Hon. Priyantha Wijerathna , Attorney at Law, M.P.

Jathika Jana balawegaya (JJB)· Digamadulla

Profession: ---

Roster profile ↗

Speeches 10 #211 of 225·#149 in party

Attendance 6/8 days present (of recorded)

Speech history

10 speeches

6 May 2026 AI summary Hon. Priyantha Wijerathna supported the Bill replacing the 1853 Insolvency Ordinance, arguing that Sri Lanka needs a modern insolvency framework aligned with the Companies Act, 2007. He said the proposed law shifts from merely winding up failed businesses to rescuing viable enterprises, managing orderly liquidations, regulating insolvency practitioners, improving creditor recoveries, and giving honest debtors a second chance. He highlighted provisions for pre-insolvency restructuring and a moratorium on enforcement for an initial 60 days after filing a reorganization plan, stating that these measures would improve investor confidence and business resilience. Debate: Rescue, Rehabilitation and Insolvency (Corporate and Personal) Bill - Second Reading Public FinanceLaw & Order Read →
17 March 2026 AI summary Bribery and corruption were described as undermining public service quality, public trust, merit-based administration, investment, and the rule of law. The speech supported strengthening the legal and institutional framework under the Anti-Corruption Act, No. 9 of 2023, alongside digitalization measures expected to reduce corruption opportunities within three years. It urged approval of a Motion to finalize CIABOC’s staffing structure, remuneration, and conditions, including 971 positions and an expansion of investigators to 377, to enable the Commission to function effectively and independently. Debate: Approval of Remuneration and Service Conditions of CIABOC Officers and Employees Corruption & Governance ReformPublic FinanceParliamentary Procedure Read →
19 February 2026 AI summary Priyantha Wijerathna supported the proposed amendments to the Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs Ordinance and the Judicature Act, arguing that they address a legal gap in prosecuting narcotics offences committed on the high seas. He cited recent large-scale seizures of heroin, methamphetamine, cannabis, cocaine and pills, noting that most narcotics enter Sri Lanka by sea rather than being produced locally. He said the amendments would give the Supreme Court jurisdiction over such offences, enabling arrests, transfer of suspects to Sri Lanka and prosecution, in support of the Government’s “Country Together” anti-drug programme and its focus on prevention, rehabilitation and community-level action. Debate (continued): Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Bill and Judicature (Amendment) Bill Law & OrderJustice & Human Rights Read →
17 November 2025 AI summary Priyantha Wijerathna responded to Opposition criticism during the 2026 Budget debate, arguing that previous governments were responsible for the economic decline, debt crisis, shortages, and neglected public infrastructure after decades in power. He said the current Government had stabilized the macroeconomy, improved the Treasury position, and was proceeding step by step through its first and second Budgets to implement its policy programme. He also noted that any unsuitable remarks would be removed from Hansard and said he was answerable to the House rather than individual Members. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage Continuation (Foreign Affairs, Justice and National Integration) Public FinanceCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
17 November 2025 AI summary Priyantha Wijerathna rejected the Opposition’s request for a further debate on estate workers’ wages, stating that the matter had already been addressed in the President’s Budget speech and debated from 8 to 14 November. He noted that the Second Reading of the Budget was approved on 14 November and argued that the Opposition, including Hon. Amila Prasad, had already had the opportunity to raise its points during that debate. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage Continuation (Foreign Affairs, Justice and National Integration) Parliamentary ProcedureEmployment Read →
10 October 2025 AI summary Hon. Priyantha Wijerathna seconded the Motion and argued that public legal awareness is essential to strengthening the rule of law, noting that citizens cannot rely on ignorance of the law as a defence. He supported introducing or expanding legal education through the school curriculum, building on existing Civic Education content for Grades 10–11. He proposed that specialists determine the appropriate scope, including possible areas such as criminal law, environmental law and anti-corruption, while ensuring it does not overburden students. Private Members' Motion P.43/2025: Integrating Law and Ethics to School Curriculum Justice & Human RightsEducation Read →
8 October 2025 AI summary Priyantha Wijerathna informed Parliament that he accepted a petition from Mr. T.M. Karunaratna of Poolawala, Ettampitiya. Petitions Parliamentary Procedure Read →
23 May 2025 AI summary Hon. Priyantha Wijerathna supported the Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Bill, noting that similar remote-participation mechanisms have long existed in other jurisdictions and that Sri Lanka is belatedly adopting them. He said the Bill would allow accused persons, suspects, witnesses, and expert witnesses to participate by video link, enable overseas testimony through missions, and permit electronic filing, thereby reducing delays caused by non-appearance and saving time and costs. He also argued that remote proceedings would improve safety by avoiding the physical production of high-risk accused or suspects, citing several past shootings linked to courts and prison transport. Debate: Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Bill and Foreign Loans (Repeal) Bill - Second Reading Parliamentary ProcedureLaw & OrderJustice & Human Rights Read →
20 February 2025 AI summary Hon. Priyantha Wijerathna supported the 2025 Appropriation Bill, stating that it was prepared under the State Finance Management Act, No. 44 of 2024, within limits on primary expenditure, and framed around a national productive economy. He rejected Opposition claims that the Eastern Province had been neglected, citing Budget provisions for Eastern development and allocations for youth agro-entrepreneurship, dairy production, and human-elephant conflict mitigation. He argued that the Government aims to reduce inter-provincial economic disparities and protect citizens’ economic rights following the Aragalaya. Budget Bill 2025 - Second Reading Debate Public FinanceAgricultureEthnic Reconciliation & Devolution Read →
6 February 2025 AI summary Hon. Priyantha Wijerathna supported the 2024 regulations under the Intellectual Property Act to enable domestic registration of Geographical Indications, arguing that Sri Lanka had lacked an operative registration framework despite the concept being included in law in 2003 and amended in 2022. He said the regulations would allow products such as Ceylon Tea and Ceylon Cinnamon to be registered locally and better protected and marketed internationally. He urged the Government to identify and register further potential GIs, including sapphires, pepper, cashew, natural salt from Panama, and curd from Digamadulla, linking the measure to export promotion, rural production, and economic development. Debate: Intellectual Property Act Regulations (Geographical Indications) AgriculturePublic Finance Read →