Hon. (Prof.) Ruwan Ranasinghe, M.P.

Jathika Jana balawegaya (JJB)· National List

Deputy Minister of Tourism

Profession: Academician

Roster profile ↗

Speeches 48 #97 of 225·#46 in party

Attendance 4/8 days present (of recorded)

Speech history

48 speeches

10 March 2025 AI summary The Deputy Minister said the North-Western Province has not fully benefited from tourism despite its historical, cultural and natural assets, and outlined plans to develop sites in Kurunegala and Puttalam including Kalpitiya, Wilpattu, Ridi Vihara, Hettikuchchi Vihara and Ethkanda Vihara. He stated that a “North-Western Cultural Quadrangle” project, a provincial tourism master plan, and a national programme to develop 100 attractions with Rs. 10 million per site would support infrastructure, conservation and promotion, with Members invited to nominate sites. He also noted allocations of Rs. 8 million for the master plan and over Rs. 100 million through the Provincial Council, and said the Government intends to expand inclusive and sustainable tourism benefits to communities across the province, including improved access to Wilpattu from the Puttalam side. Adjournment Motion: Development of North-Western Province as a Tourist Destination InfrastructureForeign AffairsPublic Finance Read →
5 March 2025 AI summary Plans are under way to identify 100 tourist attractions and allocate about Rs. 10 million per site to provide basic facilities and develop them as tourism products. Under the Clean Sri Lanka programme, rest centres for tourists are proposed, while social welfare measures for tourism sector workers, including a contributory pension scheme, are planned for the year. Oral Question: Madunagala Tourist Project (Q.1/2025) InfrastructureCost of Living Read →
5 March 2025 AI summary Funds have been allocated to develop the identified site as a tourist attraction following a study. The required work includes providing an access road, electricity supply, and landscaping. Oral Question: Madunagala Tourist Project (Q.1/2025) EnvironmentInfrastructure Read →
5 March 2025 AI summary The Deputy Minister, responding on behalf of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, provided expenditure and status details on tourism-related facilities, including a foot massage centre built at a cost of Rs. 2.13 million and facilities at Madunagala costing over Rs. 35 million. He stated that a planned heart revival centre had not been established, but the building would be partitioned in 2025 for a Ruhunu Tourist Bureau souvenir and gem sales centre and tourist activities. He also noted that the Madunagala rural bazaar is in ruins and that Rs. 42 million has been allocated in 2025 for road improvements, beautification, and electricity supply to sustain the site as a tourist attraction. Oral Question: Madunagala Tourist Project (Q.1/2025) InfrastructurePublic Finance Read →
24 February 2025 AI summary Prof. Ruwan Ranasinghe rejected the Opposition’s claim that Ministers are arrogant, stating that many Government Members had left their professions and businesses to serve the country. He said the Government, with 159 Members, was committed to rebuilding the economy and presented the Budget as the first step in that effort. Debate: Second Reading of Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Sixth Allotted Day Public Finance Read →
24 February 2025 AI summary Deputy Minister Ruwan Ranasinghe defended the Budget as an “economic democracy” programme intended to broaden economic participation across regions and social groups while remaining within the IMF framework and preparing for debt servicing from 2028. He rejected claims that the North was neglected, citing allocations for bridges, roads, tourism infrastructure and Rs. 100 million for the Jaffna Library. He said the Budget combines market mechanisms with regulation, state intervention and public-sector participation, targets 5 per cent growth, and includes public-sector salary and increment increases without imposing new taxes on the general public. He attributed current fiscal constraints to past debt-funded projects and said the Government would focus on tax collection from evaders while rebuilding the economy. Debate: Second Reading of Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Sixth Allotted Day InfrastructurePublic FinanceEmployment Read →
4 December 2024 AI summary Hon. (Prof.) Ruwan Ranasinghe outlined the National People’s Power tourism policy, emphasizing a participatory and sustainable model that includes small operators and protects cultural and natural resources such as Yala and Mirissa. He said tourism should generate short-term foreign exchange, targeting over two million arrivals and USD 3 billion in 2024, rising to five million arrivals and USD 5 billion in 2025, with a longer-term goal of a USD 10 billion tourism economy by 2030. He criticized frequent changes to Sri Lanka’s tourism branding and proposed a unified national branding campaign covering tourism, gems, tea, heritage and natural assets, supported by strategic reforms including amendments to the Tourism Act and coordination across relevant institutions. Ministerial Statement: Arrests for Spreading False Information on Social Media AgricultureEmploymentForeign Affairs Read →
4 December 2024 AI summary The Deputy Minister said the NPP’s mandate reflects public demand for economic reform after mismanagement, exclusion of citizens from economic activity, and failures in state enterprises such as the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation. He argued that tourism can help rebuild the economy by using Sri Lanka’s coastline, wildlife, forests, and cultural heritage while linking village craftsmen, farmers, and other ordinary citizens to the tourism value chain. Referring to Thailand’s long-term planning and Sri Lanka’s slower progress, he criticized past patronage and corrupt practices in the sector and stated that the Government has prepared a National Tourism Policy to guide future development. Ministerial Statement: Arrests for Spreading False Information on Social Media InfrastructureCorruption & Governance ReformCost of Living Read →