Hon. Namal Rajapaksa, Attorney at Law, M.P.

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP)· National List

Profession: Attorney-at-Law

Roster profile ↗

Speeches 116 #42 of 225·#2 in party

Attendance 4/8 days present (of recorded)

Speech history

116 speeches

19 June 2025 AI summary Called for Parliament to enact the necessary laws and move from debate to implementation. He urged procurement reform and practical delivery of solutions. Adjournment Debate: Special Audit Report on Advance Payment for Import of 15,000 Dairy Cattle and COPE Report on National Gem and Jewellery Authority Public FinanceCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
19 June 2025 AI summary Namal Rajapaksa argued that COPE inquiries often become media-focused exercises that repeatedly question and shame officials without producing decisions, especially where issues arise from policy choices rather than administrative wrongdoing. He called for reforms to procurement laws and regulations, citing the prolonged debate over importing dairy cows as an example of systemic delay. He also urged that legal powers be given to act on COPE findings and cautioned against using COPE for political or trade-union pressure. Referring to a recent Presidential pardon controversy, he asked that accountability extend through the full chain of command, including scrutiny of the Justice Secretary’s role, rather than placing blame only on lower-level officials. Adjournment Debate: Special Audit Report on Advance Payment for Import of 15,000 Dairy Cattle and COPE Report on National Gem and Jewellery Authority Public FinanceParliamentary ProcedureCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
18 June 2025 AI summary Hon. Namal Rajapaksa raised concerns about prisoners transferred to Sri Lanka from Kuwait and the Maldives under prisoner exchange arrangements, noting uncertainty over how their conviction periods and remission eligibility are calculated locally. He said some co-accused in the foreign jurisdictions have already been released, while the transferred prisoners in Sri Lanka continue to serve full terms, and asked the Minister to address the issue since it is not covered by the relevant Regulations. Debate: Orders under Reciprocal Recognition, Registration and Enforcement of Foreign Judgments Act No. 49 of 2024 Justice & Human RightsForeign Affairs Read →
3 June 2025 AI summary Namal Rajapaksa welcomed amendments to the Personal Data Protection Act but criticised delays in appointing and staffing the Data Protection Agency, arguing that they should not impede national digitization. He questioned the Government’s progress on the Unique Digital ID project funded by an Indian grant, use of the Rs. 3 billion digitization allocation, court automation, data centre arrangements, custodianship and data aggregation. He also criticised past politicisation of personal information, called for stronger privacy protections and regulation of public and private data use, and cautioned Ministers against statements that could politicize the judiciary or create diplomatic issues regarding digital agreements with India. Debate: Personal Data Protection (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading InfrastructureJustice & Human RightsLaw & Order Read →
22 May 2025 AI summary Hon. Namal Rajapaksa accused the Government and the JVP of deflecting blame while failing to address emerging economic and labour issues, particularly the closure of factories and the treatment of existing investors. He urged the Government, the Labour Ministry and relevant agencies such as the BOI to engage with workers and employers, mediate disputes, and prevent further factory closures rather than relying on political rhetoric. He also criticized what he described as politically motivated investigations and arrests, saying such matters should be resolved through the courts, and called on the Government to answer questions and intervene in any investor or labour crisis. Debate: Regulations under Imports and Exports (Control) Act, No. 1 of 1969 and Disposal of Property Act Resolutions Justice & Human RightsPublic FinanceEmployment Read →
22 May 2025 AI summary Hon. Namal Rajapaksa criticized the Government’s import and export policy, arguing that it has favoured imports over domestic production and exports despite pre-election pledges on rice, fertilizer, fisheries subsidies and salt. He called for a more rational distribution system for essential goods such as salt, warned that taxes, energy costs, SVAT removal and delays in renewable energy had hurt industries and exporters, and urged active negotiations on tariffs and investment promotion, including for Colombo Port City. He also asked the Government to investigate factory closures and job losses and to consistently uphold the dignity of armed forces personnel. Debate: Regulations under Imports and Exports (Control) Act, No. 1 of 1969 and Disposal of Property Act Resolutions EmploymentPublic FinanceForeign Affairs Read →
20 May 2025 AI summary Namal Rajapaksa criticised the Government for moving electricity generation toward higher-cost sources and transport back toward petrol and diesel, saying this would raise tariffs and burden households. Marking War Heroes Day, he argued that military veterans from all communities who sacrificed for the country should be recognised as heroes, not treated as ordinary citizens or compared favourably with terrorists. He also referred to the Batalanda Commission Report, warning that accusations against former President Ranil Wickremesinghe could implicate others, and affirmed his support for war veterans. Debate: Order under the Excise (Special Provisions) Act - Electric Vehicle Tax Revision (Continued) Cost of LivingSecurity & Defence Read →
20 May 2025 AI summary Hon. Namal Rajapaksa criticized the Government’s tax policy as inconsistent and revenue-driven, citing repeated tax increases and changes to vehicle and EV import duties despite earlier promises of affordability. He argued that higher EV taxes and equal treatment of locally manufactured electric vehicles, such as Vega’s three-wheeler, undermine domestic production and clean transport. He also accused the Government of moving away from renewable energy toward coal and diesel, referencing delays in solar grid connections, lack of approvals for renewable projects, and recent reliance on fossil fuel generation. Debate: Order under the Excise (Special Provisions) Act - Electric Vehicle Tax Revision (Continued) Public FinanceEnvironmentAgriculture Read →
8 May 2025 AI summary Raised concerns over the handling of a sensitive case involving a schoolgirl, urging government intervention, clarification on reported medical evidence, and action without protecting any political party organizer, while also linking the issue to broader concerns about ragging and third-party interference. He questioned the government’s response to a reported rise in shootings and murders, asking what concrete measures would be taken. He also called for a practical review of vehicle import HS code classifications and IMF-related policy implementation, saying customs issues were causing vehicles to remain in yards and sharply increasing costs. Additionally, he sought clarification on the contents and implications of the security agreement with India, particularly in the event of an India-Pakistan conflict, and said the Opposition would support measures that address public concerns and build the country. Debate: Customs Ordinance - Resolution on Import Duties on Motor Vehicles Foreign AffairsJustice & Human RightsLaw & Order Read →
9 April 2025 AI summary Condolences were offered on the death of Hon. Kosala Nuwan Jayawira before raising concerns over the impact of new U.S. tariffs, including a reported 44 per cent tariff affecting apparel exports and wider risks to logistics, ports, IMF targets, employment and investment. Namal Rajapaksa urged the Government to pursue direct negotiations, prepare for broader macroeconomic effects, and consider tax administration relief such as SVAT-related measures to protect industry cash flows. He also called for implementation of the election pledge to remove VAT on rooftop solar electricity bills and requested clear information on which local authorities will proceed with elections scheduled for 6 May. Debate: Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading (Afternoon Session and Reported Business) EmploymentForeign AffairsPublic Finance Read →
20 March 2025 AI summary Namal Rajapaksa questioned whether the Government’s 2025 Budget and tax policy are aligned with an import-dependent revenue model rather than an export- and services-led growth strategy. He argued that projected revenues are heavily absorbed by interest payments, leaving limited fiscal space for development, and asked how the Government intends to achieve higher growth and attract investment within or beyond the IMF framework. He sought clarification on funding for digital transformation, renewable energy approvals, agriculture investment, and the proposed US$ 5 billion IT/services economy, while criticizing the imposition of taxes on previously zero-rated sectors. He also demanded details on the mechanism for taxing cross-border digital payments and e-commerce from 1 April, including who would be liable and how global platforms would be registered or compelled to collect taxes. Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Committee Stage Debate EmploymentEnvironmentPublic Finance Read →
18 March 2025 AI summary Namal Rajapaksa urged the Sports Ministry to inspect the athletes’ hostel near the Ministry, particularly meal times, nutrition, and living conditions, and to provide necessary facilities. He also asked the Minister to review issues concerning dual-citizenship and third-generation Sri Lankan athletes in sports such as football and rugby, arguing that their participation could strengthen high-performance national teams where player shortages exist. He said earlier recruitment of Sri Lankan-origin rugby players from Fiji had been politicised and requested that the matter be examined on accurate information. Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-third Allotted Day - Committee Stage: Heads 149, 303, 194 and 219 (Industry and Entrepreneurship Development; Youth Affairs and Sports) Public FinanceReligion & CultureEmployment Read →
18 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Namal Rajapaksa argued that industrial growth requires a more competitive tax regime, MSME financing reform, and policies that support local intellectual property and manufacturing, citing the Vega three-wheeler as an example of locally developed products being taxed like imports. He said sports policy should be treated as an economic sector rather than welfare, with investment in high-performance systems, sports tourism, e-sports, leisure sports, and sustainable use of national facilities ahead of events such as the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. He called for athlete and coach allowances, including for Paralympians, to be restored by increasing the share of the Ministry budget reaching athletes and youth to at least 21 percent next year. He also proposed reforming the 1973 Sports Law to reflect the modern sports economy. Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-third Allotted Day - Committee Stage: Heads 149, 303, 194 and 219 (Industry and Entrepreneurship Development; Youth Affairs and Sports) InfrastructureEmploymentPublic Finance Read →
15 March 2025 AI summary Namal Rajapaksa thanked the Minister for the clarification but noted that many individuals who had submitted the majority of the complaints under discussion were now members of the Minister’s Cabinet. The remark sought to highlight a potential inconsistency or political context surrounding those complaints. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-first Allotted Day - Committee Stage, Head 112 (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism) Corruption & Governance Reform Read →
15 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Namal Rajapaksa argued that foreign policy should be closely integrated with national security and economic policy, maintaining a non-aligned and friendly approach while ensuring foreign investment agreements are favourable to Sri Lanka. He urged the Government and Foreign Ministry to respond strategically to changing global trade conditions, promote Colombo Port City as a financial hub, and work with economic institutions to protect sovereignty and maximize commercial benefits. He also called for expanded airport capacity, including development of Mattala and Jaffna through private partnerships, to support higher tourism targets, and for incentives and streamlined formal channels for foreign remittances. He additionally linked foreign policy to addressing organized crime and drugs while safeguarding national unity in international forums. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-first Allotted Day - Committee Stage, Head 112 (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism) Foreign AffairsSecurity & DefenceInfrastructure Read →
12 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Namal Rajapaksa argued that current paddy prices and the reduced fertilizer allocation require more practical intervention to protect farmer incomes, questioning whether the Rs. 5 billion set aside for paddy purchases is sufficient to influence market prices. He proposed soil testing and technology-based fertilizer distribution, greater adoption of modern farming methods, and credit support through cooperative and rural banks. He also raised concerns about police officers being required to vacate quarters within six months and requested a more practical timeframe, while noting issues at the German Technical College and expressing support for the planned count of monkeys, porcupines and langurs. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation EmploymentAgriculturePublic Finance Read →
12 March 2025 AI summary Namal Rajapaksa argued that successive governments, including those led by Mahinda Rajapaksa and later administrations, had supported farmers through fertilizer subsidies, paddy purchasing and storage measures. He urged current Ministers who previously advocated for farmers from the Opposition to fulfil their promises in government, specifically referring to past claims that paddy should be priced at around Rs. 150–154 per kilogram. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation Agriculture Read →
11 March 2025 AI summary Namal Rajapaksa urged the Government to prioritize key pillars of the digital economy, including support for the creators’ economy and young people producing content for online platforms, and to consult them on possible tax relief. He called for digitizing citizen-centric services while protecting the sector, emphasizing that current technologies should be implemented promptly and that policy decisions should prepare Sri Lanka for emerging AI-based systems over the next five years. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Debate (Heads 186, 196, 227) Public FinanceInfrastructure Read →
11 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Namal Rajapaksa said the Government’s digital economy targets could be undermined by a proposed 15 percent tax, arguing that investment in the sector depends on competitive tax incentives and living conditions. He urged implementation of the SL-UDI programme alongside a Data Protection Agency and legal safeguards, while calling for digitization of public services, e-Courts, e-Procurement, reverse bidding, mandatory acceptance of digital signatures, and a single-window government payment gateway. He also emphasized that legal and administrative frameworks must be updated so digitalization delivers practical benefits and improves transparency. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Debate (Heads 186, 196, 227) Justice & Human RightsInfrastructurePublic Finance Read →
4 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Namal Rajapaksa argued that the Government was using IMF obligations to depart from its election promises, including through policies such as the 15 per cent tax on IT services. He urged the establishment of a depoliticized National Policy Commission under the Presidential Secretariat to ensure continuity in national policy, noting that a previous Cabinet Paper on the matter had stalled. He also raised concerns about politicization in the public service, difficulty attracting professionals to ministries, graduate employment promises, estate worker wages, doctors’ additional duty payment calculations, and issues in the Public Management Assistants’ Service. He called on the Government to consult stakeholders before changing established arrangements or making key administrative and fiscal decisions. Appropriation Bill 2025 — Twelfth Allotted Day — Committee Stage Public FinanceCorruption & Governance ReformEmployment Read →