Hon. (Dr.) Prasanna Gunasena, M.P.

Jathika Jana balawegaya (JJB)· Mahanuwara

Deputy Minister of Transport and Highways

Profession: Dental Surgeon

Roster profile ↗

Speeches 48 #97 of 225·#46 in party

Attendance 6/8 days present (of recorded)

Speech history

48 speeches

8 April 2026 AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development, the Deputy Minister tabled details on a road carpeting programme, stating that by 28 February 2026, 776.25 km had been completed out of 324 awarded road packages totalling 1,021 km, with 167 roads completed and 157 under construction. He also provided Galle District progress figures for four contract lots, reporting 50.13 km completed at a cost of Rs. 940.51 million, with physical progress between 80 and 93.99 per cent. He stated that there had been no delay in commencing the project, that works were continuing according to contract timelines, and that time extensions for two lots were under evaluation under contract conditions. Oral Question: Inclusive Connectivity and Development Project (Q.5/1655/2025) Infrastructure Read →
18 February 2026 AI summary Deputy Minister Prasanna Gunasena argued that Sri Lanka must overcome long-standing “arrears” in human and physical development caused by racism and poor governance, and said the Government would not allow renewed communal divisions. Responding in the context of regulations under the Special Commodity Levy Act, the Customs Ordinance, and the Motor Traffic Act, he said the Government had delivered political reforms within its first year, including reducing executive and ministerial privileges and abolishing MPs’ pensions, while allowing independent anti-corruption institutions to function. He cited improvements in the Corruption Perceptions Index and record or high figures for the 2025 current account surplus, remittances, exports, FDI, tourism receipts, and state revenue collections as evidence of economic stabilization under the NPP Government. Debate: Special Commodity Levy Act, Customs Ordinance Resolution, and Motor Traffic Act Orders (Continuation) Cost of LivingPublic FinanceCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
18 February 2026 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Prasanna Gunasena reacted critically to remarks made by Hon. Namal Rajapaksa, alleging that those associated with violent political figures such as Julampitiye Amare were now making claims in Parliament. His intervention was brief and focused on condemning the perceived hypocrisy of the earlier speech. Debate: Special Commodity Levy Act, Customs Ordinance Resolution, and Motor Traffic Act Orders (Continuation) Infrastructure Read →
8 January 2026 AI summary Deputy Minister Prasanna Gunasena supported the Motor Traffic Act regulations on road safety, noting that overall reported accidents declined from 25,299 in 2024 to 22,153 in 2025, but fatal accidents rose from 2,403 to 2,583, with pedestrians and motorcyclists the most affected groups. He also highlighted fatalities and collisions involving trains, including vehicle-train and elephant-train incidents, and said the Ministry is taking mitigation measures. He outlined 2025 road safety investments of Rs. 140.084 million and 2026 allocations including Rs. 750 million for road safety and traffic management and Rs. 540 million for traffic light systems, covering school, hospital, township and hazardous locations, barriers, signs, fencing, illumination and related safety infrastructure. Motor Traffic Act Regulations Debate Law & OrderPublic FinanceInfrastructure Read →
18 December 2025 AI summary Deputy Minister Prasanna Gunasena outlined extensive cyclone damage to Sri Lanka’s road and rail networks, estimating A and B road rehabilitation at about Rs. 69 billion and overall road-related rebuilding needs at up to Rs. 190 billion if improved standards and safety measures are included. He detailed the status of reopened roads in Kandy, Matale, and Nuwara Eliya, and gave timelines for restoring key railway lines, including Trincomalee, Northern, Puttalam, Batticaloa, Talaimannar, and sections serving Badulla and Matale. He stated that the Ministry had prepared plans, estimates, and schedules, and emphasized reliance on coordinated state officials, volunteers, and political leadership to continue recovery while maintaining 2026–2027 development plans. Adjournment Debate: Current Situation of the Country After Disaster Caused by Cyclone Ditwah InfrastructureSecurity & Defence Read →
24 November 2025 AI summary Deputy Minister Prasanna Gunasena said a new scoring system for driving licences has been designed and approved by the National Transport Commission Board, with Cabinet approval to be sought, while issues concerning Acting Station Masters and SLTB recruitment are being handled through the Management Services Department and a second round of interviews. He outlined ministry performance targets, stating that 2025 progress stood at 65.83 per cent by 31 October and is expected to reach 88 per cent by year-end, with improvements also targeted in foreign-funded programmes. He argued that Sri Lanka has historically overfunded highways relative to public transport and said the Government is gradually increasing the public transport share, including through the Lanka Metro Bus Company, upgraded bus stands, and cashless fare payments with no added cost to passengers. Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Transport, Highways, Ports, Civil Aviation, Urban Development, Construction and Housing Public FinanceInfrastructureEmployment Read →
24 November 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Prasanna Gunasena noted that the exchange would be recorded in Hansard and requested that a written submission be brought forward. He indicated willingness to proceed jointly once the request is formally presented. Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Transport, Highways, Ports, Civil Aviation, Urban Development, Construction and Housing Parliamentary Procedure Read →
24 November 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Prasanna Gunasena said meetings had been scheduled with RDMNS, including one on the previous Saturday and another a month earlier, but the group had not attended. He acknowledged the public usefulness of the app and said he had personally engaged with the team and urged the previous administration to accommodate it within the legal framework. He stated that, as a government entity, any cooperation with a private volunteer initiative must comply with legal requirements, while expressing willingness to work with RDMNS amicably. Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Transport, Highways, Ports, Civil Aviation, Urban Development, Construction and Housing Parliamentary ProcedureLaw & Order Read →
24 November 2025 AI summary Responding to issues raised about Kandy, the Deputy Minister said plans for Mahaiyawa include a social survey to determine residents’ preferences for relocation or in-situ redevelopment, followed by a feasibility study to decide the settlement model. He stated that the Akurana flood action plan is being pursued in line with the relevant report and discussed at District Coordinating Committee meetings. On Bogambara, he said a heritage assessment is underway and that a public-private partnership project is expected to be launched around May next year. Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation - Part 1 InfrastructureLand & Housing Read →
17 November 2025 AI summary The Deputy Minister said Sri Lanka’s foreign exchange position depends on exports, remittances, foreign investment and tourism, noting improved tourist arrivals and revenue compared with 2024 while emphasizing the need to increase visitors’ length of stay and daily spending. He outlined tourism-related measures, including improved management of the Ella train experience, district-level tourism coordination committees, and the issuance of temporary driving licences to foreign visitors at Bandaranaike International Airport, stating that only about 1.19 per cent of arrivals had obtained such licences. He also detailed revised Motor Traffic Regulations increasing licence-related fees, while noting recognition of international driving permits under relevant conventions and the Motor Traffic Act. He argued that rule of law, social justice and a stable environment are essential to further strengthen tourism and investment. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage Continuation (Foreign Affairs, Justice and National Integration) InfrastructureForeign Affairs Read →
17 November 2025 AI summary Dr. Prasanna Gunasena indicated that he would begin his remarks after the lunch adjournment. No substantive policy position, proposal, or question was presented in this statement. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage Continuation (Foreign Affairs, Justice and National Integration) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
24 October 2025 AI summary The Acting Minister said the priority for Sammanturai is to ensure continuous public transport service rather than immediately establishing a new depot. He explained that a new sub-depot would create additional costs, including staff and dead mileage for buses travelling 12–13 km to Kalmunai for refuelling. The Ministry will first regularize and monitor the integrated private-SLTB timetable from Kalmunai for one to two months, and if service remains inadequate, it will consider opening a Sammanturai depot with minimal staff despite the higher cost. Oral Question: SLTB Bus Depot in Pottuvil DS Division (Q.8-9/2025) InfrastructureCost of Living Read →
24 October 2025 AI summary Plans are in place to improve bus services through private investment in addition to State funding. Discussions have been held with the Ministry of Finance, including Minister Anil Jayantha, on attracting foreign investment for electric buses linked to tourism, with implementation expected to take around a year. Oral Question: SLTB Bus Depot in Pottuvil DS Division (Q.8-9/2025) Infrastructure Read →
24 October 2025 AI summary The Acting Minister of Transport and Highways stated that the SLTB depot in the Pottuvil DS Division is located in Arugam Bay and has a fleet of 17 buses, of which about seven are currently operating. He said basic facilities, including maintenance, are available, and that fuel facilities and additional bus allocations will be considered as the fleet expands and demand increases. He also noted planned procurement of about 200 luxury buses and 600 standard buses to support passenger services and tourism promotion. Oral Question: SLTB Bus Depot in Pottuvil DS Division (Q.8-9/2025) Infrastructure Read →
24 October 2025 AI summary The Acting Minister of Transport and Highways said drug use among bus drivers and conductors is part of a wider national drug problem rather than an issue limited to long-distance buses. He stated that the Ministry, through the National Transport Medical Institute and with support from the Ministry of Health, plans to introduce on-the-spot testing to help reduce drug use in the bus sector as part of broader national eradication efforts. Oral Question: Long-Distance Bus Services (Q.7/2025) Law & OrderHealthcareInfrastructure Read →
24 October 2025 AI summary The Acting Minister of Transport and Highways said the Ministry has begun regulating long-distance bus rest-stop restaurants on the Puttalam Corridor, alongside an integrated timetable and standardized bus dispatch arrangements. He stated that inspections are being conducted with Ministry of Health support under PHI supervision, and that the programme will be expanded corridor by corridor to establish national standards for such rest-stops. Oral Question: Long-Distance Bus Services (Q.7/2025) Public FinanceInfrastructure Read →
24 October 2025 AI summary Acting Minister of Transport and Highways Prasanna Gunasena stated that 73 restaurants serve SLTB long-distance routes, while identified private-sector rest stops include 14 on the Puttalam/Colombo–Jaffna corridor and 19 on high-level/low-level corridors, with further identification ongoing. He said restaurants must operate under Medical Officer of Health/Public Health Inspector supervision, be registered with local authorities, and comply with conditions under Gazette No. 1742/26 and related SLTB, Health Ministry, and National Transport Commission specifications. He noted that the 73 SLTB-linked restaurants are not yet registered with SLTB, no SLTB registration fee has so far been charged, and proposed SLTB conditions include a Rs. 25,000 non-refundable security deposit and a Rs. 3,000 monthly fee. Oral Question: Long-Distance Bus Services (Q.7/2025) Infrastructure Read →
23 October 2025 AI summary Comprehensive insurance is provided for newly procured 32-seat and expressway luxury buses, while other buses have third-party coverage that includes staff and limited passenger cover, which was stated to be sufficient. The Minister said technical staff at depots are insufficient, although some qualified technicians are employed, and recruitment is conducted according to procedure based on NVQ Level 4, with no system to permanently absorb trainees after training. He also stated that procurement rules must be followed for tyres, tubes, payment systems, spare parts and engine sets, with future tenders to be evaluated on standards, price, continuity of supply and technical suitability. Oral Question: Insurance Coverage for SLTB Buses (Q.10/2025) InfrastructurePublic Finance Read →
23 October 2025 AI summary The Minister provided answers on a railway platform-height improvement project, stating that Rs. 28,342,878.39 was spent, Royal Constructions (Pvt) Ltd. was the contractor, relevant agencies were consulted, and the objective of easing passenger boarding had been achieved. Responding to a further question on train cancellations, he said ageing rolling stock, delays in obtaining spare parts, and procurement complexities were key constraints. He stated that procurement had begun for five new power sets, though delivery would take about two to two-and-a-half years after ordering, and that 162 train drivers were being recruited following Cabinet approval with appointments expected by the end of November. Oral Question: Endenirigama Railway Platform Renovation (Q.8/2025) EmploymentPublic FinanceInfrastructure Read →
23 October 2025 AI summary The Acting Minister stated that plans are in place regarding the matter raised by the Hon. Member and that they will be implemented in due course. Oral Question: Train Services to North and East (Q.3/2025) Infrastructure Read →