Hon. Anura Karunathilaka, M.P.

Jathika Jana balawegaya (JJB)· National List

Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation and Minister of Energy

Profession: Academician

Roster profile ↗

Speeches 215 #20 of 225·#9 in party

Attendance 8/8 days present (of recorded)

Speech history

215 speeches

5 May 2026 AI summary Anura Karunathilaka moved for approval of regulations published in Extraordinary Gazette No. 2475/28 of 13 February 2026 under the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Act, No. 11 of 2021. He stated that the regulations had been considered by the Colombo Port City Economic Commission, approved by the Cabinet of Ministers, and presented to Parliament on 9 April 2026. The motion was agreed to. Debate: Port City Economic Commission Regulations and Orders Parliamentary Procedure Read →
5 May 2026 AI summary Moved approval of a regulation under Section 53 of the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Act, No. 11 of 2021, published in Extraordinary Gazette No. 2471/55 of 16 January 2026. The regulation, made by the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development following the Commission’s recommendations and Cabinet approval, was presented to Parliament on 9 April 2026 and agreed to. Debate: Port City Economic Commission Regulations and Orders Parliamentary Procedure Read →
5 May 2026 AI summary Moved approval of a regulation under Section 53 of the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Act, published in Extraordinary Gazette No. 2471/54 of 16 January 2026. The regulation, made by the Minister of Finance following recommendations of the Colombo Port City Economic Commission and Cabinet approval, was presented to Parliament on 9 April 2026 and agreed to. Debate: Port City Economic Commission Regulations and Orders Parliamentary Procedure Read →
5 May 2026 AI summary Moved approval of a regulation under Section 53 of the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Act, No. 11 of 2021, published in Extraordinary Gazette No. 2471/53 of 16 January 2026. The regulation, made by the Minister of Finance after considering the Colombo Port City Economic Commission’s recommendations and approved by Cabinet, was presented to Parliament on 9 April 2026 and agreed to. Debate: Port City Economic Commission Regulations and Orders Parliamentary Procedure Read →
5 May 2026 AI summary Hon. Anura Karunathilaka stated that the Government is planning and implementing base infrastructure to expand electricity connections across the entire country, including islands and other remote areas. He said specific completion dates cannot be given until implementation progresses, and that expansion will depend on available financial capacity. Oral Question Q.5 (642/2025): Committees Investigated into Nationwide Power Failure on 09.02.2025 InfrastructurePublic Finance Read →
5 May 2026 AI summary Additional costs from substandard coal cannot yet be quantified because they depend on shipment-specific generation levels and coal quality parameters, and the relevant process has not been completed. It was clarified that any shortfall is not met entirely through diesel generation; solar, hydropower, and other sources are used where possible, with diesel used only at critical times. Oral Question Q.5 (642/2025): Committees Investigated into Nationwide Power Failure on 09.02.2025 InfrastructurePublic Finance Read →
5 May 2026 AI summary The Minister answered a question on investigations into a power system incident, stating that two committees were appointed by the Ministry of Energy and the then CEB, and listing their membership. He said the Ministry Committee recommended measures including reviewing spinning reserve and under-frequency load-shedding criteria, using plants as synchronous condensers, implementing storage and blackout restoration arrangements, improving Lakvijaya restart procedures, promoting battery-backed rooftop solar, tariff incentives, BESS procurement, and renewable energy forecasting desks. He added that neither report identified specific officials as directly responsible, both reports were placed in the Library, and the CEB had been instructed to implement the Ministry Committee’s recommendations through a four-member committee. Oral Question Q.5 (642/2025): Committees Investigated into Nationwide Power Failure on 09.02.2025 InfrastructurePublic Finance Read →
5 May 2026 AI summary Anura Karunathilaka stated that ex-gratia payments for voluntary retirees are planned in two phases, with the Treasury expected to provide 50 per cent following a Cabinet paper already submitted. He said approval is expected the following week, enabling payment of the first 50 per cent by the 15th of the month, with the remaining 50 per cent to follow shortly thereafter. Oral Question Q.4 (568/2025): Loans Obtained from State Banks by CEB Public Finance Read →
5 May 2026 AI summary Anura Karunathilaka stated that the measure in question is not intended to be financed through bank borrowing or by passing costs on to the public. Oral Question Q.4 (568/2025): Loans Obtained from State Banks by CEB Public Finance Read →
5 May 2026 AI summary The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka stated that losses from substandard coal would not be transferred to electricity consumers. He said part of the loss would be recovered from the responsible party through the prescribed procedures, in line with the President’s position. Oral Question Q.4 (568/2025): Loans Obtained from State Banks by CEB InfrastructurePublic Finance Read →
5 May 2026 AI summary In response to a question on Ceylon Electricity Board borrowings, the Minister stated that the CEB had obtained loans from the Bank of Ceylon, National Savings Bank, and People’s Bank, with an outstanding balance of Rs. 11.67 billion as of 28 February 2026 for loans held as of 31 December 2024. He said detailed schedules were tabled in the Library and noted that tariffs are generally structured on a cost-reflective basis, with efforts to reduce generation and operating costs in order to minimize future bank borrowing. Oral Question Q.4 (568/2025): Loans Obtained from State Banks by CEB Public FinanceInfrastructure Read →
10 April 2026 AI summary Minister Anura Karunathilaka rejected allegations that a coal procurement tender was awarded to an unregistered supplier, arguing that the Auditor-General’s Report showed registration only had to be completed before bid submission and that the decision was made by a High Procurement Committee of officials. He also disputed claims that coal testing lacked accreditation, citing certifications from Sri Lankan diplomatic missions in South Africa and Indonesia regarding the laboratories used for relevant tests. He stated that contractual mechanisms exist to penalize and recover losses from substandard coal, with further confirmatory testing underway, and denied political intervention in the procurement process. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Corruption & Governance ReformPublic Finance Read →
9 April 2026 AI summary The Minister said the Easter attacks should be addressed by ensuring non-recurrence through stronger national security and social cohesion, rather than by politicising communal fears. He argued that previous political forces used narratives of LTTE resurgence and Islamist extremism to promote chauvinist politics, while the current Government is pursuing inter-ethnic and inter-religious harmony, equality before the law, and non-discrimination. He stated that independent investigations have been revived, prior inquiry reports and recommendations are being reviewed, legal action has begun against responsible persons, and intelligence reforms are being implemented, citing the prevention of a recent planned incident in Arugam Bay. He also criticised former Cabinet members involved in the debate for questioning current actions despite allegedly failing to act responsibly on intelligence at the time. Adjournment Debate: Easter Sunday Attack of 21 April 2019 Justice & Human RightsEthnic Reconciliation & DevolutionSecurity & Defence Read →
9 April 2026 AI summary Hon. Anura Karunathilaka stated that, based on available information, there were no reported cases of the alleged non-payment. He undertook to inquire with the relevant officials and said that, if any non-payments are found, the reasons would be identified and appropriate action taken. Oral Questions and Answers Parliamentary Procedure Read →
9 April 2026 AI summary The Minister provided figures on the operational profit and loss of the Ports Authority from 2010 to 2024, noting losses in several earlier years and profits in recent years, including Rs. 926.03 million in 2024. He stated that no Ports Authority jetty has been leased to private companies, but the Vegetable Jetty was temporarily leased to the Eastern Province Tourism Bureau for tourism promotion, with most dues paid except rent from November 2025 to February 2026. He listed the jetties at the Port of Trincomalee and their usage status, and said a Master Plan for the entire port is in operation, with the Trincomalee plan laid in the Library. Oral Questions and Answers Public FinanceInfrastructure Read →
8 April 2026 AI summary Anura Karunathilaka moved the adjournment of Parliament. The motion was formally proposed for consideration. Adjournment Debate: Mitigate the Impact of Middle Eastern War on Sri Lanka's Economy Parliamentary Procedure Read →
8 April 2026 AI summary Moved a procedural motion, on behalf of the Leader of the House, to vary the day’s sitting hours notwithstanding Standing Order 88. The motion set sittings from 9.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and 1.00 p.m. to 5.30 p.m., provided for Standing Order 8(5) to be taken up at 11.00 a.m., and required adjournment at 5.30 p.m.; it was agreed to by the House. Motion on Parliamentary Sitting Times Parliamentary Procedure Read →
7 April 2026 AI summary Hon. Anura Karunathilaka briefly thanked another Member. No substantive policy issue, proposal, or question was raised. Ministry Statement: Direct Ferry Service between Mannar and India Parliamentary Procedure Read →
7 April 2026 AI summary Cabinet approval has been obtained to conduct a preliminary feasibility study on commencing a passenger ferry service, and related action is under way. The Minister stated that no ferry service is operating at present and that further details can be provided after the feasibility, technical, and environmental assessments are completed. He noted that a 2011 Sri Lanka-India MoU provides for a Joint Committee, which has discussed northern development projects including Talaimannar, and said any approved service could support lower-cost passenger and cargo transport, including for religious pilgrims. Ministry Statement: Direct Ferry Service between Mannar and India InfrastructureForeign Affairs Read →
7 April 2026 AI summary Hon. Anura Karunathilaka stated that the Government would avoid deviating from established procedures in terminating agreements, citing the risk of penalties as seen in the Airbus matter. He said the Chairman had resigned following concerns over a potential conflict of interest with private operators, and that applications by airlines to operate services to Sri Lanka would be considered while assessing any conflicts with SriLankan Airlines’ operations. Oral Question: Aswesuma Programme - Appeals and Objections Parliamentary ProcedurePublic Finance Read →