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

Jathika Jana balawegaya (JJB)· Mahanuwara

Deputy Minister of Transport and Highways

Profession: Dental Surgeon

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Speeches 48 #97 of 225·#46 in party

Attendance 6/8 days present (of recorded)

Speech history

48 speeches

25 July 2025 AI summary The Deputy Minister, answering on behalf of the relevant Minister, confirmed that the Myladithivu to Ambilanthurai section of the Ambilanthurai–Kokkaddichcholai road is being rehabilitated under the World Bank-funded ICDP. He stated that the 7.75 km project began on 27 August 2024, was about 70% complete as of 30 June 2025, with 7.3 km already carpeted, and is expected to be completed by 2 September 2025. He added that the works are intended to benefit schoolchildren, government employees, and the public. Oral Question: Ambilanthurai–Kokkaddichcholai Road Reconstruction (Q.184/2024) Infrastructure Read →
5 June 2025 AI summary Deputy Minister Prasanna Gunasena defended the National Transport Commission (Amendment) Bill as a timely response to rising road deaths and recent public concern following the Giriulla bus tragedy. He said the Bill would expand NTC authority from only inter-provincial private buses to all public service buses, school transport, office transport, and public-use three-wheelers, applying safety inspection standards, fare regulation, permit controls, training powers, and stronger penalties nationwide. He also outlined planned reforms including card payments to reduce revenue leakage, GPS-based unified timetables, online booking, CCTV monitoring, driver drowsiness detection, and a national public transport data repository. He additionally challenged an earlier Member’s allegations linking containers, terrorism, foreign travel, and arms, asking that they be repeated outside Parliament or expunged. Debate: National Transport Commission (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading Law & OrderInfrastructurePublic Finance Read →
5 June 2025 AI summary Deputy Minister Prasanna Gunasena responded to concerns about the Polonnaruwa depot, stating that the shortage is of conductors rather than drivers, with a deficit of 25 conductors. He said around 20 conductors from surplus depots, mainly in the Eastern Region, have been identified for transfer, subject to relocation and accommodation arrangements, with deployment expected after responses within two weeks. He also noted that Kaju Watta is currently served by one trip and that a requested dedicated school bus for Villeyaaya school may be provided once conductor and bus availability improves. Debate: National Transport Commission (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading Infrastructure Read →
5 June 2025 AI summary Deputy Minister Prasanna Gunasena stated that work on the integrated timetable for the Puttalam corridor has been completed and that implementation is expected soon, with plans to cover the five main corridors by the end of the year. He said related RDA work and inspections of rest facilities at bus halts are underway. He also noted that draft regulations under the Motor Traffic Act on driver drug use were submitted to the Legal Draftsman on 7 April 2025, and that the Eastern Province Chief Engineer appointment process is awaiting approval by the Prime Minister’s Secretary’s Sub-Committee before interviews are held. Debate: National Transport Commission (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading InfrastructureLaw & Order Read →
9 May 2025 AI summary The Deputy Minister outlined the policy process on minimum specifications for public passenger buses, noting Cabinet and Sectoral Oversight Committee consideration in 2023 and 2024, and stating that Cabinet approved permit and fleet-replacement compliance measures but did not approve declaring the specifications as national policy or legislating import restrictions. He said the Ministry plans to use the Rs. 3,000 million Budget allocation to import higher-standard buses, including low-floor and expressway models, expand the SLTB fleet, and begin a gradual transition to electric buses through investor engagement. He also referred to the National Transport Commission (Amendment) Bill, which would expand regulatory powers over other passenger transport modes, and announced forthcoming enforcement against non-compliant decorative bus modifications. Private Members' Motion (P.37/2025): Public Transport Standards and Bus Specifications InfrastructurePublic Finance Read →
7 March 2025 AI summary Deputy Minister Prasanna Gunasena outlined measures to reduce elephant–train collisions and train cancellations, reporting that 286 trains operated the previous day with only one cancellation. He said the transport sector’s main institutions, particularly SLTB, had deteriorated due to politicization and underinvestment, and proposed rebuilding services through 1,100 new buses, Rs. 3,000 million for low-floor city buses, 200 expressway buses, and the revival of Lakdiva Engineering. He also detailed delays and costs linked to the Kandy Multimodal Transport Terminal, stating that Rs. 7,730 million has been allocated with civil works targeted for completion by May 2027, alongside Rs. 1,500 million for related access and parking facilities to address Kandy congestion. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Heads 117, 123, 306, 307, 309-311, 332, 336) InfrastructureEmploymentPublic Finance Read →
23 January 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Prasanna Gunasena briefly thanked the Deputy Speaker and did not raise any substantive issue, proposal, or question. Debate: Regulations under Imports and Exports (Control) Act and Related Economic Measures Parliamentary Procedure Read →
23 January 2025 AI summary The Deputy Minister opened debate on economic stabilization measures, including a Gazette to establish a textile production zone in Eravur with a USD 35 million investment, tax concessions, projected returns of about USD 300 million, and around 490 direct jobs. He compared recent FDI figures with the Government’s reported USD 3.78 billion Hambantota refinery investment, argued that corruption allegations and demands for commissions deter investors, and questioned the outcomes of past foreign travel expenditure by MPs and officials. He also rejected claims linking reduced security for former Presidents to renewed insecurity in the North, citing recent electoral support across regions, and highlighted migration and suicide statistics as evidence of continuing economic and social pressures the Government says it seeks to address. Debate: Regulations under Imports and Exports (Control) Act and Related Economic Measures Public FinanceEmploymentCorruption & Governance Reform Read →