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

7 April 2026 AI summary Some leases are governed by binding agreements that must be honoured until their expiry, regardless of current market conditions. Cancelling them early due to high prices or other reasons would expose the government to significant penalties payable to the counterparties. Oral Question: Aswesuma Programme - Appeals and Objections Public Finance Read →
7 April 2026 AI summary The Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation replied to a parliamentary question on SriLankan Airlines’ A330 fleet replacement, stating that the lessor is SASOF IV (AD Aviation Ireland DAC) and the service provider is Carlyle Aviation Management Limited. He said five A330 aircraft owned by SriLankan were due to leave the fleet as of February 2024, and a replacement plan begun in late 2022 led to a Cabinet-approved lease of five A330 aircraft for four years or more after procurement approval. He added that the relevant aircraft was originally from November 2011, was acquired on a lease instalment basis rather than rental, with a monthly lease rental of USD 275,000. Oral Question: Aswesuma Programme - Appeals and Objections Infrastructure Read →
19 March 2026 AI summary Minister Anura Karunathilaka rejected Opposition claims that Sri Lanka was in a broad national crisis, citing improved fiscal, foreign exchange, inflation, tourism, remittance, export and reserve indicators since 2022. He argued that current pressures, especially on fuel and energy, stem mainly from external shocks linked to Middle East conflicts rather than domestic policy failure or political instability. He said the Government would protect essential services and economic activity through fuel procurement, public service, distribution and social protection committees, temporary QR-based limits on non-essential consumption, and possible targeted relief including fuel tax reductions. He also proposed using the situation to promote Sri Lanka as a stable tourism destination and strengthen Colombo’s aviation and port transit roles. Adjournment Debate: Current Economic and Security Crisis Foreign AffairsCost of LivingPublic Finance Read →
19 March 2026 AI summary The Minister stated that the Government is reviewing the existing Master Plan for Bandaranaike International Airport with a view to increasing its capacity. He also said discussions have begun with several airlines to secure more scheduled flights to Sri Lanka, taking advantage of conditions in the Middle East. Questions under Standing Order 27(2): Economic Challenges and Aviation Sector Infrastructure Read →
19 March 2026 AI summary The Minister answered a question on airline operations, passenger capacity and airport charges, stating that 29 scheduled airlines, including SriLankan Airlines and FitsAir, are approved for the winter 2025/2026 season with weekly one-way seat capacity of about 115,000 to 203,000. He said several Middle Eastern carriers and local airlines had reduced or cancelled frequencies due to the regional situation, while Aeroflot, Edelweiss and SalamAir had added flights, and tabled annexes with detailed seat, traffic, levy arrears and airport capacity data. He also set out current embarkation levy rates by airport, noting that the levy is included in ticket prices, collected by the Civil Aviation Authority from airlines and remitted to the Treasury twice weekly. Questions under Standing Order 27(2): Economic Challenges and Aviation Sector Infrastructure Read →
17 March 2026 AI summary The Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation presented the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka’s Annual Report for 2024. He moved that the report be referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Infrastructure and Strategic Development, and the House agreed. Tabling of Reports and Papers Parliamentary ProcedureInfrastructure Read →
4 March 2026 AI summary Minister Anura Karunathilaka said Bandaranaike International Airport handled 1,045,994 passengers in January 2026, with projected annual passenger volumes of 11.68 million in 2027 and 12.6 million in 2028. He stated that the second passenger terminal at Katunayake is expected to be completed by 2029, but interim expansion of the first terminal, including temporary facilities and additional counters, is being undertaken to meet near-term demand. He also outlined plans to develop domestic air services, including feasibility studies for domestic airport infrastructure and a possible dedicated domestic terminal, with World Bank involvement and consultations with private operators. Adjournment: Questions on Cyclone Relief and Tourism Infrastructure Read →
18 February 2026 AI summary Anura Karunathilaka stated that he was not handling the subject of Ports at the time of the incident in question. He said his resignation from the Committee was a personal decision and was not made at anyone else’s request. Procedural: Select Committee and Conflict of Interest Matter Parliamentary Procedure Read →
18 February 2026 AI summary Minister Anura Karunathilaka explained his resignation from the Select Committee investigating the release of 323 containers. He stated that while container release is handled by Sri Lanka Customs under the Ministry of Finance and the Ports Authority only facilitates imports and exports, his current role as Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation could create a perceived conflict of interest. He tabled his resignation letter, which was placed in the Library. Procedural: Select Committee and Conflict of Interest Matter Parliamentary Procedure Read →
23 January 2026 AI summary Moving the Universities (Amendment) Bill for second reading on behalf of the Education Minister, the Minister said it seeks to improve university governance by introducing seniority-based procedures and term limits for Heads of Departments and by requiring removals to follow Council action on the Vice Chancellor’s recommendation under UGC-prescribed due process. He said the Bill would broaden eligibility for Deans beyond serving Heads of Departments to senior academic staff within faculties, with safeguards to protect Faculty Board primacy in removals. He cited consultations following the 2012 FUTA action and recent feedback from FUTA and academics as supporting the general direction of reforms to make university leadership more transparent, democratic, and accountable. Debate: Universities (Amendment) Bill - Second and Third Reading Parliamentary ProcedureEducationCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
22 January 2026 AI summary Hon. Anura Karunathilaka moved that Hon. Rohini Kumari Wijerathna take the Chair. The motion was agreed to, after which the Deputy Chairperson of Committees left the Chair and Hon. Wijerathna assumed it. Adjournment Debate: Comprehensive Educational Transformation Process Parliamentary Procedure Read →
22 January 2026 AI summary Hon. Anura Karunathilaka said the Ministry should investigate schools that had asked parents to purchase smart boards without official instruction and take action against responsible principals. He defended the inclusion of ICT and education reforms despite infrastructure gaps, noting that ICT textbooks date back to 2015 and that funds have been allocated to provide smart boards to about 1,600 schools by March, with the aim of supplying at least one digital device to every school. He rejected claims that the reforms would depart from Commonwealth standards, stating that 13 years of schooling, O/L and A/L national examinations, and the Sri Lanka Qualifications Framework would remain intact. He said the reforms reflect National People’s Power policy, including grade restructuring, a Grade 9 skills test, and stronger links between general and vocational education for students leaving school without qualifications. Adjournment Debate: Comprehensive Educational Transformation Process Education Read →
22 January 2026 AI summary The Minister defended the current education reforms as a long-discussed, transformative effort to strengthen public education, contrasting them with earlier proposals he said promoted privatization and shifted costs to parents. He rejected claims that the reforms lack substance, citing the Ministry’s published trilingual document setting out objectives and components, and emphasized national goals including cultural heritage, unity, and learner development. He acknowledged errors in two pages of an English module and said they must be corrected with disciplinary action where appropriate, but argued this should not be used to discredit the entire reform process. He said implementation must proceed alongside infrastructure and human resource improvements, noting a Rs. 17 billion allocation and the need to move beyond exam-centred rote learning. Adjournment Debate: Comprehensive Educational Transformation Process Education Read →
20 January 2026 AI summary The Minister said benefits for the “At-risk” category under the Welfare Benefits Act and Aswesuma programme have been extended to June 2026, while allowances for poor and extremely poor categories will continue until June 2027, covering 1.92 million families and additional elderly, kidney disease, and disability beneficiaries. He argued that welfare support should be temporary and linked to socioeconomic empowerment, citing the Praja Shakthi programme and livelihood initiatives. He also defended proposed education curriculum reforms as part of addressing multidimensional poverty, welcomed constructive criticism, and challenged the Opposition to promptly table and debate its proposed no-confidence motion over the reform process. Debate - Aswesuma Welfare Benefit Payment Scheme EducationCost of Living Read →
6 January 2026 AI summary The Minister provided details of the current SriLankan Airlines Board, including its eight directors, their other directorships, and directors’ fees paid between October 2024 and October 2025. He stated that Mr. Sarath Ganegoda is the present Chairman, that an annex with further details has been placed in the Library, and that the Chairman had no sponsored personal travel but undertook one duty visit to New Delhi to meet Airbus. Questions and Papers (Resumption after Adjournment) Public Finance Read →
19 December 2025 AI summary Hon. Anura Karunathilaka outlined the Government’s disaster relief response, noting payments of the Rs. 25,000 grant, dry rations, and planned schoolchildren’s grants, while acknowledging that some delays and omissions are possible given the scale of the disaster affecting over 1.7 million people. He detailed impacts including 643 deaths, 183 missing persons, and extensive damage to housing and infrastructure, and said assessments including a World Bank report were pending. He supported the Supplementary Estimate providing Rs. 500 billion for housing and public infrastructure restoration, explaining that exceeding the primary expenditure ceiling is permitted under Section 16(4) of the State Finance Management Act due to the calamity, and that the allocation can be managed within the already approved borrowing limit. Debate: Supplementary Estimate – Head 240 – Programme 02 – Cyclone Disaster Relief (Rs. 500 Billion) Public FinanceLaw & OrderInfrastructure Read →
19 December 2025 AI summary Hon. Anura Karunathilaka addressed the response to the recent cyclone and floods, stating that the Government prioritized rescue, relocation, and provision of essentials within the first 24 hours with national and international support. He outlined early recovery measures, including payments of Rs. 25,000 for cleaning homes, Rs. 50,000 for basic repairs, and Rs. 15,000 for schoolchildren, funded through a Rs. 50 billion supplementary allocation approved by Parliament. Debate: Supplementary Estimate – Head 240 – Programme 02 – Cyclone Disaster Relief (Rs. 500 Billion) InfrastructureEnvironmentPublic Finance Read →
18 December 2025 AI summary The Minister condemned personal remarks made in the House regarding Hon. Ranwala and stated that allegations circulating on social media about whether he was under the influence during an accident should be dealt with by the courts. He urged Members not to spend parliamentary time on unverified social media claims. Adjournment Debate: Current Situation of the Country After Disaster Caused by Cyclone Ditwah Parliamentary Procedure Read →
18 December 2025 AI summary The Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation began addressing the Deputy Speaker, but the provided excerpt contains no substantive remarks, proposals, questions, or policy statements to summarize. Adjournment Debate: Current Situation of the Country After Disaster Caused by Cyclone Ditwah Infrastructure Read →
3 December 2025 AI summary Minister Anura Karunathilaka urged a non-partisan national response to the recent disaster, proposing that the “Rebuilding Sri Lanka” programme use expert input, international assistance, and long-term planning to repair damage and build stronger systems. He outlined foreign humanitarian support from around 70 countries and operational measures to expedite duty-free clearance of relief consignments through ports and the airport. He also reported on the restoration of airport operations after over 12,000 passengers were stranded and described relief efforts in Biyagama, where about 20,000 people were affected and 19 safe centres were established. Debate: Continued Committee Stage of Appropriation Bill 2026 (Ministry Expenditure Heads - Multiple Speakers) Foreign AffairsPublic FinanceInfrastructure Read →