Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar, M.P.
Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources
Profession: ---
Speeches 137 #31 of 225·#15 in party
Attendance 5/8 days present (of recorded)
Top topic Parliamentary Procedure 60 speeches
Last spoke 21 May 2026 in Adjournment
Activity by sitting
53 sittings · counts only, no scoring.
Topic focus
AI summary AI-assigned tags, 1–3 per speech. Counts only — not a score.
Speech history
137 speeches- 21 May 2026 AI summary Minister Chandrasekar supported the Adjournment Motion and highlighted the historical hardships of hill country Tamils, including their transport from India, loss of citizenship after 1948, and the impact of the Sirima–Shastri Agreement. He recalled efforts through a parliamentary Select Committee to end statelessness and secure citizenship for affected people. He argued that present conditions, including line-room housing, show the need for focused action to improve education, health, housing, water, roads, and modern industry in the hill country. Adjournment Debate: Integration of Malaiyaha People into National Mainstream Justice & Human RightsEthnic Reconciliation & Devolution Read →
- 21 May 2026 AI summary Moved, on behalf of the Prime Minister and the Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, an order under Section 8 of the Appropriation Act, No. 3 of 2025, amending expenditure, receipt and debit balance limits for specified designated deposit accounts. The order, signed by the Minister of Finance, Economic Stabilization and National Policies, is valid up to 31 December 2025, and was agreed to by the House. Main Business: Debate on Regulations under Imports and Exports (Control) Act and Appropriation Act Resolutions Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 21 May 2026 AI summary Moved approval of a determination under Section 8 of the Appropriation Act, No. 3 of 2025, to amend the specified financial limits for the “Government Factory – Works Done Deposit Account” under Head 31003 of the Department of Government Factory. The change reduces the minimum limit of receipts from Rs. 450 million to Rs. 325 million, with other limits marked not applicable, and is valid until 31 December 2025. The motion had Government and Cabinet approval and was agreed to by Parliament. Main Business: Debate on Regulations under Imports and Exports (Control) Act and Appropriation Act Resolutions Parliamentary ProcedurePublic Finance Read →
- 21 May 2026 AI summary Moved approval of Finance Minister’s Determination No. 43 under Section 8 of the Appropriation Act, No. 3 of 2025, to amend the limits for Head 31002, the Government Factory Stores Deposit Account. The change reduces the minimum limit of receipts from Rs. 120 million to Rs. 60 million, with other specified limits marked not applicable, valid until 31 December 2025; Cabinet approval had been granted and the motion was agreed to. Main Business: Debate on Regulations under Imports and Exports (Control) Act and Appropriation Act Resolutions Public Finance Read →
- 21 May 2026 AI summary Moved approval of a Government determination under Section 8 of the Appropriation Act, No. 3 of 2025, to amend limits for the Sri Lanka Railways “Railway Stores – Deposit Account” under Head 30602. The change reduces the minimum limit of receipts from Rs. 3 billion to Rs. 2 billion, with other limits marked not applicable, valid until 31 December 2025 and with Cabinet approval. Main Business: Debate on Regulations under Imports and Exports (Control) Act and Appropriation Act Resolutions Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 21 May 2026 AI summary Moved approval of Finance Determination No. 41 under Section 8 of the Appropriation Act, No. 3 of 2025, to amend limits for the Department of Agriculture’s “Maintenance of Agricultural Farms and Seed Sales” Deposit Account. The determination reduces the minimum limit of receipts from Rs. 120 million to Rs. 60 million, with other specified limits not applicable, and is valid until 31 December 2025; Parliament agreed to the motion. Main Business: Debate on Regulations under Imports and Exports (Control) Act and Appropriation Act Resolutions Public FinanceParliamentary Procedure Read →
- 21 May 2026 AI summary Moved a resolution, on behalf of the Prime Minister and the Minister of Education, to approve Determination No. 40 under Section 8 of the Appropriation Act, No. 3 of 2025. The determination amends the expenditure and receipts limits for Head 25002, “Payments on behalf of Other Governments – Deposit Account – Department of State Accounts,” reducing both from Rs. 1.25 billion to Rs. 1.15 billion, with validity until 31 December 2025 and Cabinet approval noted. The motion was put to the House and agreed to. Main Business: Debate on Regulations under Imports and Exports (Control) Act and Appropriation Act Resolutions Public FinanceParliamentary Procedure Read →
- 21 May 2026 AI summary Moved approval of Finance Minister Determination No. 39 under Section 8 of the Appropriation Act, No. 3 of 2025, concerning the Sri Lanka Customs “Seized and Forfeited Goods – Deposit Account” under Head 24702. The determination, approved by Cabinet and valid until 31 December 2025, reduces the minimum limit of receipts from Rs. 8 million to Rs. 1.5 million, with other specified limits marked not applicable. The motion was agreed to by Parliament. Main Business: Debate on Regulations under Imports and Exports (Control) Act and Appropriation Act Resolutions Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 21 May 2026 AI summary Moved a resolution to approve Determination No. 38 under Section 8 of the Appropriation Act, No. 3 of 2025, amending financial limits for Head 22302, the “Warehouse Deposit Account (Explosives) – Sri Lanka Navy.” The amendments reduce the maximum expenditure limit to Rs. 800 million, reduce the minimum receipts limit to Rs. 1.175 billion, and set a maximum debit balance of Rs. 375 million, valid until 31 December 2025. The resolution was presented with Cabinet approval and was agreed to by Parliament. Main Business: Debate on Regulations under Imports and Exports (Control) Act and Appropriation Act Resolutions Public FinanceParliamentary Procedure Read →
- 21 May 2026 AI summary Moved approval of a resolution under Section 8 of the Appropriation Act, No. 3 of 2025, to amend financial limits for the Department of Publications’ “Books Printing, Promotion and Sales” Deposit Account under Head 21302. The changes reduce the maximum expenditure, minimum receipts, and maximum liabilities limits, with validity up to 31 December 2025, following Cabinet approval and a determination by the Minister of Finance. The resolution was put to the House and agreed to. Main Business: Debate on Regulations under Imports and Exports (Control) Act and Appropriation Act Resolutions Public Finance Read →
- 21 May 2026 AI summary Moved approval of regulations under the Imports and Exports (Control) Act, published in Gazette Extraordinary No. 2482/12 of 2 April 2026 and presented on 5 May 2026, on behalf of the Prime Minister and the Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education. The motion, made with Cabinet approval, was put to the House and agreed to. Main Business: Debate on Regulations under Imports and Exports (Control) Act and Appropriation Act Resolutions Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 21 May 2026 AI summary Ramalingam Chandrasekar moved, on behalf of the Prime Minister and the Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, for parliamentary approval of regulations under the Imports and Exports (Control) Act. The regulations, issued by Gazette Extraordinary No. 2482/08 of 31 March 2026 and presented on 5 May 2026, had Cabinet approval, and the motion was agreed to. Main Business: Debate on Regulations under Imports and Exports (Control) Act and Appropriation Act Resolutions Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 7 May 2026 AI summary Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekar said recent estate-related incidents in Ragala, Maskeliya and Ratnapura had been addressed through police action, trade union involvement or official discussions, and alleged that some political groups were exaggerating them during the Emergency and public safety debate. He argued that estate workers’ long-standing problems in education, health, transport, wages and land rights were being addressed by the Government, citing the Rs. 1,750 wage arrangement with a Rs. 200 state contribution. He rejected racist and sectarian politics, referred to past ethnic violence against estate workers, and said the Government was pursuing housing, road repairs, local industry support and anti-narcotics measures in the North while encouraging diaspora investment. Debate and Approval: Public Security Ordinance Extension (Emergency) - Part 2 EmploymentLaw & OrderEthnic Reconciliation & Devolution Read →
- 5 May 2026 AI summary The Minister said the Ministry and NAQDA face significant cadre vacancies and that an approved programme is being implemented to fill them. He stated that new hatcheries are being established and a major sea cucumber programme is planned, with the aim of involving more than 1,000 additional people by the end of the year. He added that the Ministry would consider the issues raised and keep Parliament informed. Oral Questions Q.7-Q.9: Education Statistics, Aquaculture, CEB and SriLankan Airlines EmploymentAgriculturePublic Finance Read →
- 5 May 2026 AI summary The Minister stated that Cyclone “Michaung” caused major losses to the shrimp industry and that a recovery programme has been developed with stakeholders in Puttalam, with new shrimp farming areas identified including in Jaffna. He said about 1,300 reservoirs have been identified as suitable for reservoir-based fisheries and that plans are underway to expand production through them. He also noted that aquaculture export earnings have increased from about USD 285 million to about USD 300 million, with plans for further growth. Oral Questions Q.7-Q.9: Education Statistics, Aquaculture, CEB and SriLankan Airlines Agriculture Read →
- 5 May 2026 AI summary The Minister responded to questions on aquaculture capacity, stating that Sri Lanka has 17 relevant hatcheries across freshwater shrimp, ornamental fish, brackishwater shrimp, and freshwater fish, but freshwater fingerling supply remains far below the estimated annual requirement of 480 million. He outlined plans to upgrade association and private hatcheries, establish broodstock centres, build ponds near reservoirs, and expand support for ornamental fish and shrimp production through training, loans, monitoring, and disease-control measures. He also disclosed a Rs. 1.63 million fraud at the Dambulla Aquaculture Development Centre during 2017–2019, noting that disciplinary action was taken, a small sum recovered, and legal action is ongoing to recover the balance. Oral Questions Q.7-Q.9: Education Statistics, Aquaculture, CEB and SriLankan Airlines Agriculture Read →
- 10 April 2026 AI summary Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekar opposed the No-Confidence Motion against the Minister of Power, arguing that current coal procurement for the Norochcholai Lakvijaya Power Plant is being conducted transparently and without corruption. He cited audit findings and local and foreign laboratory testing, including further samples sent to Australia, to reject allegations of substandard coal or fraud during the present period. He contended that past coal procurement was controlled by politically connected groups and said the Opposition’s accusations were unsupported and politically motivated. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Public FinanceCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
- 10 April 2026 AI summary Ramalingam Chandrasekar responded to allegations raised by Shanakiyan Rasamanickam, stating that he frequently criticizes Rasamanickam and M.A. Sumanthiran in Tamil on Northern issues. He denied the accusations as baseless and challenged Rasamanickam to table any evidence in Parliament or refer the matter to the CID for lawful investigation. Private Notice Questions and Procedural Matters Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 9 April 2026 AI summary The Minister supported extending the State of Emergency for one month, stating it was declared in response to Cyclone Ditva and was needed to manage disaster recovery and wider supply-chain risks linked to Middle East conflicts. He rejected allegations that the emergency was being used to suppress democracy or target Tamils, contrasting it with past abuses under emergency laws and the PTA. He also criticized opposition figures for allegedly inflaming ethnic tensions and said the Government was using emergency powers to address national crises, including narcotics, while maintaining democratic freedoms. Debate on Regulations under Defence Acts and Extension of State of Emergency Law & OrderEthnic Reconciliation & DevolutionSecurity & Defence Read →
- 8 April 2026 AI summary Ramalingam Chandrasekar said the Government’s priority since taking office in 2024 had been restoring macroeconomic stability after the 2022 default and responding to subsequent shocks, including the “Didwa” disaster and the Middle East conflict. He stated that affected fishers and inland aquaculture farmers received support through NAQDA and the Department of Fisheries, including Rs. 238.8 million for boats, canoes and nets and Rs. 139.9 million for repairs. Referring to fuel price increases, he said kerosene and fuel subsidies had helped revive fishing activity, and proposed further assistance of 25 litres per day for small boats and Rs. 150,000 per trip for multi-day boats, with a willingness to adjust the scheme after further consultations. Adjournment Debate: Mitigate the Impact of Middle Eastern War on Sri Lanka's Economy Public FinanceCost of LivingAgriculture Read →