Hon. (Mrs.) Anushka Thilakarathne, Attorney at Law, M.P.
Profession: ---
Speeches 18 #181 of 225·#119 in party
Attendance 2/8 days present (of recorded)
Top topic Corruption & Governance Reform 5 speeches
Last spoke 9 June 2026 in Debate
Activity by sitting
16 sittings · counts only, no scoring.
Topic focus
AI summary AI-assigned tags, 1–3 per speech. Counts only — not a score.
Speech history
18 speeches- 9 June 2026 AI summary Hon. Anushka Thilakarathne supported the extension of the Emergency in the context of Cyclone “Ditva,” rejecting Opposition claims of government inaction and citing housing damage figures, compensation entitlements, and relief allowance disbursements. She said rebuilding and resettlement must proceed with legal, environmental, capacity, and safety considerations, while acknowledging unresolved hardships. She also defended the Government’s broader record, referring to health, wage, energy, and cultural allocations, including funding for mammography machines, cardiac catheterization machines, solar storage systems, and development of the Jaffna Public Library. Debate on Public Security Ordinance: Extension of State of Emergency HealthcareEmploymentSecurity & Defence Read →
- 6 March 2026 AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Anushka Thilakarathne defended the Government’s extension of the emergency, arguing it was necessary to coordinate relief, restore infrastructure, and support communities affected by the “Dittu” disaster while the country was recovering from bankruptcy. She said the Government had acted neutrally and in accordance with international law in relation to the Middle East conflict, citing rescue and recovery operations involving sailors and bodies from vessels. She outlined the “Rebuilding Sri Lanka” mechanism and its subcommittees, reported Disaster Management Centre figures on affected families and persons in safety centres, and called for psychosocial support for victims. She rejected Opposition allegations of misuse of emergency powers and asked for evidence rather than general claims. Debate: Resolution on Public Security Ordinance - Extension of State of Emergency Law & OrderForeign AffairsInfrastructure Read →
- 5 March 2026 AI summary Hon. Anushka Thilakarathne focused on women’s political participation in the International Women’s Day debate, citing increased representation in Parliament and local authorities, particularly through the NPP, while noting continuing barriers such as party structures, media conduct, traditional attitudes, and entrenched power groups. She highlighted examples of women elected to local bodies in Nuwara Eliya, Jaffna, and Gampaha, and urged them to contribute to local and national development and women’s empowerment. She also referred to Government measures including increased preschool meal allowances, school supply grants, and support for underprivileged children, arguing that these were delivered despite economic constraints. She concluded by emphasizing women’s autonomy and the right to make independent choices in politics and life. Adjournment: National Care Policy and International Women's Day EmploymentWomen & Children Read →
- 21 January 2026 AI summary As of 21 January 2026, Rs. 45.7 billion had been released through District Secretariats to Divisional Secretariats for disaster relief, contradicting claims that no funds were released. Hon. Anushka Thilakarathne detailed relief measures in Nuwara Eliya, including compensation for 55 deaths, cleaning grants, item replacement assistance, and school support, and said temporary shelter and 212 acres for resettlement were being arranged. She rejected allegations concerning the Kotmale reservoir and political appointments, challenged critics to file cases if evidence exists, and urged that the disaster response not be politicised. Adjournment Debate: Post-Cyclone "Ditwah" Situation (Part 2) InfrastructurePublic FinanceEnvironment Read →
- 9 January 2026 AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Anushka Thilakarathne rejected claims of an internal NPP attempt to displace Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, stating that the party respects her role in women’s political advancement. She defended the Government’s education reforms as part of broader social transformation and said the Regulation under the Shop and Office Employees Act would strengthen women’s economic participation. She also highlighted Sri Lanka’s ratification of ILO Convention No. 190 on violence and harassment at work, noting its broad coverage and the need for workplace policies and complaint mechanisms. She added that the Government is preparing further legal reforms, including abolishing MPs’ pensions. Debate: Shop and Office Employees (Regulation of Employment and Remuneration) Regulation Amendment Women & ChildrenEmploymentEducation Read →
- 5 December 2025 AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Anushka Thilakarathne expressed condolences for those killed and displaced by the disaster in Nuwara Eliya District, particularly in the eastern division of Kotmale, Hanguranketha and Nuwara Eliya electorates. She noted the scale of loss in Rambodagama, where around 28 people died and about 22 remain missing, and commended the Police, Tri-Forces, state institutions, hospitals, road authorities and Divisional Secretariat staff for rescue, relief and restoration work. She urged the public and media not to politicize the tragedy or distress affected communities, and called for support including rebuilding, restoration of infrastructure and psychosocial assistance for survivors. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Budget Debate on Disaster Response and Government Allocations InfrastructureSecurity & Defence Read →
- 21 November 2025 AI summary Mrs. Anushka Thilakarathne said the country has placed its trust in the NPP Government and argued that political forces unable to adapt would lose relevance. She concluded by stating that the NPP Government would rebuild the country. Appropriation Bill, 2026 – Committee Stage Debate: Twelfth Allotted Day Corruption & Governance Reform Read →
- 21 November 2025 AI summary Hon. Anushka Thilakarathne rejected Opposition claims that the NPP Government had damaged a stable country, arguing that it inherited serious drug, corruption and governance problems and citing Police Media Division data on narcotics arrests, seizures and raids as evidence of action toward a drug-free country. She said the Government’s Community Empowerment Programme aims to empower two million families from 2025 to 2029 through livelihood, financial inclusion, social protection, training and mentoring initiatives supported by ADB and World Bank projects. She listed current progress, including family development plans, assistance to selected families, youth registrations, microfinance schemes, housing grants and Samurdhi-related programmes, and defended “Praja Shakthi” Committees as officer-led village development mechanisms rather than politicized bodies. Appropriation Bill, 2026 – Committee Stage Debate: Twelfth Allotted Day EmploymentCost of LivingLaw & Order Read →
- 10 November 2025 AI summary Hon. Anushka Thilakarathne defended the Government’s second Budget, rejecting Opposition claims that it lacks coherence or fails to meet promises, and said it is aligned with the NPP policy declaration, “A Prosperous Country — A Beautiful Life.” She cited the President’s six stated goals, including inclusive growth, export diversification, debt sustainability, rural poverty eradication, and digitization, and highlighted rural road development, education reforms, and anti-corruption claims as evidence of implementation. She also referred to the plantation community’s historical struggles and said the Government had increased plantation workers’ wages by Rs. 1,750, presenting this as part of its commitment to uplift estate workers. Adjourned Debate on Budget Bill – Second Reading Public FinanceAgricultureEmployment Read →
- 24 September 2025 AI summary Hon. Anushka Thilakarathne supported the Penal Code (Amendment) Bill, stating that its main provisions prohibit cruel and degrading physical or non-physical punishment of children and increase penalties for intentional and grievous harm against children. She rejected claims that the Bill targets teachers, arguing that it applies to any adult, caregiver, institution or parent and is centred on the best interests of children. Citing reported child offence and National Child Protection Authority complaint statistics, she urged Members to distinguish guidance from humiliation and to propose constructive amendments across party lines. Debate: Penal Code (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading Justice & Human RightsLaw & OrderWomen & Children Read →
- 12 September 2025 AI summary On behalf of the Kotmale electorate, Hon. Anushka Thilakarathne expressed condolences on the death of former MP Wijayasundara Bandara Ranatunga, noting his entry to Parliament in 1989 with the support of Hon. Gamini Dissanayake and his service in a difficult electorate. She recalled his personal background, reputation for modesty and honesty, and contributions to development in Kotmale, including the apparel factory linked to the Mahaweli Programme, electrification, and canal rehabilitation. She also extended condolences to the families of former MPs P. Dayaratna, Gamini Lokuge, Indradasa Hettiarachchi, and M.H. Sehu Iszadeen. Votes of Condolence: Late Former Members of Parliament (P. Dayaratna, Gamini Lokuge, Indradasa Hettiarachchi, M. H. Cegu Isadean, W. B. Ranatunga) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 23 July 2025 AI summary Hon. Anushka Thilakarathne referred to Supreme Court rulings that fundamental rights were violated by the Emergency Regulations imposed in July 2022 during the Aragalaya period. Supporting the Companies (Amendment) Bill, she said it would close loopholes, align Sri Lanka with international standards on anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing, and allow requested public access to beneficial ownership information. She cited concerns about foundations and trusts allegedly used to launder funds, and argued that improved public trust in government had contributed to increased tax registrations. Debate: Companies (Amendment) Bill – Second Reading Corruption & Governance ReformPublic FinanceJustice & Human Rights Read →
- 18 June 2025 AI summary Hon. Anushka Thilakarathne defended the NPP’s mandate in the Colombo Municipal Council following controversy over the election of the CMC Mayor, rejecting Opposition claims that combined numbers behind other parties should outweigh the leading party’s result. She argued that Colombo voters chose the NPP to end corruption, inequality, poor housing, neglected canals, and failures in city administration, and highlighted the appointment of Vera Kelly Balthazar as the first NPP Mayor of Colombo. She called for the people’s mandate to be respected and said no one had the right to challenge it. Debate: Orders under Reciprocal Recognition, Registration and Enforcement of Foreign Judgments Act No. 49 of 2024 Law & OrderCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
- 23 May 2025 AI summary Anushka Thilakarathne stated that the proposed reforms aim to address deficiencies in the court system through a long-term, phased approach. She said the National People’s Power Government would, over five years, take steps to strengthen equality before the law and fairness in the legal system. Debate: Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Bill and Foreign Loans (Repeal) Bill - Second Reading Justice & Human Rights Read →
- 23 May 2025 AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Anushka Thilakarathne supported the Bill to amend the Code of Criminal Procedure Act, arguing that legal reform is necessary to close loopholes, ensure equality before the law, and address delays in justice. She cited case backlog figures from the Ministry of Justice, including over 800,000 pending Magistrates’ Court cases, and said the reforms would need accompanying improvements in staffing, facilities, equipment, funding, and digitization. She also linked the measure to the Government’s broader priorities of rural poverty eradication, digitization, and Clean Sri Lanka, while criticizing the Opposition’s absence from the debate and calling for cooperation in maintaining peace and improving public services. Debate: Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Bill and Foreign Loans (Repeal) Bill - Second Reading Law & OrderParliamentary ProcedureJustice & Human Rights Read →
- 8 March 2025 AI summary Marking International Women’s Day, the Member highlighted increased women’s representation in the Tenth Parliament and thanked women who supported that political change. She argued that addressing violence against women and children requires cross-ministerial action, not only allocations to the Women and Child Affairs Ministry, and cited Budget 2025 provisions for education and related sectors as part of this approach. She referred to Sri Lanka’s equality commitments under law and international instruments, noted the historic representation of tea estate women workers, and called for continued awareness and support programmes through relevant state institutions and the Ministry of Justice. Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Women and Child Affairs Justice & Human RightsWomen & ChildrenEducation Read →
- 25 February 2025 AI summary Hon. Anushka Thilakarathne supported the NPP Government’s inaugural Budget, arguing that the electoral mandate was for economic stabilization, accountable public finance, and social transformation after failed past governance. Focusing on education and basic services in Nuwara Eliya, she said estate and rural communities face severe hardship, including poor school transport, weak primary education, poverty, malnutrition, teenage pregnancy, and unsafe youth employment. She highlighted Budget provisions for marginalized groups and a Rs. 108.7 billion allocation for rural drinking water, citing acute shortages in Kotmale. She urged fiscal discipline and prioritization, rejecting demands for additional perks, posts, or vehicles while stating the Government would work to fulfil the public mandate. Second Reading Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 (Continuation Day 7) EducationCorruption & Governance ReformPublic Finance Read →
- 18 December 2024 AI summary Hon. Anushka Thilakarathne used her maiden speech to argue that the new Government inherited a severely weakened education, health, and agriculture sector from the previous administration and should be judged on its performance over the next five years. Referring to the education allocations under discussion, she said concerns about limiting the school stationery allowance to Aswesuma beneficiaries had been addressed by the President, who indicated that consideration would be given to extending support to all children. Debate: Supplementary Estimate – Head 102, Programme 01 (School Supplies Grant) EducationCost of LivingCorruption & Governance Reform Read →