Hon. R.M. Jayawardhana, M.P.

Jathika Jana balawegaya (JJB)· Monaragala

Deputy Minister of Trade, Commerce and Food Security

Profession: Administrator

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Speeches 45 #100 of 225·#48 in party

Attendance 8/8 days present (of recorded)

Speech history

45 speeches

22 May 2026 AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development, a request was made for two weeks to provide an answer to the question. The question was ordered to stand down. Question No. 10 - Trade/Commerce Question Stood Down Parliamentary Procedure Read →
20 May 2026 AI summary The Deputy Minister said the Central Bank report for 2025 shows broad improvement in economic indicators compared with 2024, while also identifying sectoral setbacks, including declines after the November natural disaster that affected tourism, construction, and development work. He rejected opposition criticism as not grounded in the report and said the Government had stabilized the economy while managing debt-service obligations and increasing scholarships, child benefits, public-sector salaries, and pensions. He cited Northern development initiatives including the Northern Coconut Triangle, fisheries harbour development, and over Rs. 5,000 million for road projects, and said the Government was preparing for 2026 by addressing disaster impacts and external energy shocks. Adjournment Debate: Central Bank Annual Economic Review 2025 Public FinanceInfrastructureAgriculture Read →
20 May 2026 AI summary The Hon. R.M. Jayawardhana formally seconded the motion. The question was then put and agreed to, after which the Deputy Chairperson of Committees left the Chair and Hon. (Mrs.) Rohini Kumari Wijerathna took the Chair. Adjournment Debate: Central Bank Annual Economic Review 2025 Parliamentary Procedure Read →
20 May 2026 AI summary On behalf of the Minister, the Deputy Minister tabled details on the Pakistan–Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement, noting that it was signed in 2002, entered into force in 2005, covers goods, and aims to expand bilateral trade by removing barriers and ensuring fair competition. He provided year-wise figures for Sri Lanka’s exports to and imports from Pakistan under the agreement from 2020 to 2025, alongside Pakistan’s reported trade figures for recent years. He stated that a high-level committee chaired by the Ministry Secretary is reviewing Sri Lanka’s free trade agreements, with a final report expected to be submitted to Cabinet in June 2026, after which future directions on the PSFTA will be decided. Oral Answers to Questions (Q.1-Q.7) Foreign Affairs Read →
7 May 2026 AI summary The Deputy Minister of Trade, Commerce and Food Security, speaking on behalf of the relevant Minister, requested two weeks to provide an answer to the question. The question was accordingly ordered to stand down. Second Round of Oral Questions (Q.10 and Tabled Answers) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
6 May 2026 AI summary The Deputy Minister supported the Bill to create a modern rescue, rehabilitation and insolvency framework, arguing that the current liquidation-focused regime destroys businesses, jobs and entrepreneurial capacity. He said the Bill would provide structured, time-bound mechanisms such as dialogue, restructuring plans and administrative intervention, including an initial 60-day rehabilitation window, to preserve viable enterprises. He linked the need for reform to the impact of Covid-19, the 2022 economic crisis, and pressures on MSMEs, and argued that the legislation would strengthen domestic and foreign investor confidence by aligning Sri Lanka with international insolvency practices. Debate: Rescue, Rehabilitation and Insolvency (Corporate and Personal) Bill - Second Reading Public FinanceCorruption & Governance ReformEmployment Read →
10 April 2026 AI summary The Deputy Minister tabled a response stating that the Hingurakgoda and Pannegamuwa milling complexes, handed over in 2019 and 2018 respectively, have remained largely non-operational for about 18 years and were idle as of 20 August 2024. He said prolonged disuse had caused deterioration of machinery and buildings, and that future use of the assets, including the 9-acre extent, would be considered after a feasibility study and valuation process. Oral Questions: Second Round and Supplementary Questions Parliamentary Procedure Read →
18 February 2026 AI summary Deputy Minister R.M. Jayawardhana said the regulations under the Special Commodity Levy Act and Imports and Exports (Control) Act are intended to manage import levies, including adjusting the levy on Pakistani hybrid mandarins following a trade-related request under the bilateral agreement. He said SCL increases on potatoes and big onions were approved to protect local farmers during harvest periods, and cited government actions on economic stabilization, housing projects, vehicle imports, debt payments, and IMF support as evidence of progress. He also defended the proposed abolition of MPs’ pensions, arguing that parliamentary pension entitlement after five years is inconsistent with public service pension rules, and noted that the IMF had decided to provide USD 200 million for those affected by Cyclone “Dittha.” Debate: Special Commodity Levy Act, Customs Ordinance Resolution, and Motor Traffic Act Orders (Continuation) Public FinanceAgricultureInfrastructure Read →
5 February 2026 AI summary R.M. Jayawardhana addressed the Institute of Real Estate Professionals, Sri Lanka Bill, outlining the history of valuation education and the role of valuers in public bodies such as the Valuation Department, Urban Development Authority and local authorities. He said the proposed statutory institute is supported in principle, but its functions must be clearly defined to avoid overlap or conflict with existing institutions, particularly following court guidance on dual mandates. He urged that the Bill be refined, with amendments where necessary, to establish a clear legal framework that strengthens the profession without creating administrative disputes. Debate: Institute of Real Estate Professionals, Container Depot Operators Licensing, and Shipping Agents Licensing Bills (Second Reading) Law & OrderPublic Finance Read →
21 January 2026 AI summary The Deputy Minister addressed the Adjournment Motion on the aftermath of the “8960”/“Ditva” cyclone, arguing that the Government and public institutions responded actively despite rapidly changing weather conditions and the severity of the event. He cited damage in Moneragala District, including 38 fully destroyed houses, 542 partially damaged houses and four deaths, and said district officials, security forces and other agencies coordinated relief and mitigation efforts from 26–27 November. He rejected Opposition claims of unpreparedness, defended the Meteorological Department’s advisories, and criticised Opposition MPs from the district for not participating in local coordination meetings while later raising complaints in Parliament. Adjournment Debate: Post-Cyclone "Ditwah" Situation (Part 2) Security & DefencePublic Finance Read →
20 January 2026 AI summary The Deputy Minister supported extending and amending the Aswesuma welfare benefit scheme, noting that 3.7 million applications indicate continuing demand despite the programme originally being designed to end by 2026. He said current eligibility criteria have excluded some needy households while benefiting others less in need, and proposed revised criteria, increased payments, a six-month extension, and stronger review committees to better target assistance by mid-year. He also linked the need for welfare support to poverty, rural educational disadvantage, and the aftermath of the economic crisis, while citing lower inflation and growth in 2025 as part of the Government’s stabilization context. Debate - Aswesuma Welfare Benefit Payment Scheme Public FinanceWomen & ChildrenCost of Living Read →
9 January 2026 AI summary R.M. Jayawardhana tabled, on behalf of the relevant Minister, an answer on potato supply, imports, and local production. The answer stated that Sri Lanka’s annual potato requirement is about 210,000 metric tonnes, with roughly 80 per cent met through imports and 20 per cent through domestic production, and provided import, production, and 2025 harvest data in tabled documents. It said a Special Commodity Levy of Rs. 80 per kilogram was imposed in August 2025 to support farm-gate prices during the local harvest, but imports are not suspended because domestic production is insufficient and consumer demand includes both local and imported potatoes. The answer added that longer-term measures to reduce production costs and improve productivity are needed to improve competitiveness. Oral Questions: Paddy Field Damage and Potato Imports (Q.11, Q.12) Public FinanceAgriculture Read →
9 January 2026 AI summary R.M. Jayawardhana stated that the Mahapola Scholarship Trust Fund could respond promptly to the first part of Ravi Karunanayake’s question, but needed additional time for the second part because newly recruited staff must compile the relevant reports. He requested one week, on behalf of the Minister, to provide the answer. Oral Question: Mahapola Scholarship Trust Fund (Q.6/472/2025) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
6 January 2026 AI summary On behalf of the Prime Minister, R.M. Jayawardhana requested two weeks to provide a reply to Hon. Ravi Karunanayake’s question raised under Standing Order 27(2). Oral Question under Standing Order 27(2): Trade Negotiations between Sri Lanka and USA (Hon. Ravi Karunanayake) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
21 November 2025 AI summary Hon. R.M. Jayawardhana responded to Opposition criticism by arguing that previous governments failed to address long-standing farmer distress, citing protests by big onion and potato growers. He said the Government has procured paddy at around Rs. 120 per kilo, repaired Sathosa paddy stores, distributed stocks through Sathosa, and included cold-storage and warehousing measures in the Budget. He stated that from January purchases will begin at guaranteed prices for produce meeting required standards, noting big onions are being bought at Rs. 145 per kilo with a target of Rs. 150 next year. Oral Question: Vavuniya Dedicated Economic Centre (Question No. 1) Agriculture Read →
21 November 2025 AI summary The Hon. R.M. Jayawardhana stated that an Economic Centre, built but left unopened for about seven years, was opened in September and is now operational. He said the Government is considering adding cold-storage facilities, including a cold room, to reduce post-harvest losses, with Rs. 1,000 million allocated for the purpose this year. He also noted that an unused rehabilitation centre is to be taken over for the Co-operative Department, following intervention by the District Development Committee Chairman, to address the request regarding a Co-operative Training Centre. Oral Question: Vavuniya Dedicated Economic Centre (Question No. 1) AgriculturePublic FinanceInfrastructure Read →
21 November 2025 AI summary The Deputy Minister stated that the Vavuniya Dedicated Economic Centre was opened on 3 September 2025. He said 35 stalls had been allocated, under a 2021 Cabinet decision, to eligible wholesale traders from the Vavuniya wholesale market, with remaining stalls to be prioritized for local farmers’ organizations and district applicants, and two expected to be allocated to Lanka Sathosa for aggregation and sales. Oral Question: Vavuniya Dedicated Economic Centre (Question No. 1) InfrastructureAgriculture Read →
8 November 2025 AI summary Hon. R.M. Jayawardhana argued that several development projects inherited by the Government, including an Indian-assisted cold storage project begun in 2019 and the Raja Ela project in Monaragala begun in 2001, remained incomplete due to longstanding implementation problems, and said the current Government had allocated funds and begun work to complete them. He rejected Opposition claims about the previous economic recovery, stating that it had been based on a restricted economy with sectors such as construction and imports curtailed, while the present Government was attempting to restart broader economic activity. He also cited incomplete rural roads, stalled expressway work and halted loans as examples of inherited constraints, and asserted that the National People’s Power Government would complete its mandate and continue development. Second Reading Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2026 (continued) Corruption & Governance ReformPublic FinanceInfrastructure Read →
8 November 2025 AI summary The Deputy Minister defended the 2026 Budget, arguing that criticisms from Opposition members are inconsistent given their long periods in government and their shifting positions on the IMF programme. He said the Government is working according to a one-year plan and a medium-term programme, and suggested that recent measures have made the Opposition politically anxious. He also referred to allegations raised by Hon. Kabir Hashim regarding the non-operational cold storage facility near the Dambulla Economic Centre, framing them as part of Opposition criticism. Second Reading Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2026 (continued) AgriculturePublic Finance Read →
23 October 2025 AI summary Hon. R.M. Jayawardhana presented two petitions to Parliament from residents of Kumbukkana, Parawilawatta, and Hidikivula, Monaragala. Petitions Presented Parliamentary Procedure Read →