Hon. R.M. Samantha Ranasinghe, M.P.

Jathika Jana balawegaya (JJB)· Kegalle

Roster profile ↗

Speeches 16 #192 of 225·#130 in party

Attendance 6/8 days present (of recorded)

Speech history

16 speeches

6 March 2026 AI summary Hon. R.M. Samantha Ranasinghe defended the state of emergency as a necessary framework for disaster response following Cyclone Ditwah, arguing that it is being used to coordinate institutions, resettle displaced people, and provide infrastructure rather than suppress dissent. He cited figures from Kegalle District, stating that 3,756 people require resettlement by 31 December 2026, and referred to ongoing work to address both current cyclone-affected families and unresolved displacement from the 2016 Aranayake landslide. He contrasted this with past uses of emergency powers, including during 1971, 1983, 2000-2009 and 2022, and said no recent protests had been repressed under the current emergency. Debate: Resolution on Public Security Ordinance - Extension of State of Emergency InfrastructureSecurity & DefenceLaw & Order Read →
22 January 2026 AI summary Hon. R.M. Samantha Ranasinghe argued that Sri Lanka’s free education system needs modernization to align with economic needs and technology, while rejecting claims that reforms would increase inequity. He said the Government is working to professionalize education personnel through measures such as the nearly completed Teacher Council and is reassessing around 10,000 schools, particularly those with low enrolment, poor facilities, or disaster-related needs. He stated that reforms have not been halted but are being corrected and continued as part of national renewal. Adjournment Debate: Comprehensive Educational Transformation Process Education Read →
20 January 2026 AI summary Hon. R.M. Samantha Ranasinghe defended the Aswesuma welfare payment scheme, linking it to the Government’s wider plan to eradicate rural poverty by 2030 and criticizing the Opposition’s record on poverty. He said Budget 2026 allocates Rs. 240 billion for Aswesuma, supporting 1.9 million poor people and 1.27 million elderly persons, disabled persons and CKD patients, while also funding school supplies, shoe vouchers and meals for low-income students. He stated that the programme would extend across about 14,000 GN divisions and be paired with measures to build a production economy, rural housing and infrastructure, MSME support after the “Diththa” cyclone, wage increases and rural livelihood development. Debate - Aswesuma Welfare Benefit Payment Scheme Cost of LivingPublic FinanceEmployment Read →
7 January 2026 AI summary Hon. R.M. Samantha Ranasinghe presented two petitions from constituents in Hiriwadunna, Dunikeyiya and Imbulgasdeniya, Rambukkana. The petitions were ordered to be referred to the Committee on Public Petitions. Petitions Parliamentary Procedure Read →
11 November 2025 AI summary Hon. R.M. Samantha Ranasinghe defended the National People’s Power government’s second Budget, stating it continues the policy programme “A Prosperous Country – A Beautiful Life” and builds on the first Budget’s efforts to stabilize and rebuild the economy. He rejected Opposition criticisms as misinformed and argued that the government had made progress in economic, administrative, and diplomatic areas within eight months. He highlighted Budget proposals to strengthen the public service, including restoring pensions for post-2016 recruits, recruiting 75,000 staff on merit, digitizing administration, and establishing a Salaries and Pensions Commission. He said implementation would be driven through Cabinet, Parliament, coordinating committees, and the 14,022 Grama Niladhari divisions by 31 December 2026. Debate: Second Reading of 2026 Budget Bill (Day 3, Afternoon/Evening) Public FinanceCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
8 November 2025 AI summary Hon. R.M. Samantha Ranasinghe responded to an adjournment motion by Hon. Kabir Hashim, rejecting allegations that the Sabaragamuwa Governor improperly obstructed 41 development proposals approved by the Mawanella Pradeshiya Sabha. He argued that objections had been raised within the Sabha and through a petition, and that the Provincial Commissioner’s report found some proposals fell outside the Sabha’s subject scope, including roads under other authorities or subject to litigation. He defended the Governor’s actions as based on official review and accused the local administration of attempting to shift responsibility for governance and waste management issues onto the Governor. Adjournment Motion: Suspension of Development Projects Approved by Mawanella Pradeshiya Sabha Corruption & Governance ReformEthnic Reconciliation & Devolution Read →
21 October 2025 AI summary Hon. R.M. Samantha Ranasinghe supported the Regulations under the NMRA Act, describing them as necessary to control medicine prices and address long-standing problems in access to drugs. He argued that profiteering, corruption, politicization, staff shortages, outdated hospital equipment, and drug shortages had harmed patients, especially poorer families. He said concerns about shortages or substandard medicines should not prevent regulation, and stated the government would work to improve health services and implement the price-control measures. Debate: Regulations under National Medicines Regulatory Authority Act No. 5 of 2015 Public FinanceHealthcareCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
9 October 2025 AI summary R.M. Samantha Ranasinghe asked how the railway sector is preparing to support the expanding tourism industry. He specifically sought information on plans to improve or adapt rail services for tourists as tourism grows. Oral Question 1: Oil Tanks and Pipeline in Kankesanthurai (Cement Corporation) Infrastructure Read →
9 October 2025 AI summary Hon. R.M. Samantha Ranasinghe stated that railways are important for both passengers and the economy, but modernization has fallen behind and affected service quality. He asked what measures are being taken under the new economic plan to increase the movement of freight by rail. Oral Question 1: Oil Tanks and Pipeline in Kankesanthurai (Cement Corporation) Public FinanceInfrastructure Read →
9 October 2025 AI summary Asked the Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation to provide details on railway stations in the Kegalle District, including their number and names. He also requested information on development measures taken for those stations and whether landslide-prone areas along the district’s railway line have been identified, including any remedial actions provided. Oral Question 1: Oil Tanks and Pipeline in Kankesanthurai (Cement Corporation) Infrastructure Read →
20 August 2025 AI summary Hon. R.M. Samantha Ranasinghe supported the regulations under the Sports Act and amendments to the Rubber Control and Samurdhi Acts as part of the Government’s programme to update outdated laws and implement structural reforms. He argued that sports bodies had been politically controlled, that past decisions harmed the rubber industry in areas such as Kegalle, and that successive poverty-alleviation schemes from Janasaviya to Aswesuma had failed to lift families out of poverty. He stated that the Government was reducing public expenditure and pledged that the National People’s Power Government would eliminate poverty within four to five years. Debate: Samurdhi (Amendment) Bill, Rubber Control (Amendment) Bill, Sports Law Regulations, and Judicature Act Rules Cost of LivingLaw & OrderPublic Finance Read →
9 July 2025 AI summary Hon. R.M. Samantha Ranasinghe requested the Prime Minister’s intervention to address students’ difficulties with Transport Board season tickets and small stipends. He urged measures to create a more supportive and attractive environment for students. Oral Question: Digital Transformation and Education Reforms EducationCost of Living Read →
9 July 2025 AI summary Hon. R.M. Samantha Ranasinghe noted a mismatch between existing vocational education and labour market demand for trained workers, as well as low awareness among students and parents. He welcomed the recent “Shrama Meheyuma” programme that brought together TVET institutions and asked whether it would continue, requesting that similar programmes be held at least every six months. Oral Question: Digital Transformation and Education Reforms EmploymentEducation Read →
9 July 2025 AI summary Hon. R.M. Samantha Ranasinghe asked the Prime Minister what steps the Ministry has taken under the new education reforms to integrate technical and vocational education with school education. He further requested details on any five-year plans for developing technical and vocational education, including proposed measures for teacher training and infrastructure development in the TVET sector. Oral Question: Digital Transformation and Education Reforms Education Read →
6 June 2025 AI summary R.M. Samantha Ranasinghe paid tribute to the late Kosala Nuwan Jayawira, the young MP from Kegalle whose seat he now represents, highlighting his rise from a rural background and his leadership in building the National People’s Power in the “three Korales” electorate. He recalled Jayawira’s interventions on local livelihood issues, human–wildlife conflict, COVID-19 health facilities, teachers’ struggles, and divisional development work. He conveyed condolences to Jayawira’s family and stated that his party would work to continue the development and youth-oriented goals Jayawira had pursued. Debate: Votes of Condolence for Four Former MPs Parliamentary Procedure Read →
23 May 2025 AI summary Hon. R.M. Samantha Ranasinghe expressed condolences on the death of Hon. Kosala Nuwan Jayawira and thanked voters in Kegalle District for electing him. He said the NPP’s electoral mandate at national and local levels provides a basis for grassroots reforms and cited ongoing changes in transport, education, and health. Supporting the Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Bill, he argued that measures such as remote appearances and evidence would help reduce court delays and ease the burden on citizens. Debate: Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Bill and Foreign Loans (Repeal) Bill - Second Reading Justice & Human RightsParliamentary Procedure Read →