Hon. (Mrs.) Samanmali Gunasingha, M.P.

Jathika Jana balawegaya (JJB)· Colombo

Profession: Other

Roster profile ↗

Speeches 38 #122 of 225·#65 in party

Attendance 8/8 days present (of recorded)

Speech history

38 speeches

10 June 2026 AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Samanmali Gunasingha supported the Rules under the Central Bank Act requiring residual export proceeds to be converted by the 10th of the following month, arguing they would help stabilize the exchange rate and strengthen the economy amid external shocks. She cited improved Government revenue and primary balance figures for early 2026, and said price reductions at Lanka Sathosa and support for farmers, fishers, SMEs, and flood-affected Kolonnawa residents showed that fiscal gains were being passed on to the public. She also stated that compensation payments to Kolonnawa flood victims were ongoing, with Rs. 4,028 million already disbursed out of Rs. 9,836 million due. Debate: Central Bank Rules on Export Proceeds Repatriation and Essential Public Services Resolution AgricultureCost of LivingPublic Finance Read →
10 April 2026 AI summary On behalf of the Chair of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Health, Mass Media and Women’s Empowerment, the member presented two committee reports to Parliament. These included the 2024 Performance Report of the Department of Ayurveda, the 2024 Annual Report of the National Child Protection Authority, and the Committee’s report on the Ministry of Health’s 2024 Annual Performance Report, which were ordered to lie upon the Table. Sectoral Oversight Committee Reports on Health, Mass Media and Women's Empowerment Women & ChildrenHealthcareParliamentary Procedure Read →
5 March 2026 AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Samanmali Gunasingha moved an adjournment motion calling for a National Care Policy to recognize and value women’s unpaid care work as part of the national economy, alongside their contributions in apparel, tea and foreign remittances. Marking International Women’s Day, she argued that Sri Lanka needs a legal and policy framework to strengthen women’s safety, social protection, political and economic participation, and to change outdated social attitudes. She proposed applying the ILO-related “3Rs” approach—recognize, reduce and redistribute care work—using digital services, infrastructure, online complaint mechanisms and a national integrated care programme for children, elders and persons with disabilities. Adjournment: National Care Policy and International Women's Day EmploymentPublic FinanceWomen & Children Read →
4 March 2026 AI summary Mrs. Samanmali Gunasingha supported the Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority Bill as a response to widespread unregulated high-interest lending affecting over 2.4 million women borrowers and linked to severe social harms, including suicides. She said the Bill would establish regulatory oversight, complaint mechanisms down to local levels, data collection, interest and fair-practice controls, and requirements such as informed consent in borrowers’ preferred languages. She also referred to alleged abusive practices by specific microfinance institutions and linked the Bill to broader government plans to provide Rs. 96 billion in collateral-free support for women and other entrepreneurs. Debate: Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority Bill - Second Reading (Continued) Justice & Human RightsWomen & ChildrenPublic Finance Read →
4 March 2026 AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Samanmali Gunasingha formally seconded a motion. The question was put and agreed to, after which the Deputy Speaker left the Chair and Hon. Kins Nelson assumed the Chair. Debate: Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority Bill - Second Reading (Continued) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
6 February 2026 AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Samanmali Gunasinghe raised a point under Standing Orders 91(u) and (w), seeking the Chair’s protection against allegedly slanderous and inappropriate remarks. She requested that the dignity and self-respect of women Members be safeguarded, that false press gossip not be used in Parliament, and that such remarks be expunged. Debate: Extension of Emergency Regulations (Cyclone Ditwah) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
22 January 2026 AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Samanmali Gunasingha seconded the proposal and emphasized human development as a key pillar of the Government’s reform agenda, stating that education reforms were shaped through broad consultations and must continue through informed debate. She focused on teacher development, noting that teacher education curricula have not been updated for 16 years and calling for modernization, digital and smart-classroom training, improved facilities, and psychosocial support. She cited several 2026 Budget allocations for teacher colleges, the NIE, technology education, facilities, and capacity development, and urged critics to engage constructively rather than spread personal attacks against the Prime Minister and Education Minister. Adjournment Debate: Comprehensive Educational Transformation Process EducationPublic Finance Read →
21 January 2026 AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Samanmali Gunasinghe responded to an allegation of “family politics,” rejecting comparisons involving her party’s General Secretary and stating that her own political position was earned through her work rather than inheritance. She urged Members not to use parliamentary time for unverified claims and to present accurate, updated information. Adjournment Debate: Post-Cyclone "Ditwah" Situation (Part 2) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
8 January 2026 AI summary Hon. Samanmali Gunasingha stated that a proposed initiative would begin as a pilot project, with practical conditions assessed before expansion through all Divisional Secretariats in every province, including the North and East. She emphasized that no area would be excluded and framed children’s safety as a shared responsibility. Adjournment Motion: Child Safety in Urban Housing Complexes InfrastructureWomen & Children Read →
8 January 2026 AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Samanmali Gunasingha moved a proposal to establish daytime safe centres or after-school centres for children in densely populated urban areas, housing complexes, and other high-risk environments. She argued that children left unsupervised after school are vulnerable to abuse, narcotics-related influences, unsafe surroundings, and excessive phone use while parents or guardians are at work. She proposed using existing government institutions, coordinated through Divisional Secretariats with Child Development Officers and Probation Officers, and supported by relevant ministries and Provincial Councils, to provide protection as well as creative, cultural, and personality development programmes under an appropriate legal and policy framework. Adjournment Motion: Child Safety in Urban Housing Complexes Law & OrderEducationWomen & Children Read →
3 December 2025 AI summary Hon. Samanmalee Gunasinghe urged Members, including the Opposition, to take inspiration from children who donated their savings to disaster victims. She highlighted public contributions through money, words of support, and voluntary labour, calling for continued solidarity with those affected. Debate: Continued Committee Stage of Appropriation Bill 2026 (Ministry Expenditure Heads - Multiple Speakers) Public Finance Read →
3 December 2025 AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Samanmalee Gunasinghe outlined Government relief measures for those affected by severe weather, including Rs. 25,000 per affected schoolchild for books and supplies and an increased Rs. 25,000 grant for cleaning flood-damaged homes. She said women MPs were assisting affected communities, particularly on women’s and children’s safety and sanitation, and stressed that decisions on floodgates and river mouths should be made by relevant officials using scientific and meteorological assessments. She stated that all 25 districts and many public officials were affected, urged support for officials restoring services, and said District and Divisional Secretaries had been instructed to spend available emergency funds according to local needs while assessments continue for compensation for agriculture, homes, and businesses. Debate: Continued Committee Stage of Appropriation Bill 2026 (Ministry Expenditure Heads - Multiple Speakers) Women & ChildrenPublic FinanceEnvironment Read →
27 November 2025 AI summary Hon. Samanmali Gunasinghe moved an Adjournment Motion calling for regulation of three-wheelers used for private and commercial transport, citing accidents, overloading, poor vehicle condition, unsafe night operations, and risks in transporting preschool and schoolchildren. Referring to a recent fatal accident involving an overloaded three-wheeler carrying preschool children, she urged a regulatory framework covering vehicle fitness, passenger limits, safety equipment, and shared oversight by schools, principals, parents, organizations, the Ministry of Education and relevant authorities. She also noted the ongoing national disaster situation, expressed sympathy to those affected, and appealed for unified public and institutional support for relief efforts. Adjournment Motion: Three-Wheeler Industry Development EmploymentLaw & OrderWomen & Children Read →
25 November 2025 AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Samanmali Gunasingha stated that she is committed to pursuing a solution to the issue concerning a school in her area. She noted that she has visited the school several times and feels a particular responsibility because the affected students are from her constituency. Debate: Committee Stage on Appropriation Bill 2026 - Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education (Fifteenth Allotted Day) Education Read →
25 November 2025 AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Samanmali Gunasingha said funds from her 2025 decentralized allocation had supported the Dehiwala Muslim school and that temporary and permanent measures were being pursued to address its capacity issues. She outlined Government initiatives in early childhood education, including a national curriculum framework, a forthcoming preschool policy framework, a proposed regulatory authority and development unit, minimum qualifications and training for preschool staff, increased teacher allowances, nutrition support, and capacity-building allocations. She stated that education spending had risen to about 2.4 per cent of GDP and that physical and human resources would be managed through zonal structures with improvements to facilities and smart classrooms. She also said a new transparent circular had been introduced for Grade 2–11 admissions in 2025, replacing previous ad hoc practices, and asserted that no political requests had been made for admissions that year. Debate: Committee Stage on Appropriation Bill 2026 - Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education (Fifteenth Allotted Day) Education Read →
17 November 2025 AI summary Hon. Samanmali Gunasingha objected to remarks made in Parliament, questioning whether an MP is permitted to make insulting statements in the Chamber. She raised a procedural concern about parliamentary conduct and the limits of speech during debate. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage Continuation (Foreign Affairs, Justice and National Integration) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
15 November 2025 AI summary The Hon. (Mrs.) Samanmali Gunasingha acknowledged concerns about alleged hurtful or unnecessary conduct by a Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman toward a woman member. She stated that if the member had suffered distress, regret would be expressed and appropriate action would be taken. Debate: Committee Stage - Appropriation Bill 2026, Special Spending Units (Heads 1, 2, 4-11, 13, 16-25) Women & ChildrenLaw & Order Read →
15 November 2025 AI summary Mrs. Samanmali Gunasingha corrected claims that the Moratuwa Municipal Council Budget had been defeated, stating that the reported defeats related instead to some Pradeshiya Sabhas and cooperative society elections. She addressed allegations regarding insults to women MPs, saying such grievances could be raised with the Speaker or Women’s Caucus, and emphasized the need to treat women parliamentarians with dignity irrespective of party. During the debate on expenditure heads including the President, Prime Minister, Parliament and commissions, she noted that costs for the newly established National Women’s Commission fall under the Presidential Secretariat. She defended the Prime Minister’s Office against allegations, arguing that it operates modestly and has a role in coordinating and guiding government policy implementation. Debate: Committee Stage - Appropriation Bill 2026, Special Spending Units (Heads 1, 2, 4-11, 13, 16-25) Public FinanceWomen & ChildrenParliamentary Procedure Read →
12 November 2025 AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Samanmali Gunasingha defended the 2026 Budget under the Government’s “Prosperous Country – Beautiful Life” policy framework, arguing that claims of no allocations for fisheries or new taxes were inaccurate. She cited allocations for agriculture and fisheries and economic indicators including projected growth, reserves, exports, remittances, tourism earnings, revenue, and the primary balance as evidence of improved economic management. She also highlighted planned public sector recruitment, payment of delayed pensions, improved labour indicators, and defended the proposed Rs. 400 plantation worker wage increase, with contributions from both companies and Government, as support owed to Sri Lankan workers. Appropriation Bill, 2026 - Second Reading Debate EmploymentPublic FinanceAgriculture Read →
22 October 2025 AI summary Mrs. Samanmali Gunasinghe highlighted the financial and social impact of cancer on families, noting that stigma can prevent women from discussing symptoms or seeking help. She called for changing attitudes to encourage early testing, including self-examinations and referrals to appropriate medical institutions, and tabled related information. Adjournment Motion: Promote Early Detection of Breast Cancer Women & ChildrenHealthcare Read →