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Sri Lanka
10th Parliament· 154 sittings on record · 30,475 speeches · latest 10 June 2026

Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar, M.P.

Jathika Jana balawegaya (JJB)· National List

Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources

Profession: ---

Roster profile ↗
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
  • 6 January 2026 AI summary Approval was sought for regulations made under Section 29 of the Fishermen’s Pension and Social Security Benefit Scheme Act, No. 23 of 1990, published in Gazette Extraordinary No. 2428/13 of 19 March 2025 and presented on 18 December 2025. The motion noted that Cabinet approval had been granted, and the House agreed to the regulations. Debate: Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Act and Fishermen's Pension Regulations Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 6 January 2026 AI summary The Minister supported the regulations under the Fishermen’s Pension and Social Security Benefit Scheme Act, arguing that the fisheries community, including fishers in Jaffna, has faced longstanding social and economic marginalization and needs improved security in old age. He said the Government had invited constructive Opposition proposals on the regulations but criticized Opposition speeches as unproductive. He also defended the Government’s education reforms and stated that the Government would remain united in support of the Prime Minister and President. Debate: Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Act and Fishermen's Pension Regulations AgriculturePublic Finance Read →
  • 6 January 2026 AI summary Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar moved that Hon. (Prof.) Sena Nanayakkara take the Chair. The motion was agreed to, after which the Deputy Chairperson of Committees left the Chair and Hon. Nanayakkara presided. Debate: Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Act and Fishermen's Pension Regulations Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 6 January 2026 AI summary The Minister sought approval for regulations on mud-crab harvesting, citing NARA guidelines, complaints about undersized and gravid crabs, and the need to meet EU and UN seafood standards to avoid export restrictions linked to IUU fishing and non-compliance. He said the regulations would set standards including a 130 mm minimum carapace width and govern catching, culturing and export to protect resources while sustaining foreign exchange earnings. He also outlined plans to revive an effective fisher pension and social security scheme, noting losses from Cyclone “Ditwah,” including destroyed and damaged boats and three deaths, and said the Government was providing grants, replacement craft and gear. Debate: Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Act and Fishermen's Pension Regulations Public FinanceLaw & OrderAgriculture Read →
  • 6 January 2026 AI summary The Minister moved for approval of regulations under the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Act relating to the harvesting of mud-crabs, published in Gazette Extraordinary No. 2371/32 and presented to Parliament in December 2025. He also noted that Parliament would consider regulations under the Fishermen’s Pension and Social Security Benefit Scheme Act and the 2019 Sri Lanka Fisheries Annual Report. Debate: Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Act and Fishermen's Pension Regulations Public FinanceAgriculture Read →
  • 6 January 2026 AI summary The Minister stated that the Ministry provides assistance, grants, and relief in marine disasters affecting fishermen, including damage or loss of boats and persons lost at sea. He invited the Member to submit the specific cases raised so that further information could be provided and follow-up action ensured. Oral Question: Fishermen in Pottuvil DS Division - Provision of Facilities (Q.1397/2025) Employment Read →
  • 6 January 2026 AI summary Fishermen across Sri Lanka were affected by Cyclone “Boo” and related severe weather, with particular concern for heavily affected districts such as Mannar. The Minister stated that Divisional Secretaries in the relevant areas had been instructed to provide necessary assistance and relief to affected fishermen. Oral Question: Fishermen in Pottuvil DS Division - Provision of Facilities (Q.1397/2025) AgricultureSecurity & Defence Read →
  • 6 January 2026 AI summary The Minister outlined measures to address conflicts between tourism activities and fishing operations in the Arugam Bay area, including a proposed relocation of the fishing pier to Kudakalliya subject to a feasibility study funded under the 2026 Budget. He detailed related land acquisition, access road, lagoon development, dredging permit, boundary demarcation, and fish stocking activities, while noting further information-gathering for Rottai, R.M. Nagar and Komari. He also said 75,000 fishing nets worth Rs. 500 million received as Chinese grant assistance are being distributed to 12,500 fishermen in selected districts, with additional support planned through local production of boats and nets and concessional State bank financing. Oral Question: Fishermen in Pottuvil DS Division - Provision of Facilities (Q.1397/2025) AgricultureInfrastructure Read →
  • 6 January 2026 AI summary Ramalingam Chandrasekar presented the Report of the Ministerial Consultative Committee on two sets of fisheries-related regulations. These concerned regulations under the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Act, No. 2 of 1996, published in Gazette Extraordinary No. 2371/35, and regulations under the Fishermen’s Pension and Social Security Benefit Scheme Act, No. 23 of 1990, published in Gazette Extraordinary No. 2428/13. The report was ordered to lie upon the Table. Papers: Presidential Message, Auditor-General Reports, and Annual Reports Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 6 January 2026 AI summary The Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources presented the 2019 Annual Report of the Ceylon Fisheries Corporation and the 2023 Annual Report of the National Aquaculture Development Authority of Sri Lanka. He moved that the reports be referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Agriculture and Sustainability of Resources, and the motion was agreed to. Papers: Presidential Message, Auditor-General Reports, and Annual Reports AgricultureParliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 18 December 2025 AI summary The Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources presented two sets of regulations: one under the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Act, No. 2 of 1996, published in Gazette Extraordinary No. 2371/35, and another under the Fishermen’s Pension and Social Security Benefit Scheme Act, No. 23 of 1990, published in Gazette Extraordinary No. 2428/1394. He moved that the regulations be referred to the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources, and the motion was agreed to. Papers Tabled: Reports, Supplementary Estimate, Regulations, Orders and Performance Reports Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 27 November 2025 AI summary Ramalingam Chandrasekar noted that the President had met Members of Parliament that morning in Committee Room No. 1 regarding the national disaster. He requested the Leader of the Opposition not to politicize the disaster situation. Appropriation Bill 2026 - Committee Stage - Eleventh Allotted Day (Heads 118, 281, 282, 285-289, 292, 327, 337) Security & Defence Read →
  • 26 November 2025 AI summary At the Committee Stage of the Appropriation Bill, 2026, Ramalingam Chandrasekar moved an amendment under Head 290, Programme 01. No further details of the proposed amendment were provided in the speech excerpt. Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2026 - Committee Stage, Sixteenth Allotted Day Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 26 November 2025 AI summary An amendment was moved at the Committee Stage of the Appropriation Bill, 2026, under Head 151, Programme 02. The intervention was procedural and did not include further argument or explanation. Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2026 - Committee Stage, Sixteenth Allotted Day Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 26 November 2025 AI summary An amendment was moved at the Committee Stage of the Appropriation Bill, 2026, on behalf of the Minister of Finance, relating to the Ministry of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources. The proposal seeks to amend page 34 by substituting the capital allocation with Rs. 7,700,000,000. Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2026 - Committee Stage, Sixteenth Allotted Day Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 26 November 2025 AI summary Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekar criticised the Opposition’s contributions to the debate on the Ministries of Digital Economy, Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources, and Science and Technology, saying they lacked substantive proposals for the fisheries sector and focused instead on personal and communal attacks. He rejected allegations that the JVP was racist, stating that the party had treated Sinhalese, Tamil and Muslim citizens equally and citing its electoral support in Jaffna and Vanni. He concluded by thanking Members who contributed constructively and the ministry officials and parliamentary staff who supported the preparation and conduct of the debate. Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2026 - Committee Stage, Sixteenth Allotted Day AgricultureEthnic Reconciliation & DevolutionParliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 26 November 2025 AI summary Ramalingam Chandrasekar, as Presiding Member, noted that another Member was seeking to raise a Point of Order. No substantive policy issue, proposal, or question was presented in this intervention. Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2026 - Committee Stage, Sixteenth Allotted Day Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 26 November 2025 AI summary Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar responded to points raised by Hon. Ravikaran on fisheries issues in the Northern Sea, noting that Tamil Nadu trawler intrusions severely affect local fishers and require broader action beyond Tamil MPs speaking out. He also referred to illegal and destructive fishing methods, suggesting that those responsible are known, and offered to work with Hon. Ravikaran to support measures to curb such practices. Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2026 - Committee Stage, Sixteenth Allotted Day Law & OrderForeign Affairs Read →
  • 26 November 2025 AI summary The Minister said the fisheries sector is being treated as a key area for economic recovery, with emphasis on modernizing fleets, expanding deep-sea activity, and shifting toward aquaculture, mariculture, and value addition. He noted past fuel support of Rs. 2.3 billion during the crisis, but said permanent subsidies are a broader policy issue and that fishers should become more productive rather than dependent on transfers. He outlined Budget 2026 allocations for harbour development, inland fisheries, life-saving equipment, post-harvest loss reduction, satellite communications, and projects in Kankesanthurai and Myliddy. He also addressed coastal protection, local canned fish production, salt supply concerns, a national fisheries exhibition, and ongoing efforts to resolve beach-seine-related issues around Negombo. Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2026 - Committee Stage, Sixteenth Allotted Day InfrastructurePublic FinanceAgriculture Read →
  • 15 November 2025 AI summary Ramalingam Chandrasekar defended the Government’s allocations and appointments, saying Muslim representation is being included in relevant institutions, including the Archaeology Advisory Committee, and rejecting allegations concerning retired Judge Ilanchezian. He argued that the Government has a mandate to change political culture, end discrimination and ethnic or religious division, and build unity after decades of conflict and communal politics. He cited continuing post-war hardships in the Northern Province, including widows, orphaned children, housing shortages, debt and poverty, and said increased allocations to Jaffna aim to support recovery and national unity. He also announced plans to celebrate “Sri Lankans’ Day” in December as a national unity initiative across communities, religions, arts and culture. Debate: Committee Stage - Appropriation Bill 2026, Special Spending Units (Heads 1, 2, 4-11, 13, 16-25) Justice & Human RightsEthnic Reconciliation & DevolutionCorruption & Governance Reform Read →