Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana, M.P.
Profession: Businessman
Speeches 97 #49 of 225·#3 in party
Attendance 4/8 days present (of recorded)
Top topic Parliamentary Procedure 34 speeches
Last spoke 9 June 2026 in Debate
Activity by sitting
40 sittings · counts only, no scoring.
Topic focus
AI summary AI-assigned tags, 1–3 per speech. Counts only — not a score.
Speech history
97 speeches- 26 November 2025 AI summary Rohitha Abeygunawardhana recalled the President’s campaign pledge to provide fishers with SMS alerts on fish aggregation zones, sea temperatures and weather conditions, similar to systems he said were used in India. He asked the Fisheries Minister whether such alerts are being sent and to identify the harbours or multi-day vessels receiving them, asserting that fishers have not received the promised service. He argued that the fisheries community, like farmers and other groups, had been misled by unfulfilled election promises. Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2026 - Committee Stage, Sixteenth Allotted Day EmploymentAgricultureCost of Living Read →
- 18 November 2025 AI summary Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana raised concern over the removal of a Buddha statue in Trincomalee by Police, arguing that religious sites should be protected in place rather than having objects removed, and warned against actions that could create communal or religious tension. He cited rising shootings and killings in 2025, including a recent murder in Meetiyagoda and the killing of a Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman, and called for stronger public security for citizens and public representatives. He also urged improved welfare, facilities, sanitation, mental well-being and promotion procedures for Police officers, while questioning whether transfers of OICs and other officers were being politicized despite claims of non-interference. Committee Stage Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Defence and Public Security Expenditure Heads Law & OrderEthnic Reconciliation & DevolutionSecurity & Defence Read →
- 11 November 2025 AI summary Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana argued during the 2026 Budget debate that the Government’s 2025 Budget implementation was weak, citing claims that less than half of allocations were spent and attributing this to public officials’ fear of making decisions. He said rising living costs and protests by farmers, teachers, graduates, fisherfolk, and three-wheeler drivers indicate public dissatisfaction, and warned that recent cooperative election losses are an early sign of declining government support. He stated the Opposition would support genuine development initiatives such as Colombo congestion relief projects and Port City investment, but questioned whether the Government genuinely intends to hold Provincial Council elections without clear budgetary allocations. Debate: Second Reading of 2026 Budget Bill (Day 3, Afternoon/Evening) Public FinanceCost of LivingCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
- 21 October 2025 AI summary Rohitha Abeygunawardhana welcomed the NMRA Regulations, arguing that they should help prevent medicine shortages, ensure quality, and keep prices fair amid risks of profiteering and malpractice in the pharmaceutical sector. He asked the Health Minister to give special attention to deficiencies in Kalutara District hospitals, including Nagoda Hospital and rural facilities such as those serving estate communities, citing shortages and lack of basic infrastructure. He also urged Health Ministry action against unjustified private-sector medicine price increases and requested clarification on public confusion caused by reports about bans on professional designation stickers on vehicle windscreens. Debate: Regulations under National Medicines Regulatory Authority Act No. 5 of 2015 Cost of LivingHealthcare Read →
- 21 October 2025 AI summary Rohitha Abeygunawardhana notes a distinction between making a general statement and making an appointment. The remark appears to clarify a procedural or contextual difference in the debate. Oral Question 5: Ceylon Electricity Board Regional Offices Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 21 October 2025 AI summary The member questioned whether the matter referred to was a notification rather than an appointment. The intervention sought clarification on the procedural nature of the action being discussed. Oral Question 5: Ceylon Electricity Board Regional Offices Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 21 October 2025 AI summary Rohitha Abeygunawardhana framed his intervention as a matter of national concern and sought to proceed with a second supplementary question. No substantive policy position or specific issue is stated in the excerpt provided. Oral Question 5: Ceylon Electricity Board Regional Offices Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 21 October 2025 AI summary Rohitha Abeygunawardhana stated that he had asked only one supplementary question. Oral Question 5: Ceylon Electricity Board Regional Offices Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 21 October 2025 AI summary Asked the Minister to clarify how Ceylon Electricity Board employees will be assigned to four new companies under the new Act, including whether the process amounts to a new appointment or merely an intimation. He sought details on the implications for existing grades such as BES, promotion procedures, and salary scales, and also requested a clear response on whether electricity tariffs will be increased. Oral Question 5: Ceylon Electricity Board Regional Offices Public FinanceInfrastructureEmployment Read →
- 21 October 2025 AI summary Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana asked the Minister of Energy for detailed information on the Ceylon Electricity Board’s regional offices, staffing adequacy, engineer vacancies, and recruitment plans. He also sought details on electricity generation sources and output, whether the CEB would be privatized and how employees would be affected, as well as information on CEB-affiliated companies’ projects, employee numbers, excess staff, and the areas served by LECO. Oral Question 5: Ceylon Electricity Board Regional Offices Public FinanceInfrastructureEmployment Read →
- 9 October 2025 AI summary Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana questioned whether the Government had delivered on its promise of “A Prosperous Country - A Beautiful Life,” citing World Bank poverty figures, rising public debt, and continued borrowing. He argued that promised reductions in fuel prices, electricity costs, VAT on essentials, fair prices for farmers and fisherfolk, affordable vehicles, and collateral-free youth loans had not materialized. He called for Provincial Council elections to be held promptly in 2026 so voters could assess the Government’s performance, and criticized what he described as the Government’s focus on weekly political themes rather than implementation. Adjournment Debate: Implementation of Manifesto - Multiple Speakers Public FinanceEmploymentCost of Living Read →
- 25 September 2025 AI summary Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana asked what action the Government intends to take in areas with high animal populations. He sought clarification on whether the plan is to cull, relocate, or adopt another method of population control. Oral Answers to Questions Environment Read →
- 25 September 2025 AI summary Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana briefly requested additional time, noting that the answer was lengthy. He then asked for clarification of the “langur number,” without providing further substantive context. Oral Answers to Questions Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 25 September 2025 AI summary Rohitha Abeygunawardhana questioned the methodology and coverage of a March wildlife census reportedly costing Rs. 3.9 million, which recorded large populations of langurs, monkeys, giant squirrels and peafowl, noting the Deputy Minister’s statement that only six GN Divisions in Delft were omitted. He asked whether urban areas such as Colombo 07 and Colombo 05 were included and, given the availability of district- and division-wise data, sought clarification on what action would be taken in areas with high animal populations, including whether culling, relocation or other measures were planned. Oral Answers to Questions Environment Read →
- 25 September 2025 AI summary Rohitha Abeygunawardhana asked the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation for details on Sri Lanka’s animal census, including its date, cost, objectives, implementation measures, progress, and separate counts of deer, monkeys, giant squirrels and peacocks. He also requested information on the Grama Niladhari Divisions covered or excluded from the census and the reasons for any exclusions. Oral Answers to Questions Agriculture Read →
- 12 September 2025 AI summary Rohitha Abeygunawardhana formally raised a question in Parliament. No substantive details of the question or related policy matter are included in the excerpt. Oral Questions: Stood Down (Q.7/2025, Q.8/2025, Q.9/2025) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 9 September 2025 AI summary Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana supported the Sri Lanka–United Arab Emirates agreement as important for attracting investment, but argued that investment facilitation depends on a confident and efficient public service. He said officials are reluctant to make decisions because of the way the Public Property Act is being applied, leading to arrests and remand even where decisions may have been made in good faith, and urged protections for public servants to enable approvals and implementation. He also expressed condolences over the Ella bus accident and asked transport authorities to act against specific offenders rather than impose blanket punitive measures on all bus operators and staff. Debate: Agreement between Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates on Investment Promotion and Protection Public FinanceForeign AffairsJustice & Human Rights Read →
- 20 August 2025 AI summary Rohitha Abeygunawardhana supported regulating and safeguarding the Rs. 250 billion in Samurdhi beneficiaries’ savings under the Samurdhi (Amendment) Bill, but argued that Samurdhi or Aswesuma payments are insufficient amid high living costs. He presented a household cost estimate to question whether the Government has reduced essential expenses and criticised suggestions that money printing has no inflationary impact. He urged the Government not to cut welfare benefits before the “economic war” is won, called for new recruitment to sustain the Samurdhi administration as staff retire, and proposed using beneficiaries’ savings for genuine empowerment programmes that help families become self-reliant. Debate: Samurdhi (Amendment) Bill, Rubber Control (Amendment) Bill, Sports Law Regulations, and Judicature Act Rules Cost of LivingPublic Finance Read →
- 20 August 2025 AI summary Rohitha Abeygunawardhana asked about the Moratuwa Medical Faculty professorial unit, noting his involvement in identifying sites and saying it is nearing commencement. He urged the Minister not to give in to reported obstruction by some doctors and to proceed with the unit so more doctors can be trained in Sri Lanka. Oral Question: Staffing at Gallassa Maternity and Children's Hospital (Q.5/2025) HealthcareEducation Read →
- 20 August 2025 AI summary Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana raised staffing and resource concerns regarding the Nagoda and Gallassa hospitals in Kalutara, noting their interlinked administration and the volume of emergency patients referred from surrounding areas. He requested expedited action to fill over 100 minor staff vacancies and an inquiry into approximately 20 nurses who had received transfers but had not reported for duty. He also asked what special provisions would be included for the two hospitals in the 2026 Budget. Oral Question: Staffing at Gallassa Maternity and Children's Hospital (Q.5/2025) Public FinanceHealthcare Read →