Hon. (Mrs.) Sagarika Athauda, Attorney at Law, M.P.
Profession: Attorney-at-Law
Speeches 12 #206 of 225·#144 in party
Attendance 6/8 days present (of recorded)
Top topic Parliamentary Procedure 4 speeches
Last spoke 4 March 2026 in Debate
Activity by sitting
11 sittings · counts only, no scoring.
Topic focus
AI summary AI-assigned tags, 1–3 per speech. Counts only — not a score.
Speech history
12 speeches- 4 March 2026 AI summary Hon. Sagarika Athauda supported the microfinance legislation, arguing that while microfinance can promote rural enterprise, self-employment and women’s economic empowerment, weak regulation has led to severe debt distress, including reported suicides and hardship especially among women and in the North and East after the war. She said many loans had been used for consumption rather than income generation, creating cycles of borrowing to repay earlier loans. She called for Central Bank-guided regulation covering licensing, supervision, market conduct, credit counselling, financial literacy, complaint mechanisms and coordinated lending practices, alongside rural economic development programmes to ensure microfinance supports low-income communities safely and ethically. Debate: Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority Bill - Second Reading (Continued) EmploymentPublic FinanceWomen & Children Read →
- 8 January 2026 AI summary Hon. Sagarika Athauda supported the Motor Traffic Act regulations on driver obligations and expressway safety, linking them to the Government’s broader development agenda and completed rural road projects in Kegalle District. She argued that improved infrastructure must be matched by compliance from drivers, owners, pedestrians and the State, citing accident and fatality data from 2020 to 2025 to show that most crashes arise from preventable behaviour. She also noted transport sector reforms, including SLTB recruitment of drivers and conductors, the first intake of 25 female conductors, and plans to recruit women to suitable Railway grades. Motor Traffic Act Regulations Debate InfrastructureEmploymentLaw & Order Read →
- 7 January 2026 AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Sagarika Athauda formally seconded the motion before the House. The question was put and agreed to, after which the Deputy Speaker left the Chair and Hon. (Prof.) Sena Nanayakkara took the Chair. Debate: Colombo Port City Economic Commission (Amendment) Bill Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 5 December 2025 AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Sagarika Athauda expressed condolences to those affected by the disaster and described it as one of Sri Lanka’s most severe natural disasters, citing rainfall of around 500 mm in some areas and landslides as the main cause of deaths. Referring to Kegalle District, she said authorities convened the District Disaster Management Committee on 27 November, carried out evacuations with the Police and Armed Forces, maintained camps with food, health services and counselling, and restored roads, water and electricity within two days. She stated that as of 1 December, 11,884 families and 42,898 persons in Kegalle had been affected and disputed Opposition claims of inadequate relief, arguing that officials, volunteers and political authorities had worked continuously to minimize deaths and support recovery. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Budget Debate on Disaster Response and Government Allocations Security & DefenceInfrastructurePublic Finance Read →
- 23 October 2025 AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Sagarika Athauda presented a petition to Parliament from Mr. K.R.S.K. Senanayake of “DBD”, Nilwakka, Kegalle. Petitions Presented Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 5 August 2025 AI summary Hon. Sagarika Athauda outlined the historical role of Justices of the Peace and argued that political influence and lack of clear appointment criteria had undermined the office’s public standing. She referred to the Minister’s regulatory powers under Section 45 of the Judicature Act, No. 2 of 1978, and cited Gazette Extraordinary No. 2439/34 of 04.06.2025 as introducing new standards on appointments, suspensions and cancellations. She said the regulations, including age limits, educational requirements, English certification criteria and medical fitness certification, are intended to restore integrity, efficiency and respect for the JP system, and expressed support for them. Debate: Anti-Dumping and Countervailing Duties Regulations Justice & Human RightsLaw & OrderCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
- 17 June 2025 AI summary A question was raised to the Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation seeking details on the Sri Lanka Transport Board’s regional workshops, including their number and locations. It specifically asked whether a proposed tyre manufacturing factory at the Medawachchiya Regional Workshop had been recognized by the Ministry, the funds allocated for it, and its progress as of 28 February 2025, or reasons if such information could not be provided. Oral Questions Second Round Q.875/2025 and Related Questions Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 17 June 2025 AI summary A question was raised to the Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation regarding land acquisition issues connected to the Central Expressway project. It asked whether the Minister is aware that many affected landowners have not yet received compensation, whether a payment methodology has been prepared, the reasons for any absence of such a mechanism, and when delayed compensation will be paid. Oral Questions Second Round Q.875/2025 and Related Questions Land & HousingInfrastructure Read →
- 17 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Sagarika Athauda highlighted the recognition of two Sri Lankan women wildlife officers and used it to frame a broader discussion on environmental conservation, forest destruction, development in protected areas, and human-wildlife conflict, particularly elephant deaths and crop damage in districts such as Kegalle. She said the NPP Government is seeking to correct long-standing environmental mismanagement through a systematic approach, citing the Government’s policy principles on environmental justice, sustainable resource use, institutional coordination, public participation, and environmental governance. She noted Budget allocations to the Ministry of Environment, the consolidation of environment-related institutions under one Ministry, the State Timber Corporation’s 2024 revenue of Rs. 1,915 million and production of 8,122 elephant fence posts, and Rs. 1,112 million allocated to the Department of National Botanic Gardens for plant conservation and related activities. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate on Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and Ministry of Environment Women & ChildrenEnvironment Read →
- 7 March 2025 AI summary A petition from Mrs. I. R. P. Manike of Randivala, Mawanella, was presented to Parliament by Hon. (Mrs.) Sagarika Athauda, Attorney-at-Law. Petitions: Citizens' Petitions presented Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 21 February 2025 AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Sagarika Athauda supported the inaugural budget, describing it as a people-centred programme based on social justice, good governance, economic democracy, and fairer distribution of growth. She highlighted allocations for child nutrition, Triposha, pregnant mothers, preschool meals and preschool teachers, as well as a Rs. 200 million national programme for children with neurodevelopmental disorders and district-level care support over five years. She also noted funding for preventing violence against women, youth entrepreneurship, and support for children in care homes, arguing these measures would promote inclusive participation in the economy. Appropriation Bill 2025: Second Reading (Fourth Allotted Day) Women & ChildrenPublic FinanceEmployment Read →
- 8 January 2025 AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Sagarika Athauda supported the continuation of food-related regulations and orders prepared by the previous Government where they serve public welfare. She highlighted concerns over food safety, including genetically modified foods, chemical additives, expired products, Thriposha ingredients, milk powder and coconut oil, and linked these to malnutrition, non-communicable diseases, and Sri Lanka’s low rankings in food security and healthcare indices. She said the Government’s “Clean Sri Lanka” objective includes ensuring citizens’ access to toxin-free, quality food through stronger standards for production, imports, distribution and retail. Debate: Orders and Regulations under Import/Export Control Act, Foreign Exchange Act, and Other Acts (continued) Cost of LivingHealthcareAgriculture Read →