem from poorly planned or unscientific establishment, while well-managed factories have remained resilient. He asked whether the Government has identified such nationally important, scientifically established factories and whether a special support programme or policy vision exists to strengthen their contribution to the tea industry. Oral Questions: Questions 1–2 (School Projects, Ministers' Answers and Supplementaries) and Q.633/2025 (stood down), Q.636/2025 (Limestone Transport), Q.715/2025 (Kukuleganga Access Road), Q.724/2025 (Suwaseya Ambulance Service), Q.792/2025 (Bus Route Permits), Minuwangoda Shopping Complex, Tea Factories, and Social Media Provisions Agriculture Read →
18 June 2025 AI summary The Hon. Lal Premanath asked whether, since the National People’s Power took office, the Government had identified any special circumstances leading to the closure of tea factories. He referred to a claim by a senior tea-sector official that hundreds of factories had closed, noting that no such situation existed when he submitted the question. Oral Questions: Questions 1–2 (School Projects, Ministers' Answers and Supplementaries) and Q.633/2025 (stood down), Q.636/2025 (Limestone Transport), Q.715/2025 (Kukuleganga Access Road), Q.724/2025 (Suwaseya Ambulance Service), Q.792/2025 (Bus Route Permits), Minuwangoda Shopping Complex, Tea Factories, and Social Media Provisions Agriculture Read →
4 June 2025 AI summary Asked whether the Government has a plan to rehabilitate and complete large partially built projects on prime lands, which had been halted amid economic difficulties. He specifically proposed that such buildings be completed and handed over for the benefit of youth. Oral Questions: NYSC Training Centres, Preschools, and Education Reforms InfrastructurePublic Finance Read →
4 June 2025 AI summary Hon. Lal Premanath raised a supplementary question about around 60 training centres in the Akurassa Divisional Secretariat Division, suggesting similar issues may exist nationally. He questioned their efficiency and benefit to youth, noting low attendance, lack of motivation or facilities, and unfinished projects from previous governments. He asked whether the new Government has a vision or plan to address the use and maintenance of these centres. Oral Questions: NYSC Training Centres, Preschools, and Education Reforms EducationEmployment Read →
4 June 2025 AI summary Hon. Lal Premanath asked the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports for details on National Youth Services Council training centres islandwide and specifically in Matara District, including the Akuressa and Athuraliya Divisional Secretary’s Divisions. He sought clarification on whether any such centre has a partially completed building with halted construction, the reasons for the stoppage, and whether there are plans to renovate and use it for the benefit of youth. Oral Questions: NYSC Training Centres, Preschools, and Education Reforms Parliamentary ProcedureEmployment Read →
9 May 2025 AI summary Hon. Lal Premanath thanked Members who supported and seconded his Motion and acknowledged the Deputy Minister of Finance’s remarks on recovering wasted public assets. He emphasized the duty of public representatives to safeguard public funds and prevent waste, and called for the Motion to be passed unanimously. Private Members' Motion (P.38/2025): Utilization of Abandoned Development Projects Parliamentary Procedure Read →
9 May 2025 AI summary Hon. Lal Premanath moved a Private Member’s Motion urging the Government to identify and rehabilitate unused or incomplete buildings constructed with foreign aid, loans, or public funds, arguing that many have become wasted assets and safety or public health risks. He said such structures include hospitals, schools, offices, community halls and sports facilities, while public institutions continue to spend on rented premises. He proposed a nationwide census, a detailed status report, and a multidisciplinary expert committee with community consultation to assess rehabilitation needs and suitable public uses. He also called for transparent implementation and funding through the Budget, private investment, foreign assistance, PPPs, or reallocation of inactive state funds. Private Members' Motion (P.38/2025): Utilization of Abandoned Development Projects InfrastructurePublic FinanceEnvironment Read →
10 April 2025 AI summary Hon. Lal Premanath raised a supplementary question regarding the Degahigaspe Primary Medical Care Unit in the Pitabeddara Divisional Secretariat, which serves about 23,000 people. He stated that although an Emergency Treatment Unit was established with World Bank support and has the required building and equipment, services have not commenced or are not visible, and asked the Minister to clarify the discrepancy with the official answer. Oral Questions: Primary Health Care and School Infrastructure Projects Healthcare Read →
8 April 2025 AI summary A petition from Mrs. K.A. Naduni Ahinsa of Deniyaya, Kolawenigama, Pallegama, Bambaragoda was presented to Parliament. It was ordered to be referred to the Committee on Public Petitions. Petitions: Citizens' Petitions Presented Parliamentary Procedure Read →
14 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Lal Premanath said the Budget was prepared cautiously in the context of the country’s severe economic crisis and covers only an eight-month period. He acknowledged it would not meet all expectations in the tea sector, but argued that the Government had taken a positive step for plantations and called on the public, tea sector stakeholders, and Opposition Members to support it. Appropriation Bill 2025: Committee Stage - Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure (Heads 135, 293, 337) AgriculturePublic Finance Read →
14 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Lal Premanath argued that the Budget’s allocations for the Ministry of Plantations and Community Infrastructure address long-standing problems in the tea sector, particularly affecting tea-producing districts such as Matara, Galle and Ratnapura and the large estate-worker population. He identified labour shortages, high production costs, poor-quality fertilizer, the impact of the previous organic fertilizer policy, climate-related risks, weak use of contingency funds, and inadequate support from institutions such as the Tea Board as key challenges. He said the Budget provides for research, factory modernization, replanting and infilling, and improved support across the production-to-export chain, while also emphasizing the need to protect and modernize the “Ceylon Tea” brand in global markets. Appropriation Bill 2025: Committee Stage - Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure (Heads 135, 293, 337) AgricultureEmploymentPublic Finance Read →
22 February 2025 AI summary Hon. Lal Premanath defended the NPP Government’s maiden Budget, arguing that it is consistent with the party’s manifesto, the President’s policy statement, and the Budget Speech, and is aimed at poverty eradication, “Clean Sri Lanka,” and building a digital economy. He highlighted major allocations for health, education, transport, agriculture and nutrition, environmental protection, justice, national security, public service reform, and social protection. He said the Government had inherited economic and social decline from previous administrations and urged the Opposition to engage constructively rather than criticise without an alternative vision. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Second Reading Debate (Fifth Allotted Day) Cost of LivingPublic FinanceEmployment Read →
20 February 2025 AI summary Hon. Lal Premanath presented a petition from Mr. Sarath Bhewapathirana of Halwala, Habaraduwa, Weligama, for the consideration of Parliament. Petitions Presented Parliamentary Procedure Read →
6 February 2025 AI summary Hon. Lal Premanath supported the regulations under the Intellectual Property Act, No. 36 of 2003, to register geographical indications, arguing that Sri Lanka should use them to protect and promote products with distinctive geographic and cultural origins. He said such protections, including under frameworks like WTO TRIPS, would help prevent misuse and strengthen the production economy. Citing Ceylon Tea, cinnamon, and mee kiri as examples, he pledged that the Government would develop Sri Lanka’s unique resources into internationally recognized products. Debate: Intellectual Property Act Regulations (Geographical Indications) AgriculturePublic Finance Read →
22 January 2025 AI summary Hon. Lal Premanath raised concerns about the use of cess funds for the tea industry, noting its importance to millions of people including smallholders, factory owners, and workers. He said fertilizer, replanting support, and nursery assistance had not been provided adequately or on time, while acknowledging the recent provision of MOP fertilizer. He asked whether substantial funds would henceforth be allocated for tea industry development and whether the Government has a specific programme to strengthen the sector as a stable foreign exchange earner. Oral Question: Cess Levied on Finished Tea - Income Earned in 2024 (Q.8/2025) Public FinanceAgriculture Read →
22 January 2025 AI summary Lal Premanath asked when the allocation of cess funds to the Tea Board, Tea Small Holdings Development Authority, and Tea Research Institute was stopped, and the reasons for discontinuing it. The question was framed as a supplementary seeking clarification on prior funding arrangements for tea sector institutions. Oral Question: Cess Levied on Finished Tea - Income Earned in 2024 (Q.8/2025) Agriculture Read →
22 January 2025 AI summary Lal Premanath asked the Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure to provide details on the cess levied on exported finished tea, including the current rate per kilogram and total revenue collected in 2024. He further requested a breakdown of allocations from that revenue to the Sri Lanka Tea Board, Tea Small Holdings Development Authority, and Tea Research Institute, and asked whether expenditure reports for those funds would be presented to Parliament. Oral Question: Cess Levied on Finished Tea - Income Earned in 2024 (Q.8/2025) Public FinanceAgriculture Read →