Hon. R.G. Wijerathna, M.P.

Jathika Jana balawegaya (JJB)· Nuwara - Eliya

Profession: Other

Roster profile ↗

Speeches 14 #200 of 225·#138 in party

Attendance 5/8 days present (of recorded)

Speech history

14 speeches

9 April 2026 AI summary Hon. R. G. Wijerathna raised a supplementary question on rest houses, noting that although they are to be managed under a formal system with fixed prices, alcohol is reportedly being sold at varying prices, particularly in parts of the Nuwara Eliya District. He asked what action the Ministry would take to address such pricing irregularities. Oral Questions and Answers Law & Order Read →
9 April 2026 AI summary R. G. Wijerathna questioned why enforcement action had not been taken against the Hanguranketha Rest House, which he said had been leased to the same individual for 28 years and had a history of irregular operation. Citing a 2005 Hansard record indicating concerns by the Tourist Board and consideration of lease cancellation, he noted that a liquor licence had now been issued despite the proximity of a girls’ school, and asked why regulations were not being applied. Oral Questions and Answers Law & OrderCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
9 April 2026 AI summary Hon. R.G. Wijerathna raised a question to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism regarding the Hanguranketha Rest House, asking whether it falls under the Ministry and whether illegal activities are occurring there. He sought details on the current operator, the basis and duration of that operation, and what measures will be taken to ensure effective service from State-owned rest houses in the future. Oral Questions and Answers Parliamentary Procedure Read →
19 March 2026 AI summary R.G. Wijerathna formally raised the question listed in his name, without adding further remarks or context. Oral Question: Deferred Question (Q.1716/2025) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
6 February 2026 AI summary Hon. R.G. Wijerathna supported extending the Emergency Regulations under the Public Security Ordinance, citing severe damage from “Ditwah” in Nuwara Eliya, including destroyed canals, anicuts, tanks, agricultural roads and RDA roads. He reported relief payments made locally and island-wide agricultural compensation, while arguing that recovery remains incomplete and requires coordinated technical, engineering, NBRO, RDA and Tri-Forces support under the Essential Services Commissioner General. He urged Parliament to continue the cross-party cooperation shown during the initial emergency declaration and approve a further extension to stabilize conditions and complete restoration. Debate: Extension of Emergency Regulations (Cyclone Ditwah) AgricultureSecurity & DefenceInfrastructure Read →
20 January 2026 AI summary R. G. Wijerathna raised an Adjournment question on post-cyclone relief following the “896” cyclone, asking what arrangements will be made for compensation for partially and totally damaged houses, relief for affected businesses and its timeline, and attention to insurance compensation and loan relief for damaged property. He defended the Government’s initial disaster response and contrasted it with delays in past landslide resettlement cases in Nuwara Eliya, while criticizing Opposition allegations. He cited National Audit Office findings on the Disaster Management Centre, including unutilized funds, incomplete legal transfer of its headquarters, inactive early warning towers, delayed amendments to the Disaster Management Act, and incomplete multi-hazard profiling, arguing these showed longstanding administrative weaknesses in disaster management. Adjournment Debate - "8960" Cyclone Relief Measures and Constitutional Point of Order InfrastructureSecurity & DefencePublic Finance Read →
8 January 2026 AI summary Asked whether the Government will undertake strategic reforms to improve the accuracy and reliability of data sources, emphasizing that a shift toward a production economy must be based on sound data. Oral Questions to Ministers (Q.1664/2025 through Q.1719/2025) Public Finance Read →
8 January 2026 AI summary R.G. Wijerathna referred to past allegations that the Department of Census and Statistics had distorted national data to present Sri Lanka as moving from a low-income to a middle-income economy, and that the then Director of National Accounts was interdicted after resisting pressure. He asked the Minister whether the Government would conduct an inquiry to provide justice to the officer concerned. Oral Questions to Ministers (Q.1664/2025 through Q.1719/2025) Public FinanceCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
5 December 2025 AI summary Hon. R. G. Wijerathna described severe disaster impacts in Nuwara Eliya District, including 71 deaths, 35 missing persons, about 40,000 affected people, and 24,000 people in 185 safe centres, while noting progress in restoring roads, electricity, and water supplies. He thanked district officials, armed forces, Indian helicopter support, utility agencies, and volunteers, including a group from Kalutara assisting in Nuwara Eliya town. He argued that past politically driven land allocations, forest clearance, and unsafe construction worsened landslide vulnerability, and said timely evacuations helped minimize the death toll despite extensive destruction. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Budget Debate on Disaster Response and Government Allocations EnvironmentLand & HousingInfrastructure Read →
21 August 2025 AI summary Hon. R. G. Wijerathna supported the regulations and orders under debate, arguing that the Government has increased public revenue by enforcing laws, reassessing assets, and regularizing previously under-assessed or unpaid use of state property. He cited examples from Hagguranketha and Rikillagaskada, including a quarry whose annual revenue rose after valuation and auction, arrears from leased state-land shops, and action to recover dues or pursue legal remedies involving Samurdhi-related property and other premises. He also said benefits are being distributed through public mechanisms, such as providing agricultural machinery via the Agrarian Service Centre and coordinating fodder production for dairy development on underused lands. Debate: Customs Ordinance, Excise Regulation, Finance Act Order, and Construction Industry Development Act (Continued) AgriculturePublic Finance Read →
19 June 2025 AI summary A petition from Mr. S.M.D. Subasinghe of “A/6162”, Boralessa Road, Hanguranketha, was presented and accepted. It was ordered to be referred to the Committee on Public Petitions. Petitions Presented Parliamentary Procedure Read →
5 June 2025 AI summary Hon. R.G. Wijerathna supported the transport Amendment, saying it would enable a national policy, new regulations, stronger oversight, a sector code of conduct, and penalties to improve public transport services. He cited inefficiency, politicization, inadequate buses, and unmet needs in rural areas, while noting plans to modernize 50 bus stands this year and another 50 next year. He also linked the reforms to rising vehicle registrations, the need to upgrade roads and public transport, and the allocation of about Rs. 430 billion for national highway rehabilitation. Debate: National Transport Commission (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading InfrastructurePublic Finance Read →
19 March 2025 AI summary Hon. R.G. Wijerathna argued that Regional Economic Centres have not met their stated objectives of ensuring fair producer prices, effective marketing, islandwide distribution, and affordable consumer prices. He cited inactive centres in Jaffna, Vavuniya and Kilinochchi built at significant public cost, and said the Nuwara Eliya centre handles only about 20 per cent of local vegetable production while traders, rather than farmers, effectively determine prices. He called for stronger inter-ministerial coordination to build a national distribution network, measures to reduce post-harvest losses through improved transport and packaging, and a Ministry-affiliated unit to oversee the transparency and use of management trust funds. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) AgriculturePublic FinanceCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
6 February 2025 AI summary Hon. R.G. Wijerathna supported the regulations under the Intellectual Property Act, No. 36 of 2003, to register geographical indications, arguing that they would protect producers and exporters, improve product quality, raise prices for standardized goods, and support a production-based economy. He said the proposed registration of agricultural products, foodstuffs, handicrafts, and other products could help revive rural industries, strengthen livelihoods, and reduce rural poverty if accompanied by infrastructure, funding, and removal of legal barriers. He also cited an alleged misuse of Pradeshiya Sabha land at Rikillagaskada as an example of local-level obstruction and said corrective legal steps had begun under the present Government. Debate: Intellectual Property Act Regulations (Geographical Indications) Public FinanceAgriculture Read →