Hon. Ravi Karunanayake, M.P.

New Democratic Front (NDF)· National List

Profession: Chartered Accountant

Roster profile ↗

Speeches 694 #4 of 225·#1 in party

Attendance 8/8 days present (of recorded)

Top topic Parliamentary Procedure 359 speeches

Last spoke 10 June 2026 in Debate

Activity by sitting

114 sittings · counts only, no scoring.

Topic focus

AI summary AI-assigned tags, 1–3 per speech. Counts only — not a score.

Speech history

694 speeches

10 April 2025 AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake submitted a question seeking detailed information on rice supply, including Maha paddy production figures, regional yields, rice import volumes and costs, remaining stocks, storage locations, and carrying costs. He asked the Government to clarify current rice consumption trends, projected shortages, the role of major mill operators in any market distortion, and the criteria for deciding further imports. He also requested assurances on safeguards for local paddy farmers if imports continue, and on longer-term measures for food security, farm gate prices, and maximum retail rice prices. Procedural: Adjournment Motions Public FinanceCost of LivingAgriculture Read →
10 April 2025 AI summary Ravi Karunanayake stated that he was tabling a Question under Standing Order No. 27(2) for inclusion in Hansard. Procedural: Request for Standing Order 27(2) Question and Tabling Parliamentary Procedure Read →
10 April 2025 AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake sought permission from the Chair to table a document in Parliament. Procedural: Request for Standing Order 27(2) Question and Tabling Parliamentary Procedure Read →
10 April 2025 AI summary Ravi Karunanayake requested permission to raise his Question under Standing Order 27(2) immediately, explaining that he needed to attend the All Party Conference convened by the President. Procedural: Request for Standing Order 27(2) Question and Tabling Parliamentary Procedure Read →
10 April 2025 AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake asked for clarification on whether 15 April had been officially declared a public holiday, noting that approval was reportedly still pending from Cabinet. He said many public officers were seeking confirmation and requested the Minister to clarify the position. Oral Question 71/2024: Bakki-ella, Villukulam and Ambilanturai Roads in Batticaloa Parliamentary Procedure Read →
9 April 2025 AI summary Ravi Karunanayake urged the Government to implement cost-reflective policies with proper preparation and to consider Opposition proposals constructively. Citing the former Auditor-General’s remarks on corruption among government officials, he called for cross-party cooperation to address national issues, including taxation concerns and renewable energy policy, in the context of the Adjournment Motion moved by Hon. Ajith P. Perera. Adjournment Motion: Renewable Energy Policy and Rooftop Solar Corruption & Governance ReformPublic Finance Read →
9 April 2025 AI summary Ravi Karunanayake warned that without timely energy-sector measures, Sri Lanka could face renewed power cuts. He urged the Government to deploy battery energy storage systems to stabilize renewable power, reflect lower fuel costs accurately in pricing, and use targeted safety nets rather than ad hoc tariff changes. He also noted that under the IMF agreement the Government is required to move toward cost-reflective electricity tariffs. Adjournment Motion: Renewable Energy Policy and Rooftop Solar Public FinanceCost of LivingInfrastructure Read →
9 April 2025 AI summary Ravi Karunanayake argued that if firm renewable generation could be supplied at about 8 cents per kWh, Sri Lanka could reduce fuel costs and avoid major capital burdens. He said domestic use should be prioritized before considering exports, while noting that battery storage or transmission links, including from Mannar to India, may be required to support such power trade. Adjournment Motion: Renewable Energy Policy and Rooftop Solar InfrastructureEnvironmentPublic Finance Read →
9 April 2025 AI summary Ravi Karunanayake argued that as the renewable energy share rises toward 50–60 percent, fuel costs could increase unless the transition is properly managed and renewables are effectively leveraged. He urged the Government not to manipulate the feed-in tariff and asserted that, despite current statements, it would proceed with signing the Adani agreement. Adjournment Motion: Renewable Energy Policy and Rooftop Solar EnvironmentPublic Finance Read →
9 April 2025 AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake argued that Sri Lanka should accelerate the shift from imported fuel-based thermal power to renewable energy to stabilize and reduce electricity costs. He questioned the use of a 7 percent cost of capital in pricing formulas, compared renewable generation costs with diesel and oil-fired generation, and said renewables would retain more value locally while supporting domestic investment. He also noted that battery storage and proper integration could help firm renewable supply, while hydro remained seasonal. Adjournment Motion: Renewable Energy Policy and Rooftop Solar Public FinanceEnvironmentInfrastructure Read →
9 April 2025 AI summary Ravi Karunanayake supported the motion by recalling the 2016 “Soorya Bala Sangramaya” solar initiative and the zero-duty regime for renewable energy equipment, arguing that renewable energy development should be operationalized systematically. He cited CEB capacity figures, recent losses and profits, IMF-linked cost-reflective pricing pressures, and a CEB letter directing curtailment of larger Net Plus and Net Plus Plus solar producers during a low-demand period, saying the issue concerns system stability and national electricity policy rather than political agitation. He questioned the shift toward large tenders and the handling of feed-in tariffs, while warning that tariff reductions must be reconciled with generation costs and CEB financial sustainability. Adjournment Motion: Renewable Energy Policy and Rooftop Solar EnvironmentInfrastructurePublic Finance Read →
9 April 2025 AI summary Ravi Karunanayake asked the Minister to provide a definitive assurance on the Government’s approach to abolishing the Suspended VAT (SVAT) system. He warned that if the VAT refund mechanism does not function effectively, removing SVAT would create additional difficulties for exporters. Debate: Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading (Afternoon Session and Reported Business) Public Finance Read →
9 April 2025 AI summary Ravi Karunanayake argued that Sri Lanka should protect Labour GSP, noting that it was restored under the good governance government and supported key export sectors such as apparel and free trade zones. He questioned the feasibility of requiring the private sector to pay a Rs. 12,500 wage increase within one year while the Government pays public servants Rs. 15,000 over three years. He also called for reform of welfare targeting, citing reports that many eligible households are excluded while some ineligible recipients receive benefits, and urged a clean-up of subsidy delivery to better reduce poverty. Debate: Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading (Afternoon Session and Reported Business) Cost of LivingPublic FinanceEmployment Read →
9 April 2025 AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake urged Sri Lanka to respond proactively to new U.S. country-specific tariffs introduced under President Trump, noting that other countries are already engaging Washington or offering tariff concessions. He proposed that Sri Lanka offer zero import duties on U.S. goods as a reciprocal, country-specific measure within WTO safeguards, positioning the country as an investment launching pad. He also said the Government should raise the matter with the IMF as an external shock affecting revenue policy, and welcomed the appointment of a committee and the President’s all-party conference on the issue. Debate: Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading (Afternoon Session and Reported Business) Foreign AffairsPublic Finance Read →
9 April 2025 AI summary Ravi Karunanayake stated that the debate concerns a difficult moment for the country and questioned the direction of discussion on the national economy. He indicated that his remarks would focus on what is being said about the economy in the context of the debate. Debate: Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading (Afternoon Session and Reported Business) Public Finance Read →
9 April 2025 AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake urged the Government to avoid partisan rhetoric and acknowledge past revenue reforms, citing increases in the tax-to-GDP ratio under previous administrations and after 2022. He proposed restoring the VAT registration threshold to Rs. 20 million, removing VAT effects on eggs, implementing point-of-sale systems for wider VAT digitization, and maintaining SVAT protections for exporters and deemed exporters until a real-time refund system is operational. He also called for consistent policy on parate execution, stronger relief for SMEs affected by high interest rates after the bankruptcy declaration, and a stable, credible investment climate supported by local professional expertise alongside IMF engagement. Debate: Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading (Afternoon Session and Reported Business) Cost of LivingPublic FinanceEmployment Read →
9 April 2025 AI summary Ravi Karunanayake stated that at the Committee on Public Finance he and others urged the Government to accept and proceed with the matter, arguing it would benefit the future. He noted that the Government initially refused but later agreed, and emphasized that the advice was given in good faith. Debate: Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading (Afternoon Session and Reported Business) Public Finance Read →
8 April 2025 AI summary Ravi Karunanayake argued that Sri Lanka should respond pragmatically to new US tariff pressures by offering zero-duty market access and a stronger investment climate for US companies, positioning Sri Lanka as a gateway to India. He highlighted the importance of US trade to Sri Lanka, citing 875,000 export-related jobs and a significant share of exports to the US, while noting broader shifts toward deglobalization. He called for a full-day parliamentary debate on trade policy, stating that the issue should not be addressed incidentally during other debates in breach of procedure. Oral Question: MSME Tariff Crisis and Trade Negotiations (SO 27(2)) Public FinanceForeign Affairs Read →
8 April 2025 AI summary Ravi Karunanayake briefly acknowledged the response given and emphasized that the matter under discussion is a national problem. He indicated agreement with the prior characterization of the issue but the excerpt does not include further details on the specific policy matter, proposal, or request. Oral Question: MSME Tariff Crisis and Trade Negotiations (SO 27(2)) Corruption & Governance Reform Read →
8 April 2025 AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake raised a question to the Minister of Finance on the reported 44 per cent US tariff on Sri Lankan exports, asking what diplomatic, trade, and policy steps had been taken since 18 March 2025 to prevent or mitigate it. He sought details on engagement with the US administration and USTR, any request for a special exemption, comparative tariff treatment of competitor countries, and five-year export data to the US. He also asked for short- and long-term strategies to protect sectors such as apparel, rubber, tea, and marine exports, diversify markets, improve competitiveness, and support affected exporters, especially SMEs, framing the issue as a national concern. Oral Question: MSME Tariff Crisis and Trade Negotiations (SO 27(2)) Public FinanceForeign Affairs Read →