Hon. Anuradha Jayaratne, Attorney at Law, M.P.

New Democratic Front (NDF)· Mahanuwara

Profession: Attorney-at-Law

Roster profile ↗

Speeches 31 #133 of 225·#5 in party

Attendance 7/8 days present (of recorded)

Speech history

31 speeches

19 May 2026 AI summary Anuradha Jayaratne raised practical difficulties faced by persons whose houses were fully damaged, noting that delays in land identification, NBRI reports, and Divisional Secretary certification can cause sellers to withdraw or sell land elsewhere before the Rs. 5 million assistance is released. He asked the Government to create a process to resolve this issue, particularly in Gampola in relation to “Ditwah.” He also questioned the adequacy of disaster preparedness, citing concerns about the Mahaweli Authority’s awareness of cyclone warnings, and requested that officials be properly directed with a structured plan and empowered team to manage risks affecting reservoirs, drinking water, and agriculture. Oral Questions: Department of Wildlife Conservation and Other Questions EnvironmentAgricultureLand & Housing Read →
19 May 2026 AI summary Anuradha Jayaratne acknowledged progress on ex gratia payments but questioned delays in providing housing for families whose homes were fully destroyed, citing 1,739 such cases in Kandy District against the Deputy Minister’s figure of 1,630. He referred to specific affected areas, including Mawathura and Ududumbara, and noted that many displaced families remain with relatives or in rented accommodation nearly six months after “Ditwah.” He asked the Government to state when housing would be completed and raised concerns over delays in securing land, including from estates, for relocation. Oral Questions: Department of Wildlife Conservation and Other Questions Public FinanceLand & Housing Read →
10 April 2026 AI summary Hon. Anuradha Jayaratne challenged the Government’s account of the coal testing process, citing COPE evidence that the laboratory was not accredited when certificates were issued and referring to a Special Audit finding of Rs. 22.4 billion in losses from non-scheduled power generation. He questioned whether responsibility was being shifted to the Lanka Coal Company General Manager while Ministers, the Chairman and the Secretary avoided accountability, and urged the Bribery Commission and other agencies to act impartially under the Anti-Corruption Act. He also referred to the LCC Chairman’s resignation letter and argued that, given the allegations, the relevant Minister should not continue in office. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Public FinanceCorruption & Governance ReformJustice & Human Rights Read →
19 March 2026 AI summary Anuradha Jayaratne called for immediate, medium-term and long-term measures to manage risks to energy, trade, remittances and tourism arising from regional instability and fuel supply constraints. He proposed rationalizing energy use, diversifying fuel supplies beyond the Gulf, prioritizing foreign reserves for essentials such as medicine, food and fertilizer, and considering limited power cuts if needed to avoid severe outages. He warned that disruptions could affect tea exports, Middle East remittances, aviation routes and tourist arrivals, and urged monitoring and support for affected sectors. He also advocated digitalized work-from-home arrangements, faster renewable energy development, stronger port and logistics positioning, and strengthening SriLankan Airlines rather than ceding strategic aviation opportunities to conflicted private interests. Adjournment Debate: Current Economic and Security Crisis InfrastructureForeign AffairsPublic Finance Read →
6 March 2026 AI summary Hon. Anuradha Jayaratne opposed extending the Emergency, arguing that while it was justified during Cyclone “Ditwah,” the Government had not shown a current necessity and could use existing presidential powers for short-term fuel or gas supply concerns. He said the Emergency should be used to deliver practical relief rather than control the public, citing unresolved transport disruptions, delayed railway repairs, inadequate bus services, pending damage assessments, limited compensation, and lack of resettlement land in affected areas including Gampola, Mawatugama, Ududumbara, Gangoda, Doluwa and Rajathalawa. He requested clear timelines from the Government on rail restoration, compensation, assessments, shelter and land allocation, while urging preparation for possible fuel risks linked to the Iran situation through proper procedures. Debate: Resolution on Public Security Ordinance - Extension of State of Emergency Public FinanceInfrastructureSecurity & Defence Read →
21 January 2026 AI summary Hon. Anuradha Jayaratne supported the call for a plan after Cyclone “Ditwah” but criticized the proposed Select Committee composition as inadequate for accountability, urging a genuinely empowered, fact-based inquiry into dam operations, evacuations and the roles of Engineers-in-Charge. He alleged failures in water management at Kotmale, including removal of an experienced technical officer, lack of controlled pre-releases, poor communication and emergency coordination, and called for practical evacuation plans for each dam. He proposed reforming the Disaster Management Centre into an independent authority with statutory powers, modelled on FEMA, to coordinate warnings, resources and local officials during disasters. He also rejected claims that Ambuluwawa caused flooding in Gampola and denied allegations regarding cable-car investments and Ambuluwawa revenues, inviting investigation while cautioning against derailing projects through rumours. Adjournment Debate: Post-Cyclone "Ditwah" Situation (Part 1) Security & DefenceParliamentary ProcedureInfrastructure Read →
8 January 2026 AI summary Anuradha Jayaratne yielded his second supplementary question to the Leader of the Opposition. Oral Questions to Ministers (Q.117/2024-(2) through Q.1715/2025) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
8 January 2026 AI summary Anuradha Jayaratne asked whether the Government has a structured pathway for children identified with autism and other disabilities from diagnosis through to social integration, including standardized management protocols where paediatric specialists are available. He also raised the issue of transport barriers preventing regular hospital visits and proposed that the Ministry introduce a programme to facilitate transport to relevant centres. Oral Questions to Ministers (Q.117/2024-(2) through Q.1715/2025) Women & ChildrenHealthcare Read →
8 January 2026 AI summary Anuradha Jayaratne asked the Minister of Health and Mass Media whether the Ministry has implemented a programme for early identification of children with conditions such as autism and provision of therapeutic treatment, and when it began. He requested details on hospitals with paediatric specialists, which of them operate autism-related care clinics, and whether funding has been allocated for necessary infrastructure and facilities. Oral Questions to Ministers (Q.117/2024-(2) through Q.1715/2025) Healthcare Read →
3 December 2025 AI summary Hon. Anuradha Jayaratne criticized the Government for prioritizing the Budget debate over a parliamentary discussion on the ongoing disaster, particularly its impact on Gampola and the Kandy District. He alleged failures in early warning and coordination regarding reservoir releases, rainfall and river-gauge data, and rumours about the Kotmale Dam, arguing that timely communication could have prevented many deaths. He also raised concerns about inadequate rescue and recovery support, including the absence of machinery to recover bodies, clear blocked roads, assist dialysis patients, and respond to people trapped by floods. Debate: Continued Committee Stage of Appropriation Bill 2026 (Ministry Expenditure Heads - Multiple Speakers) Public FinanceEnvironmentInfrastructure Read →
27 November 2025 AI summary Anuradha Jayaratne urged the Government to table a comprehensive national plan for agriculture and irrigation, approved by Parliament, to ensure continuity across ministries and administrations, including import-substitution targets and future Mahaweli-related water transfer projects. He cited gains in rice production since 1950 but argued that further progress requires a structured plan, stronger action on post-harvest losses, operationalizing the Dambulla Cold Storage facility, and practical measures to address wild animal damage, including clarity on the elephant and wild animal census. He also called for accelerated agreements and funding for the North Central and North Western Canal projects and a parallel programme to rehabilitate the approximately 1,200 minor tanks they are intended to feed. Appropriation Bill 2026 - Committee Stage - Eleventh Allotted Day (Heads 118, 281, 282, 285-289, 292, 327, 337) EnvironmentAgriculture Read →
27 November 2025 AI summary Three petitions were presented to Parliament on behalf of Mrs. H.H.M.E.R. Wadigamange of Gunnepana, Mrs. E.M.T. Edirisinghe of Walala, Kandy, and Mrs. K.M.N. Damayanthi Kallora of Gampola. The presentation was made as part of the petitions segment of proceedings. Opening and Announcements Parliamentary Procedure Read →
8 November 2025 AI summary Anuradha Jayaratne said the Opposition would support government action against organized crime and drugs, but urged the Government to move beyond public statements and use effective administrative and law enforcement measures. He argued that while the Budget presents favourable external indicators such as a primary surplus, reserves and growth, its real test is implementation and household impact. Citing World Bank concerns and several 2025 allocations with very low expenditure—including rural infrastructure, customs and container facilities, digital ID work, and disability support—he claimed about Rs. 642 billion remained unspent and warned that a surplus achieved through stalled development would be harmful. He also noted delays in measures such as the proposed Investment Protection Act and called for assessment of outcomes rather than budgetary announcements. Second Reading Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2026 Public FinanceLaw & OrderCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
24 October 2025 AI summary Anuradha Jayaratne paid tribute during the condolence debate to several former Members, highlighting Heenmahattmaya Liyanage’s service in Ratnapura and stating that his work is being continued by Waruna Liyanage. He recalled Lohan Ratwatte’s political service in the Central Provincial Council and Parliament, his contributions to Kandy, his family’s long public role, and offered condolences to Ratwatte’s family. He also joined in expressing sympathy for the families of Dixson J. Perera, Dr. Mervyn D. de Silva, Y.G. Padmasiri, R.M.R. Chula Bandara and Manicavasagar Kanagasabapathy Eelaventhan. Votes of Condolence: Seven Former Members of Parliament Parliamentary Procedure Read →
11 July 2025 AI summary Presented a petition to Parliament on behalf of Mr. S. A. Saliya Ranjith Bandara of Kirinda, Hondiyadeniya, Gampola. Presentation of Petitions Parliamentary Procedure Read →
20 May 2025 AI summary Anuradha Jayaratne stated that the land in question falls within the original 4.5-acre extent and said he could produce the survey blocking-out plan to verify this. He clarified that the request was not for a free grant, but for a fair lease arrangement to enable junior lawyers to afford chambers. Oral Questions: Question Nos. 1-6 Land & Housing Read →
20 May 2025 AI summary Anuradha Jayaratne raised the issue of a 60-perch land parcel originally acquired in 1990 for a court complex and prison, later allocated to the CEB but now available for expansion of lawyers’ chambers after CEB and UDA agreement. He said the current requirement for junior lawyers to pay Rs. 62 million upfront is impractical, noting comparable lawyers’ complexes elsewhere were not subject to such charges. He asked the Minister to intervene and allow the land to be provided on a fair monthly lease based on government valuation instead of an upfront payment. Oral Questions: Question Nos. 1-6 Land & HousingJustice & Human Rights Read →
20 May 2025 AI summary A question was raised to the Minister of Justice and National Integration regarding the proposed construction of new law chambers in Kandy. The request sought details on the project, including its planning, implementation, and relevant administrative arrangements. Oral Questions: Question Nos. 1-6 Justice & Human RightsInfrastructure Read →
10 April 2025 AI summary Anuradha Jayaratne said the Batalanda Commission Report should be addressed through legal institutions if the objective is justice for victims, rather than used for political advantage decades later. He argued that any inquiry should also examine the broader governance failures, misuse of power and context of the 1987-1988 violence, and questioned the Government’s purpose in debating the report in Parliament instead of pursuing legal action. He also called on NPP and JVP MPs to state their positions on the events and warned against repeatedly reopening past conflicts for political mobilization. Debate: Report of the Commission of Inquiry into Batalanda Torture Chambers Corruption & Governance ReformJustice & Human Rights Read →
12 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Anuradha Jayaratne called for a shift in agricultural policy toward higher productivity through technology, improved seeds, mechanization, reliable data systems, and land consolidation where possible, noting that a large share of Sri Lanka’s workforce produces a comparatively small share of GDP. He cited the Netherlands as an example of high-output agriculture with fewer workers and urged a more income-focused approach to improve farmer earnings and national output. He also pressed the Government to implement a practical programme to address crop damage from wild animals, citing Hector Kobbekaduwa Institute figures on major losses to coconuts and other crops, and urged Government-Opposition cooperation on the issue. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation Public FinanceAgriculture Read →