Hon. Sunil Rathnasiri, M.P.

Jathika Jana balawegaya (JJB)· Polonnaruwa

Profession: Teacher

Roster profile ↗

Speeches 54 #91 of 225·#42 in party

Attendance 6/8 days present (of recorded)

Speech history

54 speeches

21 May 2026 AI summary Hon. Sunil Rathnasiri asked how Community Development Councils will address persistent rural poverty despite successive programmes such as Janasaviya, Samurdhi, Divi Neguma, and Aswesuma. He questioned whether the new approach would avoid the shortcomings of earlier poverty alleviation schemes, while noting the selection of a highly impoverished GN Division. Oral Question Q.1770/2025: Rural Development Bureau Projects in Batticaloa District Cost of Living Read →
21 May 2026 AI summary Hon. Sunil Rathnasiri criticized past development projects for allegedly prioritizing Ministers’ own districts and employment opportunities there, leading to public service issues. He asked on what basis the particular village had been selected for the proposed interventions. Oral Question Q.1770/2025: Rural Development Bureau Projects in Batticaloa District Corruption & Governance ReformInfrastructureEmployment Read →
21 May 2026 AI summary Hon. Sunil Rathnasiri asked the Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment whether the Rural Development Bureau is carrying out development projects in the Muruththanai GN Division of the Koralaipattu South Divisional Secretariat Division in Batticaloa. He requested details of the project names, total allocations, current progress, and, if no projects are being implemented, the reasons for non-implementation. Oral Question Q.1770/2025: Rural Development Bureau Projects in Batticaloa District Infrastructure Read →
20 May 2026 AI summary Hon. Sunil Rathnasiri defended the Government’s response to the Middle East war-related crisis, citing a Rs. 100 billion relief package and increases to Aswesuma, fertilizer subsidies, and fuel and vessel support for fishers. He rejected opposition claims regarding unpaid allowances, lack of cyclone assistance, and non-payment of fertilizer subsidies in Polonnaruwa, providing figures on payments and fertilizer distribution. He argued that the Government inherited a bankrupt and halted economy in 2024, but has since improved economic conditions and public confidence, while criticizing the opposition’s conduct and asserting the Government’s commitment to village-level development. Adjournment Debate: Central Bank Annual Economic Review 2025 Public FinanceCost of LivingAgriculture Read →
4 March 2026 AI summary Hon. Sunil Rathnasiri raised a point of order challenging claims of fraud in coal procurement. He asked the Member who made the allegation to specify to whose account any money was paid, and argued that such claims should be supported by examined files and cheque numbers, including those relating to China. Debate: Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority Bill - Second Reading (Continued) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
4 March 2026 AI summary Hon. Sunil Rathnasiri supported the Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority Bill, arguing that previous governments failed to enact such regulation despite long-standing microfinance-related hardship. He rejected Opposition criticisms of the Government, particularly over coal procurement, giving details of penalties imposed on substandard coal shipments and asking the Opposition to disclose its own past decisions on similar imports. He also challenged allegations about a private bank deposit, defended the Government’s record on public funds and plantation wage increases, and accused the Opposition of using unrelated protests and international conflicts to attack the Government. Debate: Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority Bill - Second Reading (Continued) Corruption & Governance ReformPublic Finance Read →
3 March 2026 AI summary Hon. Sunil Rathnasiri referred to the announced attachment of Civil Security Department personnel to the Police and noted their current role in districts such as Polonnaruwa, including protection from the “One” threat. He asked whether, if such personnel are attached to the Police, they would be posted to fill vacancies in police stations within their own districts of residence. Oral Question: Police Stations and Officers (Q.?/2025) with Supplementaries Security & DefenceLaw & Order Read →
3 March 2026 AI summary Hon. Sunil Rathnasiri stated that public confidence in the Police Department had declined over the past year and four months but had been restored through improved service. He raised a supplementary question on whether a programme exists to provide adequate housing for police officers transferred annually, particularly those posted to urban centres. Oral Question: Police Stations and Officers (Q.?/2025) with Supplementaries Land & HousingLaw & Order Read →
6 February 2026 AI summary Sunil Rathnasiri supported extending the Emergency Regulations under the Public Security Ordinance, arguing that they are intended to empower essential services during disaster relief and not to curtail democratic rights. He criticized Opposition actions and allegations, including claims about arrests and disaster assistance, while saying historical abuses of emergency powers explain public suspicion. He also defended the Government’s 2026 education reforms, citing major budget allocations, teacher training, administrative recruitment, and action taken over an error in one curriculum module, including inquiries by education authorities and referral to the CID. Debate: Extension of Emergency Regulations (Cyclone Ditwah) EducationJustice & Human RightsSecurity & Defence Read →
6 February 2026 AI summary Hon. Sunil Rathnasiri formally raised a question in Parliament. No further details of the question or its subject matter are provided in the excerpt. Oral Questions: Various (Q.8, Q.9) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
22 January 2026 AI summary Presented a petition to Parliament from Mr. D. M. S. D. Dissanayake of No. 54/1, 3rd Lane, Mahasen Pedesa, New Town, Polonnaruwa. Petitions Presented Parliamentary Procedure Read →
21 January 2026 AI summary Sunil Rathnasiri indicated that he would ask the question before the House. Oral Question No. 6 (1222/2025) - Aswesuma welfare benefits Parliamentary Procedure Read →
8 January 2026 AI summary Hon. Sunil Rathnasiri supported the regulations, emphasizing the need to address driving under the influence of drugs amid high accident rates and large narcotics seizures in 2025. He linked road safety to rural road deterioration and detailed road and bridge development projects in Polonnaruwa, including reduced contract costs for several bridges and over Rs. 1.768 billion spent in 2025. He also cited 2025 economic and tourism achievements, including tourist arrivals, remittances, government revenue, Customs revenue and exports, and noted the launch of 76 rural road projects in January 2026 with a Rs. 5 billion allocation. Motor Traffic Act Regulations Debate InfrastructureLaw & OrderPublic Finance Read →
5 December 2025 AI summary Hon. Sunil Rathnasiri expressed condolences for Tri-Forces personnel and civilians who died in the disaster, and argued that the floods resulted from exceptionally intense rainfall exceeding the capacity of Sri Lanka’s mainly irrigation-based reservoirs, not from failures to open sluice gates. He said engineers acted to protect reservoir bunds and rejected Opposition claims about inadequate response and allocations, stating that Polonnaruwa received LKR 228 million for initial house-cleaning assistance and LKR 27 million for food, rations, and camp management. He reported that around 11,300 families and nearly 40,000 people were displaced in Polonnaruwa, and said repairs were underway at Elahera and Kumara Ella, including a commitment to repair damaged bridge spans within 14 days. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Budget Debate on Disaster Response and Government Allocations Law & OrderEnvironmentPublic Finance Read →
8 November 2025 AI summary Hon. Sunil Rathnasiri asked whether, after successive changes to poverty alleviation programmes from Janasaviya to Aswesuma, the Government intends to strengthen the Samurdhi Department. He specifically sought clarification on whether the Department would be developed for community empowerment and microfinance or allowed to decline. Oral Question: Financial Assistance Provided to Public During COVID Pandemic (Q.1492/2025) Public FinanceCost of Living Read →
8 November 2025 AI summary Hon. Sunil Rathnasiri stated that 335 Samurdhi Community-Based Bank Unions and 1,092 Samurdhi Community-Based Banks hold about LKR 400 billion, previously audited internally by the Department but now subject to National Audit Office audit following legal changes. He asked what action would be taken if poor depositors’ funds had been used for other purposes and interest due to them had not been paid, including recovery and crediting of the rightful interest. Oral Question: Financial Assistance Provided to Public During COVID Pandemic (Q.1492/2025) Justice & Human RightsPublic Finance Read →
8 November 2025 AI summary Hon. Sunil Rathnasiri asked the Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment to provide details on financial assistance given to the public during the COVID-19 pandemic. He requested the total amount distributed, whether funds from the Samurdhi Development Fund were used, the amount utilized, and whether those funds have been settled, or if not, the reasons for non-settlement. Oral Question: Financial Assistance Provided to Public During COVID Pandemic (Q.1492/2025) Public Finance Read →
22 October 2025 AI summary Sunil Rathnasiri formally rose to ask a question in Parliament. No substantive issue, policy matter, or proposal was stated in the excerpt provided. Oral Question: Q.7/2025 - Deferred Answer Parliamentary Procedure Read →
8 October 2025 AI summary Hon. Sunil Rathnasiri stated that Rs. 3,000 million allocated in 2011–2012 for rehabilitating 53 roads in the North Central Province was misused by the contractor, Kanthi Construction, and the works were not completed. He said allegations that the then Chief Minister received money from contractors were revealed, and that COPA had made recommendations on the matter, which have been submitted. Debate: Supplementary Sum - Head 117 - Programme 02 (Ministry of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation) Corruption & Governance ReformPublic FinanceInfrastructure Read →
8 October 2025 AI summary Hon. Sunil Rathnasiri supported the Supplementary Estimate for the Ministry of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation, distinguishing it from previous supplementary allocations and framing it as part of fiscal recovery and disciplined revenue management. He cited revenue, tourism, remittance, export, customs, port, petroleum and telecom performance figures to argue that state income has improved despite a large budget deficit. He highlighted road and bridge development in Polonnaruwa, including the Kotaliyadda and Gallelle bridge projects, stating that tender savings were achieved by eliminating corrupt cost inflation practices. Debate: Supplementary Sum - Head 117 - Programme 02 (Ministry of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation) Public FinanceInfrastructure Read →