Hon. Aruna Panagoda, M.P.
Profession: Politician
Speeches 26 #149 of 225·#88 in party
Attendance 8/8 days present (of recorded)
Top topic Parliamentary Procedure 12 speeches
Last spoke 8 May 2026 in Debate
Activity by sitting
20 sittings · counts only, no scoring.
Topic focus
AI summary AI-assigned tags, 1–3 per speech. Counts only — not a score.
Speech history
26 speeches- 8 May 2026 AI summary Hon. Aruna Panagoda supported the motion on preventing youth suicide, citing frequent cases and estimating that 3,000 to 3,500 young lives are lost annually over issues such as examinations, workplace problems, and school-related stress. He argued for long-term social interventions through the education system, including character-building, counselling, extracurricular activities, stronger family relationships, and closer teacher-student engagement. He also urged electronic and social media, and Parliament itself, to act responsibly and avoid conduct that could negatively affect individuals, families, and social attitudes. Debate: Private Members' Motion P.60/2025 - Preventing Suicide Among Young Children EducationWomen & ChildrenHealthcare Read →
- 8 April 2026 AI summary Aruna Panagoda presented two public petitions to Parliament, one from Mr. Amila Tharaka Ayuwaradhana of the Praja Shakthi Development Society in Mattegoda and another from Mr. M.G. Dharmasena of Samagi Mawatha. The petitions were ordered to be referred to the Committee on Public Petitions. Petitions Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 7 April 2026 AI summary Aruna Panagoda defended the President’s relief package, stating that it was introduced in response to wartime hardships and the festive season, with over Rs. 100 billion in support for farmers, fishers, and low-income groups. He said the Government’s revenue measures are linked to the Budget, aimed at improving tax administration, bringing tax evaders into the system, and shifting away from excessive reliance on indirect taxes. He also argued that strengthening the rule of law and reducing corruption and commissions are necessary to restore investor confidence. Debate: Social Security Contribution Levy (Amendment) Bill and Related Orders - Continuation (Post-Lunch) Public FinanceCost of LivingCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
- 3 March 2026 AI summary Hon. Aruna Panagoda presented a petition to Parliament from Mr. K.K. Bodhipaksha of No. 11, Helsirigama, Helboda, Katukithula. Petitions Presented Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 27 November 2025 AI summary Hon. Aruna Panagoda said the Government was responding to the ongoing disaster through discussions involving the President, party leaders and MPs, with teams sent to affected districts and further decisions due at a Party Leaders’ meeting. He argued that the Government’s agriculture policy was being led by representatives with farming backgrounds and said the Budget allocates funds to address long-standing issues in agriculture, land administration, tank maintenance, reserve protection and Survey Department staffing, including in Colombo District. He criticized past governments for fragmenting the agriculture portfolio, wasting public funds, distributing state lands to political associates, and cited a Homagama land case involving former ministers as an example of agricultural land being diverted from cultivation. He stated that the Government is gathering proposals and engaging farmers to rectify these problems and strengthen agricultural production. Appropriation Bill 2026 - Committee Stage - Eleventh Allotted Day (Heads 118, 281, 282, 285-289, 292, 327, 337) AgriculturePublic Finance Read →
- 14 November 2025 AI summary Hon. Aruna Panagoda supported the Government’s second Budget, arguing that Opposition criticism was politically motivated and contrasting it with what he described as past fiscal mismanagement and corruption under previous administrations. He highlighted allocations for agriculture and related sectors, and for sustainable transport reforms, and said revenue performance and the projected deficit showed improved fiscal management. He specifically welcomed Rs. 1,500 million to resume the Ruwanpura Expressway works from Kahathuduwa to Ingiriya and to pay long-delayed compensation to landowners, noting that over 800 families in Kahathuduwa were awaiting payment. Debate: Second Reading of Appropriation Bill 2026 – Sixth Allotted Day InfrastructureAgriculturePublic Finance Read →
- 13 November 2025 AI summary A petition from Mr. D.M.T. of Pansala Road, Uduwana, Homagama, was tabled. It was ordered to be referred to the Committee on Public Petitions. Petitions Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 21 October 2025 AI summary A petition was presented on behalf of Mr. K. A. S. C. Kumarasinghe of No. 09, Mambulagoda, Pannipitiya. Petitions Presented to Parliament Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 8 July 2025 AI summary A petition was presented on behalf of Mr. Chandrasiri Wettasinghe Liyanage of Godagama, Homagama. No details of the petition’s subject matter were stated in the speech. Petitions Presented by Members Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 30 June 2025 AI summary Aruna Panagoda supported the Fiscal Strategy Statement 2026, arguing that it identifies fiscal problems, proposes measures to raise revenue, address gaps, strengthen legal frameworks, and restore fiscal discipline. He criticized the Opposition’s past record in government, alleging mismanagement, misuse of public funds, and attempts to undermine economic stabilization by discouraging investors. He said the Government is pursuing a new political culture based on accountability and urged the Opposition to assist rather than destabilize the recovery effort. Debate: Motion to Adjourn on Fiscal Strategy Statement 2026 Public FinanceCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
- 22 May 2025 AI summary A petition was presented on behalf of Mr. K.R. Palitha Kularathna of Galabedihena Watta, Wataraka, Meegoda. No further details on the subject of the petition were provided in the speech. Presentation of Petitions Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 12 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Aruna Panagoda supported the Agriculture Ministry’s expenditure proposals, emphasizing the rehabilitation of fallow paddy lands in Colombo and the need to address farmers’ problems through public participation. He defended the planned animal census as necessary to quantify crop damage by species such as porcupines, peacocks, monkeys and wild boar, citing a serious wild boar problem in Homagama and the need for data before relocating animals. He also alleged irregular private transfers of Land Reform Commission and state lands to politically connected persons, calling for rectification. He urged strengthened village-level farmer support, improved agrarian and veterinary services, and policies to ensure food security, fair farmer returns, and affordable consumer prices. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation Corruption & Governance ReformAgricultureLand & Housing Read →
- 10 March 2025 AI summary Asked whether there is a specified time frame for completing the payment of compensation. Oral Answers to Questions Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 10 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Aruna Panagoda raised concerns about 592 acquired plots in the Homagama DS Division, noting that only six have been properly valued after about 10 years. He said affected owners cannot build or sell their land, while local authorities continue to levy rates despite the lands being treated as state land. He asked the Minister what immediate steps will be taken to resolve these valuation and ownership-related hardships. Oral Answers to Questions Public FinanceLand & Housing Read →
- 5 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Aruna Panagoda moved that Hon. Ajantha Gammeddege take the Chair. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Continued: Heads 124, 151, 331 Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 5 March 2025 AI summary Aruna Panagoda questioned the Opposition Leader’s silence regarding alleged distressing remarks made by an Opposition MP about Hon. Sugath Wasantha de Silva. He argued that statements by Hon. Ajith P. Perera did not remove the Opposition Leader’s responsibility and asked for Sajith Premadasa’s position on the matter. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Continued: Heads 124, 151, 331 Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 5 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Aruna Panagoda raised a Point of Order. No substantive argument, proposal, or question was recorded in the provided excerpt. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Continued: Heads 124, 151, 331 Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 1 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Aruna Panagoda raised concern over a 20-perch State land block in Mahenawatta allegedly being sold for Rs. 20,000 despite its high urban value and proximity to several Government institutions. He argued that past failures in proper procedure have harmed State land management and said the area urgently needs land for a police station. He requested that the land be reacquired and allocated to the Police for that purpose. Oral Question: LRC Land in Mahenawatta - Pitipana Sale (Q.3/2025) Public FinanceLaw & OrderLand & Housing Read →
- 1 March 2025 AI summary Aruna Panagoda asked for clarification on when a particular land was sold and to whom it was sold. Oral Question: LRC Land in Mahenawatta - Pitipana Sale (Q.3/2025) Land & Housing Read →
- 1 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Aruna Panagoda asked the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation to clarify whether land belonging to the Land Reform Commission exists or existed at Mahenawatta, Pitipana. He sought details on whether the land had been sold or is planned for sale, the amount and per-perch value if sold, the rationale for selling to an external party despite Government land needs, and whether steps would be taken to reacquire it. Oral Question: LRC Land in Mahenawatta - Pitipana Sale (Q.3/2025) Land & Housing Read →