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- 5 June 2025 AI summary Clarified that no individual had been named in his remarks. Adjournment Motion: Prevention of Criminal Activities Affecting Livelihood of Fishermen of Ampara and Batticaloa Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 5 June 2025 AI summary The Minister said complaints from fishing communities in Batticaloa, including Oluvil and Valachchenai, concern organized gangs robbing deep-sea fishermen of catches and equipment. He reported that a recent meeting in Parliament with the Navy, Army, Police, and other stakeholders addressed enforcement responsibilities, and that coordinated action with the Navy, Police, and if necessary the STF, is being taken to stop such gangs. Adjournment Motion: Prevention of Criminal Activities Affecting Livelihood of Fishermen of Ampara and Batticaloa Security & DefenceLaw & Order Read →
- 4 June 2025 AI summary The Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources presented the 2024 performance reports of the Fisheries Rewards Fund, the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, and the Ministry. He moved that the reports be referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Agriculture and Sustainability of Resources, and the House agreed. Parliament Opening and Papers Tabling Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 22 May 2025 AI summary Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar denied an allegation that he had called for a statue of Prabhakaran in the North, stating that he had never made such a remark. He said his party did not call for a special statue even for Rohana Wijeweera and that the Government’s position is to remember all victims—Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim—rather than single out individual leaders. He urged the Opposition not to spread false claims, rekindle racism, or undermine reconciliation and national rebuilding efforts. Debate: Regulations under Imports and Exports (Control) Act, No. 1 of 1969 and Disposal of Property Act Resolutions Parliamentary ProcedureEthnic Reconciliation & Devolution Read →
- 21 May 2025 AI summary Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekar objected to Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara’s manner of raising a matter, emphasizing that proceedings must follow Standing Orders and established parliamentary practice. He urged respect for the Chair and stated that an MP should not attempt to command the Presiding Member. Procedural: Questions on Bank of Ceylon Relief and Allied Health Graduates - Final Business Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 20 May 2025 AI summary The Minister said land disputes, particularly in Tamil areas, remain serious and require a proper process to identify, demarcate and distinguish public and private land. Referring to the relevant Gazette and past mechanisms dating from 1931 and the 1950 Settlement Boards, he argued that the exercise is intended to resolve and regularize land issues, not to seize private lands. He urged consensus among Tamil, Sinhala and Muslim Members, while acknowledging suspicion arising from past politics and the scale of disputes in the North. Adjournment Motion: Land Settlement Gazette Notification 2430/2025 (Tamil Lands in North and East) Ethnic Reconciliation & DevolutionLand & Housing Read →
- 20 May 2025 AI summary Ramalingam Chandrasekar rejected remarks allegedly made about him by another member, accusing that member of spreading falsehoods and insulting language, up-country Tamils, and women. He also criticized the member’s local election performance and alleged that members of the diaspora had accused him of collecting and misusing election-related funds. Debate: Order under the Excise (Special Provisions) Act - Electric Vehicle Tax Revision (Continued) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 20 May 2025 AI summary The Minister responded to debate on regulations under the Excise (Special Provisions) Act by linking recent political developments in the North to the Government’s mandate and rejecting criticism of the National People’s Power’s local government election performance. He argued that Tamil areas remain affected by long-term underdevelopment, population decline, unemployment, migration, and drugs, and criticized other Tamil parties for relying on communal campaigning, cash, and liquor rather than development plans. He outlined Government initiatives for the Northern Province, including an industrial estate in Kankesanthurai, expansion of Palaly Airport and harbour and ferry links, improved rail services, sports facilities, bridge and road rehabilitation, irrigation tank restoration, and palmyrah-based industries, with the stated aim of creating over 40,000 jobs within three years. Debate: Order under the Excise (Special Provisions) Act - Electric Vehicle Tax Revision (Continued) Corruption & Governance ReformEthnic Reconciliation & Devolution Read →
- 20 May 2025 AI summary Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar moved that Hon. (Prof.) Sena Nanayakkara take the Chair. The motion was agreed to, after which the Deputy Speaker left the Chair and Hon. (Prof.) Sena Nanayakkara assumed it. Debate: Order under the Excise (Special Provisions) Act - Electric Vehicle Tax Revision (Continued) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 10 April 2025 AI summary Ramalingam Chandrasekar said the Batalanda debate should contribute to documenting torture camps and killings during 1987-1989, and called for those responsible to be identified and punished. He linked those events to wider patterns of repression, including Black July, the burning of the Jaffna Library, violence against Hill Country communities, and disappearances in both the North and South. He alleged responsibility by past UNP leaders for these incidents and demanded investigations and justice for victims across all affected communities. Debate: Report of the Commission of Inquiry into Batalanda Torture Chambers Ethnic Reconciliation & DevolutionJustice & Human Rights Read →
- 10 April 2025 AI summary Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar presented the 2022 Annual Report and Accounts of the National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency. He moved that the report be referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Agriculture and Sustainable Use of Resources, and the motion was agreed to. Papers Presented: Annual Reports and Petitions Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 21 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar stated that coastal roads in Point Pedro and Valvettithurai in Jaffna had long remained unrepaired, and said the Ministry of Transport and Highways under Minister Bimal Rathnayake would undertake their rehabilitation. He argued that broader infrastructure development had begun in Jaffna and dismissed criticism from some Tamil politicians, citing the NPP’s accepted nominations for 17 Pradeshiya Sabhas as evidence of public support. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Twenty-sixth Day) and Third Reading Infrastructure Read →
- 21 March 2025 AI summary Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekar rejected Opposition allegations against Government members and argued that past violence, including ethnic riots, the PTA, the burning of the Jaffna Library, and the 1983 prison killings, was linked to former UNP governments. He said the Government would prioritize North and East development after decades of war, in line with the President’s call to channel financing to villages. He listed planned or ongoing projects including rehabilitation of Kurikattuwan and Vattuvagal bridges, revival of the Paranthan Chemical Factory, reopening the Ottuchuddan rice mill and Anaikoddai salt pan, rehabilitation of Kurinjattivu salt pan, a modern industrial zone in KKS, new investment in Mullaitivu, and rebuilding the Periyapandivirichchan coastal area. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Twenty-sixth Day) and Third Reading Ethnic Reconciliation & DevolutionPublic FinanceInfrastructure Read →
- 21 March 2025 AI summary The Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources, Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar, stated that he would allocate two minutes of his speaking time to another member. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Twenty-sixth Day) and Third Reading Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 5 March 2025 AI summary Ramalingam Chandrasekar used a metaphor about a dog repeatedly eating its vomit to criticize recurring conduct or attitudes, suggesting that those responsible need to be “cured” of such behaviour. No specific legislation, policy proposal, or formal request was raised in the excerpt. Adjournment Motion: Jaffna - Social Impact of Drug Addiction Among Youth Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 5 March 2025 AI summary Ramalingam Chandrasekar moved an amendment during the Committee Stage of the Appropriation Bill, 2025, relating to Head 151, Programme 02. No further details or rationale for the amendment were provided in the excerpt. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage: Final Amendments and Progress Report Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 5 March 2025 AI summary An amendment was moved at the Committee Stage of the Appropriation Bill, 2025, on behalf of the Minister of Finance, relating to the Ministry of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources. It proposed replacing the relevant line in the Bill to set the Ministry’s capital allocation at Rs. 5,427,000,000. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage: Final Amendments and Progress Report Public Finance Read →
- 5 March 2025 AI summary Ramalingam Chandrasekar acknowledged the cooperation of the Ministry’s Secretary, Directors, staff, and Deputy Minister in advancing ministerial work, noting coordination across ministries. He also paid tribute to Hon. Nihal Galappaththi, describing him as a respected senior colleague who guides their work. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Continued: Heads 124, 151, 331 Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 5 March 2025 AI summary Ramalingam Chandrasekar said the Fisheries Ministry is reviewing problems across all 15 coastal districts and has prepared a new work plan after finding key institutions, including the Ceylon Fisheries Corporation, NAQDA, Cey-Nor and North Sea Ltd., heavily indebted and in arrears on worker contributions. He pledged not to betray the support of northern fishermen and cited rehabilitation of harbour infrastructure in Point Pedro, Myliddy, Pesalai, Mannar and Mullaitivu, as well as plans to develop inland fisheries and ornamental aquaculture with provincial coordination. Responding to concerns on fuel subsidies, he said over Rs. 800 million had been paid to 31,143 registered craft, delays were due to monthly card updates and bank account issues, and more than Rs. 3,000 million remains to be disbursed. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Continued: Heads 124, 151, 331 AgricultureEmploymentInfrastructure Read →
- 5 March 2025 AI summary Ramalingam Chandrasekar made a brief humorous remark directed at the Presiding Member amid an interruption, prompting laughter. No substantive policy, legislative issue, proposal, or question was raised in this excerpt. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Continued: Heads 124, 151, 331 Parliamentary Procedure Read →