Hon. Sunil Handunnetti, M.P.

Jathika Jana balawegaya (JJB)· Matara

Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development

Profession: Politician

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Speeches 141 #28 of 225·#14 in party

Attendance 2/8 days present (of recorded)

Speech history

141 speeches

11 September 2025 AI summary Hon. Sunil Handunnetti moved that Hon. (Prof.) Sena Nanayakkara take the Chair during the proceedings. The motion was agreed to, after which the Deputy Chairperson of Committees vacated the Chair and Hon. Nanayakkara assumed it. National Audit (Amendment) Bill Second Reading and Supplementary Estimates Debate Parliamentary Procedure Read →
21 August 2025 AI summary Hon. Sunil Handunnetti said the Government was mediating with banks to provide relief for distressed borrowers, while rejecting blanket loan write-offs because they involve depositors’ funds. He argued that economic conditions, governance, and accountability had improved after the change in political power, citing increased profits in airports and ports, higher FDI, tourism earnings, remittances, Customs revenue, and a reduced budget deficit. Referring to the Construction Industry Development Act and vehicle import and EV-related reforms, he said regulations would be brought before Parliament and that construction and industry policy should align with economic recovery and new technologies. He also said law enforcement and scrutiny of past corruption, including construction-related projects, should apply equally to politicians and officials. Debate: Customs Ordinance, Excise Regulation, Finance Act Order, and Construction Industry Development Act (Continued) Public FinanceLaw & OrderEmployment Read →
21 August 2025 AI summary The Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development presented the 2022/2023 Annual Report of Kahatagaha Graphite Lanka Limited. He moved that it be referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Economic Development and International Relations, and the motion was agreed to. Papers: Reports and Agreements Tabled Parliamentary Procedure Read →
20 August 2025 AI summary The Minister stated that, after reviewing the relevant Board decisions, there was no decision to sell the building to Renuka Holdings or any other party. Oral Question: National Gem and Jewellery Authority Property (Q.4/2024) Public Finance Read →
20 August 2025 AI summary Sunil Handunnetti stated that any action regarding State assets would be based only on valuations by State institutions and court decisions. He said the Government would not sell or dispose of assets through unsolicited proposals, and that any disposal would require a transparent tender process, selection of the highest bid, and Cabinet approval. Oral Question: National Gem and Jewellery Authority Property (Q.4/2024) Public FinanceCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
20 August 2025 AI summary Minister Sunil Handunnetti stated that the Authority owns a five-storey building at Galle Face Terrace that was damaged during adjacent construction by Galle Face Properties, with NBRO and CECB reports obtained and a District Court case filed against Renuka Holdings and Galle Face Properties. He said there is no decision to settle the case or sell the property to Renuka Holdings, although its unsolicited offer of Rs. 415.25 million prompted the Board to consider options including repair, rebuilding, or sale through government tender procedures. He added that any disposal would require a transparent tender process and Cabinet approval, and that the matter will next be addressed in court on 10 September 2025. Oral Question: National Gem and Jewellery Authority Property (Q.4/2024) Justice & Human RightsInfrastructurePublic Finance Read →
7 August 2025 AI summary Minister Sunil Handunnetti rejected the Opposition Leader’s criticism that the Government lacked an economic plan, arguing that the country inherited severe economic instability and that recovery would be gradual. He outlined planned and ongoing industrial zones in Valachchenai, Ingiriya, Katunayake, Dambulla, Rambewa, Divulapitiya, Sooriyawewa and Raigam, citing expected investments, completion timelines and job creation. He said Cabinet had approved 38 projects across 19 zones and that District Secretaries had been directed to identify suitable unused land for further industrial development. Adjournment Debate: Current Economic Status of the Country Public FinanceEmploymentInfrastructure Read →
6 August 2025 AI summary Hon. Sunil Handunnetti presented the Industrial Technology Institute’s 2023 Annual Report and moved that it be referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Economic Development and International Relations, which was agreed to. He also presented a Committee on Public Enterprises report on observations and actions relating to the National Gem and Jewellery Authority under Standing Order 120(4), and moved that it be referred back to COPE, which was also agreed to. Papers: Tabling of Annual and Performance Reports Parliamentary Procedure Read →
5 August 2025 AI summary The Minister supported Regulations under the Anti-Dumping and Countervailing Duties Act, stating that they are needed to protect domestic industries such as tiles, sanitaryware, leather products and footwear from unfairly priced imports. He said the mechanism would allow producers to lodge complaints and enable verification of import prices through Sri Lanka Customs, helping ensure fair competition. He also noted that the Government is working on a National Tariff Policy with the Trade and Finance Ministries to provide a stable five-year framework for duties and investment planning. Linking the Regulations to broader economic policy, he cited export, tourism and stock market indicators and urged Parliament to approve the measures to support domestic producers. Debate: Anti-Dumping and Countervailing Duties Regulations Public FinanceLaw & OrderEmployment Read →
5 August 2025 AI summary Hon. Sunil Handunnetti proposed that Hon. (Prof.) Sena Nanayakkara take the Chair during the committee proceedings. The motion was agreed to, after which the Deputy Chairperson of Committees left the Chair and Hon. (Prof.) Sena Nanayakkara presided. Debate: Resolution to Remove Inspector-General of Police T.M.W. Deshabandu Tennakoon Parliamentary Procedure Read →
5 August 2025 AI summary Hon. Sunil Handunnetti outlined the payment position of Lanka Sugar Company at Pelwatta and Sevanagala, stating that most advances, transport allowances and salaries had been settled, with remaining final payment arrears now being addressed, including an immediate 40 per cent settlement. He said identified revenues from sugar and ethanol sales, along with a Rs. 1 billion allocation from the President as Minister of Finance, would support future cane advances, fertilizer supply, expanded cultivation, ethanol quality improvements and a wholesale sugar distribution network across all districts. He argued that the company had moved past a financial risk period while maintaining fair farmer prices and protecting the sugar industry, and said cane purchasing would continue with an expected increase in harvest and a collective pricing mechanism across production entities. Ministerial Statement: Lanka Sugar Company - Pelwatte and Sevanagala Sugarcane Farmers AgriculturePublic Finance Read →
5 August 2025 AI summary The Minister addressed delayed payments to Pelwatte and Sevanagala sugarcane outgrower farmers under Lanka Sugar Company, outlining inherited liabilities of Rs. 6.272 billion and current production, sales, and revenue figures for sugar and ethanol in early 2025. He stated that a two-month payment delay was acknowledged, with Rs. 871.86 million paid between 2 June and 1 August against Rs. 1.541 billion due by 31 August, leaving Rs. 669.61 million outstanding. He tabled detailed farmer payment lists, saying they were intended to clarify eligibility and identify persons in protests who were not relevant farmers or who owed money to the company. Ministerial Statement: Lanka Sugar Company - Pelwatte and Sevanagala Sugarcane Farmers Public FinanceAgricultureEmployment Read →
22 July 2025 AI summary Minister Sunil Handunnetti said Lanka Sugar Company was inherited as a loss-making entity with large unsold stocks of ethanol and sugar, and argued that current sugar and ethanol price issues stem from decisions made under previous administrations, including VAT on sugar and ethanol import controls. He stated that the Government has paid cutting and transport charges, recently paid Rs. 460 million to farmers, and secured a further Rs. 1 billion Treasury allocation to settle remaining payments. He rejected allegations that state-produced ethanol contained urea or that the Government planned to import ethanol, tabling Excise Department and quality inspection documents, and said the state-linked sugar factories would not be sold, closed, or allowed to sell ethanol below Rs. 800 per litre. Adjournment Debate: Safeguarding Local Sugar Industry AgriculturePublic FinanceCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
22 July 2025 AI summary Hon. Sunil Handunnetti moved that Hon. Aravinda Senarath take the Chair. The motion was put to the House and agreed to, after which the Speaker left the Chair and Hon. Aravinda Senarath assumed it. Adjournment Debate: Safeguarding Local Sugar Industry Parliamentary Procedure Read →
22 July 2025 AI summary The Minister tabled data on Sri Lanka’s sugar requirement, domestic production, expected 2025 output, and imports, noting annual demand of about 650,000 metric tons and expected 2025 imports of 550,000–600,000 metric tons. He stated that locally produced sugar is subject to 18 per cent VAT and 2.5 per cent SSCL, and that Pelwatte and Sevanagala are currently not profitable from sugar production. The answer also identified risks to direct and indirect employment in the sector and listed measures to increase brown sugar production and reduce imports, including improved cane varieties, farmer incentives, better fertilizer use, training, and modern technology. Oral Question: Sugar Demand and Production (Q.10/2024) AgriculturePublic FinanceEmployment Read →
9 July 2025 AI summary The Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development presented the Ministry’s Annual Performance Report for 2024. 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 Performance Reports Parliamentary Procedure Read →
8 July 2025 AI summary Minister Sunil Handunnetti said Gazette Extraordinary No. 2437/04 under the Imports and Exports (Control) Act was issued to address a salt shortage and sharp retail price increases by permitting imports of 20,000 metric tonnes. He stated that imports were limited to consignments shipped by 10 June, distributed transparently through National Salt Ltd. to producers, industries and wholesalers, and helped reduce prices from about Rs. 300–350 per kilo to around Rs. 180–210, while generating tax revenue and a modest profit for the company. He defended the policy as necessary state intervention in an essential commodity affected by weather-dependent production, rejected allegations of ministerial profiteering, and tabled the imported salt distribution list for the Hansard. Debate: Imports and Exports (Control) Act - Salt Import Regulations (Gazette No. 2437/04) Public FinanceAgriculture Read →
30 June 2025 AI summary Minister Sunil Handunnetti defended the Fiscal Strategy Statement as a legally grounded framework under the Public Financial Management Act to guide the 2026 Budget, manage fiscal risks, and prevent arbitrary overspending, particularly in relation to SOEs, macroeconomic shocks, legal exposures, and local government entities. He said the Government had already taken fiscal sustainability measures including tax reforms, tax administration modernization, abolition of SVAT, and institutional reforms in revenue agencies, and requested that relevant pages of the Statement be incorporated into Hansard. He stated that the Government aims to resolve 2025 fiscal risks within the year, outperform revenue targets, and exit the IMF programme by 2028 while maintaining transparency. He also highlighted tourism, regional development in the North and East, revival of factories such as National Paper, and the need for rule of law and safeguards against narcotics and youth migration. Debate: Motion to Adjourn on Fiscal Strategy Statement 2026 Public Finance Read →
19 June 2025 AI summary The Minister discussed the Sectoral Oversight Committee report on the National Gem and Jewellery Authority and tabled the Ministry’s clarifications and progress note, noting that only 3.55 per cent of rough gemstones imported between 2022 and 2024 had been value-added and re-exported through official channels. He argued that large volumes of imported gems were moving outside lawful accounting systems through informal transactions, causing foreign exchange losses, and called for stronger investigations, including future forensic audits into licensing abuses. He outlined measures including institutional consolidation under a proposed Mineral Bureau, a technology-based gem valuation tool, airport VAT refund kiosks for tourists from 1 July, tax and duty incentives to formalize re-exports, and a broader national mineral policy covering value addition and resource management. Adjournment Debate: Special Audit Report on Advance Payment for Import of 15,000 Dairy Cattle and COPE Report on National Gem and Jewellery Authority Law & OrderPublic FinanceCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
19 June 2025 AI summary The Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development presented the National Design Centre’s Annual Report for 2022. He proposed that it be referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Economic Development and International Relations, and the House agreed. Papers Presented Parliamentary Procedure Read →