Hon. (Prof.) Sena Nanayakkara, M.P.
Profession: ---
Speeches 17 #187 of 225·#125 in party
Attendance 6/8 days present (of recorded)
Top topic Corruption & Governance Reform 4 speeches
Last spoke 22 November 2025 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
17 speeches- 22 November 2025 AI summary Hon. (Prof.) Sena Nanayakkara argued that Sri Lanka’s State media institutions, including SLBC, SLRC, ITN, Lake House and related bodies, have declined over recent decades and require systematic rebuilding rather than immediate transformation after only eight months of the new Government. He said the Budget allocates funds to strengthen capacity, media education, literacy, research, training, publications and foreign scholarships, including about Rs. 100 million for selected institutions. He also called for an ethical, truthful and balanced media culture, while stating that the Government would not impose undue restrictions on media freedom. Debate: Committee Stage - Heads of Expenditure 111, 210, 211, 220 and 308 (Health and Mass Media) Corruption & Governance Reform Read →
- 13 November 2025 AI summary Hon. (Prof.) Sena Nanayakkara raised concerns about unmarried children over 26, particularly those who remain unmarried to care for ailing pensioner parents, being ineligible for pension benefits after the parents’ deaths. He asked whether legal relief could be considered for such caregivers and whether they could be offered employment opportunities in the parents’ former institutions or supported through concessional loans or livelihood schemes. Oral Question: Payment of Pension since 2020 (1354/2025) Public FinanceWomen & Children Read →
- 13 November 2025 AI summary Hon. (Prof.) Sena Nanayakkara asked the Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government for the current number of pensioners and the annual allocations for pension payments from 2020 onward. He also sought clarification on whether pensions are treated as a family-unit benefit rather than solely an individual benefit, and requested the applicable procedure for pension payments after a pensioner’s death. Oral Question: Payment of Pension since 2020 (1354/2025) Public Finance Read →
- 12 November 2025 AI summary Prof. Sena Nanayakkara supported the Appropriation Bill, describing it as the Government’s second Budget and urging Parliament and the Opposition to engage in more substantive debate rather than partisan heckling. He highlighted the Budget’s focus on broad-based benefits, productive economic development, and rural poverty eradication, arguing that it gives particular support to village communities. He cited irrigation and agricultural investments, including rehabilitation of 307 tanks in Anuradhapura District, allocations for irrigation development, canal and tank rehabilitation, and the restarted Lower Malwathu Oya project, as measures intended to improve cultivation, drinking water supply, flood control, jobs, and incomes. Appropriation Bill, 2026 - Second Reading Debate AgriculturePublic FinanceInfrastructure Read →
- 24 October 2025 AI summary Hon. (Prof.) Sena Nanayakkara alleged that some hotels and restaurants induce private bus owners, drivers and conductors through narcotics or illicit payments to stop at substandard establishments. He asked the Minister whether the Ministry would conduct a genuine nationwide investigation into these practices, including possible official interference despite the work of PHIs and Police. Oral Question: Long-Distance Bus Services (Q.7/2025) Law & OrderCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
- 24 October 2025 AI summary Prof. Sena Nanayakkara raised concerns about inadequate facilities at rest stops used by long-distance bus passengers, including poor food, hygiene, and sanitation, despite some improvements in bus transport services. He asked the Minister of Transport whether restaurants or canteens could be established under direct Government oversight through a new administrative mechanism to address these issues. Oral Question: Long-Distance Bus Services (Q.7/2025) InfrastructureCost of Living Read →
- 24 September 2025 AI summary Hon. (Prof.) Sena Nanayakkara supported the Bill to amend Section 308 of the Penal Code, arguing that physical punishment and abuse of children have serious long-term social consequences and must be criminalized even when framed as correction. Citing UN findings, incidents of abuse in care and education settings, and government policy commitments on child protection, he said violence against children is normalized in society and institutions. He urged that the amendment be viewed as a progressive measure to protect children’s welfare and future development. Debate: Penal Code (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading Justice & Human RightsEducationWomen & Children Read →
- 8 July 2025 AI summary Hon. (Prof.) Sena Nanayakkara expressed satisfaction with the Minister’s response and proposed that media reform should go beyond legislation to include awareness and changes in attitudes. He suggested convening a research-based, ethical and democratic media convocation with the consensus of media institutions and participation from all parties and social, economic, cultural and political sectors, and asked whether the Minister would consider it. Oral Question: Television Channels and Code of Ethics (Q. 496/2025) Law & Order Read →
- 8 July 2025 AI summary Hon. (Prof.) Sena Nanayakkara stated that the media has significant influence over social, economic, political and cultural life and can contribute either positively or negatively. He raised concern over declining media ethics and asked what measures the Government intends to take against media institutions that violate ethical standards. Oral Question: Television Channels and Code of Ethics (Q. 496/2025) Corruption & Governance Reform Read →
- 8 July 2025 AI summary Prof. Sena Nanayakkara asked the Minister of Health and Mass Media to provide details on the number of television channels currently broadcast in Sri Lanka, separating government and private channels and listing their names. He also sought the Minister’s position on whether a media code of ethics is necessary, how such a code is enforced for television channels, how current programming is monitored, and whether any investigative mechanism will be introduced for television content. Oral Question: Television Channels and Code of Ethics (Q. 496/2025) Religion & Culture Read →
- 22 May 2025 AI summary The presiding officer called the House to order and asked a Member to propose Hon. (Prof.) Sena Nanayakkara to take the Chair. Debate: Regulations under Imports and Exports (Control) Act, No. 1 of 1969 and Disposal of Property Act Resolutions Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 20 May 2025 AI summary The Hon. (Prof.) Sena Nanayakkara formally raised a parliamentary question. No substantive details of the question or related policy matter were provided in the excerpt. Oral Questions: Question Nos. 1-6 Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 9 April 2025 AI summary The Hon. (Prof.) Sena Nanayakkara asked what steps are being taken to address inadequate facilities in theatres and auditoriums across the country. He highlighted problems such as the absence of backstage rooms, toilets, electricity, and changing spaces, arguing that these deficiencies hinder dramatists, performing artists, and the broader development of arts and aesthetics. Oral Questions: Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs; Foreign Employment InfrastructureEmploymentReligion & Culture Read →
- 9 April 2025 AI summary Hon. (Prof.) Sena Nanayakkara welcomed the Minister’s response and emphasized the role of cultural development in broader national progress. He asked for clarification on the National People’s Power policy proposal for “Multi-Functional Cultural Centres,” specifically how they would operate and what outcomes are expected compared with existing cultural and art centres. Oral Questions: Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs; Foreign Employment Religion & Culture Read →
- 9 April 2025 AI summary Asked the Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs to provide details on Sri Lanka’s cultural centres, including their number, functions, and the status of art institutions under Provincial Cultural Departments, including inactive registered institutions. He also requested information on government expenditure for the 2024 Annual Literary Festival conducted by Divisional Secretariats, allocations by division, whether those allocations were sufficient, and any measures proposed if they were not. Oral Questions: Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs; Foreign Employment Religion & Culture Read →
- 21 February 2025 AI summary Hon. (Prof.) Sena Nanayakkara supported the 2025 Budget as a response to Sri Lanka’s economic collapse and argued that it provides a path to recovery while protecting democracy and prioritizing ordinary citizens. Focusing on education, he said the Budget reflects the State’s duty to guarantee every child’s right to education and addresses disparities between under-resourced rural schools and well-equipped popular schools. He highlighted allocations including over Rs. 619 billion for education, increased Mahapola and bursary payments, Rs. 135 billion for university quality and research, and funding for sports schools and libraries, while rejecting Opposition criticism and presenting the measures as genuine “system change.” Appropriation Bill 2025: Second Reading (Fourth Allotted Day) Public FinanceEducationCost of Living Read →
- 4 December 2024 AI summary Hon. (Snr. Prof.) Sena Nanayakkara thanked voters for the National People’s Power victory and urged Parliament to focus on the President’s national policy statement rather than past political divisions. He argued that the mandate reflects public demand to move beyond the traditional political cycle and invited both Government and Opposition to work together on national rebuilding. He highlighted poverty and deprivation in rural areas, especially Anuradhapura and Rajarata, and said state policy must prioritise dignity, basic rights, and cultural development, including strengthening cultural institutions to create a more humane and culturally engaged society. Debate: Government Policy Statement - Resumed Adjourned Debate Corruption & Governance ReformCost of LivingAgriculture Read →