Hon. Sunil Handunnetti, M.P.

Jathika Jana balawegaya (JJB)· Matara

Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development

Profession: Politician

Roster profile ↗

Speeches 141 #28 of 225·#14 in party

Attendance 2/8 days present (of recorded)

Speech history

141 speeches

21 November 2025 AI summary Hon. Sunil Handunnetti responded to an issue raised by Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen concerning about 97 persons whose recruitment or regularisation had been delayed due to a pending Bribery and Corruption complaint alleging paid recruitment. He stated that the complaint process has now concluded, the Department of Management Services has been informed, and the Government expects to absorb them into the cadre and resolve the matter soon. Appropriation Bill, 2026 – Committee Stage Debate: Twelfth Allotted Day EmploymentCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
21 November 2025 AI summary Hon. Sunil Handunnetti clarified that the Budget proposal for the Treasury to assume certain statutory liabilities of state enterprises, such as gratuity and legacy obligations, is intended to relieve their financial burden. He emphasized that this measure should not be interpreted as a plan to close those enterprises and urged members to read the relevant section of the Budget carefully. Appropriation Bill, 2026 – Committee Stage Debate: Twelfth Allotted Day Public Finance Read →
19 November 2025 AI summary The Minister provided details in response to a question on official vehicles assigned to the State Minister of Industries appointed in November 2019. He stated that three vehicles were allocated from 27 November 2019 to 2 March 2020, with monthly fuel limits set under the relevant Public Expenditure Management Circular, and listed the fuel allocations and payments made for December 2019 and January-February 2020. He added that no fuel payment was made for March and that the remaining part of the question did not arise. Written Answers to Questions and Administrative Notices Public Finance Read →
19 November 2025 AI summary Sunil Handunnetti provided details on three official vehicles attached from 4 September 2015 to 28 February 2018, including their registration numbers, types, models, and periods of use. He stated that fuel allocations were made under Public Expenditure Management Circular No. CA/1/17/1, with monthly limits of 600 litres for diesel vehicles and 750 litres for petrol vehicles for travel outside the province. He reported total fuel expenditure of Rs. 6,121,250 for the period and said another question raised by Sujeewa Dissanayake would be answered after two weeks. Written Answers to Questions and Administrative Notices Public Finance Read →
19 November 2025 AI summary The Minister stated that the Sri Lanka Cement Corporation had leased land at the Aruwakkalu Limestone Deposit to Asha Minerals without approval from the Ministry or the Attorney-General’s Department, and that related legal proceedings are ongoing. He also explained the background to the 2005 agreement concerning the salvaging of the “M.V. Cordiality” and the handover of recovered ilmenite to Asha Lanka Enterprises following Attorney-General’s advice and a committee recommendation. He rejected the suggestion that the Ministry had failed to protect mineral resources, noting that a review of the Mineral Resources Policy is underway to revoke irregular licences, monitor valid licences, and ensure transparent, competitive issuance of new licences, with Cabinet submission planned before year-end. Written Answers to Questions and Administrative Notices Corruption & Governance ReformPublic Finance Read →
13 November 2025 AI summary The Minister defended the Government’s 2026 Budget against Opposition claims that it is tax-heavy, IMF-driven, and provides insufficient public benefit, arguing that the administration has implemented fiscal discipline, economic democracy, and agreed reforms in a way that stabilizes the economy. He said the Government is restructuring and improving state-owned enterprises rather than privatizing them, citing Treasury assumption of legacy debts and a USD 174 million allocation for SriLankan Airlines, along with steps to clear guarantees and digitalize state institutions. He also justified tax measures including broadening the tax base, lowering the VAT registration threshold from April 2026, and introducing a national tariff policy, saying these are necessary for revenue, fair competition, and domestic industry protection. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Second Reading (Fifth Allotted Day) Public FinanceEmploymentCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
10 November 2025 AI summary The Minister proposed that Hon. (Prof.) Sena Nanayakkara take the Chair. The House agreed, after which Hon. Kitnan Selvaraj left the Chair and Hon. (Prof.) Sena Nanayakkara assumed it. Adjourned Debate on Budget Bill – Second Reading Parliamentary Procedure Read →
24 October 2025 AI summary Sunil Handunnetti said discussions are under way with the Ministry of Finance on VAT treatment for imported rough gems, noting that VAT currently applies because cutting and polishing constitute value addition and involve input credits. He proposed replacing this with a simpler parcel-based import levy, such as a flat USD 200 per parcel, to simplify the process and encourage formal import channels. Ministerial Statement: Export of Rough Gems and Foreign Currency Public Finance Read →
24 October 2025 AI summary Clarified that amounts above USD 10,000 may be brought into the country provided they are declared through the Customs form. The statement emphasized the procedural requirement for declaration rather than a prohibition on bringing such funds. Ministerial Statement: Export of Rough Gems and Foreign Currency Public Finance Read →
22 October 2025 AI summary Sunil Handunnetti stated that doubts among entrepreneurs about the Government’s economic policy and the balance between the State and private sector had been addressed. He said reforms of State-owned enterprises are being pursued without political interference, while acknowledging decision-making delays as an issue to be resolved to support investors. He added that the Government’s general SOE policy had been explained and that specific responses had been provided on the sugar sector. Ministerial Statements: Poverty Alleviation and Industry Development Public FinanceCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
22 October 2025 AI summary Minister Sunil Handunnetti responded to a Standing Order 27(2) question on sugar industry sustainability, framing the Government’s approach within the National People’s Power manifesto and its policy of a participatory, productive economy with targeted State intervention. He said Sri Lanka currently produces only brown sugar, with 81,000 metric tonnes produced in 2024 against estimated demand of 120,000 metric tonnes, and that improving cane varieties, agronomic practices and factory upgrades could raise recovery rates above 8 per cent and enable output of about 124,000 metric tonnes. He outlined plans for value addition, partial substitution of brown sugar for white sugar in some uses, and promotion of brown sugar in State institutions, while noting that the country is not expected to meet total national demand for refined white sugar. Ministerial Statements: Poverty Alleviation and Industry Development EmploymentPublic FinanceAgriculture Read →
7 October 2025 AI summary Hon. Sunil Handunnetti stated that recycling and collection efforts require a whole-of-society approach rather than action by a single Ministry. He noted that private entities are already involved and said that, under the Clean Sri Lanka programme, inter-agency coordination is underway. He undertook to refer the proposal to the Advisory Committee and prepare an action plan. Oral Question: Use of Plastic and Polythene - Minimization (Q.1/2025) Public FinanceEnvironment Read →
7 October 2025 AI summary Hon. Sunil Handunnetti stated that Sri Lanka currently has only one glass bottle manufacturer and said the Government has urged it to expand while also inviting new investors into the sector. He said the Ministry is prepared to facilitate such investments with credit and other support, given growing demand for alternatives to polythene and plastic. He also highlighted priority support for recycling initiatives, including facilities in industrial parks for businesses using recovered glass bottles and other recyclable materials. Oral Question: Use of Plastic and Polythene - Minimization (Q.1/2025) EnvironmentEmployment Read →
26 September 2025 AI summary Hon. Sunil Handunnetti argued that greater independence in the public service and State enterprises has improved efficiency, reduced wastage and corruption, and increased profitability, rejecting claims that CIABOC is politicised. He cited COPE-related data showing several previously loss-making institutions recording profits or higher operating revenue in the first half of 2025, including Lanka Mineral Sands, Milco, the National Paper Company, and Airport and Aviation Services. He also referred to reforms in the gem and jewellery sector, including proposed institutional merger, public disclosure of licence details, and physical inspection procedures for import and re-export, and moved that the financial details be included in Hansard. Adjournment Debate: Fourth Report of the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) Public FinanceCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
26 September 2025 AI summary Minister Sunil Handunnetti responded to Opposition claims about the appointment of the CIABOC Director-General, stating that the appointment was made through the Constitutional Council process under the Anti-Corruption Act, No. 9 of 2023, and not by the Government. He noted that the current Commissioners were appointed before the Government took office and that the Director-General, High Court Judge Ranga Dissanayake, was selected by the Constitutional Council with no objection from Opposition representatives serving on it. He argued that portraying CIABOC as a political tool undermines the independence granted by Parliament and referred to legal remedies and provisions under the Act for challenging decisions or addressing improper allegations. Adjournment Debate: Fourth Report of the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) Corruption & Governance ReformParliamentary Procedure Read →
26 September 2025 AI summary The Minister stated that the ten questions submitted by the Member were received only the previous evening and were extensive in scope. He requested one week to provide comprehensive answers due to the policy detail and volume of information required. Question by Private Notice: Sugar Industry Parliamentary Procedure Read →
25 September 2025 AI summary The Minister briefly responded that the matter was already clear and questioned the need to ask further if it had been understood. No substantive policy issue, proposal, or legislative matter was raised in the remark. Papers Presented Parliamentary Procedure Read →
23 September 2025 AI summary The Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development tabled the 2024 Annual Performance Report of the Department of Textile Industry. He moved that the report be referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Economic Development and International Relations, and the motion was agreed to. Papers: Annual Reports and Committee Reports Parliamentary Procedure Read →
12 September 2025 AI summary Hon. Sunil Handunnetti informed Parliament that he accepted three public petitions. The petitions were submitted by residents from Palatuwa and Gandara in the Matara area, and no further details on their subject matter were provided. Petitions: Various Citizens' Petitions (Multiple Ministers) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
11 September 2025 AI summary Hon. Sunil Handunnetti stated that the Government under President Anura Kumara Dissanayake had restored and ensured Parliament’s financial control over the past year, which he said the public would value. The remarks preceded the Bill being read a Second time and referred to a Committee of the whole Parliament, where Clauses 1 to 5 were agreed to. National Audit (Amendment) Bill Second Reading and Supplementary Estimates Debate Parliamentary ProcedurePublic Finance Read →