Hon. Nalin Hewage, M.P.

Jathika Jana balawegaya (JJB)· Galle

Deputy Minister of Vocational Education

Profession: ---

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Speeches 38 #122 of 225·#65 in party

Attendance 8/8 days present (of recorded)

Speech history

38 speeches

24 November 2025 AI summary Only one building roof at the Jaffna College of Technology is reported to be dilapidated, and funds are to be allocated in 2026 for renovations. For 2025, Rs. 3.5 million has been allocated to Jaffna College of Technology and Rs. 3.149 million to Vavuniya Technical College for infrastructure works, with some projects completed and others ongoing. Facilities for hybrid and modern vehicle repair courses have been installed, curricula are periodically updated under NVQ standards, and 2026 procurement is being arranged for colleges lacking modern equipment. Approval has also been obtained to recruit 100 permanent and 100 contract instructors, while course quality and uniform certification are regulated by the Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission. Oral Question: Jaffna College of Technology Infrastructure (Q.3) EducationInfrastructureEmployment Read →
13 November 2025 AI summary Deputy Minister Nalin Hewage defended the NPP Government’s 2026 Budget, arguing that it is viewed favourably by the public compared with past administrations and Opposition criticisms. He blamed earlier governments for slower growth and increased sovereign bond debt, and said the Government supports a responsible role for the State in economic management. He rejected claims of under-spending, citing high district fund utilization in Galle, and highlighted increased capital expenditure, public sector salary and pension measures, recruitment, administrative capacity-building, and the doubling of the Mahapola stipend to Rs. 10,000. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Second Reading (Fifth Allotted Day) EmploymentPublic FinanceEducation Read →
22 October 2025 AI summary Nalin Hewage said Rs. 10.5 billion in unpaid excise dues remained outstanding, alleging that many arrears related to warehouses connected to former Ministers and MPs, though he declined to name individuals during the speech. He urged Members not to divert from the issue and argued that the Government’s current tax measures should be recognized as positive rather than criticized reflexively. Debate: Rules under Excise Ordinance and Special Commodity Levy Order (Session 2) Public FinanceCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
22 October 2025 AI summary Nalin Hewage argued that agriculture must be central to Sri Lanka’s development and said import levy increases on potatoes and onions were intended to protect domestic farmers, while also noting the need to keep food affordable for consumers. He rejected Opposition claims that the Government delayed the levies to allow pre-levy imports, saying official monthly figures had disproved them, and called for more constructive criticism. He said the Government was pursuing lower production costs through better seed, fertilizer and technology, with a longer-term shift toward larger-scale, higher-productivity agriculture, and criticized past policies including the organic fertilizer decision. He also stated that Rs. 10.5 billion in excise arrears would be collected, alleging that some defaulters were linked to Opposition figures. Debate: Rules under Excise Ordinance and Special Commodity Levy Order (Session 2) AgricultureCost of Living Read →
21 October 2025 AI summary Hon. Nalin Hewage presented two petitions to Parliament from constituents in Galle and Batapola. The petitions were ordered to be referred to the Committee on Public Petitions for consideration. Petitions Presented to Parliament Parliamentary Procedure Read →
10 September 2025 AI summary Hon. Nalin Hewage attributed declines in plantation and agricultural production to earlier policy measures, including the fertilizer ban, and said fertilizer subsidies, including for coconut, have been restored. He stated that a National Plantation Policy is being prepared and outlined a five-year tea strategy targeting production increases from 262 million kg last year to 275 million kg this year and 400 million kg by 2030. He also said support for smallholders will include replanting, fertilizer assistance, improved plucking technologies, and modern equipment. Oral Question: Tea Smallholder Contribution to Production (Q.1/2024) Agriculture Read →
19 August 2025 AI summary Nalin Hewage, Deputy Minister of Vocational Education, presented three petitions to Parliament. The petitions were from H.G. Maithrisena of Karandeniya, Udaya Kitsiri Rathnaweera of Galle, and Y. Dayasiri of Dewinigoda. Petitions Presented by Members (Citizens' Petitions) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
24 July 2025 AI summary Nalin Hewage supported the proposed education reforms as a means of strengthening Sri Lanka’s human capital, arguing that the country must compensate for limited physical resources by developing integrated, skilled citizens through education combining science, technology, humanities and arts. He highlighted that only about 40,000 of 300,000 annual Grade 1 entrants reach university, and said vocational education should be brought into schools, modernized, and made attractive to create dignified employment and increase skilled remittances. He also called for the Ocean University, under his Ministry, to be strengthened so that Sri Lanka can develop expertise to use marine resources for national development. Adjournment Debate: Proposed Educational Reforms (continued) Public FinanceEducationEmployment Read →
9 July 2025 AI summary Nalin Hewage raised a Question of Privilege alleging that several media outlets published or broadcast false and defamatory material about him, including reports in “Ada” on 28 and 29 May 2025, an “Aruna” article on 1 June 2025, and a “Giru” TV segment the same day. He denied making the statement attributed to him as Chairman of the Galle District Coordinating Committee and requested that the matter be referred through the Deputy Speaker to the Speaker for a proper inquiry. Questions under Standing Order 27(2): Paddy Purchase, Rice Import, Horticultural Crops; Question of Privilege Justice & Human RightsParliamentary Procedure Read →
10 March 2025 AI summary Nalin Hewage said education should be the Government’s foremost development priority and welcomed the restructuring of the portfolio and increased allocation for education. He argued that the current school system is highly unequal and proposed reorganizing it into about 5,000 well-equipped schools, one per ward, with adequate facilities and teachers, alongside periodic paid training sabbaticals for teachers. He also called for major vocational education reforms from 2026, including Grade 9 pathway guidance, improved social recognition for trades, and policies to ensure skilled workers receive dignified and viable incomes. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Seventeenth Allotted Day – Committee Stage Education Read →
28 February 2025 AI summary The Hon. Nalin Hewage informed Parliament that he accepted a petition from Mr. Maithri Sena of Banwelgoda, Karandeniya. Petitions - Citizens' Petitions Presented Parliamentary Procedure Read →
22 February 2025 AI summary Nalin Hewage briefly referred to a “Master” and “big master,” but made no substantive argument, proposal, question, or reference to a specific policy, event, or legislative matter in the provided excerpt. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Second Reading Debate (Fifth Allotted Day) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
22 February 2025 AI summary Nalin Hewage briefly intervened procedurally, instructing a member to sit down after indicating agreement or acknowledgement. No substantive policy issue, proposal, or legislative matter was raised. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Second Reading Debate (Fifth Allotted Day) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
22 February 2025 AI summary Nalin Hewage clarifies that his earlier remark referred only to “a person” and was not intended as an insult to anyone. He asks the Hon. Member to listen to the speech properly before objecting. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Second Reading Debate (Fifth Allotted Day) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
22 February 2025 AI summary Nalin Hewage clarified that he had referred to “a person named Rohini Kavirathna” in connection with a newspaper item, not to the Hon. MP in her parliamentary capacity. He stated that if the reference was understood as relating to a Member of Parliament, he did not accept responsibility for that interpretation. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Second Reading Debate (Fifth Allotted Day) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
22 February 2025 AI summary Deputy Minister Nalin Hewage defended the 2025 Budget as a historic and expansionary response to the economic crisis, arguing that increased public spending is needed to revive demand, production, employment, tourism, remittances, and investment. He criticised previous governments for bankruptcy, rising debt, currency depreciation, weak growth, asset sales, poor youth employment outcomes, and alleged economic mismanagement, citing figures on FDI, macroeconomic indicators, NEET youth, and public debt. He highlighted the Budget’s education allocation, a reported USD 3.7 billion project secured during the President’s China visit, and transport investments focused on rail efficiency and linking economic hubs to reduce fuel use and improve logistics. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Second Reading Debate (Fifth Allotted Day) EmploymentPublic FinanceEducation Read →
22 January 2025 AI summary Deputy Minister Nalin Hewage defended the Government’s Clean Sri Lanka programme as a central initiative to rebuild the country through both environmental improvement and “spiritual purification.” He argued that environmental degradation, corruption, drugs, gambling and social misconduct require a change in public values as well as physical beautification. He linked the programme to tourism and development goals, citing coastal clean-up activities in Galle and plans to extend similar work through 500 vocational education institutions, while calling for Sri Lanka’s social capital and volunteerism to be directed toward national progress. Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme (Postponed from 2025-01-21) Corruption & Governance ReformReligion & CultureEnvironment Read →
4 December 2024 AI summary Deputy Minister Nalin Hewage defended the Government’s policy statement as a historic mandate for a people-rooted administration and said it would not waste public trust despite inheriting bankruptcy, shortages, and institutional distrust. He attributed current rice and coconut supply problems to past governments but said immediate measures were being taken to protect consumers and prevent hunger, while reiterating commitments to a limited Cabinet, anti-corruption action, poverty relief, and resolving plantation community issues on land, housing, and wages. On education, he highlighted declining Grade 1 enrolment, high dropout rates after Grade 8, and links between low educational attainment and imprisonment, proposing that all children after nine years of schooling be directed into either general or vocational education. He argued that vocational education funding is disproportionately low compared with enrolment and said this imbalance must be corrected in the forthcoming budget aligned with the Government’s policy vision. Debate: Government Policy Statement - Resumed Adjourned Debate Corruption & Governance ReformPublic FinanceEmployment Read →