Hon. Sunil Watagala, Attorney at Law, M.P.
Deputy Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs
Profession: Attorney-at-Law
Speeches 125 #36 of 225·#17 in party
Attendance 7/8 days present (of recorded)
Top topic Parliamentary Procedure 64 speeches
Last spoke 9 June 2026 in Debate
Activity by sitting
47 sittings · counts only, no scoring.
Topic focus
AI summary AI-assigned tags, 1–3 per speech. Counts only — not a score.
Speech history
125 speeches- 20 May 2025 AI summary Deputy Minister Sunil Watagala defended the Government’s vehicle import tax regulations under the Excise (Special Provisions) Act, citing Gazette Extraordinary No. 2421/42 of 31 January 2025 as a measure to permit imports after five years while protecting foreign reserves, revenue, and macroeconomic stability. He said the framework applies lower excise rates to electric vehicles than to petrol, diesel and hybrid vehicles, exempts certain electric three-wheelers, and factors in model year, motor capacity and environmental impact. He also responded to Opposition criticism on tax policy and local government results, asserting the National People’s Power’s mandate and challenging opponents to name their proposed Colombo Mayor and Deputy Mayor. He linked the regulations to IMF-supported reserve management and argued that the Government must proceed cautiously within the Extended Fund Facility programme. Debate: Order under the Excise (Special Provisions) Act - Electric Vehicle Tax Revision (Continued) EnvironmentPublic Finance Read →
- 8 May 2025 AI summary Deputy Minister Sunil Watagala said the Government had reopened vehicle imports to the public after six years while maintaining the President’s Budget position that vehicles would not be imported for MPs. He stated that any tax anomalies could be reviewed with the Finance Ministry as the economy stabilizes, and noted complaints about Customs and Ports clearance capacity, saying the Government would intervene to improve daily vehicle clearances. Responding to election-related criticisms raised during the debate on the Customs Ordinance Resolution, he cited recent election results to defend the Government’s mandate and argued that its conduct, including in the Colombo Municipal Council context, had been ethical and free of state-resource abuse. Debate: Customs Ordinance - Resolution on Import Duties on Motor Vehicles Law & OrderPublic FinanceParliamentary Procedure Read →
- 8 May 2025 AI summary Hon. Sunil Watagala informed Parliament that the OIC of the Bambalapitiya Police had advised him that a B Report has also been initiated in relation to the second incident. Debate: Customs Ordinance - Resolution on Import Duties on Motor Vehicles Law & Order Read →
- 8 May 2025 AI summary Hon. Sunil Watagala responded to a point of order regarding an incident involving a girl, stating that Bambalapitiya Police had filed a B Report, arrested the suspect, and were taking further legal steps. He noted that any decision on bail rests with the court, not political authorities, and said police would update the court in light of public protests. He expressed regret over the incident and maintained that there had been no dereliction of duty in the investigation so far. Debate: Customs Ordinance - Resolution on Import Duties on Motor Vehicles Parliamentary ProcedureLaw & Order Read →
- 10 April 2025 AI summary The Hon. Sunil Watagala challenged another member’s implication regarding the Batalanda issue by asking whether they considered Batalanda to have been acceptable. His intervention appears to question or criticize the stance being taken in the debate on that matter. Debate: Report of the Commission of Inquiry into Batalanda Torture Chambers Justice & Human Rights Read →
- 10 April 2025 AI summary Deputy Minister Sunil Watagala seconded the Motion and cited findings of the Batalanda Commission, arguing that its report implicated Ranil Wickremesinghe in abuse of power, unlawful interference with police functions, and indirect responsibility for unlawful detention and torture chambers at the Batalanda Housing Scheme between 1988 and 1990. He referred to specific report passages identifying houses allegedly used for detention and torture, including premises linked to Wickremesinghe and police officers, and said the report also recorded that Wickremesinghe accepted there was no proof connecting the JVP or NSSP to the July 1983 riots. He framed the debate as an opportunity to seek justice for those killed or tortured during the period, including political activists and Attorney-at-Law Wijedasa Liyanarachchi. Debate: Report of the Commission of Inquiry into Batalanda Torture Chambers Corruption & Governance ReformLaw & OrderJustice & Human Rights Read →
- 8 April 2025 AI summary The Deputy Minister supported the Proceeds of Crime Bill, arguing that it is needed to investigate assets allegedly held through nominees or unexplained transactions, including the cited “Mihindu Arana” property transfer and bar licences allegedly linked to politicians. He highlighted Clause 34 as a key provision, saying it creates presumptions and allows measures such as restraining, preserving, or vesting property in the State where lawful ownership or source of funds cannot be shown. He said the Bill shifts the burden to persons holding suspect property to prove entitlement on a balance of probabilities and is intended to address proceeds of unlawful activity. Debate: Proceeds of Crime Bill – Second Reading Corruption & Governance ReformLaw & OrderJustice & Human Rights Read →
- 21 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Sunil Watagala disputed a claim by Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara that an audio clip concerning him had been tabled, stating that the Secretariat informed him no such material had been provided. He criticized the use of the Chamber to circulate alleged social media fabrications and false claims, including remarks about Deshabandu’s whereabouts, and said the Secretariat was taking steps to ask for the clip to be produced. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Twenty-sixth Day) and Third Reading Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 21 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Sunil Watagala denied claims that he had said he knew the whereabouts of Deshbandu Tennakoon or Ms. Sewwandi. He stated that the Police were enforcing the law and that action had been taken under Sections 60–62 of the Code of Criminal Procedure leading to Tennakoon’s appearance in court. He urged the Opposition, including Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, not to spread falsehoods. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Twenty-sixth Day) and Third Reading Parliamentary ProcedureLaw & Order Read →
- 17 March 2025 AI summary Deputy Minister Sunil Watagala argued that the current three-month-old Government is restoring accountability after decades in which the Executive Presidency dominated Parliament, the Cabinet and the judiciary. He cited recent Court of Appeal proceedings directing action against former IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon as evidence of judicial independence without executive interference. He said the Government would fulfil its policy commitments, including reforms related to the Executive Presidency, but according to its own timetable rather than the Opposition’s demands. Adjournment Motion: Necessity of Drafting a New Constitution Corruption & Governance ReformJustice & Human Rights Read →
- 17 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Sunil Watagala supported Hon. Kaushalya Ariyaratne’s objection that Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara’s intervention was not a valid Point of Order. He argued that Jayasekara, as a senior MP, had used the procedure to gain an unfair political advantage and should not be allowed to do so under the guise of a Point of Order. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate on Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and Ministry of Environment Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 17 March 2025 AI summary Sunil Watagala rose to raise a Point of Order. No substantive argument, proposal, or policy issue was recorded in the provided excerpt. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate on Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and Ministry of Environment Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 5 March 2025 AI summary The Deputy Minister said the Government brought the Adjournment Motion to demonstrate its intention to act on the public mandate to combat illicit drugs, arguing that political links to drug trafficking had been removed. He outlined enforcement, prevention and treatment measures in the North and East under the Clean Sri Lanka programme, including recent seizures, training of Development Officers, Tamil-language awareness work, clinics, and plans for a rehabilitation centre in Jaffna and a Northern office of the National Authority on Dangerous Drugs. He reported increased detections and seizures in early 2025, noted a decline in heroin use alongside growth in other substances, and pledged continued coordinated action with security agencies to curb the drug problem. Adjournment Motion: Jaffna - Social Impact of Drug Addiction Among Youth Law & OrderSecurity & Defence Read →
- 1 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Sunil Watagala defended the Government’s record on judicial independence, prison administration, and criminal accountability, stating that courts now function independently and prison institutions have been opened to public scrutiny. He said Singapore had informed Sri Lanka in December 2021 that Arjuna Mahendran could not be extradited under its law, but that proceedings would continue through available legal routes, including trial and enforcement of judgment if extradition fails. He urged that the Attorney-General’s Department and Police be allowed to act independently in complex cases, noted that major public finance suspects are before court, and challenged the Opposition to prove any misuse of public funds by Government members. Committee of Supply: Ministry of Justice and National Integration (Head 110, Heads 228-236, Head 326) Justice & Human RightsLaw & OrderPublic Finance Read →
- 1 March 2025 AI summary Clarified that he had not referred to anyone by name, responding to a procedural or personal point raised during the debate. Committee of Supply: Ministry of Justice and National Integration (Head 110, Heads 228-236, Head 326) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 1 March 2025 AI summary The Deputy Minister supported the Votes of the Ministry of Justice and National Integration and said shortcomings in court facilities, record-keeping and photocopying services should be addressed after the allocations are passed. He proposed reconsidering judicial retirement ages, particularly for the High Court and Court of Appeal, to retain experienced judges. He rejected Opposition allegations regarding files and political conduct, stating that files had been referred for lawful investigation, and argued that the Government was safeguarding judicial independence through proper appointments and non-interference. He also cited past incidents involving the judiciary and prisons, including the impeachment of Dr. Shirani Bandaranayake and the alleged actions of former State Minister Lohan Ratwatte, as context for reforms to make these institutions independent and accountable. Committee of Supply: Ministry of Justice and National Integration (Head 110, Heads 228-236, Head 326) Law & OrderJustice & Human RightsPublic Finance Read →
- 28 February 2025 AI summary Hon. Sunil Watagala stated that recent shootings and other crimes have involved serving or retired members of the armed forces and Police, including individuals with weapons training linked to narcotics. He said the Defence Secretary has moved to apprehend armed forces deserters and recall firearms issued by the previous Government, with reissuance subject to threat assessments. He also noted that dual citizenship processing is being expedited and indicated that authorities expect soon to disclose who is behind murders in the Middeniya area. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate Continued (Afternoon) Law & OrderSecurity & Defence Read →
- 28 February 2025 AI summary Deputy Minister Sunil Watagala said the Government is undertaking a comprehensive salary review for the Police, including basic salary increases, allowances, and possible pathways for qualified lower-rank officers to sit for the ASP examination. He defended current policing and intelligence efforts, citing recent arrest timelines and firearm seizures, while arguing that organized crime and narcotics networks have long-standing political links from previous administrations. He stated that the NPP Government does not patronize gangs, that the Police Commission is functioning independently, and that new Defence Secretary orders require reassessment of firearms issued on threat grounds and action regarding deserters. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate (Defence & Public Security Heads) Law & OrderSecurity & DefencePublic Finance Read →
- 19 February 2025 AI summary Hon. Sunil Watagala alleged that past political killings were linked to the Rajapaksa family and its associates, and rejected criticism of the NPP Government on national security after only 90 days in office. He stated that investigations into witness killings and other political murders are being conducted independently through the CID and the Attorney-General’s Department without political interference, and said the Government intends to complete them despite the length of criminal trials. The debate was then adjourned at 6.30 p.m. until 20 February 2025. Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Second Reading Justice & Human RightsSecurity & DefenceLaw & Order Read →
- 19 February 2025 AI summary The Deputy Minister defended the Budget, saying public acceptance was reflected in the absence of protests and highlighting reductions in expenditure under the President’s Vote. He argued that fisheries allocations must follow practical development needs, welcomed the reopening of vehicle imports, and said passport services had improved through online and same-day, 24-hour arrangements. Responding to concerns about a court shooting, he said the suspect had been arrested and investigations were continuing, while also calling for probes into alleged contract killings and witness tampering in major past cases. Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Second Reading Public FinanceJustice & Human RightsLaw & Order Read →