Hon. P. Ruwan Senarath, M.P.

Jathika Jana balawegaya (JJB)· Hambantota

Deputy Minister of Provincial Councils and Local Government

Profession: Farming

Roster profile ↗

Speeches 20 #176 of 225·#114 in party

Attendance 2/8 days present (of recorded)

Speech history

20 speeches

7 May 2026 AI summary Hon. P. Ruwan Senarath supported extending emergency provisions under the Essential Public Services Act in response to the “Ditva” cyclone, arguing that temporary powers are needed to maintain essential services, public order, security, and supplies during disasters and potential global supply disruptions. He cited government actions including evacuations, deployment of security forces, restoration of rail services, measures against hoarding, and an interim housing programme for affected districts. He stressed that emergency powers should remain temporary and subject to parliamentary, judicial, and constitutional oversight, and urged the House to approve the extension. Debate and Approval: Public Security Ordinance Extension (Emergency) - Part 2 InfrastructureLaw & OrderSecurity & Defence Read →
10 April 2026 AI summary The Deputy Minister stated that decisions regarding the multipurpose conference hall were not racially motivated and noted that an audit query in 2023 had raised several issues. He said the land status must first be surveyed and verified with the District Secretary, after which the building could be vested in the Pradeshiya Sabha for maintenance and made accessible to all communities. Once the land is regularized, further action would be taken in consultation with district-level stakeholders. Private Notice Questions and Procedural Matters Ethnic Reconciliation & DevolutionCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
10 April 2026 AI summary Funds allocated in 2017 and 2024 were used to complete a multipurpose building in Kalpitiya in December 2024, but its handover to the Kalpitiya Pradeshiya Sabha was obstructed by persons claiming to represent the Mohideen Jumma Mosque. The Deputy Minister stated that the mosque’s Board of Governors had initially agreed to provide the land, but ownership of the exact portion where the building stands has not been conclusively established by survey, and relevant letters were placed in the Library. He said the facility was publicly funded for use by all residents and therefore cannot be managed by the mosque; pending regularization of land title, it should be assigned to the Pradeshiya Sabha with the cooperation of the District Secretary, the mosque, and other stakeholders. Private Notice Questions and Procedural Matters Religion & CultureLand & Housing Read →
10 April 2026 AI summary The Deputy Minister tabled the Government’s response on measures for solid waste management, confirming daily collection, temporary non-decaying waste centres, public awareness, monitoring, inter-local authority programmes, and efficient use of sanitary landfill sites. He also stated that the Ashraff Nagar waste retention facility and related infrastructure had been assigned to Comt Bio Gas Oluvil under a conditional public-private partnership MOU for recycling and related waste-to-energy, biogas, and compost activities, following a General Council decision on 17 March 2026. Oral Questions: Second Round and Supplementary Questions Public FinanceEnvironment Read →
9 April 2026 AI summary Hon. P. Ruwan Senarath acknowledged staff shortages, particularly among field officers, and other service delivery constraints in Trincomalee and the wider Eastern Province, including land-related issues and capacity limitations at Divisional Secretariat level. He stated that the Government is undertaking recruitment and plans to improve DS office facilities islandwide, including through technology, to bring services closer to the public. He also said the Government is willing to consult both Government and Opposition representatives from Trincomalee and act on their proposals. Oral Questions and Answers InfrastructureLand & HousingPublic Finance Read →
9 April 2026 AI summary Hon. P. Ruwan Senarath stated that there is no current obstacle to the operation of the Thoppur Sub-Divisional Secretariat, though it is affected by broader district-wide issues facing Divisional Secretariats in Trincomalee. He said the matter would be discussed further, with views received for future action, and that a scientific plan could be prepared to guide further steps while the office continues to function as a Sub-Divisional Secretariat. Oral Questions and Answers Infrastructure Read →
9 April 2026 AI summary Hon. P. Ruwan Senarath, responding on behalf of the Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government, stated that 18 relevant units exist and that the Thoppur Sub-Divisional Secretariat was established to reduce the need for residents to travel to Muttur for services. He said the Thoppur office is functioning without hindrance and that any upgrade to a full Divisional Secretariat could be considered in future through a scientific methodology. Oral Questions and Answers Corruption & Governance Reform Read →
19 November 2025 AI summary The Deputy Minister outlined Budget allocations for the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government, including Rs. 24,620 million for provincial councils and local government, and said the Government is working to strengthen all 341 local authorities after local elections were held. He highlighted measures such as the “Punarudaya Purachara” Local Government Week, provision of 700 vehicles and machinery in the first phase out of a stated need for 1,067, and plans to reduce high maintenance costs of ageing local authority fleets. He also said the Government is advancing digitalization in local authorities through new software already introduced in 130 institutions, with further implementation planned. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Committee Stage (Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government; Ministry of Labour) Ethnic Reconciliation & DevolutionPublic Finance Read →
10 November 2025 AI summary Hon. P. Ruwan Senarath supported the 2026 Budget, describing it as a comprehensive measure to rebuild the economy and respond to current challenges. He said the Government was willing to consider constructive Opposition criticism, but argued that the Budget already contains policy-based and statistical responses. He urged Members to understand the Budget properly and work together on its implementation. Adjourned Debate on Budget Bill – Second Reading Public Finance Read →
10 November 2025 AI summary Deputy Minister P. Ruwan Senarath defended the Government’s second Budget, arguing that it is built on the first Budget’s measures taken after an economic collapse and is organized around six strategic goals. He criticized Opposition claims that the Budget lacks planning, citing reported economic growth, Treasury improvement, and unmet basic needs in Hambantota such as access to safe drinking water and sanitation under previous governments. He highlighted targets including sustained GDP growth above 7 per cent, fair regional distribution of benefits, export diversification, review of trade agreements, and new free trade agreements under the 2025–2029 National Export Development Plan, while inviting constructive criticism on the Budget’s content. Adjourned Debate on Budget Bill – Second Reading InfrastructurePublic Finance Read →
24 July 2025 AI summary Acknowledges that a problem exists regarding officer placements, and states that officers may submit requests through the annual transfer process. Action can then be taken based on those applications. Oral Question: Foreign Graduate Appointments (Q.7) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
24 July 2025 AI summary Cases related to the matter are pending before the Supreme Court, and action will be taken in accordance with the Court’s decision. The statement also notes an intention to proceed in a way that avoids causing injustice to others. Oral Question: Foreign Graduate Appointments (Q.7) Justice & Human Rights Read →
24 July 2025 AI summary The Deputy Minister answered on behalf of the Minister regarding the 2020 Employment Programme for Unemployed Graduates, explaining that appointments were halted after the Election Commission’s order during the general election and later reviewed by the Presidential Secretariat. He stated that the rejected list provided no provision to appoint foreign university graduates as Development Officers under that programme, although foreign graduates may enter the public service under other service minute schemes where permitted. He also clarified that the programme’s age limit was assessed as at 31 December 2019, so eligible trainees were confirmed even if they had exceeded 45 by the date of formal appointment. Oral Question: Foreign Graduate Appointments (Q.7) EmploymentPublic Finance Read →
8 July 2025 AI summary Deputy Minister P. Ruwan Senarath supported approval of regulations under the Imports and Exports (Control) Act to permit salt imports, citing a decline in domestic production caused by unusually heavy rainfall and changed climatic conditions in Hambantota, which normally supplies about 60 per cent of national salt output. He stated that Sri Lanka’s annual requirement is about 180,000 metric tons and that imports are needed until the expected July–September harvest, estimated at about 50,000 metric tons subject to weather, is processed and ready for market. He defended debating the matter in Parliament as part of democratic decision-making and accused previous administrations of mismanagement and politicization in the salt sector, while saying the Government would consider constructive proposals. Debate: Imports and Exports (Control) Act - Salt Import Regulations (Gazette No. 2437/04) AgriculturePublic FinanceCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
4 March 2025 AI summary Deputy Minister P. Ruwan Senarath outlined 2025 allocations and projects under Provincial Councils and Local Government, including Rs. 22,789 million for local authorities, Rs. 5,000 million for rural roads and bridges, Clean Sri Lanka waste-management initiatives, digitization of all 341 local authorities, and foreign-funded projects in the Northern, Uva, Eastern and Western Provinces. He detailed funding for solid waste management, sanitation, recycling facilities, tourism-linked local authority infrastructure, Colombo tax administration and wastewater projects, rural bridges, and proposed Japanese-supported infrastructure for four emerging provinces. He also alleged serious irregularities at the Sri Lanka Institute of Local Governance, including governance failures and missing project funds, and said a new board and Director would be appointed and investigations pursued. He argued that government savings would come from curbing fraud, waste and misuse of public funds, citing past fuel expenditure by a former State Minister as an example. Appropriation Bill 2025 — Twelfth Allotted Day — Committee Stage Public FinanceInfrastructureEthnic Reconciliation & Devolution Read →
17 February 2025 AI summary The Deputy Minister supported the Local Authorities Elections (Special Provisions) Bill as necessary to hold the long-postponed elections for 340 local authorities and restore elected representation for local service delivery. He said the Bill would cancel old nominations, permit new nominations, provide for deposit refunds, and expand opportunities for youth and women candidates, including a 25 per cent youth representation requirement. He linked timely elections to implementing Government priorities such as rural poverty reduction, digitalization, Clean Sri Lanka, waste management and local infrastructure, while criticizing alleged efforts to delay the polls and calling on the Opposition to state clearly whether it supports holding them promptly. Local Authorities Elections (Special Provisions) Bill: Second Reading Ethnic Reconciliation & DevolutionCorruption & Governance ReformInfrastructure Read →
22 January 2025 AI summary P. Ruwan Senarath acknowledged the concern raised and stated that the matter is under discussion, including consideration of issues faced by people in the relevant area. He said the Minister would be consulted and a proper reply would be provided to Parliament on the next sitting day. Oral Question: Kalmunai North Divisional Secretariat Status (Q.6/2025) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
22 January 2025 AI summary Three court cases, including pending writ matters, have prevented the Government from reaching a final decision on the issue. P. Ruwan Senarath stated that once the proceedings conclude, the Government intends to act promptly. Oral Question: Kalmunai North Divisional Secretariat Status (Q.6/2025) Justice & Human Rights Read →
22 January 2025 AI summary On behalf of the Minister, the Deputy Minister stated that although Cabinet approved in 1993 the conversion of 28 Assistant Government Agent offices, including Kalmunai North, into Divisional Secretariats, Kalmunai North has continued to function only as a sub-office under the Kalmunai Divisional Secretariat. He said no Divisional Secretary post has been approved, only an Assistant Divisional Secretary post exists, and no decision or attempt has been made to downgrade the office. He added that DS Division boundaries are gazetted by the relevant Ministry based on Cabinet decisions, and noted that three related writ cases are pending before the Court of Appeal. Oral Question: Kalmunai North Divisional Secretariat Status (Q.6/2025) Corruption & Governance ReformParliamentary Procedure Read →
8 January 2025 AI summary The Deputy Minister criticized Opposition Members for raising unrelated issues and for what he described as contradictory positions on matters such as casino regulation, debt, rice shortages, and past criminal investigations. He cited the Committee on Public Finance recommendation to establish a casino regulatory authority and said the Government would regulate casinos, address tax evasion, and strengthen monitoring. He also stated that investigations into killings, including Lasantha Wickrematunge’s murder, and the Easter attacks would proceed methodically, while alleging previous administrations failed to account for major allocations to the Paddy Marketing Board and other policy failures. Debate: Orders and Regulations under Import/Export Control Act, Foreign Exchange Act, and Other Acts (continued) Parliamentary ProcedureCorruption & Governance ReformPublic Finance Read →