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

18 June 2025 AI summary Hon. Sunil Rathnasiri supported the regulations under the Foreign Judgments Act No. 49 of 2024, noting that Sri Lanka would recognize specified court judgments from 53 countries, including Australia and Canada. He used the debate to argue that the NPP Government had strengthened law enforcement and ended selective application of justice, contrasting President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s conduct with that of former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. He also defended the NPP’s post-local election conduct, citing its victories in 267 of 340 local bodies and saying secret ballots in council administrations were sought to protect members from intimidation. Debate: Orders under Reciprocal Recognition, Registration and Enforcement of Foreign Judgments Act No. 49 of 2024 Justice & Human RightsLaw & OrderCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
19 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Sunil Rathnasiri defended the Government’s record under the Ministry of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Co-operative Development, rejecting Opposition allegations on corruption, milk powder prices and rice or paddy interests. He said the Government had improved MILCO by increasing payments to dairy farmers, restoring employee benefits, settling part of its bank debt and pursuing fresh milk self-sufficiency. He alleged past irregularities in Sathosa, Ministry premises works and cooperative purchases, tabling an investigation report on the “Umangdawa Green Hut” premises and citing specific procurement and rent-payment concerns. He urged the Opposition to abandon what he described as old political practices and accept the new Government’s approach. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) Corruption & Governance ReformPublic FinanceCost of Living Read →
5 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Sunil Rathnasiri referred to Hon. Shanakiyan Rasamanickam’s criticism of the Speaker and noted Rasamanickam’s strong electoral performance in their district, where he entered Parliament with the second-highest preference vote total. He also alluded to Rasamanickam’s campaign style, saying they campaigned “with coconut branches.” Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Continued: Heads 124, 151, 331 Parliamentary Procedure Read →
5 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Sunil Rathnasiri requested the Presiding Member’s permission to make a brief correction. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Continued: Heads 124, 151, 331 Parliamentary Procedure Read →
5 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Sunil Rathnasiri defended the Government’s use of statistics, stating they were drawn from sources such as UNICEF, the World Bank, the Central Bank, and the Department of Census and Statistics, while criticising Opposition claims on governance and the economy. He highlighted rural and estate poverty, income inequality in Polonnaruwa, and human–elephant conflict, citing recent local deaths and hardships. He argued that the Budget addresses earlier Opposition concerns by providing 30,000 jobs, expanding Aswesuma by 400,000 beneficiaries with Rs. 233 billion allocated, and increasing the preschool meal allowance from Rs. 60 to Rs. 100, concluding that it was a successful Budget of the National People’s Power Government. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Continued: Heads 124, 151, 331 EmploymentCost of LivingPublic Finance Read →
5 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Sunil Rathnasiri asked whether agreements for shop units in the PCC building, which reportedly require termination if payments are overdue by three months, have been enforced. He sought clarification from the Minister on whether, after renovations to address building deficiencies, the shop units would be allocated under a proper procedure to either new applicants or existing occupants. Oral Question: Shops Leased Out in Polonnaruwa City Center (Q.4/2025) Public FinanceParliamentary Procedure Read →
5 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Sunil Rathnasiri raised concerns about alleged financial irregularities in the PCC building project, noting that its cost increased from an estimated Rs. 355 million in 2012 to Rs. 660.1 million. Referring to the Minister’s statement that 53 of 57 shops had been leased, he requested the list of persons or entities to whom the shops were leased. Oral Question: Shops Leased Out in Polonnaruwa City Center (Q.4/2025) Corruption & Governance ReformPublic Finance Read →
5 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Sunil Rathnasiri asked the Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government for details on shops in the Polonnaruwa City Center, including the total number, how many have been leased, and the status of decisions taken at a 2019 Governor-led discussion on leasing and allocation. He also asked whether those decisions are being implemented and, if any loss has been caused to the Municipal Council through leasing, whether recovery action will be taken against those responsible. Oral Question: Shops Leased Out in Polonnaruwa City Center (Q.4/2025) Public FinanceCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
27 February 2025 AI summary Hon. Sunil Rathnasiri informed Parliament that he accepted a petition from Mr. S.S. Jayalath Munirathna of Sugath Engineers Works, New Town Road, Polonnaruwa. Petitions: Citizens' Petitions Presented by Multiple Members Parliamentary Procedure Read →
20 February 2025 AI summary Hon. Sunil Rathnasiri defended the NPP Budget, arguing that it provides the maximum relief possible for professionals and public servants within the constraints created by past mismanagement. He rejected Opposition claims that the Budget is defined by the IMF or former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, stating that its results should be judged over the Government’s five-year mandate. He also said the Budget reflects an inclusive national mandate across race, religion and region, and criticized past governments since 1977 for corruption, failed leadership and responsibility for crises including the Central Bank bond scam and Easter attacks. Budget Bill 2025 - Second Reading Debate Public FinanceCorruption & Governance ReformLaw & Order Read →
20 February 2025 AI summary Sunil Rathnasiri clarified Budget 2025 allocations related to the Clean Sri Lanka programme and the President’s Vote. He stated that Rs. 5,000 million has been allocated for Clean Sri Lanka, while the President’s Vote has been reduced from Rs. 6,601 million in 2024 to Rs. 2,992 million in 2025, including reductions in both recurrent and capital expenditure. He said his intervention was intended to correct what he described as a mistaken impression raised in the debate. Budget Bill 2025 - Second Reading Debate Public Finance Read →
20 February 2025 AI summary No substantive remarks are provided beyond addressing the Deputy Speaker, so there are no policy points, proposals, questions, or arguments to summarize. Budget Bill 2025 - Second Reading Debate Parliamentary Procedure Read →
7 February 2025 AI summary Hon. Sunil Rathnasiri supported the motion for a proper procurement programme for co-operatives, arguing that the co-op sector historically strengthened rural livelihoods and supplied quality essentials before declining after the 1977 open economy. He said procurement malpractice and corruption had weakened public trust, and criticized previous governments for failing to revive the sector. He stated that the Government intends to use co-operatives, including through the Clean Sri Lanka programme and Sathosa stores in Polonnaruwa, to support paddy purchasing, reduce rural poverty, and provide quality essentials at fair prices. Private Members' Motion 2: Proper Procurement Programme for Co-operatives AgricultureCost of LivingCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
6 February 2025 AI summary Hon. Sunil Rathnasiri rejected Opposition allegations that the NPP promotes hostility, arguing that its recent presidential and general election victories were achieved without post-election violence. He said the Government’s actions were directed at corruption and the recovery of wealth allegedly stolen from the people, not political revenge, and criticized Opposition parties for uniting only when legal action is taken against corruption. Referring to the GI debate, he claimed past governance had tainted public institutions and local identities with corruption and abuse, and pledged that the NPP’s parliamentary majority would act with integrity in line with the public mandate. Debate: Intellectual Property Act Regulations (Geographical Indications) Corruption & Governance ReformJustice & Human RightsLaw & Order Read →