Hon. Stepni Fernando, M.P.

Jathika Jana balawegaya (JJB)· Gampaha

Profession: Management Advisor

Roster profile ↗

Speeches 24 #156 of 225·#94 in party

Attendance 7/8 days present (of recorded)

Speech history

24 speeches

19 May 2026 AI summary Hon. Stepni Fernando raised a supplementary question concerning a playground consisting of three lots, stating that two lots have unregistered deeds and a third 38-perch lot has neither a deed nor registration, based on information obtained through RTI. She requested a clear investigation into the land’s ownership and registration status, as well as broader examination of land use by the Council, alleging past mishandling of lands during the tenure of former Chairmen. Oral Questions: Department of Wildlife Conservation and Other Questions Land & HousingCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
19 May 2026 AI summary Asked whether, when the lands purchased with public funds were acquired, the then Chairman examined and verified the relevant title documents. Oral Questions: Department of Wildlife Conservation and Other Questions Land & Housing Read →
19 May 2026 AI summary Asked the Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government to explain how the Fatima Road playground land in Mabola was acquired by the Wattala Mabola Urban Council. She questioned whether the land belonged to a former Urban Council Chairman, whether he could legally sell his own land to the Council while serving as Chairman, and whether the sale involved a forged deed. She also requested details of the purchase price, the legality of the transaction, and any action to be taken against officials involved. Oral Questions: Department of Wildlife Conservation and Other Questions Land & HousingCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
9 April 2026 AI summary Hon. Stepni Fernando emphasized the religious significance of Easter Sunday for Catholics and described the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks on churchgoers as heinous and despicable. The speech focused on the devotion of Catholics attending Easter services and the gravity of targeting worshippers during one of the central observances of the faith. Adjournment Debate: Easter Sunday Attack of 21 April 2019 Security & DefenceReligion & Culture Read →
19 February 2026 AI summary Stepni Fernando asked the Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources for details on traditional beach-seine (madäl) fishing, including where it is practiced and whether a licensing system and conditions apply. She sought clarification on whether tractors and winches are permitted or prohibited, the period and number of permissions granted if applicable, and the reasons for any current restrictions. She also asked what steps the Government will take to address fishermen’s concerns and whether scientific methods and regulated distances from shore govern the use of mechanized equipment. Adjournment EmploymentAgriculture Read →
23 January 2026 AI summary Hon. Stepni Fernando requested that Ragama, described as a small but haphazardly developed national transport hub where rail and road networks intersect, be developed in a systematic manner. She asked that local authority lands be integrated into the development plan and sought a timeline for when implementation would begin. Oral Questions: Heda Oya Irrigation, Thondaman Foundation, Schools, Hydropower, Sugar Factories, Ragama Town, Monaragala Lands, Badulla Cooperatives InfrastructurePublic Finance Read →
23 January 2026 AI summary Hon. Stepni Fernando asked whether UDA-owned buildings and vacant plots behind the land in question had been properly allocated and, if not, whether any UDA project was planned for the area. She urged prompt action, warning that otherwise the sites could be occupied informally for various needs. Oral Questions: Heda Oya Irrigation, Thondaman Foundation, Schools, Hydropower, Sugar Factories, Ragama Town, Monaragala Lands, Badulla Cooperatives Land & Housing Read →
7 January 2026 AI summary Hon. Stepni Fernando raised concerns about poor road access in the area, noting that narrow sections prevent container movement and that Ashokarama Road is in severe disrepair. He asked whether there is a programme under the zone to rehabilitate these roads, given that local authorities lack sufficient maintenance funds. Oral Question: Factories in Ekala Industrial Zone (Q.1564/2025) Infrastructure Read →
7 January 2026 AI summary The member raised a supplementary question on fire safety, noting the absence of an on-site fire unit despite the presence of many factories and nearby settlements. She asked what measures are being taken to address the risk that fire assistance from Colombo, Gampaha or Negombo may arrive too late to prevent spread to surrounding villages. Oral Question: Factories in Ekala Industrial Zone (Q.1564/2025) Law & Order Read →
7 January 2026 AI summary Two petitions were presented for acceptance: one from Mrs. E.A.D. Malani Winifreda of Colombo Road, Ja-Ela, and another from Mr. N.G. Nandana Chandrakumara of Bandigoda, Pothukotuwa, Ja-Ela. Petitions Parliamentary Procedure Read →
6 January 2026 AI summary The Hon. Stepni Fernando supported regulations setting a minimum 130 mm carapace width for harvesting, retaining, or exporting mud crabs, arguing that unregulated harvesting has reduced stocks and that breeding, habitat restoration, hatcheries, and lagoon conservation—starting in Negombo—are needed to sustain a valuable export fishery. She also outlined changes to the Fishermen’s Pension and Social Security Benefit Scheme, stating that low uptake would be addressed through easier payments via Fisheries Inspectors and flexible contribution schedules suited to irregular fisher incomes. She said the measures are intended to protect both coastal and inland fishers, including older fishers, while also noting ongoing government support for districts affected by floods and landslides. Debate: Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Act and Fishermen's Pension Regulations Public FinanceEnvironmentAgriculture Read →
26 November 2025 AI summary Hon. Stefanie Fernando outlined government programmes to develop marine, inland and ornamental fisheries, including releasing up to 80 million fingerlings into tanks, canal and lagoon restoration, hatchery development, fish feed support, and expansion into mud crab, prawn, seaweed and cold-water ornamental fish production. She said NAQDA, NARA and other agencies are coordinating training, data-based planning, export facilitation, land access and environmental clearances, with particular initiatives in Nuwara Eliya and the North and East. She also referred to proposed life insurance and pension schemes for fishers, VMS and possible CCTV for multi-day vessels to address illicit activity concerns, and a partnership with Dialog to provide information on fishing grounds. Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2026 - Committee Stage, Sixteenth Allotted Day Agriculture Read →
12 November 2025 AI summary Stefni Fernando defended the 2026 Budget as a consultative and collectively designed programme, saying the Finance Minister engaged professional, business, labour and community groups before its preparation and that the previous 2025 budget helped stabilize the economy and generate savings. She argued that reduced waste, equal treatment of investors, land and infrastructure preparation, and support for innovation, SMEs and producers would attract investment and expand employment. She also noted plans to strengthen state institutions through recruitment, extend budget benefits to estate workers, increase railway gatekeepers’ monthly allowance from Rs. 7,500 to Rs. 15,000, and allocate funds for additional public servants. Appropriation Bill, 2026 - Second Reading Debate InfrastructurePublic FinanceEmployment Read →
22 October 2025 AI summary Hon. Stepni Fernando supported the Regulations under the Special Commodity Levy Act and the Rules under the Excise (Special Provisions) Act, stating that commodity levies are intended to protect farmers and secure fair prices for crops such as big onion and potato. He said levy decisions are now being made collectively with relevant agencies to avoid past abuses, and noted that the new excise rules would strengthen recovery of around Rs. 10.5 billion in arrears by enabling collection within three months. He also outlined plans to improve agriculture through local seed production, technology, expanded cultivation of available land, fertilizer support, and irrigation rehabilitation, linking revenue collection to farmer welfare and broader self-sufficiency goals. Debate: Rules under Excise Ordinance and Special Commodity Levy Order (Session 2) AgriculturePublic FinanceCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
21 October 2025 AI summary Hon. Stepni Fernando presented a petition to Parliament on behalf of Mrs. E. H. A. K. Ramanayake of Aluthgama, Pituwalgoda, Yakkala. Petitions Presented to Parliament Parliamentary Procedure Read →
25 September 2025 AI summary Six petitions from residents of Gampaha, Ratnapura, Belihuloya, Mirigama, Loluwagoda and Veyangoda were presented to Parliament. No substantive details of the grievances or requests contained in the petitions were stated. Papers Presented Parliamentary Procedure Read →
6 August 2025 AI summary A petition from B.A. Karunathilake of “Indrajith”, E7, Nilwakka, Kegalle, was presented to Parliament. Petitions Parliamentary Procedure Read →
9 July 2025 AI summary Hon. Stepni Fernando said the Easter attacks harmed both Catholics and Muslims, causing 274 deaths and about 600 injuries, including 115 deaths and around 300 injuries at Katuwapitiya in her district. She argued that previous leaders had prior intelligence warnings but failed to protect the public, and said attempts to provoke ethnic violence after the attacks were restrained by Catholic leaders, including the Cardinal. She stated that the National People’s Power Government would investigate the attacks fully, punish all perpetrators, and pursue justice while promoting national unity. Adjournment Debate: Easter Sunday Terrorist Attacks (21 April 2019) Ethnic Reconciliation & DevolutionSecurity & DefenceJustice & Human Rights Read →
20 June 2025 AI summary Hon. Stepni Fernando defended the increase in stamp duty under the Stamp Duty (Special Provisions) Act and related regulations, arguing that the NPP Government would manage tax revenue prudently and direct benefits to the public. She contrasted this with alleged misuse of public funds and tax benefits under previous administrations, including at local authorities, and rejected Opposition criticism regarding taxation and local council control. She also stated that the Government works cooperatively with public officials and would continue its programme despite Opposition challenges. Debate: Stamp Duty (Special Provisions) Act Order and Imports and Exports (Control) Act Regulations Public FinanceCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
19 June 2025 AI summary Hon. Stepni Fernando stated that a valuable land in Wattala is needed for cargo parking related to port operations. He requested that swift action be taken on the matter. Oral Questions: Land in Wattala and Sri Lanka Railways Income Land & Housing Read →