Hon. Padmasiri Bandara, M.P.
Profession: ---
Speeches 22 #168 of 225·#106 in party
Attendance 3/8 days present (of recorded)
Top topic Parliamentary Procedure 10 speeches
Last spoke 10 June 2026 in Oral question
Activity by sitting
17 sittings · counts only, no scoring.
Topic focus
AI summary AI-assigned tags, 1–3 per speech. Counts only — not a score.
Speech history
22 speeches- 10 June 2026 AI summary Hon. Padmasiri Bandara thanked the Minister for the report and asked whether an inquiry could be conducted into Welikanda and Polonnaruwa Hospitals. He requested that the findings of that inquiry be submitted to Parliament. Oral Question: Chilaw Plantations Limited and Hospital Infrastructure (Q.5-6) HealthcareParliamentary Procedure Read →
- 8 May 2026 AI summary Hon. Padmasiri Bandara seconded the motion and argued that pine and eucalyptus plantations have caused significant ecological damage in Sri Lanka, particularly in the central highlands, while contributing little to national timber demand. He stated that these invasive plantings destroy habitats, affect water sources and downstream agriculture, and may destabilize slopes after felling. He called for their systematic removal. Debate: Private Members' Motion P.50/2025 - Formulating a Methodology to Prevent Damage Caused by Pine Plantations to Water Sources EnvironmentInfrastructureAgriculture Read →
- 5 March 2026 AI summary Padmasiri Bandara spoke in support of the Adjournment Debate marking International Women’s Day, citing patriarchal social structures, violence, economic exploitation, and cultural constraints affecting women in Sri Lanka. He highlighted past and ongoing political mobilization, including the “Women, We Stand as One” movement, and said the Government is pursuing measures on gender-based income gaps, land rights, labour protections, micro-debt relief, and support for women entrepreneurs. He called for increased women’s representation in Parliament proportionate to their share of the population and pledged continued support for women’s rights and justice. Adjournment: National Care Policy and International Women's Day Women & Children Read →
- 19 November 2025 AI summary Padmasiri Bandara defended the Budget allocations under Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government, rejecting Opposition claims about low capital spending and citing allocations for Health, Agriculture, and Rural and Infrastructure ministries as evidence of a capital-focused Budget. He highlighted the proposed implementation of a 3 per cent public service recruitment quota for persons with disabilities, alongside a Rs. 500 million wage subsidy scheme for private employers. He also said the Government would address local authority staff shortages through over 75,000 recruitments and allocate Rs. 12,500 million for shared essential equipment, while noting increased benefits for public servants including higher festival advances, disaster loan ceilings, and difficult-area allowances for teachers. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Committee Stage (Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government; Ministry of Labour) EmploymentInfrastructurePublic Finance Read →
- 14 November 2025 AI summary Padmasiri Bandara defended the 2026 Budget as a stable and deliverable programme, contrasting it with what he described as inconsistent and theatrical criticism from the Opposition, including on the proposed Rs. 200 daily attendance incentive for plantation workers. He said the Government represented a different and educated parliamentary cohort and rejected claims that its “People’s Power” programme was politicized, arguing that it addressed rural economic aspirations. He highlighted major allocations for education, health, and transport, and urged Members to support the Budget at the vote. Debate: Second Reading of Appropriation Bill 2026 – Sixth Allotted Day Parliamentary ProcedurePublic Finance Read →
- 10 October 2025 AI summary Asked the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to provide detailed information in response to a multi-part question submitted on behalf of Hon. Ravindra Bandara. The questions covered several unspecified items under parts (a) and (b), requiring answers to sub-questions (i) to (v) and (i) to (vii), respectively. Oral Questions and Government Answers (Questions 342/2024, 7/561/2025, 9/984/2025, 10/1120/2025, 8/625/2025) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 21 August 2025 AI summary Hon. Padmasiri Bandara defended the Government’s handling of paddy purchasing in Polonnaruwa, stating that district collection centres had opened, only dry paddy was being bought, and more than 26,000 metric tonnes had already been purchased in the Yala season. Speaking during debate on Orders under the Finance Act and the Construction Industry Development Act, he argued that the construction sector was being revived through housing, public building and road projects, with fairer access to contracts and reduced CIDA registration renewal fees. He said past political interference, contract capture and misuse of community-based organisations were being ended, and maintained that taxes and the Rs. 10,200 million Budget allocation for Polonnaruwa were being directed to public development and rural livelihoods. Debate: Customs Ordinance, Excise Regulation, Finance Act Order, and Construction Industry Development Act (Continued) AgricultureCorruption & Governance ReformInfrastructure Read →
- 21 August 2025 AI summary A petition was presented on behalf of Mrs. D.J. Wijethunga of Dekea Ela, Navanagariya Road, Polonnaruwa, for the consideration of Parliament. Petitions Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 7 August 2025 AI summary Hon. Padmasiri Bandara presented two petitions for acceptance, one from H. M. Lanka Rajani Wijethilaka of Yodha Ela, Hingurakgoda, and another from B. H. O. Ruwanti Silva of Pulastigama, Polonnaruwa. No further details on the subject matter of the petitions were provided. Tabling of Reports and Petitions Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 8 July 2025 AI summary Hon. Padmasiri Bandara presented a petition from Mrs. M.A.N. Priyangani and another resident of New Town, Polonnaruwa. The petition was ordered to be referred to the Committee on Public Petitions. Petitions Presented by Members Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 19 June 2025 AI summary Padmasiri Bandara informed Parliament that he accepted a petition from Mr. W.H.M. Karunarathna Banda of No. 117/3, Girithale. Petitions Presented Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 3 June 2025 AI summary Hon. Padmasiri Bandara alleged that appointments in Mahaweli areas have historically favoured selected individuals, resulting in irregular transactions, fraud and corruption. Referring to a recent gazette for recruiting RPM officers, he asked whether recruitment would also proceed for the next cadre level. Oral Question: Tank Renovation under Mahaweli (Q.513/2025) Corruption & Governance Reform Read →
- 3 June 2025 AI summary Padmasiri Bandara raised a supplementary question on land issues in Mahaweli areas, alleging that large extents of land had been privately allocated to public figures and remain uncultivated. He also referred to reported paid transfers of ownership in Mahaweli “B” and “D” zones and asked what action the Ministry is taking to address these matters. Oral Question: Tank Renovation under Mahaweli (Q.513/2025) Land & HousingCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
- 22 May 2025 AI summary Padmasiri Bandara defended the Government during debate on regulations under the Imports and Exports (Control) Act and proposals under the Disposals Act, arguing that current shortages and industrial issues, including salt storage and factory closures, were the result of decades of previous administrations’ policies. He rejected Opposition criticism of the NPP/JVP, war-hero commemorations, job losses, and allegations against Minister Sunil Handunnetti, saying the Government would honour service personnel, not sell national assets, and pursue past corruption. He asked that the Government be judged after its full term rather than after six months, while stating it would leave office if it could not deliver. Debate: Regulations under Imports and Exports (Control) Act, No. 1 of 1969 and Disposal of Property Act Resolutions Corruption & Governance ReformEmploymentAgriculture Read →
- 9 April 2025 AI summary Hon. Padmasiri Bandara supported the Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill, stating that it seeks to correct past tax measures that burdened workers and low-income households, including taxes affecting employer-provided meals and transport, and VAT on milk and yoghurt. He argued that the Government’s policy is to provide relief to the public while improving collection from wealthy individuals and large businesses that have evaded taxes, including arrears already identified. He also said the Bill addresses distortions in areas such as insurance commissions and forms part of a broader move toward digital transactions by 2027-2028 to reduce tax leakage, fraud and corruption. Debate: Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading (Afternoon Session and Reported Business) Public FinanceEmploymentCost of Living Read →
- 9 April 2025 AI summary Padmasiri Bandara formally asked a parliamentary question addressed through the Deputy Speaker. No substantive details of the question or policy issue are included in the provided excerpt. Oral Questions: Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs; Foreign Employment Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 10 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Padmasiri Bandara raised concerns that the current system of multiple school categories has intensified competition for admission to a limited number of schools. He asked what steps and timeline the Government has planned to implement the “Prosperous Country – Beautiful Life” policy proposal to categorize schools nationally into Primary, Secondary, and Senior Secondary tiers. Oral Answers to Questions Education Read →
- 10 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Padmasiri Bandara raised concerns about the separation between Provincial and National School teacher transfer processes, noting that zonal transfer boards lack authority to transfer teachers into National Schools. He said many teachers in Polonnaruwa’s provincial schools seek such transfers but have no clear mechanism, and asked whether powers would be adjusted to allow zonal boards to address these transfers and correct staffing imbalances. Oral Answers to Questions EducationEmployment Read →
- 27 February 2025 AI summary Accepted two petitions from constituents: one from Mr. G.W. Amarasinghe of Jayanthipura and another from Mrs. M.G. Swarnalatha Gunasinghe of Viruchangama, Jayanthipura, Polonnaruwa. Petitions: Citizens' Petitions Presented by Multiple Members Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 24 February 2025 AI summary Padmasiri Bandara acknowledged the Minister’s answers and stated that he had no supplementary questions. Oral Question: Question No. 4 - 449/2025 (Housing) Parliamentary Procedure Read →