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Sri Lanka
10th Parliament· 154 sittings on record · 30,475 speeches · latest 10 June 2026

Hon. Major General (Rtd.) Aruna Jayasekera, M.P.

Jathika Jana balawegaya (JJB)· National List

Deputy Minister of Defence

Profession: ---

Roster profile ↗
Speeches 125 #36 of 225·#17 in party
Attendance 8/8 days present (of recorded)
Top topic Security & Defence 77 speeches
Last spoke 10 June 2026 in Debate

Activity by sitting

52 sittings · counts only, no scoring.

Topic focus

AI summary AI-assigned tags, 1–3 per speech. Counts only — not a score.

Speech history

125 speeches
  • 3 February 2026 AI summary The Deputy Minister of Defence requested two weeks to respond to a nine-part question raised under Standing Order 27(2). Parliamentary Announcements and Ministerial Statement Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 21 January 2026 AI summary Deputy Minister of Defence Aruna Jayasekera defended the Government’s post-“Ditcha” cyclone response, saying relief and recovery are being implemented through the National Council for Disaster Management and a Post-Disaster Needs Assessment process involving relevant state agencies and international-standard methodologies. He attributed the scale of damage partly to long-term environmental and governance failures, and said the current Government has appointed subject specialists to manage recovery across sectors such as environment, agriculture, irrigation, highways and urban development. He stated that compensation for deaths, property damage, livelihoods and infrastructure is being handled systematically, while acknowledging possible delays and shortcomings. He also said the NBRO had completed inspections of 24,930 fully damaged houses in landslide-affected areas within seven weeks despite limited staff, including with university support. Adjournment Debate: Post-Cyclone "Ditwah" Situation (Part 2) Security & DefenceEnvironmentParliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 20 January 2026 AI summary The Deputy Minister said relief measures following the recent cyclone are being implemented under Disaster Management Centre procedures, with compensation for fully and partially damaged houses governed by Budget Circular No. 08/2025 and Defence Ministry guidelines issued in January 2025. He stated that funds have been released to District Secretaries for rental support and reconstruction assistance, with land identification, valuation, agreements, and NBRO technical oversight forming part of the process. He also outlined a Rs. 10,000 million working capital loan scheme at 3 percent interest through State banks for affected MSMEs and larger enterprises, subject to local administrative certification, and noted Central Bank-directed loan moratoria of three to six months for affected borrowers. Adjournment Debate - "8960" Cyclone Relief Measures and Constitutional Point of Order EnvironmentPublic FinanceLand & Housing Read →
  • 9 January 2026 AI summary Regulations under the Import and Export (Control) Act were presented as a mechanism to expedite duty-free clearance and distribution of foreign-donated disaster relief goods. The Deputy Minister said consignments from 22 countries and the World Food Programme, valued at about Rs. 1.57 billion, would be processed through an apex committee, warehoused at Orugodawatte under the NDRSC, and distributed via Divisional Secretariats according to district needs. He outlined categories of eligible goods, donor guidance, port coordination with Customs, simplified documentation, tax waivers, and a centralized data system to ensure faster delivery, accountability, and reduced Customs delays. Debate: Imports and Exports (Control) Act Regulations Public FinanceLaw & OrderSecurity & Defence Read →
  • 9 January 2026 AI summary Forecasts indicate the weather system has not strengthened into a cyclone but is moving toward the Trincomalee area, with rainfall expected in the evening. Red alerts have been issued for vulnerable areas, and the Government, through the Disaster Management Centre, has taken special preparedness measures. Debate: Shop and Office Employees (Regulation of Employment and Remuneration) Regulation Amendment Security & Defence Read →
  • 9 January 2026 AI summary Major General (Rtd.) Aruna Jayasekera stated that the Government had paid particular attention to those affected by Cyclone “Michaung.” He said the recent National Disaster Management Council discussed reforms, including appointing a committee to review the relevant Act, restructure institutions, and re-establish a national disaster management plan. He added that proposals raised, as well as Monash University findings, would be considered for future work. Oral Question: Disaster Relief and Compensation (Q.7/726/2025) EnvironmentSecurity & Defence Read →
  • 9 January 2026 AI summary The Deputy Minister of Defence stated that the President and relevant teams had held discussions with the concerned ministries regarding land-related issues, noting that similar matters exist beyond Polonnaruwa and that evaluations are being expedited where immediate resolution is not possible. He also said assistance for schoolchildren had largely been paid in accordance with the relevant circular, with remaining disbursements being made promptly and properly. Oral Question: Disaster Relief and Compensation (Q.7/726/2025) EducationPublic Finance Read →
  • 9 January 2026 AI summary The Deputy Minister of Defence said the question had been submitted before Cyclone “Michaung” and that relevant figures had since changed, so he tabled a detailed written answer. The tabled response provided disaster incident, affected-person and compensation data from 2015 to 2025, expenditure details for the Department of Meteorology, Disaster Management Centre, Disaster Relief Services Centre and NBRO, and outlined disaster management measures under the Disaster Management Act No. 13 of 2005. It also listed preparedness, early warning, risk reduction, resettlement, compensation and infrastructure initiatives, including increased death compensation, landslide-risk housing, building-code measures, district and divisional plans, and emergency response systems. Oral Question: Disaster Relief and Compensation (Q.7/726/2025) EnvironmentSecurity & DefencePublic Finance Read →
  • 8 January 2026 AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Defence, a request was made for two weeks to provide the answer to the question. The question was ordered to stand down. Oral Questions to Ministers (Q.1664/2025 through Q.1719/2025) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 8 January 2026 AI summary The Deputy Minister of Defence, on behalf of the Minister of Defence, requested two weeks to provide an answer to the question before Parliament. The question was ordered to stand down. Oral Questions to Ministers (Q.1664/2025 through Q.1719/2025) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 7 January 2026 AI summary Major General (Rtd.) Aruna Jayasekera, presiding or facilitating proceedings, called on the Minister of Public Security to respond. No substantive policy position, proposal, or question was stated in this intervention. Oral Question: Detention Orders (Q.1638/2025) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 7 January 2026 AI summary Investigations into the matters raised are ongoing, and no detailed response was provided at this stage. It was noted that the events in question occurred before the current Government took office, while details on the two police officers arrested after it assumed office were referred to the Minister of Public Security as the relevant subject Minister. Oral Question: Detention Orders (Q.1638/2025) Justice & Human RightsLaw & Order Read →
  • 7 January 2026 AI summary Under detention orders, 540 persons had been arrested and detained, of whom 88 had been charged in court and 34 files referred to the Attorney-General for advice. A further 418 had been released without charge, including 93 detained up to three months, 165 up to one year, 94 up to one-and-a-half years, and 66 for more than 18 months. Oral Question: Detention Orders (Q.1638/2025) Justice & Human Rights Read →
  • 7 January 2026 AI summary Major General (Rtd.) Aruna Jayasekera said the Government is considering how to address both the teacher shortage and recruitment needs of the National Cadet Corps. He stated that discussions are under way with the Secretaries to the Ministries of Education and Defence to develop a fair procedure for releasing some teachers and assigning new recruits. He also noted that amendments to the National Cadet Corps Act are being pursued to improve fairness in the process. Oral Question: Establishment of National Cadet Corps (Q.1635/2025) Security & DefenceEducation Read →
  • 7 January 2026 AI summary Major General (Rtd.) Aruna Jayasekera said measures have been proposed to address earlier issues affecting officer course trainees, including free uniforms, training equipment, and a maximum Rs. 1,000 camp allowance for those not in active service. He added that incentives such as foreign tours, advanced leadership training, periodic uniform provision, and improved camp infrastructure are being considered, with budgetary allocations arranged. Oral Question: Establishment of National Cadet Corps (Q.1635/2025) Security & DefencePublic Finance Read →
  • 7 January 2026 AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Defence, the Deputy Minister outlined provisions of the National Service and Reserve Forces Act, No. 40 of 1985, and provided current figures for the National Cadet Corps, including 3,092 Cadet Officers, 148 officers released by the Ministry of Education for active service, 2,256 participating schools, and 4,599 active cadet units. He stated that modernization measures have begun, including proposed amendments to the Act, revised training and assessment methods, expanded use of Rantembe and Mullaitivu camps, reduced cadet expenses, greater involvement of school teachers, resumption of the National Cadet Sports Tournament, and integration of technology into the curriculum. Oral Question: Establishment of National Cadet Corps (Q.1635/2025) Security & DefenceEducation Read →
  • 6 January 2026 AI summary Deputy Minister of Defence Aruna Jayasekera sought parliamentary approval to extend the state of emergency declared after the Dicha cyclone, citing severe damage across 22 districts, major displacement, housing losses, and disruption to essential services. He said relief and service coordination are being handled through the Commissioner General of Essential Services, District and Divisional Secretaries, Grama Niladharis, the Tri-Forces and Police, with a committee overseeing foreign aid transparency. He outlined ongoing repairs to roads, bridges, railways, irrigation works and other infrastructure, and argued that continued emergency powers are needed to coordinate recovery, maintain public services, and support affected communities. Debate: Public Security Ordinance Resolution and Delimitation Motion InfrastructureSecurity & Defence Read →
  • 19 December 2025 AI summary Foreign disaster relief supplies are being managed through a formal system by the National Disaster Relief Services Centre and the Ministry of Defence, with storage at warehouses in Orugodawatta. The Deputy Minister said items are transported from the airport to the warehouse and then distributed to beneficiaries through Grama Niladharis, and offered to provide details or facilitate a visit to the warehouses in response to concerns raised by Hon. Hector Appuhamy. Debate: Supplementary Estimate – Head 240 – Programme 02 – Cyclone Disaster Relief (Rs. 500 Billion) Security & DefencePublic Finance Read →
  • 18 December 2025 AI summary The Deputy Minister of Defence outlined the State’s disaster response under the Sri Lanka Disaster Management Act and the National Disaster Management Strategic Plan, stating that the President convened the National Disaster Management Council on the 27th and directed coordinated action by the Tri-Forces, Police, Civil Security Department, ministries and district authorities. He reported large-scale deployments by the Army, Navy and Air Force for rescue and relief operations, and cited earlier preparedness measures including tsunami early-warning drills and public briefings on safe centres and emergency routes. He argued that repeated disasters show the need to restore natural defences and enforce environmental protections more effectively, and acknowledged support from Sri Lankans overseas, India, Pakistan, and international partners. Adjournment Debate: Current Situation of the Country After Disaster Caused by Cyclone Ditwah Security & DefenceEnvironmentInfrastructure Read →
  • 5 December 2025 AI summary Clarifies Government disaster relief payments, stating that Rs. 10,000 is paid to water-logged households and Rs. 25,000 is provided for initial cleaning and sanitation. He says further compensation, based on assessments, can reach up to Rs. 2.5 million for fully or partially damaged houses, and rejects claims by an Opposition Member as misleading. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Budget Debate on Disaster Response and Government Allocations Public FinanceEnvironment Read →