Hon. (Dr.) Nishantha Samaraweera, M.P.

Jathika Jana balawegaya (JJB)· Galle

Profession: Medical Practitioner

Roster profile ↗

Speeches 68 #74 of 225·#33 in party

Attendance 7/8 days present (of recorded)

Top topic Parliamentary Procedure 26 speeches

Last spoke 5 May 2026 in Debate

Activity by sitting

40 sittings · counts only, no scoring.

Topic focus

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

Speech history

68 speeches

5 May 2026 AI summary Dr. Nishantha Samaraweera supported the regulations and orders under the Port City Act, noting that the State Minister had explained the investment needs, legal issues and related tasks. He rejected Opposition allegations of corruption, including claims linked to a US$2.5 million Treasury payment, coal procurement and taxation, and urged those making accusations to present evidence through proper investigations. He argued that the financial services VAT and SSCL changes merely consolidated existing levies into a 20.5 per cent charge and said the Government would follow due process. Debate: Port City Economic Commission Regulations and Orders Public FinanceCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
7 April 2026 AI summary COPE’s Chair reported that the Committee had held 29 meetings over the past year and examined 21 public enterprises based on audit observations from 2022–2024, identifying instances where financial regulations and procedures may have been manipulated or overridden. He argued that referring wrongdoing for investigation does not undermine the public service, but protects lawful officials and addresses possible political or administrative interference. He proposed amendments to Standing Orders 119 and 120 to allow COPE and COPA, after Parliament considers their reports, to directly refer prima facie serious matters to the CID or the Bribery Commission for further investigation and due process. Debate: Amendment of Standing Orders 119(4) and 120(4) and Committee Stage Justice & Human RightsCorruption & Governance ReformParliamentary Procedure Read →
17 March 2026 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nishantha Samaraweera sought clarification in response to points raised by the Opposition and objected to what he described as repeated defamatory attacks on COPE. He noted that the Member making the remarks was himself a member of COPE. Debate: Approval of Remuneration and Service Conditions of CIABOC Officers and Employees Parliamentary Procedure Read →
17 March 2026 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nishantha Samaraweera stated that, as Chair of COPE, he operates strictly within the Committee’s mandate in overseeing audit observations concerning 457 State enterprises. He emphasized that his actions are informed and procedurally grounded. Debate: Approval of Remuneration and Service Conditions of CIABOC Officers and Employees Corruption & Governance Reform Read →
17 March 2026 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nishantha Samaraweera stated that taxes were necessary to maintain uninterrupted fuel supplies and meet large debt obligations under IMF-related arrangements, while seeking to avoid undue burdens on the public. He said Government decisions were taken collectively and not for private gain, contrasting this with past mismanagement, theft, waste, and corruption. He argued that current technical shortcomings should not be labelled as fraud and said the priority should be easing public pressure arising from global conditions. Debate: Approval of Remuneration and Service Conditions of CIABOC Officers and Employees Public FinanceCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
17 March 2026 AI summary Hon. Nishantha Samaraweera supported the determination of remuneration and service conditions for CIABOC officers under Section 26(2) of the Anti-Corruption Act, stating that strengthening anti-corruption institutions is necessary to address bribery, corruption, waste, theft, and fraud. He rejected Opposition claims about LPG and fuel shortages, arguing that Sri Lanka has adequate LPG stocks for March, that current supply issues stem partly from a private importer failing to bring in its share, and that the tender-based change of supplier followed proper procedure. He also said fuel queue management was introduced as a technical, temporary response to global tensions, with over 5 million users registered, and accused the Opposition of spreading public anxiety while the Government manages inherited debt obligations. Debate: Approval of Remuneration and Service Conditions of CIABOC Officers and Employees Cost of LivingCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
20 February 2026 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nishantha Samaraweera rejected the Opposition’s motion on coal procurement as false and misleading, arguing that it wasted parliamentary time and exaggerated figures such as the stated coal requirement. He said the current procurement process followed Auditor-General and COPF recommendations, including 2023 guideline amendments to widen competition, while previous coal imports had caused unrecoverable losses due to invalid tender procedures. He explained that coal quality is assessed through accredited testing and penalty mechanisms, citing a USD 2.1 million penalty on the first shipment, and argued that the Government’s broader anti-corruption efforts were reflected in improved corruption rankings, public polling, and IMF comments on governance reforms. Adjournment Motion: Issues Relating to the Power Sector (Coal Procurement for Norochcholai) Corruption & Governance ReformPublic Finance Read →
19 February 2026 AI summary The 17th Report of the Committee on Public Enterprises was presented in Sinhala, with English and Tamil versions to follow, covering an inquiry into the National Savings Bank under the National Savings Bank Act. The report identified Rs. 96,046 million in recoverable outstanding loans over Rs. 5 million as at 30 September 2025, including Rs. 7,972 million classified as non-performing, and examined major defaults involving RPI (Pvt.) Ltd., Technopark Development Company, and Bimputh Finance PLC. It noted delays and weaknesses in NSB’s recovery action, including over Rs. 258 million outstanding after the winding up of Bimputh Finance PLC and a US$ 9 million syndicated facility to RPI that had grown to US$ 14.73 million without principal repayment. Urgent follow-up and corrective action were recommended as detailed in the report. Committee Report: 17th Report of the Committee on Public Enterprises Public FinanceCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
21 January 2026 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nishantha Samaraweera informed Parliament that he accepted a petition from Mr. M.K. Ananda of “Piumi,” Hungama. Opening and Speaker's Certificate Parliamentary Procedure Read →
8 January 2026 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nishantha Samaraweera supported the transport-related regulations and highlighted the high incidence of road deaths and injuries linked to alcohol and drug-impaired driving, drawing on his medical experience in emergency and neurosurgical care. He called for stronger road-user discipline, improved visibility of road signs by addressing billboards and visual clutter, and safer school access arrangements where gates open onto main roads. He argued that combining legal measures, infrastructure changes and behavioural change could substantially reduce annual road fatalities and injuries. Motor Traffic Act Regulations Debate HealthcareInfrastructureLaw & Order Read →
8 January 2026 AI summary With special permission of the House, Dr. Nishantha Samaraweera presented in Sinhala the 12th to 16th Reports of the Committee on Public Enterprises for the First Session of the Tenth Parliament. The reports concern the Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Agency, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, State Timber Corporation, Construction Industry Development Authority, and Sri Lanka Ports Authority, with English and Tamil versions to be presented later. Papers Presented Parliamentary Procedure Read →
18 December 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nishantha Samaraweera presented several Committee on Public Enterprises reports for the First Session of the Tenth Parliament, including the Fifth Report on the Land Reforms Commission in all three official languages. With special leave, he also presented Sinhala versions of reports on the University of Sabaragamuwa, Mahapola Trust Fund, Civil Aviation Authority, Geological Survey and Mines Bureau, Ceylon Electricity Board/LTL Holdings and subsidiaries, and Lanka Sathosa Ltd., noting that English and Tamil versions would follow. He moved that the reports be printed, and the House agreed. Papers Tabled: Reports, Supplementary Estimate, Regulations, Orders and Performance Reports Parliamentary Procedure Read →
1 December 2025 AI summary Presented three petitions from constituents in Walahanduwa and Matara. The petitions were ordered to be referred to the Committee on Public Petitions. Petitions Parliamentary Procedure Read →
13 November 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nishantha Samaraweera raised a breach of privilege concerning public statements by former CIDA Director Susanta Liyanarachchi following a COPE examination of CIDA’s 2022–2023 audit reports, including litigation expenditure and related legal fees. He alleged that the statements insulted COPE, its Chair, and CIDA’s current Chairman, and amounted to violations of the Parliament (Powers and Privileges) Act, including provisions on parliamentary proceedings, summons, defamatory publications, and premature publication of committee proceedings. He also cited alleged misconduct by two CIDA Board members during the COPE sitting, including leaving without permission and non-compliance with instructions. He requested action through the Committee on Ethics and Privileges, noting COPE’s prior resolution to refer the matter. Privilege Matters and Procedural Issues Parliamentary ProcedureCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
10 November 2025 AI summary Dr. Nishantha Samaraweera requested additional time to conclude and criticized the Opposition, stating that it had governed until late the previous year without delivering results. He argued that the Opposition is now concerned with its own political difficulties rather than public welfare. Adjourned Debate on Budget Bill – Second Reading Parliamentary Procedure Read →
10 November 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nishantha Samaraweera responded to criticism that the Government had fostered social hatred, rejecting generalization from an alleged incident involving Hon. Ratna Sri Wijesinha and citing cultural recognition in the Southern region. He supported the 2026 Budget, highlighting allocations to resolve Techno Park land issues, address Galle’s water supply deficit, pursue 7 per cent growth through tariff reform, export diversification, production, poverty reduction and digitalization, and maintain debt sustainability under the IMF framework. He also noted social sector measures, including funding for autism-related child development and day care centres at Lady Ridgeway Hospital and in districts, with further allocations planned for expansion. Adjourned Debate on Budget Bill – Second Reading Public FinanceHealthcareInfrastructure Read →
21 October 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nishantha Samaraweera supported the Regulations under the National Medicines Regulatory Authority Act, noting that the NMRA regulates registration, importation, inspection, quality assessment and approval of medicines, a process that can take around 300 days. He said previous price control arrangements lacked a clear methodology and led to legal challenges and inconsistent determinations. He stated that the new Regulations provide a structured basis for maximum retail prices and ceiling prices, using factors such as CIF value, duties, logistics and distribution costs, with the aim of improving affordability in both public and private sectors. Debate: Regulations under National Medicines Regulatory Authority Act No. 5 of 2015 HealthcarePublic Finance Read →
26 September 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nishantha Samaraweera moved an adjournment motion urging urgent action on the findings of COPE’s Fourth Report of the Tenth Parliament, including legal action against those responsible for wrongful directions and remedies to prevent recurrence. He said COPE is seeking to move beyond ad hoc inquiries by strengthening legal follow-up, introducing a scientific selection model for examining 457 state-owned enterprises, conducting written and online assessments, and convening institutions to address governance weaknesses. He highlighted recurring issues such as entities acting beyond their statutory mandates, weak planning and internal audit, poor coordination with the Auditor General, and attempts to evade audit scrutiny, citing examples including the Land Reform Commission and the Mahapola Trust Fund. Adjournment Debate: Fourth Report of the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) Parliamentary ProcedurePublic FinanceCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
26 September 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nishantha Samaraweera moved an amendment to Standing Order 120(4) under Standing Order 137. The proposal would empower the Committee on Public Enterprises, when examining Auditor General reports, to refer cases involving serious financial fraud or corruption directly to the Bribery Commission or the Inspector-General of Police for legal action. Standing Orders Amendment (Standing Order 120) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
23 September 2025 AI summary Hon. Nishantha Samaraweera tabled the Fourth Report of the Committee on Public Enterprises for the First Session of the Tenth Parliament and informed the House that a discussion on the report and COPE inquiries would be held during the week. He moved that the report be printed, and the motion was agreed to. Papers: Annual Reports and Committee Reports Parliamentary Procedure Read →