Hon. (Mrs.) Rohini Kumari Wijerathna, M.P.
Profession: ---
Speeches 129 #33 of 225·#13 in party
Attendance 6/8 days present (of recorded)
Top topic Parliamentary Procedure 45 speeches
Last spoke 21 May 2026 in Oral question
Activity by sitting
44 sittings · counts only, no scoring.
Topic focus
AI summary AI-assigned tags, 1–3 per speech. Counts only — not a score.
Speech history
129 speeches- 7 January 2026 AI summary Accepted four petitions from constituents in Matale, Aranayaka, and Ukuwela, including submissions by Nisansala Madhumali, G.B.E.J.M. Kavindya Lakshani Jayasundara, I.S.A.S. Pothuhara, and S.D. Sarath Nacharathna. Petitions Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 6 January 2026 AI summary Hon. Rohini Kumari Wijerathna criticized the implementation of current education reforms, alleging lack of transparency, inadequate consultation, confusion caused by repeated circulars, missing timetables, delayed uniforms, and insufficient teacher materials for Grade 6 students. She questioned the role of external or political groups in drafting reforms, objected to content and links in the Grade 6 English module, and asked whether official policy was being shaped outside the Ministry, National Education Commission and NIE. She alleged misuse of public funds in printing modules, citing Section 111 of the Anti-Corruption Act, and requested investigations into external printing, costs, errors in modules, the absence of pilots, and ADB-linked funding. She tabled documents and modules, stated that some materials were well written, and argued that aspects of the reforms may violate provisions of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Debate: Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Act and Fishermen's Pension Regulations Corruption & Governance ReformEducation Read →
- 19 December 2025 AI summary Hon. Rohini Kumari Wijerathna expressed condolences for those killed and missing due to Cyclone “Dicha” and thanked officials, security forces, clergy, medical staff, and the public for relief efforts in Matale District. She said widespread landslides and ground collapses in the Central Highlands, including the Knuckles range, require permanent engineering solutions and a national plan developed jointly by Government and Opposition rather than temporary flood measures. She urged coordination with religious institutions to relocate displaced persons from schools so examinations and reopening can proceed, and called for support to farmers whose fields and wells are filled with sand, including stopping fines for sand removal or having the Government clear the land itself. Debate: Supplementary Estimate – Head 240 – Programme 02 – Cyclone Disaster Relief (Rs. 500 Billion) EnvironmentInfrastructureEducation Read →
- 25 November 2025 AI summary Hon. Rohini Kumari Wijerathna moved the customary Rs. 10 reduction to the relevant expenditure heads and criticised the Government for failing to meet its longstanding “6 percent of GDP for education” pledge, noting that allocations remain around 2 percent and that capital expenditure in 2025 has been poorly utilized. She argued that the current education reform process lacks clear authorship, targets, funding clarity, and adequate focus on equity, social justice, free education, nutrition and health safeguards. She asked the Minister to state which earlier reform committee recommendations have been incorporated and warned against proceeding without a scientific process, comparing the approach to the former Government’s organic farming policy. Debate: Committee Stage on Appropriation Bill 2026 - Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education (Fifteenth Allotted Day) EducationPublic Finance Read →
- 22 November 2025 AI summary Hon. Rohini Kumari Wijerathna criticized state media institutions and social media actors for alleged unethical and abusive political attacks, including against opposition figures and young women entering politics, and raised concern over unpaid EPF/ETF and gratuity obligations at state institutions such as National Television and plantation companies, calling for Labour Ministry intervention and a payment mechanism. She then highlighted issues in the Health Ministry, including doctor migration, alleged political interference in specialist placements, unabsorbed medical graduates, and 1,323 allied health vacancies, urging recruitment of medical laboratory scientists and physiotherapists. She disputed Government claims on medicine availability, stating that around 25 per cent of essential medicines were out of stock, including dialysis supplies, insulin, and medicines for non-communicable diseases, and tabled related documents. Debate: Committee Stage - Heads of Expenditure 111, 210, 211, 220 and 308 (Health and Mass Media) Corruption & Governance ReformHealthcarePublic Finance Read →
- 19 November 2025 AI summary Hon. Rohini Kumari Wijerathna seconded the motion and said Dedicated Economic Centres were established to protect farmers from middlemen, reduce waste, and provide fair prices to producers and consumers. She questioned whether the proposed limited liability company to manage DECs would meet those objectives, urging renewed consultations with farmers and centre stakeholders before decisions are taken. She also called for practical improvements such as providing electricity for cold storage facilities, particularly to prevent produce from being discarded during glut periods. Adjournment: Dedicated Economic Centres Public FinanceAgriculture Read →
- 19 November 2025 AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Rohini Kumari Wijerathna questioned whether the Budget provides a concrete remedy for pension anomalies affecting retirees from 2020–2024 and urged that postponed pension enhancements for 2016–2022 retirees be brought forward. She sought clarification on reports that Lanka Sugar Company was exempted from statutory payments, asking whether EPF, ETF and gratuity obligations were affected, and called for lawful settlement of such dues. She also proposed alternatives to unusable public officer vehicle permits, urged timely Provincial Council elections under the old PR system, recommended placing SLICTS under the Digital Ministry to support digitalization, and requested clearer guidance and better resources for Divisional Secretariats. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Committee Stage (Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government; Ministry of Labour) Public FinanceParliamentary ProcedureEmployment Read →
- 17 November 2025 AI summary Hon. Rohini Kumari Wijerathna welcomed the proposed contributory pension and social protection scheme for overseas workers, noting her related Private Member’s Bill, and urged implementation of stalled World Bank-assisted plans to develop the Knuckles conservation tourism zone in Matale. She clarified her absence from the Budget Second Reading vote and stated that her remarks on estate worker benefits were personal, while calling for any allowance or wage increase to be designed lawfully under the Public Financial Management Act. She tabled correspondence and an article relating to the Attorney-General’s view on the supremacy of the PFMA, and asked oversight institutions to verify whether proposed payments to estate workers comply with the law. She argued that the benefit should be broadened to Rs. 2,000 and extended beyond selected plantation companies and 25-day workers to include all estate workers and small and medium estate holders where legally possible. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage Continuation (Foreign Affairs, Justice and National Integration) Public FinanceJustice & Human RightsEmployment Read →
- 17 November 2025 AI summary A petition was presented on behalf of Ms. H.M.G. Maheshika of No. 19/B, Kirimatiyawa, Owilikanda, Matale. No further details of the petition’s subject matter were provided. Petitions - Citizens' Petitions Presented Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 10 November 2025 AI summary Hon. Rohini Kumari Wijerathna welcomed the inclusion of her Private Member’s Proposal to introduce a contributory pension for overseas migrant workers, noting their contribution to foreign remittances. She raised concerns about human-elephant conflict in the Matale/Rattota area, citing a recent elephant death and the prolonged presence of wild elephants without an effective relocation mechanism. She requested vehicles, offices, housing and facilities for wildlife and electric-fence officers, and criticized unspent allocations and inadequate support for wildlife management. Adjourned Debate on Budget Bill – Second Reading EnvironmentEmployment Read →
- 10 November 2025 AI summary Hon. Rohini Kumari Wijerathna warned that, under the Public Finance Management Act, accountability for the relevant budget proposal lies with the Director General of the Budget rather than the Secretary to the Treasury. Referring to recent legal action involving public officials, she urged that unlawful approvals not be given and cautioned against exposing Treasury and other public officers to future legal jeopardy. Adjourned Debate on Budget Bill – Second Reading Justice & Human RightsCorruption & Governance ReformPublic Finance Read →
- 10 November 2025 AI summary Hon. Rohini Kumari Wijerathna criticised the 2026 Budget as a continuation of IMF-aligned open-economy policies while blaming previous governments, arguing that it favours business interests over farmers, pensioners, teachers and public servants. She cited rising central government debt, falling foreign reserves, rupee depreciation and unresolved pension anomalies as evidence against claims of debt stabilization and economic relief. She demanded attention to retirees’ pension discrepancies, the difficulties faced by teachers and principals, and the situation of potato, onion and other farmers who she said are unable to sell their produce. Adjourned Debate on Budget Bill – Second Reading Public FinanceEmploymentCost of Living Read →
- 24 October 2025 AI summary Hon. Rohini Kumari Wijerathna seconded Hon. Chathura Galappaththi’s motion and argued that the current framework for the relevant electorate, rooted in 1931 wording referring to “gentlemen,” excludes women and should be revised. She cited Buddhist teachings and historical examples to reject claims that custom or doctrine justify excluding women, and noted that many Divisional Secretaries are now women, leaving female officeholders effectively disenfranchised under the existing interpretation. She urged the Minister to amend the relevant Ordinance to extend voting rights to women Divisional Secretaries, with the consent and guidance of the Malwatte and Asgiriya Chapters and related Sangha authorities. Adjournment Motion: Voting Rights for Female Divisional Secretaries at Diyawadana Nilame Election Women & ChildrenParliamentary ProcedureReligion & Culture Read →
- 7 October 2025 AI summary Hon. Rohini Kumari Wijerathna supported the Convention against Doping in Sport (Amendment) Bill but argued that anti-doping enforcement must be accompanied by broader reforms in school sport, nutrition, coaching, and discipline. She called for regularizing assistant sports trainers deployed from 2015 to 2019, addressing teacher and principal pay anomalies, resolving teacher shortages, and protecting teachers who enforce school discipline amid reports of drugs and banned substances entering schools. She also urged alignment of teacher training and child-protection laws, culturally appropriate disciplinary reforms focused on rehabilitation, and stronger systems to identify and support children with special educational or mental health needs. Debate: Convention Against Doping in Sport (Amendment) Bill - Second and Third Reading HealthcareLaw & OrderEducation Read →
- 25 July 2025 AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Rohini Kumari Wijerathna presented a petition to Parliament on behalf of Mr. D.G. Sandaruwan Ranaraja of Elahera. Petitions Presented to Parliament Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 24 July 2025 AI summary Hon. Rohini Kumari Wijerathna supported proceeding with education reforms but argued they must be based on expert consultation, national consensus, and a formal policy document such as a White Paper, rather than a party manifesto. She said the current proposals appear focused mainly on curriculum reform and lack detail on other pillars such as assessment, human resources, infrastructure, administration and communication. She urged the Government to use previous reform work and remaining ADB funds, publish the relevant documents, update syllabi regularly, reduce examination pressure, and incorporate 21st-century competencies including literacy, critical thinking, collaboration, ethics, citizenship and self-directed learning. Adjournment Debate: Proposed Educational Reforms (continued) EducationCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
- 24 July 2025 AI summary Hon. Rohini Kumari Wijerathna withdrew a remark made the previous day that may have been disrespectful to the Speaker’s Chair. She raised a privilege matter under the Parliament (Powers and Privileges) Act, alleging that the Leader of the House’s statement linking Matale mass graves and “daughters of murderers” directly targeted her, endangered her security, and impeded her duties as an MP. She requested referral to the Committee on Ethics and Privileges, withdrawal and expunging of the remarks from Hansard, a formal investigation into the alleged mass graves, and appointment of a Special Committee under Standing Order 91(c). Procedural: Member's personal statement and Privilege matter Parliamentary ProcedureJustice & Human Rights Read →
- 23 July 2025 AI summary Asked whether the proposed Cabinet Paper would provide the same 12-year pathway to Grade I promotions granted to other executive grades. She further sought clarification on whether such a measure would resolve the affected officers’ promotion issue. Adjournment: Questions at Time of Adjournment Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 23 July 2025 AI summary Hon. Rohini Kumari Wijerathna sought clarification on whether the Gazette would be issued in early August 2025 and whether it would apply to students from both 2023 and 2024. Adjournment: Questions at Time of Adjournment Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 23 July 2025 AI summary Mrs. Rohini Kumari Wijerathna sought a clarification from the Chair, specifying that she was not raising a question. Adjournment: Questions at Time of Adjournment Parliamentary Procedure Read →