Hon. Aravinda Senarath, M.P.

Jathika Jana balawegaya (JJB)· Hambantota

Deputy Minister of Land and Irrigation

Profession: Teacher

Roster profile ↗

Speeches 94 #51 of 225·#24 in party

Attendance 2/8 days present (of recorded)

Speech history

94 speeches

20 March 2025 AI summary Aravinda Senarath supported the 2025 Budget’s Finance Ministry expenditure heads, arguing that the Government is shifting Sri Lanka from decades of import dependence toward a production-led economy with a 6 percent growth target. He said record allocations for education and health—Rs. 619 billion and Rs. 604 billion respectively—are key investments in development, and criticized previous administrations for failing to attract investment and relying on taxes on basic goods. He also addressed excise policy, citing the 1912 Excise Ordinance, alleged politically motivated liquor licence issuances between 2022 and 2024, current revenue shortfalls, and the need for a structured discussion on legal and affordable liquor sales in light of social demand. Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Committee Stage Debate EducationHealthcarePublic Finance Read →
19 March 2025 AI summary Aravinda Senarath clarified that cooperative society elections in Hambantota District are conducted by the Department of Cooperative Development, not by the JVP, and said they were held before the election proclamation. He disputed claims that the SJB had won most cooperatives, stating that Malimawa won the Weeraketiya, Hungama, Nisssa and Walasmulla multipurpose cooperatives and all zonal offices of the Hambantota District Education Cooperative. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
19 March 2025 AI summary Aravinda Senarath briefly asserted that the claims being discussed were false and stated that both societies in question had been defeated. The remark appears to be a short interjection rather than a substantive policy argument or proposal. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) Foreign Affairs Read →
19 March 2025 AI summary Aravinda Senarath stated that the General Meeting was held on 16 March. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
19 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Aravinda Senarath stated that the general meeting took place on the 16th and that the official election had been held in January. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
19 March 2025 AI summary Aravinda Senarath briefly sought clarification on whether “the 16th” referred to the day before yesterday, indicating a procedural or factual check during the debate. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
19 March 2025 AI summary Aravinda Senarath informed Parliament that the official election of the Weeraketiya Multipurpose Cooperative Society was held in February. No further details, proposals, or questions were included in the recorded statement. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) Agriculture Read →
19 March 2025 AI summary Aravinda Senarath asserted that the actions under discussion were lawful and not illegal. He responded to another Member by emphasizing that they were carried out under existing law. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) Law & Order Read →
3 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Aravinda Senarath rejected claims made about solar development projects in Hambantota, stating they were based on media reports rather than District Coordinating Committee decisions. He said the Committee temporarily halted the projects on 23 December to investigate concerns involving Mahaweli, Wildlife and LRC lands and human-elephant conflict, but later decided, after consultations with experts and farmers, to release the lands and allow investors to recommence the projects. He maintained that the decision was taken to support national electricity supply while avoiding harm to local communities and the ecosystem. Committee Stage Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 119 (Ministry of Energy) EnvironmentInfrastructure Read →
24 February 2025 AI summary Hon. Aravinda Senarath defended the National People’s Power Government’s first Budget, arguing that it sets a production-oriented economic direction after decades of policy failure and is aligned with the Government’s “Prosperous Country – Beautiful Life” mandate. He highlighted proposals on export expansion, investment facilitation, MSME revival, reduced public expenditure, salary increases for public servants and Pirivena teachers, support for pensioners, farmers and plantation communities, and a Rs. 619 billion allocation for education-related programmes. He criticized the Opposition for offering little constructive critique and accused previous UNP, SLFP and coalition governments of fostering underworld activity, while stating that the Government would control such activity through legal means. Debate: Second Reading of Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Sixth Allotted Day Public FinanceEmploymentAgriculture Read →
17 December 2024 AI summary Aravinda Senarath responded to remarks by Hon. Chanaka concerning his earlier statement about a property linked to Mahinda Rajapaksa’s Carlton estate near Weeraketiya. He alleged that police and an RDA employee had been used to guard and maintain the coconut land, including harvesting and selling coconuts, and said two police officers involved had since been transferred. He denied making false claims and stated he was prepared to provide names and verify the matter on site. Adjournment Debate: International Sovereign Bond Restructuring and IMF Agreement Corruption & Governance ReformLaw & Order Read →
17 December 2024 AI summary Hon. Aravinda Senarath raised a point of order alleging that security personnel assigned to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa were being used for private purposes, including work on paddy lands, cattle tending, and guarding property. He argued that State officers should not be deployed for private agricultural work and said public calls for the removal of such protection were justified. Debate: Supplementary Sum for School Stationery Allowance (Head 102, Programme 01) Parliamentary ProcedureLaw & Order Read →
5 December 2024 AI summary Hon. Aravinda Senarath supported the Vote on Account as necessary to fund essential services, including public sector salaries and sectoral expenditure, while the new Government prepares the 2025 Budget. He argued that the current economic crisis resulted from past economic policies and mismanagement, and said the National People’s Power Government intends to shift towards a production-focused economy. He highlighted issues in agriculture and markets, including high rice and coconut prices, alleged market manipulation, and crop losses in Hambantota, proposing stronger state intervention such as an expanded Paddy Marketing Board. He stated that the Government would implement recovery plans over the coming months and invited others to support the rebuilding process. Debate on Vote on Account for 2025 (continued) Public FinanceCost of LivingAgriculture Read →
3 December 2024 AI summary Hon. Aravinda Senarath thanked voters for the National People’s Power’s mandate and defended the President’s Policy Statement as setting out the Government’s vision, while criticizing the Opposition for politicizing the occasion. He said current shortages, including rice shortages in parts of Hambantota and nearby districts, stem from previous governments’ economic policies and asked the public to allow the new Government time to implement relief measures. He rejected allegations of media suppression, stating the Government supports democratic expression but would enforce the law against media activity that incites racism, religious hatred or extremism. He also affirmed the Government’s commitment to development, strengthening the rural economy, and fulfilling the mandate given by voters. Debate: President's Policy Statement (Continuation with Maiden Speeches and Responses) Corruption & Governance ReformLaw & Order Read →