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

23 October 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Prasanna Gunasena, Acting Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development, requested that the parliamentary Question be repeated. Oral Question: Train Services to North and East (Q.3/2025) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
23 October 2025 AI summary The Acting Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development stated that the Government does not currently plan to import sleeping coaches because they carry fewer passengers, around 12 per coach, compared with about 48 in air-conditioned premium seated coaches. He said the ministry has deployed and will continue deploying air-conditioned first-class coaches with adjustable seats as the preferred option. Oral Question: Train Services to North and East (Q.3/2025) Infrastructure Read →
23 October 2025 AI summary The Acting Minister provided a written response on Sri Lanka Railways revenue, staffing, station numbers and services in the Northern and Eastern Provinces. He stated that, based on 2014–2019 data, about 8 per cent of Sri Lanka Railways income came from those provinces, and supplied annual revenue figures from 2012 to 2019 along with staffing numbers in the Northern Province. He also reported that there are 55 railway stations in the two provinces and that no trains currently operate with sleeping compartments, as old sleeper coaches have been withdrawn and replaced on Jaffna night services with air-conditioned first-class seated coaches of higher capacity. Oral Question: Train Services to North and East (Q.3/2025) Infrastructure Read →
22 October 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Prasanna Gunasena stated that while loans must be repaid, the Budget provides for road development through programmes for widening and improvement, weak bridge construction, and rapid overlay surfacing. He reported progress on contract awards and procurement, saying additional contracts would be awarded within one to two months and that the Rs. 18.5 billion rapid overlay programme covering 225 kilometres would be completed within two months. He added that bids are coming in 24 to 30 percent below engineer estimates, creating savings that could be directed to rural roads next year. Oral Question: 100,000 Kilometres Alternative Roads Programme in Kalutara District (Q.9/2025) InfrastructurePublic Finance Read →
22 October 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Prasanna Gunasena said the earlier 100,000 km roads programme was a politically driven target that largely failed, leaving many projects incomplete and rural roads underdeveloped. He stated that the Government has launched the “Path to Revival” programme to address this, with work begun on 159 roads costing under Rs. 50 million each and contracts for another 262 roads expected within two months. He said halted and rural road projects would be completed gradually, as the scale of work cannot be finished within one year. Oral Question: 100,000 Kilometres Alternative Roads Programme in Kalutara District (Q.9/2025) Infrastructure Read →
22 October 2025 AI summary Under the programme to develop 100,000 kilometres of alternative roads, 405 roads were proposed in the Kalutara District, with 399 included after six cancellations; 201 have been completed and 198 remain incomplete. The Acting Minister stated that works were halted due to the COVID-19 period, shortages of materials and fuel, the economic crisis, and Finance Ministry expenditure-control circulars. He said the Government will assess additional funding needs and seek supplementary allocations from 2026 onwards, while maintenance responsibilities will rest with the RDA for RDA projects and with relevant local or provincial authorities for other roads. Oral Question: 100,000 Kilometres Alternative Roads Programme in Kalutara District (Q.9/2025) Infrastructure Read →
10 October 2025 AI summary Acting Minister Prasanna Gunasena said the Government is prioritizing the resumption of the halted Ruwanpura Expressway, beginning with the Kahatuduwa–Ingiriya section, while examining investor-backed and domestic financing options. He stated that the expressway would be integrated with the Kelani Valley Railway extension to Ratnapura, including road-rail realignment, removal of level crossings, limited resettlement with compensation, and a Cabinet-backed feasibility study. He also outlined progress and targets on the Central Expressway and northern transport projects, including the Vattuvakal Bridge, reopening of the Palali road, rail signalling upgrades, and replacement of old rail bridges. Private Members' Motion P.41/2025: Ruwanpura Expressway Infrastructure Read →
9 October 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Prasanna Gunasena stated that increasing tourists’ length of stay and daily expenditure requires adding more activities, noting Sri Lanka’s current per-visit spending is below that of destinations such as the Maldives. He highlighted railway-based tourism initiatives, including the promotion of the Ella–Badulla sector, the Calypso Train, and expanded Ella Odyssey services, while saying action had been taken against a ticketing “mafia.” He added that tourist trains are being maintained and serviced after the season, with attention to comfort and cleanliness on key tourist routes. Oral Question 1: Oil Tanks and Pipeline in Kankesanthurai (Cement Corporation) InfrastructureEmployment Read →
9 October 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Prasanna Gunasena stated that although railways were originally developed mainly for freight, rail now carries only about 2 per cent of national freight, or around 2 million metric tons annually. He said Budget 2025 proposed a logistics hub at Thambuttegama, with a Rs. 100 million feasibility study underway, and noted ongoing surveys to extend rail access to the Kankesanthurai fuel storage complex and KKS Port to improve petroleum and freight transport from the North. Oral Question 1: Oil Tanks and Pipeline in Kankesanthurai (Cement Corporation) Public FinanceInfrastructure Read →
9 October 2025 AI summary The Deputy Minister of Transport and Highways provided details on railway infrastructure in the relevant area, listing three stations—Rambukkana, Kadigamuwa and Ihala Kotte—and three halt stations—Thismalpola, Yatagama and Gangoda. He said Rambukkana is due for refurbishment under the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme, while Kadigamuwa is undergoing works including platform extension, an overbridge, staff quarters, drainage and access improvements through an NBRO-mediated landslide risk reduction contract. He further stated that landslide-prone sites near Kadigamuwa, Kansalagama and Thismalpola have been identified under the RLVMMP, with mitigation completed at the first two locations and planned for Thismalpola. Oral Question 1: Oil Tanks and Pipeline in Kankesanthurai (Cement Corporation) Infrastructure Read →
8 October 2025 AI summary Deputy Minister Prasanna Gunasena responded to concerns on tourist driving licences issued at the airport, arguing with tourism and licensing data that the impact had been overstated and that driver associations had been consulted. He outlined progress and timelines for the Port Access Elevated Highway, several road widening and bridge projects, the Peradeniya–Galaha–Deltota road, and planned Colombo congestion improvements, while detailing Road Development Authority allocations and rural road programmes. Addressing the Supplementary Estimate, he said Rs. 33 billion of the Rs. 36 billion reallocation related to unspent local counterpart funds from stalled foreign-funded projects after 2022, describing it as crisis management rather than fault. He also cited improved financial performance in several state-owned enterprises and thanked officials involved before the estimate was agreed to. Debate: Supplementary Sum - Head 117 - Programme 02 (Ministry of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation) Infrastructure Read →
25 September 2025 AI summary Deputy Minister Prasanna Gunasena responded to concerns on fiscal stabilization by citing growth in tourism arrivals and earnings, remittances, exports, foreign direct investment, state revenue, and profits of selected state-owned enterprises. He argued that these indicators, along with stable currency management despite vehicle import-related demand, show progress toward strengthening the external sector and reducing the revenue-expenditure gap. He said the Government is working toward fiscal anchors for 2028 and beyond, including a 2.3 percent primary surplus, lower debt-to-GDP over time, and controlled gross financing needs, while also emphasizing asset declarations and recent narcotics seizures as part of governance and enforcement efforts. Debate: Imports and Exports (Control) Act - Regulations for Vehicle Imports InfrastructurePublic FinanceForeign Affairs Read →
9 September 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Prasanna Gunasena stated that no specific deadline could be given for issuing the appointments because the required approval was outside their control. He said the appointments would be issued as soon as approval is received and that efforts would be made to obtain it quickly. Oral Question: Appointment of Directors to Road Development Authority (Q.?/2025) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
9 September 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Prasanna Gunasena stated that the delay in absorption was due to pending approval from the Department of Management Services. He said appointments and absorption could proceed once the Scheme of Recruitment is approved. Oral Question: Appointment of Directors to Road Development Authority (Q.?/2025) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
9 September 2025 AI summary On behalf of the Minister, Dr. Prasanna Gunasena stated that interviews had been held to fill vacant Road Development Authority posts, with five Provincial Directors and 27 Directors selected, but the Board required fresh applications for Provincial Directors and DMS approval before issuing Director appointments. He said Cabinet approval had been obtained on 1 July 2025 to appoint selected applicants subject to completing absorption procedures, and that delays were due to the non-issuance of DMS guidelines. Discussions with the Department of Management Services are ongoing, and appointments will be made once the absorption procedures are completed. Oral Question: Appointment of Directors to Road Development Authority (Q.?/2025) EmploymentPublic Finance Read →
19 August 2025 AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation, an answer was tabled regarding M-class locomotives owned by Sri Lanka Railways. It stated that 103 locomotives are owned, valued at about LKR 13,853.07 million, with 50 in operation, 48 temporarily stopped for maintenance or repairs, and 5 withdrawn from service as of 13 August 2025. The answer further noted that 46 locomotives are under light, heavy, or scheduled repairs, and that staff shortages and spare parts procurement are being addressed through recruitment and procurement processes. Second Round Questions: Tea Production/Export and M-Class Locomotives (Tabled and Deferred) Infrastructure Read →
19 August 2025 AI summary Dr. Prasanna Gunasena undertook to examine the matter raised by the Hon. Member and ensure that it receives attention. Oral Question: SLTB Bus Journey Cancellations (Q.6/1075/2025) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
19 August 2025 AI summary On behalf of the Ministry of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation, the Deputy Minister stated that 4,928 reserved-seat bus journeys had been cancelled in 2025 to date, with alternatives provided for 4,046 through substitute buses or other travel dates/journeys. He said refunds amounting to Rs. 1,196,040 had been made, and outlined the procedure of notifying passengers by SMS and 1315, offering alternative travel, or issuing refunds where alternatives are not accepted. He added that technical arrangements with People’s Bank were underway to enable direct card refunds for online reservations, targeted for implementation from 1 September. Oral Question: SLTB Bus Journey Cancellations (Q.6/1075/2025) Infrastructure Read →
25 July 2025 AI summary The Hon. (Dr.) Prasanna Gunasena clarified that the matter under discussion referred to Local Authorities, not Provincial Councils. Oral Question: Ambilanthurai–Kokkaddichcholai Road Reconstruction (Q.184/2024) Ethnic Reconciliation & Devolution Read →
25 July 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Prasanna Gunasena outlined plans under the “Path to Revival” rural road programme to support local authority roads that lack adequate funding or technical capacity for rehabilitation. He stated that eligible roads may be brought under RDA workstreams or supported through technical assistance and funding via District Secretaries, with Rs. 14,000 million allocated for 2025 and an expected Rs. 25,000 million for 2026. Oral Question: Ambilanthurai–Kokkaddichcholai Road Reconstruction (Q.184/2024) Public FinanceInfrastructure Read →