Hon. Ravi Karunanayake, M.P.
Profession: Chartered Accountant
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- 21 March 2025 AI summary Ravi Karunanayake raised a Point of Order seeking clarification on the country’s post-2022 economic recovery process. He stated that after Sri Lanka’s bankruptcy, President Ranil Wickremesinghe engaged the IMF and that the country exited bankruptcy by September 2024, urging the Government to continue that programme while also reviving the economy through domestic investment. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Twenty-sixth Day) and Third Reading Public Finance Read →
- 21 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake objected to the Chair’s handling of points of order, alleging unequal treatment between Government members and Opposition members. He stated that similar points raised by the Opposition were being silenced while those from the Government were accommodated. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Twenty-sixth Day) and Third Reading Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 21 March 2025 AI summary Ravi Karunanayake began to raise a question in Parliament, but the provided extract contains no substantive content beyond the opening words. No specific issue, proposal, or demand can be identified from the text supplied. Question by Private Notice: Power Generation Policy Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 21 March 2025 AI summary Ravi Karunanayake argued that matters raised under Standing Order 27(2) should be judged by urgency and national importance rather than by the number of questions or pages. Citing his earlier question on Donald Trump’s deglobalization and tariff policies affecting Sri Lanka, he said delayed answers could make parliamentary responses ineffective when policy impacts are imminent. He urged ministries, with their staff resources, to provide timely answers to such urgent matters. Question by Private Notice: Power Generation Policy Foreign AffairsParliamentary Procedure Read →
- 21 March 2025 AI summary Ravi Karunanayake formally asked a question in Parliament. No substantive details of the question or related policy matter are included in the provided excerpt. Questions Nos. 4-5 - Stand Down (294/2024, 305/2024) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 20 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake clarified that he did not oppose taxes on tobacco and gaming. He stated that his objection was limited to the other two matters under Clause 3(2)(c)(a) and (b), and asked that this position not be misinterpreted. Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading, Committee and Third Reading Public Finance Read →
- 20 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake stated opposition to Clause 3(2)(c)(a) and (b), specifically the proposed 15 per cent tax component. He clarified that there was no objection to taxes on tobacco and gaming, and that the objection was being recorded without seeking a vote. Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading, Committee and Third Reading Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 20 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake sought a scheduling clarification on the Committee of Selection before opposing the proposed 15 per cent tax on foreign-earned service income, arguing that it would discourage foreign exchange inflows from professionals and IT services that were previously exempt. He said the expected Rs. 10.2 billion revenue was small and counterproductive, proposing alternatives such as minor fuel price adjustments and warning that firms and individuals could route income through low- or zero-tax jurisdictions, keep funds offshore, or relocate. He urged the Government to negotiate with the IMF rather than accept measures he described as damaging, cited SLASSCOM’s export and startup targets, and said the policy was inconsistent with tax-free incentives in Colombo Port City. He also questioned the proposed increase in betting and gaming taxes to 45 per cent, calling for a regulator and a more sustainable revenue strategy. Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading, Committee and Third Reading EmploymentPublic FinanceForeign Affairs Read →
- 20 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake questioned the Government’s economic-management approach, arguing that routine State participation in production and supply control should give way to competition, crisis-only intervention, and a clear choice of economic model. He scrutinized the Budget under the Public Financial Management Act, citing revenue, expenditure, debt, interest, deficit and capital-spending targets, and asked whether first-quarter capital expenditure had actually been implemented. He called for credible savings from promised cuts to be redirected to capital investment, stronger revenue measures, and faster investor approvals through legal deadlines or deemed approvals, while referring to policy examples from India, China and other fast-growing economies. Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Committee Stage Debate Public Finance Read →
- 19 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake urged reforms to company registration and SME incorporation, proposing a reduced Rs. 10,000 fee and rapid online registration for companies with paid-up capital under Rs. 500,000 to improve access to credit and growth. He called for the Consumer Affairs Authority under Act No. 9 of 2003 to be digitized and reoriented toward effective consumer protection, including action on monopolistic or oligopolistic pricing in essential sectors. He also discussed the Mahapola Trust Fund and SLIIT issues, stating that any dues to Mahapola should be examined, and advocated stronger national branding, export expansion, and pragmatic use of open-economy policies. He supported the President’s USD 36 billion export target by 2030, stressing the need for FTAs with countries such as India, Singapore, Thailand and China to build market access and reduce external risks. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) Public FinanceEmploymentCost of Living Read →
- 18 March 2025 AI summary Ravi Karunanayake rose only to seek or make a clarification. No substantive policy argument, proposal, question, or demand is included in the provided excerpt. Oral Question under Standing Order 27(2): Export of Sri Lanka's Textiles and Apparels and Ministerial Clarifications Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 18 March 2025 AI summary Ravi Karunanayake sought clarification on potential US tariff increases affecting Sri Lankan apparel exports, noting reported moves to reshore women’s apparel production and an 18.1 percent rise in Sri Lanka’s April apparel exports to the US. He warned that selective tariff increases on trade-surplus countries could harm Sri Lanka as it recovers from bankruptcy, and urged the Government to negotiate a 10- to 15-year special tariff arrangement with the Trump Administration, citing the sector’s 1.2 million direct jobs. Oral Question under Standing Order 27(2): Export of Sri Lanka's Textiles and Apparels and Ministerial Clarifications EmploymentPublic FinanceForeign Affairs Read →
- 18 March 2025 AI summary Ravi Karunanayake raised a Standing Order 27(2) question to the Minister of Finance on the potential impact of renewed US protectionist trade policies and tariff increases on Sri Lanka’s textile, apparel and general exports, noting the sector’s importance and its 1.2 million direct employees. He asked whether the Government had assessed these risks, engaged with US authorities or sought special accommodation, and taken steps to preserve market access through GSP or alternative arrangements. He also sought details on export market diversification, FDI and trade agreements, consultations with industry on competitiveness, support for affected workers and firms, and how Sri Lanka could use its location to attract US investment. Oral Question under Standing Order 27(2): Export of Sri Lanka's Textiles and Apparels and Ministerial Clarifications EmploymentForeign AffairsPublic Finance Read →
- 15 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake urged the Government to provide targeted incentives for high-remitting migrant workers, including higher duty-free allowances and improved airport services, arguing that legal remittances are a major source of foreign exchange. He also called for a stronger tourism strategy to reach higher visitor and revenue targets by 2030, including rapid airport development, expanded international flight frequencies, revival of domestic scheduled air services, and better regulation of online booking platforms to retain foreign exchange locally. He proposed airport information centres, tourist credit card benefits, benchmarking against regional competitors, and reforms to address scams and procedural weaknesses at Cultural Triangle sites and other tourist infrastructure. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-first Allotted Day - Committee Stage, Head 112 (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism) InfrastructureForeign AffairsEmployment Read →
- 15 March 2025 AI summary Ravi Karunanayake addressed the Ministry’s work amid Sri Lanka’s foreign exchange constraints, commending attention to foreign employment while urging a shift from low-skilled domestic work to officially trained, skilled migration. He proposed strengthening vocational skills, technology training, and English proficiency, citing the Philippines as an example, to increase the value of remittances. He noted that remittances reached US$6.58 billion in 2024 and said current monthly inflows of US$700–750 million could support higher annual foreign exchange earnings if sustained. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-first Allotted Day - Committee Stage, Head 112 (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism) Foreign AffairsEmployment Read →
- 14 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake questioned the Deputy Minister on the implications of a sharp decline in Grade 1 admissions, noting that intake had fallen from 421,000 in 2015 to 279,000 at present. He asked how the Government forecasts future education needs given 10,315 schools and 218,000 teachers, and whether the decline indicates a serious situation for the education sector. Oral Questions and Answers Education Read →
- 14 March 2025 AI summary Ravi Karunanayake urged that the measure be implemented decisively to avoid problems similar to those experienced at the NCMC. He emphasized the need for bold execution rather than hesitation. Oral Questions and Answers Public Finance Read →
- 14 March 2025 AI summary Ravi Karunanayake briefly stated that the matter under discussion has additional underlying reasons, indicating that these factors are central to the issue. No specific proposal, demand, or legislative reference was made in the excerpt. Oral Questions and Answers Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 14 March 2025 AI summary Ravi Karunanayake argued that all students who pass the A/L examination should have the opportunity to enter university, describing it as a human right. He urged the Minister to popularize the loan scheme and not limit higher education access to state universities, noting that the private sector also contributes effectively. Oral Questions and Answers Education Read →
- 14 March 2025 AI summary Ravi Karunanayake questioned the limited admission of A/L-qualified students to state universities, noting that only about 42,000 enter despite 173,000 qualifying and substantial public expenditure on the university system. He asked the Prime Minister why the Government could not further strengthen higher education options, including private university access and interest-free loan schemes, citing past policy efforts and the large private and overseas education spending by families. Oral Questions and Answers EducationPublic Finance Read →